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Edinburgh Restaurants
Edinburgh has experienced a thriving boom in cafe culture. The old cliché tearoom with damp sandwiches and warm beer has given way to a rich myriad of restaurant styles with a chance to taste food from all corners of the world.
All types of cooking are represented in small cafes, cosy bistros, and eating a pied terre is just the way to spend a sunny lunchtime watching the world go by. Victoria Street and Grassmarket is a good place to start.
Indian, Italian, French, Mexican, Spanish are just some the cuisines available. See below for a brief selection of restaurants:
Howies Restaurants, Various Locations Each of the 4 Howies Restaurants in Edinburgh produce their own menu and all dishes are prepared to order using the freshest of local produce. Most of the restaurants have disabled access and non-smoking sections or seating available. Tel: 0131-555-5366; Open: Mon-Wed 11.00 - Midnight ; Thur-Sat 11.00 - 1.00am ; Sun 12.00 - Midnight Howies Website
Merchants Restaurant & Caters, 17 Merchant Street Here you'll find, as many have before, Classic Scottish fare presented with flair and imagination; prepared with the freshest produce and accompanied by the finest wines, to produce that special Merchants moment. You'll want to return again and again. Tel: 0131-225-4009 Merchants Website
Eighty Queen Street, Queen Street Elegant, stylish, relaxed and friendly, Eighty Queen Street is a bar and restaurant with a difference. It boasts two distinct classic bars in which to enjoy fine traditional and contemporary cuisine, as well as an excellent selection of quality wines, spirits and ales.
Tel: 0131-226-5097 Eighty Queen St. Website
Blue (in the Traverse Theatre), 1 Cambridge Street (Moderate). Impressive surroundings and modest prices for tasty original food make this a good recommendation. Tel: 0131-221-1222; Open: Mon-Sat 12-3pm and 6-11pm; Closed Sunday
Blue Parrot Cantina, 49 St Stephens Street. Good versions of Mexican dishes. Tel: 0131-225-2941; Open: 12-10pm Friday/Saturday and 6-10pm Sun-Thurs
Bleu, 36-38 Victoria Street (Moderate) A sibling or son of Pierre Victorie, French style cooking perfecting the ‘bouche’ similar to tapas type menu. Tel: 0131-226-1900; Open:12-3 and 5 til late every day
Bonham Restaurant, Bonham Hotel, 35 Drumsheugh Gardens (Expensive) Be tempted by distinct European-inspired food and enticed by provocative wines. Tel: 0131-226-6050; Open 12.30-2.30 Mon-Sat; 12.30-3.00pm Sun and 6.30-10pm Mon-Sun.
Cafe Royal Oyster Bar, 17a West Registry Street (Expensive) As the name suggests Oysters are the speciality. Wood panelling and stained-glass windows supplemented by sporting themes create a university atmosphere. Tel:0131-556-4194 ; Open: 12-1.45pm and 6.40-9.45 Mon-Sat.
Cafe St Honore, 34 Thistle St Lane (Expensive) Think Parisien Brasserie, French cooking, fresh bread and delicious deserts and you’ve got the picture. Tel: 0131-226-2211; Open 12-2.15pm Mon-Sat, Mon-Fir 5.30-10pm and Sat-Sun: 7-11pm.
Channings @ Channings Hotel, 15 South Learmonth Gardens (Expensive) Distinctive food in a warm and welcoming ambiance; Tel: 0131-332-3232; Open Tues-Sat 12-2pm and 7-10pm
Chisholms Restaurant in the Caledonian hotel, Princes Street (Moderate) Offers continental flavours amongst the original architecture of the former Caledonian Railway station. Tel: 0131-222-8888; 12.30-2.30 Mon, Sat & Sun; 6-10pm Mon-Sunday.
Est Est Est, 135 George Street (Moderate) Modern Italy with old favourites and some fancy touches. Tel: 0131-225-2555 ; Open 12-11pm Mon-Sun
Glass & Thompson, 2 Dundas Street An excellent delicatessen offering all manner of delicacies from olives to cheese. Linger over made to order sandwiches and finish up with excellent desert. Tel: 0131-557-0909 ; Open; 8.30-5.30 Mon-Sat and 11-4.30 Sunday.
The Grill Room, Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, 1 Festival Square Edinburgh’s only restaurant awarded 3 AA Rosettes. Fine dining and use of Scottish ingredients with a loyal following; Tel: 0131-229-9131; Open: Mon-Fri 12-2.30pm; Mon-Sat 7-10pm
Heights Restaurant, Apex City Hotel 31-35 Grassmarket (Moderate) Fine dining high above Grassmarket with fine views of the castle. This stylish, chic restaurant has a fixed priced and a la carte. Tel: 00131-300-3456; Open Mon-Sat 6-9.45pm
Iggs, 15 Jeffery Street (Moderate) Spanish owned offering excellent tapas. Tel: 0131-577-8184; Open: 12-2.30pm and 6-10.30 Monday-Saturday
Ndebele, 57 Home Street (Good Value) Yes South African cuisine meets Edinburgh. Tasty sandwiches and light lunches and delightful fruit juices. Tel: 0131-221-1141 ; Open: 10-10pm everyday.
Ochre Vita, Channings Hotel, 15 South Learmonth Gardens (Moderate) Taste and smell the vibrancy of the Mediterranean with the most flavoursome food and wines. Tel 0131-332-3232 12-3pm Mon-Sat; Sun 1-4 Evenings Mon- Thurs 6-10; Fri-Sat 6-11pm.
Le Sept, 7 Oldfishmarket Close (Moderate) Down a rambling lane off the Royal Mile, this well established French brasserie offers excellent value in pleasant surroundings. Tel: 0131-225-5428; Mon-Thus 12-1.45pm and 6-10pm; Fri 12-11pm; Sat 12-10.30pm and Sun 12.30-9.30pm.
Oloroso, 33 Castle Street; (Expensive) Classic modern New Town, elegant, upmarket and enjoyable. With rooftop views of the Castle and an adjoining bar this makes for an enjoyable evening; Tel: 0131-226-7614.
Point Hotel, 34 Bread Street (Moderate) This classy hotel restaurant, which oozes chic serve up excellent food with emphasis on fresh fish and meat. Tel: 0131-221-5555; Open: Mon-Fri 10-2pm; Mon-Thurs 6-10; Fri 6-11pm.
Vermillion at the Scotsman Hotel, 20 North Bridge; (Moderate) The latest stylish and sophisticated new restaurant with a very friendly the polished service. Tel: 00-131-556-5565 Tues-Sat 7-10pm
Santini Restaurant at the Sheraton Hotel and Spa, 1 Festival Square Italian Cuisine in elegant contemporary surroundings; Tel: 0131-229-9131; Open Mon-Fri 12-2.30pm; Mon-Sat 6.30-10.30pm
Siam Erewan, 36 Great King Street (Moderate) Thai restaurant of quality with some exotic dishes. Tel:0131-226-3675; Open:12-2.30pm Mon-Sat; 6-10.45pm.
Stac Polly, 29-33 Dublin Street (Expensive) Scottish and original. Emphasis on game, meat, fish. Tel: 0131-556-2231 ; Open: 12-2pm Mon-Fri; 6-11pm Mon-Sunday.
The Mussel Inn, 61-65 Rose Street (Moderate) Feast on mussels and chips for modest prices and you will understand the popularity of this spot. Tel: 0131-225-5979 ; Open: 12-10pm everyday.
The Witchery at the Castle, 352 Castlehill (Expensive) Just beside Edinburgh Castle, the gothic surroundings provide an excellent atmosphere and ambience. Fish and game feature heavily. Tel: 0131-225-5613 ; Open: 12-11.30pm everyday.
If seafood is your thing a trip out to nearby Leith is worth a visit.
The Shore, 3-4 The Shore (Moderate) Consists formal restaurant and more informal bar. Pleasant and bohemian in style serving tapas and often has live music. In the summer great for sitting out. Tel: 0131-553-5080 ; Open: 12-12pm.
Skippers, 1a Dock Square (Expensive) As the name suggests the emphasis is on fish; Tel: 0131-554-1018 ; Open: 12.30-2pm 7-10pm Mon-Sat and 12.30-2.30pm Sunday.
Waterfront Wine Bar 1c Dock Square (Moderate) Popular wine bar and restaurant with outside seating and attractive interior. Tel: 0131-554-7427 ; Open: 12-11pm Mon-Thursday; 12-12pm Friday/Saturday; and 12.30-11pm Sunday.
This is just a short list of restaurants in Edinburgh. For a more extensive list visit: www.finewinediary.com |
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