The Edinburgh Festival is when Scotland’s capital comes alive. The best talent from around the world flocks to the city and there’s a performance on every street corner.
Visiting the festival is an opportunity to experience one of the most exciting dining scenes in the UK, which takes in four Michelin star establishments, traditional Scottish food, street food inspired South East Asian pop ups, hip burger joints and lots lots more.
Here are our 10 top Edinburgh Festival dining ideas including some of the best places to eat in Edinburgh.
Tutto Matto
Situated directly opposite the Festival Theatre, Tutto Matto is an extremely handy spot for a pre or post show bite to eat. Their menu features 22 varieties of pizza, all which are baked in their stone based oven and topped with a sauce made from San Marzano tomatoes and fior de latte mozzarella. There’s lots of burger and pasta dishes too. You can watch Tutto Matto creating their pizza in the video above.
£12.50 for 2 courses on a la carte menu at Tutto Matto on 5pm Dining.
Asti
Asti is a very convenient spot for those attending a show at the Edinburgh Playhouse as it’s just a five minute walk away. A laid back Italian restaurant and cafe, it serves coffee, cake, lunch, after work drinks and evening meals. The lunch and pre theatre menus include dishes such as ravioli filled with ricotta cheese and spinach, white wine and sage butter, and linguine pasta with spicy sausage, mushrooms and tomato. Our 5pm customers certainly rate it, with the most recent review stating “Will defo go back here, the staff were so friendly and nice. Food was piping hot and every dish was perfect. Great value for the meals,” and “Friendly and efficient service. Good Value Lunch. Would recommend.”
£10.50 for 2 courses on lunch menu or £12.95 for 2 courses on pre-theatre menu at Asti on 5pm Dining.
Sygn Bar & Kitchen
If burgers, pizzas, hot dogs and wraps served in generous portions accompanied by an inventive cocktail list in a hip setting is your kind of thing, Sygn in the West End is your Edinburgh Festival dining choice. The menu is vast but the dishes are carefully curated; we think the buttermilk fried chicken burger served with maple bacon, garlic mayo and melted Swiss cheese, and the BBQ pulled pork wrap look particularly delicious. The cocktails are a delight too, with ingredients such as Nutella and Swizzels drumstick syrup.
20% kitchen menu discount at Sygn Bar & Kitchen on 5pm Dining.
Chop Chop Edinburgh
Situated in Haymarket very close to Edinburgh’s West End Theatre district, Chop Chop is ideal for those with big appetites as it serves an unlimited Chinese buffet. Awarded an AA rosette for its food, Chop Chop is particularly famous for its dumplings; owner Jian started making and selling her dumplings to Chinese restaurants before opening Chop Chop and when Gordon Ramsay visited the restaurant as part of his The F Word show he said they were the best he had ever tasted.
£8.50 for unlimited business lunch or £11.95 for unlimited banquet on pre-theatre menu at Chop Chop Edinburgh on 5pm Dining.
Ciao Roma
Ciao Roma is a family run Italian restaurant right in the centre of Edinburgh on South Bridge. Their menu offers a huge range of pasta, risotto, pizza, beef, veal and chicken dishes. For a dessert treat, try their ice cream – it won the Champion Ice Cream at the Royal Highland Show three times, is usually available in 22 flavours, and is only made by owner Fabio Martone and supplied nowhere else but their sister restaurant Bar Italia on Lothian Road. Watch the video above to see Ciao Roma’s pizza being made.
20% a la carte discount at Ciao Roma on 5pm Dining.
Cadiz
Having just opened this summer, Cadiz in George Street in the New Town has already made a name for itself, with its smart Mediterranean style decor and modern seafood menu. Dishes include salmon fillet caramelised on the grill and served with a chickpea, chorizo and red pepper casserole, topped with minted yoghurt and crispy leeks, and grilled fillet of sea bass served with creamy mash and salsa vierge. Scottish seafood is well utilised in the dishes.
£14.95 for 2 courses on 5pm menu at Cadiz on 5pm Dining.
Steak on Stones
Steak on Stones is a fun way for steak fans to dine in Edinburgh city centre – diners cook the steaks themselves on table top lava stones. Guests simply choose the cut of steak they want, the side to go with it, and the sauce. There’s also non steak options like pain fried plaice or gnocchi with wild mushrooms as well as yummy desserts like freshly piped doughnuts and gooey brownies.
£18.95 for 200g rump steak + 1 side + 1 sauce on Steak on Stones menu + glass wine at Steak on Stones on 5pm.
The Westroom Cafe Bar
The Westroom is a laid back cafe bar in Edinburgh’s West End. The decor is cool and quirky, with exposed brick walls, wooden stags heads, and floor to ceiling windows which provide excellent people watching opportunities. The menu features homely British dishes such as rump steak with chips, and chicken kiev. 5pm customers certainly love it, with recent reviews stating “Excellent small, friendly West End bar/cafe/restaurant. Greeted by four complimentary glasses of excellent wine on the house as our table wasn’t quite ready. Warm welcome from house staff who were attentive, knowledgeable and good fun. Superb fish and chips and splendid bottle of wine from a good list. We’ll be back. Thanks also to 5pm for ace discount” and “Food and service were 5 star! I’ve already booked to go back next weekend! Loved it!”
20% main menu discount at The Westroom Cafe Bar on 5pm Dining.
Cucina – G&V Royal Mile Hotel
Cucina is a stylish Italian restaurant situated within the five star G&V Hotel. The decor is bright and uberstylish, with psychedelic prints from Scottish designers Timorous Beasties. The food is a modern take on Italian favourites and the menus change with the seasons. Example dishes are spaghetti with cured pork belly, egg and parmesan, and slow cooked beef cheek, mashed potato, red onion, garden peas & spinach. For a insight into the dishes at Cucina and how they are created, watch the video above.
£15.95 for 2 courses on lunch/pre-theatre menu at Cucina on 5pm Dining.
Cranston’s
Cranston’s central location directly opposite Waverley Station as well as its stunning views of the castle and Scott monument make it an excellent Edinburgh Festival dining choice. The menu features Scottish ingredients, with dishes such as black pudding and goat’s cheese tower and Oban chargrilled sirloin steak served with hand cut chips. It is also a lovely spot for afternoon tea.
20% main menu set price discount at Cranston’s on 5pm Dining.
For more dining offers in Edinburgh visit 5pm Dining.