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Best restaurants in Edinburgh

Best restaurants in Edinburgh

18th August 2022

Continue your East Lothian foodie experience with a trip to Scotland’s capital city of Edinburgh.

Edinburgh Castle at sunset (© Visit Scotland) — Edinburgh Castle at sunset

With a beautiful combination of Old Town cobbled streets and magnificent New Town architecture, the city centre is a recognised UNESCO heritage site.

Grassmarket - Grassmarket in Edinburgh, with cobbles and traditional tenement buildings (© Visit Scotland) — Grassmarket in Edinburgh, with cobbles and traditional tenement buildings

A beautiful combination of Old Town cobbled streets and magnificent New Town architecture

Best restaurants in Edinburgh

Discover the best Edinburgh restaurants when you book with Coast Properties

Eateries in the capital draw on all of the wonderful produce our country has to offer, including the freshest and best seafood.

With the city just 30 minutes from North Berwick by train, follow our top tips on where to eat on a day trip during your stay with Coast Properties.

Scottish Food in Edinburgh

You don’t have to search far in Edinburgh to find high-quality Scottish food.

On the Royal Mile, the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town, you will find Angels with Bagpipes offering a taste of Scotland from their seasonal menu.

The building housing this restaurant has a culinary heritage, as professional chef John Roxburgh lived here from 1635.

Further up the Royal Mile you will also find Witchery by the Castle.

This Edinburgh restaurant offers an atmospheric dining experience, with 16th-century oak panelling setting the tone for a wonderful experience.

For more fine dining experiences, read our article on the best places to eat in Gullane.

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If you are looking for a historic experience during your time at a Coast Properties self-catering holiday let, why not book Balgone Coach House?

This traditional property sleeps up to 10 guests and is located on a traditional, agricultural estate with plenty of walks on offer.

The Old Millhouse, located just 8 miles from Edinburgh, also provides a trip back in time.

This building, with a Swim pa and sleeping up to 10 guests, dates from 1703 and is one of the oldest in the town of Dalkeith.

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Edinburgh seafood restaurants

Given the city’s identity as a port city, Edinburgh has a strong heritage of great seafood.

White Horse Oyster & Seafood, located on the site of the oldest inn on the Royal Mile, offers fantastic seafood and shellfish purchased from boutique suppliers.

With hand-crafted cocktails also on the menu, what’s not to love?

Ondine, another Edinburgh fish restaurant, offers a seafood experience to savour on George IV Bridge, while Mussel and Steak bar, located round the corner on Grassmarket, purchases food from West Coast fish merchants and award-winning farms in the south of Scotland.

We also recommend Café Royal, a hidden gem located near Waverley train station. This traditional oyster bar offers a beautiful setting to enjoy Scottish delicacies.

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If you are planning to catch the train to Edinburgh from East Lothian, why not book one of our North Berwick holiday lets, which are within easy walking distance of the train station?

All Day View, a 2-bedroom apartment with sea views, is ideally located in the heart of the town to explore all of the fantastic independent businesses there.

Sandacres is a stunning 3-bedroom Victorian villa and, with a location just yards from North Berwick’s bustling High Street, provides all you will need for your self-catering holiday.

While you stay at these properties you will also have the chance to sample plenty of delicious food and drink in the town of North Berwick.

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More of the best places to eat in Edinburgh

With a busy day of sightseeing, you may wish for a more laid-back dining experience during your visit to Edinburgh.

World’s End, located on the Royal Mile, used to form part of the Flodden Wall, a fort which protected Edinburgh in the 16th century.

Nowadays it is part of the Belhaven group and has traditional pub meals on the menu. For more pub grub, read our blog on places to eat in Haddington.

For more relaxed eating try La Favorita, a popular log-fired pizzeria that offers high-quality Italian food to either dine in or take away.

Best afternoon tea in Edinburgh

If you would like to treat a special someone during your visit to Edinburgh, read on for our suggestions on the best afternoon teas in the city…

The Dome, an exquisite Georgian tea room, offers a range of experiences, including afternoon tea.

Originally the Physicians’ Hall, this outstanding example of New Town architecture becomes one of the best-decorated buildings in Edinburgh each Christmas!

Afternoon tea at Edinburgh Castle, meanwhile, provides a more relaxed experience at the heart of this military fortress.

Enjoy the best of Scottish produce in their rugged ambience, with ingredients from places as local as Edinburgh and as far as the Highlands.

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For a romantic trip to East Lothian, book one of our 1-bedroom properties.

Hideaway Apartment, located just off North Berwick High Street, is a stylish first-floor apartment with its very own patio for al-fresco dining.

No 70, in the historic market town of Haddington, is situated just 20 miles from Edinburgh and is connected by bus routes to the capital.

The Dome - The Dome at Christmas, with Christmas lights adorning the entrance pillars (© Visit Scotland) — The Dome at Christmas, with Christmas lights adorning the entrance pillars

When you book a Coast Properties self-catering holiday let you don’t just have the chance to explore all that East Lothian has to offer, but also all that our fantastic capital city grants too.

Whether it is seafood, Scottish food or a romantic afternoon tea, Edinburgh is just a short journey from our region… So what are you waiting for? Book now!