Edinburgh has an almost limitless number of restaurants and cafes to try throughout the city.
From no-frills comfort food to world-class fine dining, there is something for everyone in the capital. Unfortunately, there is also a lot of less-than-stellar eateries not worth your hard-earned money, particularly during the worsening cost of living crisis.
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To help you find a great place to get some food, Edinburgh Live took to TripAdvisor to find its top 15 Edinburgh restaurants and cafes. We have also included a sample review for each one, so you know exactly what visitors are saying.
15. The Skyline Restaurant, Tynecastle Park
Rating: 5/5
Number of reviews: 296
Coming in at number 10, with an average rating of 5/5, is The Skyline Restaurant in Tynecastle Park. Out of 296 reviews, a staggering 279 gave the restaurant — which specialises in pork loin & pasta dishes — a perfect score.
What one customer said: "We came in a couple and we absolutely loved the restaurant. Food is amazing, friendly staff, fair price. We totally recommend and will be coming back again!"
14. Doctors, 32 Forrest Road
Rating: 4.5/5
Number of reviews: 1,065
If it's no-fuss but great quality food you're after, then look no further than Doctors on Forrest Road. TripAdvisor reviews singled out the fish and chips, the steak and ale pie, and the haggis as particular highlights.
What one customer said: "Friendly and attentive, nothing was too much trouble. Great choice of drinks and food in a pub that’s maintained it’s original character. See you next time I’m in Edinburgh!"
13. Fountain Cafe, 69 Grove Street
Rating: 5/5
Number of reviews: 150
With 128 out of its 150 reviews being 5/5, and having no 0/5 ratings, it's safe to say Fountain Cafe on Grove Street is a hit among visitors. TripAdvisor users singled out the Full Scottish Breakfast in particular.
What one customer said: "A great little cafe. Hosts were really friendly and breakfast was amazing! Full Scottish was really tasty and all served with a smile and a friendly atmosphere."
12. Dine, 10 Cambridge Street
Rating: 5/5
Number of reviews: 2,501
On the other end of the spectrum is Dine, a contemporary brasserie, champagne and cocktail lounge in the city centre. Its salmon, venison, sea bass, and oysters are all standouts according to TripAdvisor.
What one customer said: "Had the most delicious birthday meal this evening. Salmon started was to die for. My steak was cooked, rare to perfection, and I ate the olives and bread so fast I didn’t even get a picture. Staff were impeccable as always".
11. GF, 37 Dalry Road
Rating: 5/5
Number of reviews: 129
If it's gluten-free food you're after, look no further than GF on Dalry Road. The takeaway near Haymarket train station serves up breakfast and lunch, and according to TripAdvisor users all of it is delicious.
What one customer said: "Amazing selection of tasty gluten-free food, at affordable prices. Welcoming and helpful service. 10/10 would recommend."
10. Dean Banks At The Pompadour, Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh
Rating: 5/5
Number of reviews: 204
Another fine dining restaurant — with the prices to match — Dean Banks At The Pompadour is the place to go if it's a true luxury experience you're after.
What one customer said: "There is nothing that could have been done better. Thank you all for a wonderful experience. Each dish a master piece. Dinner with my wife over just over 3 hours was a delight."
9. Pataka, 190 Causewayside
Rating: 5/5
Number of reviews: 1,778
The second Indian restaurant on this list has earned rave reviews for its curries and naan, with one user even proclaiming it as "wonderful" and the "best of Edinburgh".
What one customer said: "Excellent dinner. Very friendly efficient service. Lovely atmosphere and great place. Would definitely recommend."
8. Salt Cafe Morningside, 54-56 Morningside Road
Rating: 5/5
Number of reviews: 374
According to Salt Cafe's website, it uses "seasonal ingredients, thoughtfully sourced from exceptional local artisanal producers and suppliers, to create the best possible brunch experience for our guests".
What one customer said: "Excellent service and keen knowledge of gluten free info for coeliacs. Had five awesome meals, all different and all awesome. Would happily go back next time I’m in Edinburgh."
7. The Prahna Indian Grill Edinburgh, 295A St John's Rd
Rating: 5/5
Number of reviews: 264
The Prahna Indian Grill in Corstorphine was singled out by TripAdvisor users for its Venison Sheesh Kebab, Monkfish Tikka, and Gun Powder Potatoes — as well as its "excellent" service.
What one customer said: "First visit to Pranha. Very impressed with the style of the restaurant and the staff are amazing. Attentive, friendly and helpful. Excellent menu of traditional-with-a-twist Indian food, with a nod to street food and grilled skewers. Couple of good lagers on tap and a selection of great cocktails (we had mojitos) take the experience up another notch. All in all, a genuinely great meal in a lovely restaurant."
6. Dine Murrayfield, 8 Murrayfield Place
Rating: 5/5
Number of reviews: 292
Dine Murrayfield, located to the west of the city centre, is a "chic" restaurant that offers seasonal breakfast, lunch & dinner menus. Customers have praised its "attentive" service, "reasonable" prices, and "lovely atmosphere".
What one customer said: "We really enjoyed the food and wine for lunch and the service was very attentive, but not overly so. There were four of us for lunch and we each chose different dishes and were very pleased with the choices. We would certainly go back."
5. Tapas3, 6/8 Howden Street
Rating: 5/5
Number of reviews: 214
Coming in at number three is Tapas3, a self-described "real taste of Spain". It has "friendly staff", a "relaxed" atmosphere, and "delicious" food — including standouts such as the Catalan bread topped with tomatoes and pig cheeks.
What one customer said: "Amazing restaurant! The staff are so friendly and welcoming. The atmosphere is fun, relaxed and casual The food is AMAZING! You should eat here."
4. New Chapter, 18 Eyre Place
Rating: 5/5
Number of reviews: 1,853
New Chapter is an award-winning family-run restaurant in the centre of Edinburgh, offering modern European dishes crafted with Scottish produce. It is a more upmarket affair, with customers praising the "best Sunday roast" they "have ever had".
What one customer said: "We had the Sunday roast at New Chapter and had a lovely meal with a good bottle of wine. My partner is vegetarian and although there were not many choices (I think just one starter and one main on Sunday) both were excellent. The roast beef that I had was cooked perfectly as were the roast potatoes."
3. Makars Gourmet Mash Bar, 9 & 12 Bank St
Rating: 5/5
Number of reviews: 6,977
Makars Gourmet Mash Bar has a staggering 6,977 reviews on TripAdvisor and, even more impressively, 5,445 of them gave it a perfect score. As the name suggests, this unfussy establishment specialises in mashed potatoes flavoured with meat or vegetarian toppings.
What one customer said: "Just go. Service, ambience, wine all great but the food, as it should be, is the star of the show. Wonderful restaurant."
2. Quinn's Cafe, 62 West Port
Rating: 5/5
Number of reviews: 372
Quinn's Cafe is something of an institution in Edinburgh, and with good reason. We even tried the cafe ourselves earlier this year, and were more than impressed with the food and service.
What one customer said: "Lovely friendly host and amazing traditional Scottish breakfast. The black pudding was the best I ever had. All parts of the breakfast was amazing, would recommend and come back."
1. French Creperie Le Petit Cafe, 32 Morrison Street
Rating: 5/5
Number of reviews: 237
Here it is: the best place to eat in Edinburgh according to TripAdvisor. French Creperie Le Petit Cafe specialises in crepes & galettes, as well as breakfasts & ice cream sundaes, so is the place to head for those with a sweet tooth.
What one customer said: "Stopped by this beautiful cafe in Edinburgh. The food was excellent and the service couldn't have been better. Five stars."
