The sun is shining and many of Edinburgh’s August festivals are in full swing. But don’t forget to eat. Check our Edinburgh Festival Restaurants for the best dining deals in the city.
Every day, our Edinburgh Festival Restaurants page will feature a special deal to ensure that you can enjoy a mighty fine meal. The perfect accompaniment to this astonishing banquet of music, dance, comedy and theatre.
These restaurants are all within easy walking distance of the Traverse, Royal Lyceum and Usher Hall. They are also handy for Charlotte Square, the site of Edinburgh International Book Festival which launches on Saturday.
Zucca
Zucca, located on Grindlay Street, in between the Royal Lyceum and the Usher Hall, aims to offer a combination of friendly service, creative menus and a good selection of wines. The food is elegant but simple and features locally sourced produce.
Some signature dishes at Zucca include pappardelle Bolognese; potato gnocchi with braised duck and pistachio, the seafood fettuccine, and an ever changing risotto that reflects both seasonality and the chefs’ creativity.
This is what a recent customer thought of his meal: ‘Travelling through to Edinburgh… is always enhanced by our meal in Zucca prior to the concert. Excellent service, food and wine…’
We couldn’t put it better. Book in today with 5pm Dining and you can enjoy a 10% discount on the a la carte menu.
ISHKA
Located on Morrison Street, opposite the Edinburgh International Conference Centre and a ten minute walk from the Lyceum, ISHKA is a sleek restaurant and cocktail bar. Large windows give good views of the street life while the cocktail staff behind the marble bar add an extra element of theatre.
ISHKA bills its food as ‘the best in Modern Scottish cuisine with nods to the Mediterranean’. Dishes like the pea and broad bean raviolo or the squid stuffed with fennel, rice and herbs certainly nod to the Mediterranean. Other dishes show influences which have travelled further. The nori-crusted roast plaice with baby corn, seaweed broth and crispy lotus root springs to mind.
The vegetarian dishes are just as carefully considered. Try the broccoli fritters with spelt, char grilled king oyster mushrooms, caramelised shallots and spinach.
Book through 5pm Dining and you can enjoy a 25% discount on the a la carte menu. This is available for lunch and dinner, Monday to Friday, and for lunch on Saturdays.
Bread Street Brasserie
Scotland’s larder is at the heart of Bread Street Brasserie, part of DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Edinburgh City Centre. Within easy walking distance of the West End and the Old Town, the restaurant is popular for working lunches, romantic dinners, family get-togethers and, particularly at this time of year, pre-theatre meals.
The dining room is a light-filled, elegant space with eye-catching furniture and the atmosphere is as welcoming as it is relaxed.
Local suppliers and produce take pride of place at Bread Street Brasserie while the kitchen takes creative inspiration from Scottish and classic European cooking.
From 5pm to 10pm, seven days a week, book in with 5pm Dining and, for £40 per person, you can enjoy three courses from their Scottish menu along with a glass of fizz on arrival; wine or beer plus a Drambuie and tea or coffee to finish your meal.
Options on the Scottish menu include the smoked haddock soup, Cullen skink; chicken breast stuffed with haggis and the kitchen’s take on cranachan, a traditional dessert.
Galvin Brasserie de Luxe
The Galvin Brasserie de Luxe is a Parisian-style brasserie, part of The Caledonian, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel on Princes Street. With a design theme that pays homage to the grand urban bistros of Paris and Lyon, the restaurant’s atmosphere mimics that of the bustling, cosmopolitan railway restaurants of the past.
The Galvin Brasserie de Luxe blends classic French brasserie dishes and local seasonal specialities, especially seafood. It is led by Chris and Jeff Galvin, holders of multiple culinary awards including Michelin stars. Acclaimed Scottish chef Jamie Knox oversees the kitchens on a day-to-day basis.
Three courses on the seasonal menu are yours for £22.50 per person when booking via 5pm Dining. This offer is available 6pm to 9pm and from 9pm to close.
Typical options from the seasonal menu might be the treacle-cured salmon with pickled ginger and tapioca crisp to start. A sample main course might be the Gressingham duck breast, leg and bon bon with chicory marmalade and a carrot apricot purée.
Gin71 Edinburgh
As the name suggests, gin-lovers will find much to admire at Gin71. Located on South Charlotte Street, just off Charlotte Square, the bar and restaurant serves over 70 different brands of gin.
Guests can choose between dozens of gin-based cocktails or perfect gin serves with a wide choice of tonics and garnishes. With table service, chandeliers and plush seating, Gin71 is a smart city centre venue. Open from 5pm, it is popular for after work cocktails, a pre-theatre bite or a splendid dinner.
Juniper, gin-inspired ingredients and botanical themed elements are central on the ever evolving menus at Gin71. From the gin to the cheese, the kitchen uses as much seasonal, Scottish produce as possible.
In the evenings, from Wednesday to Sunday, guests can enjoy two courses from the a la carte menu for £20 when booking via 5pm Dining. Alternatively, go wild and settle in for the five course tasting menu for £30 per person.
The Pompadour by Galvin
First opened in 1925, The Pompadour restaurant was the jewel in the crown of what was then known as the Caledonian Hotel. Almost a hundred years later, The Pompadour by Galvin is still one of Edinburgh’s most iconic restaurants.
While it may be the Grand Old Dame of the capital’s restaurant scene, the kitchen team moves with the times. The Pomp offers classic French-influenced dishes with a contemporary aesthetic.
With three AA Rosettes to its name, The Pompadour is as famed for its cuisine as it is for its listed dining room. The restaurant is led by brothers Jeff and Chris Galvin who have earned multiple Michelin stars and AA Rosettes. Acclaimed chef Daniel Ashmore is the Executive Chef charged with overseeing the brothers’ vision.
The kitchens combine the best of classical French-inspired cuisine with locally sourced Scottish ingredients to provide a unique fine dining experience.
Book a table for two at The Pompadour with 5pm Dining and you can enjoy their three course seasonal menu for £35 per person. This offer is available in the evenings: Wednesday to Friday and Sunday.
Sample options might be the iced tomato gazpacho with burrata mozzarella and Highland rapeseed oil to begin, followed by the poached Peterhead cod with crushed Jersey Royals and a Champagne cream sauce.
Edinburgh Festival Restaurants
The 5pm Dining blog will have more festival suggestions on Friday. Don’t forget to check our Edinburgh Festival Restaurants every day for the latest dining deals in festival city.
If you need to search Edinburgh Festival Restaurants, we’ve got ’em.