Visiting by train for the day and would love to start my day with a good scone and a cuppa before my wanderings. Please give your recommendations.

Hi Edinburgh!
My partner and I can’t wait to start our Scottish holiday in your beautiful city this week-end 😍

But I wanted to ask, since we’ll be arriving on Saturday with the 19:39 train at Waverley Station, and our hotel is in Haymarket, where can we find something to eat that night?

I remember from a previous trip that restaurants tend to close early, but it was a long time ago, so maybe it isn’t the case anymore?
I guess we could still buy a sandwich at the train station, but I imagine that after our trip, we’d rather sit somewhere and have a warm meal, and most of all, a PINT hahaha

Appreciate any of your local insights
Chi mi a rithist sibh!
(is that right? I’m trying to learn 🫣)

I have gone over many of the suggestions from prior posts for restaurant ideas. Still, I feel like they either aren't exactly what I am looking for, or Google Images doesn't show off the feeling that I am describing unless you've been there and can attest to that vibe. I am looking for the quite small, hole-in-the-wall, nice, dimly-lit, neighborhood-ie type of place? I hope this description makes sense. I hate places that feel so wide-open, bright, 'feels like a chain restaurant' type. Any inspiration is greatly appreciated!!!

Tracked my heritage back thru the isle of barra and I'm going thru a tour of Scotland to meet a distant family member. Treating myself along the way to some good eats!! 🩵

Hi All,

Looking for some recommendations for a restaurant for a 40th Birthday dinner; it's just me and my friend (their birthday). We've both been to The Witchery before, so probably somewhere else, it'll be end of October, so those kind of vibes, would still be nice.

He likes just about anything under the sun, but it must be good food and not pretentious small dishes and overly complicated.

Any suggestions warmly welcomed!

Thanks!

I’m not too posh or fussy so nothing too like that, just good meat, cooked well, seasoned with care

Or, something else we like is things like pork or beef ribs too, or barbecue places offering burnt ends 🤤

Any recommendations?

Cheers 👍

I want to show my boyfriend how delicious Scottish food is. Unfortunately, he is allergic to dairy (not just lactose-intolerant), eggs, and tree nuts (peanuts and coconut are okay). I’ve seen some vegan pie, pasty, and haggis options. But I would love to find options that have meat as well since he can eat meat and so many Scottish dishes are meat-based.

Does anyone have recommendations? Thank you!

Hi everyone!

Me and my soon to be husband are visiting Edinburgh in October for our honeymoon🥰 we're looking for recommendations for some delicious pub grub 🍽️🍴 we absolutely love Edinburgh and visited the city a couple of years ago. This time we'd love to visit more restaurants/pubs with a cozy vibe. We're not fussed on price (the lower the better of course!) but we'd love to leave feeling full and happy🩵

Any recommendations would be perfect thanks!!

Heyhey 🤗
My boyfriend and I will be visiting Edinburgh for the first time in October, and we’re looking for some restaurant recommendations from locals or people who know the city well.
I’ve already booked: The Black Grape, Under The Table & The Devil’s Advocate… but I’m starting to second-guess my choices after watching lots of Instagram reels.
We’re not looking for fine dining or tiny, artistic portions. We’d much rather have a really memorable meal with generous portions and good value for money. We’re happy to spend around £30 to 40 per person for food & drinks, but we’d like to leave feeling full.
We’d also love to try authentic Scottish cuisine (venison, seafood, Cullen Skink, haggis, pies, etc.), but we’re equally happy with any restaurant that’s simply outstanding and worth the visit.
If you had 3 to 4 dinner reservations for a Monday–Thursday trip, where would you send us?
Thanks so much! 🫶🏽

best places in Edinburgh i have a date tonight!

Does anyone know where I can buy frozen lobster tails in Edinburgh at the moment? Thanks.

Hi all,

Looking for restaurants that offer sausages and bacon (chicken, duck, turkey) that don't contain red-meat. Would love to get a Scottish fry-up when I visit with my family in September.

Cheers!

Not a mixed seafood dish, or pasta, just a plate a freshly prepared langoustines. Cheers!

Me and my partner are going to Edinburgh for his birthday. I want to treat him to a nice meal with a really nice atmospheric/romantic/grand setting- something that isn’t just your typical or standard restaurant. However, I’m looking for fine dining, looking more for normal sized meals ☺️

Any suggestions please?

Me and my partner live in Edinburgh and are admittedly quite obsessed with oysters in general. We like to think that we’ve eaten at most of the “obvious” choices that google throws up for oysters in the city centre, but wondering if there is any slightly less obvious / more hidden gems or recommendations that serve them for our next date night where we might have not been? Thank you in advance :)

I am anticipating this being tricky, but I am looking for dining options in Edinburgh that have gluten free and nightshade free dishes.

My mom has food restrictions and I would like for her to come out and dine at least one of the three nights we will be there.

Recommendations are greatly appreciated!

Hey! I’m coming to visit Edinburgh with my friends this weekend and I’m looking for some good places to eat. We’re 3 students (1 veggie) staying near the castle. Ideally looking for good food on a budget! Any suggestions welcome :)

Hey all,

I’m planning a visit to the National Museum of Scotland soon and want to try a proper haggis meal beforehand. Looking for a decent restaurant nearby that actually does it well, not just a touristy “we microwaved this for you” situation.

Any recommendations for a good, authentic haggis spot within walking distance (or close enough)? Cheers

Hey,

I have been given the envious job of organising a work Christmas night out in Edinburgh for around 20–30 people and I would love some venue recommendations. I’m quite new to Edinburgh so could really use some help.

Ideally after somewhere that:
Serves food (sit-down meal or buffet options)
Has a private room or exclusive areaavailable to hire
Is within reasonable walking distance ofWaverley Station, as some of the group will be travelling through from Glasgow

Any suggestions, experiences, or venues you've used for similar-sized work events would be hugely appreciated!

Could someone recommend me a good vegetarian high tea in Edinburgh ?

I have looked at the Signet Library and the price seems outrageous , is there a good option around ?

Thank you all !

Which pizza shop(s) in Edinburgh make the most interesting, locally distinctive pizza?

I'm not interested in traditional anything; I'm looking to try new flavors, Scottish flavors, Edinburgh flavors. Maybe there's a steak-and-kidney pizza? a mussels pie with a Cullen skink base? a haggis flatbread with an oat crust?

I've gathered already that Matto Pizza may be good for this. Any other suggestions?

I was riding by here on the bus and saw the sign. It looks like fine dining, but by the students in the Cookery College. Has anyone gone there? How is the quality, setting and price?

Any thoughts on where I can take ~10 people for lunch after our wedding?

Asian/middle eastern options are particularly welcome! Our party might not be the most into a place like Palmerston or equivalent.

I have a special occasion soon and plan to go to one of these. Any recommendations of one over the other? Haven’t been to either and both look great!

Hello everyone,

My husband and I are Japanese and will be visiting Scotland soon, mainly Inverness and Edinburgh.

In Japan, it's customary to bring back small souvenirs (omiyage) for coworkers after a trip. They're usually individually wrapped snacks or sweets that can be shared around the office.

I'd like to ask locals:

What Scottish food, sweets, biscuits, chocolates, tea, or other small souvenirs would you be proud to introduce to a typical Japanese office worker?

Ideally something easy to carry home, share with several people, and distinctly Scottish.

Arigato!

Edit: Thanks everyone for the suggestions! I’ve got a great shopping list now and can’t wait to visit Scotland. I really appreciate all the recommendations.