Get to know Edinburgh with 5pm’s expert Edinburgh New Town restaurant guide
Arguably, the Castle, perched high on its volcanic plug and visible from most of the city, is the defining feature of Edinburgh. However, the New Town and city centre have also done much to shape people’s perception of the capital.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the New Town was built to alleviate the overcrowding of the Old Town in the 18th century. Its cobbled streets, elegant squares and spaciously proportioned Georgian townhouses quickly became the homes of Edinburgh’s rich and fashionable. Today, it remains a very desirable area in which to live and Edinburgh New Town restaurants are some of the city’s more interesting establishments.
Townhouse dining rooms
Right in the heart of the New Town, on Great King Street, The Atholl is the restaurant in The Howard Hotel. The Georgian dining room has a low key profile but its modern Scottish cooking is worth shouting about. Starters such as the pan-fried Mallaig scallops and Stornoway black pudding served with a pea purée and coconut dressing set out the kitchen’s ambitions.
Like The Atholl, Blackwood’s Bar & Grill is also housed in a Georgian townhouse. Located on Gloucester Place and part of the Nira Caledonia hotel, it specialises in carefully sourced, Scottish beef, lamb, game and seafood. In general, the dishes are cooked simply, many in the charcoal-burning Josper oven which imparts a unique smoky tang.
Equally as Edinburgh is The Dining Room at the Royal Scots Club on Abercromby Place. Part of a terrace of Georgian townhouses, the Royal Scots Club is a private members’ club but diners are welcome to enjoy meals in the first floor Dining Room restaurant overlooking Queen Street Gardens. The restaurant oozes character and serves good, Scottish ingredients such as the rack of Borders lamb with a heather honey and rosemary jus.
Moving up the hill towards the West End, we come to Whighams Wine Cellars. This atmospheric bistro bar has been going strong for over a quarter of a century but the building dates back much further.
Originally a wine cellar for a Georgian townhouse, it sits just off Charlotte Square, one of Edinburgh’s most prestigious addresses. A mix of candle-lit vaults and an airy modern dining area, Whighams is popular for lunchtime business deals, after work drinks and, of course, sit down seafood feasts.
Sygn is a near neighbour to Whighams although one which offers a completely different vibe. One of Edinburgh’s hipper bars and kitchens, it is tucked away on Charlotte Lane. The zingy cocktails attract their fair share of fans but it would be a mistake to overlook the stone-baked pizzas, gourmet haute dogs and burgers.
George Street circuit
While it seems highly unlikely now, George Street used to be rather sedate. That has all changed. These days, many would count the thoroughfare as the centre of the capital’s nightlife and one of its premier boutique shopping areas.
Encompassing an internationally themed hotel, glam disco, several bars and a restaurant, Le Monde was one of the first businesses to pioneer George Street as a party destination. As well as house classics like the mac ‘n’ cheese with a slow cooked beef daube, Le Monde offers steaks from the Borders and more Med-inspired dishes such as bouillabaisse and Toulouse sausages.
Across the road, George Street Bar and Grill is one of the more recent additions to the area’s buzz. Adjacent to Charlotte Square, this all day brasserie offers everything from little snackettes such as eggs Benedict to a 28-day aged sirloin via a rather swish afternoon tea.
One of the longest established restaurants George Street can be found in the George Hotel which launched in 1881. Originally five separate townhouses, the hotel now includes The Printing Press Bar & Kitchen, an opulent city centre brasserie with plush fittings; intricate cornicing, glittering chandeliers and a chic sense of style. A cool cocktail in the bar is a welcome precursor to dining Loch Fyne diver scallops or aged spatchcock Borders grouse in the restaurant.
While not actually on George Street, the Angels Share Hotel, Bar and Restaurant is very much on the George Street drinks circuit. The hotel is decorated with hundreds of portraits of famous Scots, both living and dead. Naturally, this gives diners the opportunity to mention that they dined in the illustrious company of Sean Connery, Ewan McGregor and Emeli Sandé. Slow cooked pork belly stuffed with Stornoway black pudding and a poached fillet of Loch Duart salmon are among the main courses on offer.
Bar Soba is another city centre venue that likes to party. ‘Eat, drink, dance and get lucky’ is the motto around these parts. We can’t help you much with the last three but can recommend that you eat the Burmese style pork belly curry. Singapore noodles, pad Thai and Vietnamese chicken wings are other favourites on the pan-Asian menu.
Go Italian
][12]While it is on George Street, and serves very good cocktails, Contini Ristorante would probably hesitate to describe itself as being on the party circuit. Formerly known as Centotre, this converted bank is part of a family of restaurants and cafes run by Victor and Carina Contini. Seasonal Italian dishes made with authentic, imported ingredients and well sourced local produce are the attraction here. Dishes like the pappardelle served with a butter sugo and meatballs made with Inverurie beef and Clash Farm pork illustrate the Scots Italian crossover well.
A short walk away, Amarone sits in another converted, former financial building on the corner of George Street and St Andrews Square. An urbane restaurant that fits neatly into the city centre, it is styled on a contemporary Milanese pizzeria. Of course, there is a wide variety of pasta and pizza available alongside dishes such as the tagliata di manzo alla griglia – a 10oz prime sirloin steak sliced and served with fresh rocket and shaved Parmesan.
Sticking with Italian cuisine, Asti is a more informal operation on the ever colourful Broughton Street. Recently refurbished, it is a friendly, neighbourhood hang out where customers are just as welcome to nip in for a coffee and cake as they are to settle back and enjoy a veal saltimbocca. Asti is also very handy for Edinburgh Playhouse.
Pre-theatre dining
Three establishments in Edinburgh’s New Town which offer tempting pre-theatre menus are the Turquoise Thistle; MP’s Bistro at Parliament House and the Terrace Restaurant at Crowne Plaza. The last of these is on Royal Terrace, one of Edinburgh’s more sought after addresses. Typical dishes on the pre-theatre include a mushroom and tarragon or the pan-fried coley with sautéed potatoes, mixed vegetables, cucumber salsa and a white wine sauce. The garden terrace at the back is a lovely spot for a pre-dinner drink on a warm summer evening.
Located on York Place, right by the final tram stop, Turquoise Thistle is also very convenient for the Playhouse. Decorated with pictures of Edinburgh, the restaurant is part of the Indigo hotel which has been fashioned from several townhouses. The kitchen here likes to use Scottish produce in starters like the pressed Highland game terrine and starters such as the Western Isle seafood rockpool.
MP’s Bistro is part of the Parliament House Hotel on Calton Hill, just a couple of minutes from Princes Street and a brisk five minutes from the Playhouse. Refurbished in the spring of 2013, MP’s Bistro uses fresh, local ingredients to create menus with a distinct Scottish flavour. Think along the lines of smoked haddock and salmon fishcakes or slow roasted, Ayrshire pork belly with apple sauce and potato fondant.
Just around the corner from the Parliament House Hotel is the Apex Waterloo Place Hotel – home to Elliot’s Restaurant. This sunny, contemporary restaurant is more or less equidistant between the Playhouse and Edinburgh Festival Theatre. Braised ham hock terrine with pineapple pickle and toasted rye or the fillet of Scottish salmon with artichoke purée, chorizo and shallot fricassée and a tomato coulis are the sort of dishes you might expect to find on the pre-theatre.
Viva Espana
][20]On a completely different track, Edinburgh is home to a considerable Spanish population and there are a handful of Spanish restaurants in the city centre. Cafe Andaluz features inviting Andalucian decor and an extensive selection of tapas on George Street. The menu has classic tapas such as meatballs and spicy prawns as well as more exotic choices like the Andalucian black pudding with an onion and apple chutney or the seared king scallops with basil creamed leeks and crisp Serrano ham.
Over on South Charlotte Street, in addition to tapas, La Tasca uses cocktail-making classes and salsa to attract diners. The menu here features regional specialities such as the Castillian chicken thighs cooked with creamy spinach or Andalucian seafood dishes.
Another popular option for groups, as well as couples, is Grand Cru, also on Hanover Street. The menus combine Italian classics with modern bar food faves. The Caprese salad with mozzarella, sliced fresh tomatoes, fresh basil and olives is always popular among the starters as is the chicken liver parfait which is served with warm toast. The house burger comes with Monterey Jack cheese, relish and fries while the tagliatelle is flavoured with cream, chicken, mushrooms, garlic and thyme.
Finally, we couldn’t do a round-up of city centre dining spots without mentioning Cranston’s. Part of the Old Waverley Hotel on Princes Street, Cranston’s looks out over The Scott Monument and Edinburgh Castle. It’s popular for afternoon tea and is also a refuge for weary shoppers. As you might expect, Scottish ingredients are to the fore on the menu in dishes like the West Coast grilled haddock.
Edinburgh New Town restaurant offers, reviews, menus & more
For all the Edinburgh New Town restaurants listed above you can find offers, reviews, menus and more on their 5pm Dining profiles.