Angels with Bagpipes | https://angelswithbagpipes.co.uk/
343 High Street, Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH1 1PW
Opening Hours: Closed Monday – Wednesday
Thursday 17:00~21:45 / Friday – Sunday 12pm~21:45
The quality of food and service here is exceptional and of great value. Although the presentation and taste of food is outstanding, the portion sizes aren’t the biggest so it wouldn’t be my top recommendation if you’re feeling extra hungry. The wine selection is great and the staff are so efficient and knowledgeable which makes your experience all the more enjoyable. One of my personal favourites to start is the parma ham, mozzarella and rocket salad with balsamic vinaigrette, whilst the haggis neeps and tatties would definitely be my top pick for mains and it is served with the most amazing whisky sauce. Angels with Bagpipes is a wonderful taste of Scotland and I would especially recommend visiting at lunch time as they offer a great lunch deal of 3 courses for only £15.50.
The Witchery | https://www.thewitchery.com/
352 Castlehill, Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH1 2NF
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday 12pm~23:30
The beautiful interior at The Witchery creates such a lovely atmosphere. It definitely is a rather pricey meal out, especially if you’re going at dinner time, but the light lunch set with an appetizer and main course for only £25 is great value for money. The staff are so attentive and patient, making the experience all the more enjoyable. The cocktails are brilliant and all the food is full of flavour. The steak tartare starter on the dinner menu is sublime and the grilled spring lamb would be one of my top recommendations for a main course.
Stac Polly | http://www.stacpolly.com/
29-33 Dublin Street, Edinburgh EH3 6NL
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday 18:00~21:30
The food is delicious and the staff are all delightful. The Cullen skink at Stac Polly is to die for and a Scottish cult classic that you need to try if you like fish. Everything about the food from presentation to flavour is exquisite and another one of my top recommendations is the lamb slow cooked in rioja with couscous salad and dauphinoise potatoes which is just unreal and of amazing quality. I ordered a cheese board at the end of my dinner which was the perfect finish and the staff did everything they could to make us feel comfortable.
Amber Restaurant | https://www.scotchwhiskyexperience.co.uk/restaurant
354 Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NE
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday 12pm~21:00 last order
Amber Restaurant offers delicious locally sourced dishes that are on another level. The food menu is rather limited but the main focus is the whiskey menu that breaks down all the whiskeys into categories with full descriptions on all of them. For a whiskey lover, Amber Restaurant is undeniably the place to be! The pan fried sea bass fillet with Cullen Skink risotto cake and leek sauce from the dinner menu for £18.95 is outstanding and I would definitely recommend it. It’s great value for money for the quality and overall a fantastic dining/whiskey tasting experience.
Howies Restaurant | https://www.howies.uk.com/venues/
29 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh EH1 3BQ
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday 11:30~15:30 / 17:00~22:30
4-6 Victoria Terrace, Edinburgh EH1 2JL
Opening Hours: Closed Monday – Tuesday
Wednesday – Thursday 9:00~17:00 / Friday – Sunday 9:00~22:00
10-14 Victoria Street, Edinburgh EH1 2HG
Opening Hours: Closed Monday – Tuesday
Wednesday – Sunday 12pm~15:00 / 17:30~22:30
Howies has three branches across Edinburgh. I went to the Howies on Waterloo Place which was excellent. I could not fault anything about the food or service and the staff are so friendly. The haunch of venison with salsa verde is unlike any other and would definitely recommend you try it if you pay a visit. It is quite popular though, so I would make sure to book in advance of any visit.
The Cellar Door Restaurant | https://www.thecellardooredinburgh.com/
44-46 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EJ
Opening Hours: Monday – Wednesday 16:00~21:00 / Thursday 12pm~21:00
Friday – Saturday 12pm~22:00 / Sunday 12pm~21:00
The tasting menu is outstanding with delicious food and perfectly paired drinks. The staff are really attentive, professional and knowledgeable about both the food and drinks which makes you feel at ease. The food is beautifully presented and tastes amazing. The atmosphere of the restaurant is also relaxing, adding to the excellent dining experience. The set lunch menu is fabulous and is great value for money. You can get a 2 course lunch set for only £15 and 3 courses for £18.
The Doric | http://www.the-doric.com/
15-16 Market St, Old Town, Edinburgh EH1 1DE
Opening Hours: Open 7 days a week from 12pm through till late
The Doric is a great place to enjoy a drink and some nice traditional Scottish food with friends. The atmosphere is warm and they offer a good selection of bar snacks. I would recommend the haggis bon bons for a starter as you can’t get anything more Scottish than haggis. The main courses are separated into grill, land and sea, from which you can order dishes like the doric burger, haggis neeps and tatties, fillet of sole, and so much more. All the food tastes excellent and the service is amazing with such friendly staff. The sticky toffee pudding is a Scottish classic and is my favourite dessert for £7.95 with a rich butterscotch sauce and a scoop of delicious homemade ice cream.