Seeking to indulge in culinary and beverage experiences in Scotland's capital? Here is a compilation of the premier restaurants and pubs in Edinburgh.

Scotland's capital city has an array of eccentric bars, clandestine speakeasies, and exquisitely displayed restaurants. Whether you want a meticulously themed pub or a sophisticated venue offering distinctive cuisines, we provide you with a comprehensive guide to Edinburgh's premier restaurants and pubs.

Best Restaurant: The Little Chartroom

What to expect: A neighbourhood restaurant offering fresh cuisine.

The Little Chartroom, named after the founders' enthusiasm for sailing, is a highly regarded addition to Edinburgh's culinary landscape that really fulfils its acclaim. The dishes are contemporary but pay tribute to traditional Scottish tastes and culinary techniques. The Little Chartroom's new location is at 14 Bonnington Road, once the site of Martin Wishart's chef school.

Best Bar: The Late Bar at Genting Casino

Are you seeking a venue for a tipple (or four), operational from 2 PM to 4:30 AM on weekends, that also broadcasts major sporting events? Visit The Late Bar at Genting Casino to enjoy a vibrant ambience and an extensive selection of your preferred beverages.

An all-new beverage selection is essential to experience. Commence the celebration appropriately and savour the bar's newest drinks, including the Pornstar Martini and Pina Colada, along with a selection of gins, an array of wines, and much more!

Whether you are enjoying a social evening with friends, desiring a beverage while playing your preferred games, or savouring a tranquil drink at work, this bar's new menu has options to accommodate all preferences.

Better still, as the Genting Casino brand can often be found on an excellent list of casino bonus offerings, they’re no strangers to the gaming business, and alongside the Late Bar, visitors can visit the gaming floor for poker tournaments, roulette, slots, and an endless world of gaming options!

Best Restaurant: Timberyard

What to expect: Intricate culinary creations presented in an aesthetically pleasing environment.

Timberyard fulfils several criteria for an exceptional dining experience: anticipate unconventional ingredients and intriguing combinations spanning from beverages to desserts, all within a trendy ambience. The Radfords, as owner-operators of this family-run enterprise, together with their extensive network of local farmers, breeders, producers, and foragers, ensure your safety and satisfaction.

Best Bar: Flight Club Edinburgh

Introducing Flight Club Edinburgh, an exceptional bar located in the lively St James Quarter. Flight Club has transformed the conventional game for the 21st century with competitive, multiplayer experiences aimed at uniting people through fun interactive darts, regardless of whether one is an experienced player or a novice. The success of Flight Club is abundant, with the brand opening more venues as the months pass.

Flight Club also offers brunch. Participate in their Brunch Social every weekend, with an enjoyable selection of Prosecco, unlimited pizza, and a Social Darts taster. For corporate events, they provide an unparalleled experience with Social Darts Tournaments.

The artistically adorned semi-private event areas, reflecting Edinburgh's past, provide an ideal environment to engage your competitive spirit and make lasting memories with friends or colleagues.

Best Restaurant: Eleanore

What to expect: Casual eating and wine enjoyment on the upper section of Leith Walk.

This understated but compelling excursion by chef Roberta Hall, the creator of The Little Chartroom's sister establishment, fulfils several criteria. The atmosphere is ideal: characterised by industrial Scandinavian-inspired neutrals, abundant light, and a lively background of conversation and noise. The cuisine is prepared to an exceptionally high level at a very moderate cost of £65 per person for a set meal, with an additional £45 for associated wines. This is whimsical, contemporary cuisine performed with an organic elegance.

Best Bar: Dragonfly

Dragonfly is Edinburgh's oldest cocktail bar, discreetly located just above the Grassmarket. The crew takes pleasure in delivering visitors a really customised and pleasurable experience. The ambience, service quality, and beverages harmoniously combine to create an unforgettable experience that will entice your return.

The facility, located in a former fire station, is accessed by an unremarkable entry. Visitors are welcomed into an exquisite double-height main bar area adorned with chandeliers, foliage and eclectic design elements.

Cocktails have always been Dragonfly's hallmark. Guests may indulge in meticulously crafted in-house concoctions, an array of classic cocktails, local beers, and a thoughtfully curated wine selection.

Best Restaurant: Heron

What to expect: Trendy upscale restaurant with tranquil views of the Water of Leith.

Heron has undertaken significant actions since its inception in 2021. It retained its Michelin star in 2024 – chefs Tomas Gormley and Sam Yorke are the youngest in Scotland to achieve this distinction – and emphasises farm-to-table eating, ensuring that all menu items are very fresh. A-la-carte options and two tasting menus are available, always evolving to showcase the finest seasonal ingredients. Consider hand-harvested Orkney scallops accompanied with blood orange, mackerel infused with fig leaf and hazelnut, and Gubbeen cheese paired with heather honey. Our jaws are really salivating at the prospect.

Best Bar: Lady Libertine

Situated in the centre of Edinburgh, Lady Libertine radiates unparalleled liveliness. Providing a meticulously tailored experience daily, it is an exquisitely unique venue for culinary and beverage offerings.

The Edinburgh Grand is a distinctive venue spanning two elegant levels, each with its own special charm. Lady Libertine on the ground level has a minimalist, modern design, highlighted by striking windows that overlook St Andrews Square. It also has a vibrant aperitive bar that crafts traditional drinks with a unique twist.

Best Restaurant: Lyla

What to expect: An exclusive fine-dining establishment with an ambience as sophisticated as the cuisine.

Located in an imposing Royal Terrace mansion that once housed the late Paul Kitching’s 21212, foodstuffs are procured from around Scotland, emphasising ethically sourced fish and foraged items. The ten-course feasting menu is priced at £165 per person; nevertheless, considering the quality of service, cuisine, and overall experience, it does not disappoint.

Best Bar: Brewhemia

Brewhemia, the only Beer Palace in Scotland, has 12 copper tanks filled with award-winning brews. The brews are unpasteurised and unfiltered, equivalent to consuming them directly from the fermentation vessel at the brewery.

Opposite Edinburgh Waverley, the bar's façade showcases a boisterous array of flowers, copper, brass and vivid hues inside one of Edinburgh's most emblematic structures.

Brewhemia is established on exceptional Alpine and Scottish cuisine prepared by a dedicated culinary staff, outstanding beer from the Czech Republic, a rotating selection of brews from premier local breweries, and engaging live music and cabaret performances. Do not be astonished to see a brass band, choir, drag queen, or cabaret dancer performing on stage (or on a table) during your stay. They cherish a celebration as much as they do a fine dinner and a quality beverage.

A Taste of Edinburgh: Best Restaurants and Bars for an Unforgettable Experience