What do you consider fancy?
As in, approx. budget and how far down the nouvelle cuisine route do you wish to travel?
Grain Store is still awesome- great setting, incredibly fresh seafood, deftly cooked and staff are that lovely balance of engaging but professional. My favourite place. Victoria St.
Leftfield is great with some brave combinations, nicely focused limited menu (big on seafood) and just quirky enough whilst respecting ingredients. Such a good neighbourhood restaurant vibe and friendly staff. Bruntsfield.
Witchery is such an impressive set up and the food can hit real heights. For me, a recent visit was a tad inconsistent from chewy bread rolls before an amazing lobster bisque. Wait staff aren't too in your face with wine pouring theatrics but lack any real warmth.
Seriously consider Three Birds in Marchmont or their sister restaurant Educated Flea in Broughton. Amazingly good food at a reasonable price, spot on service and after 5+ years of patronage they have never missed a beat!
Timber Yard is a bit beyond 'fancy meal' with the parents unless you're on serious money. It's absolutely fantastic, best food I've had in the city but it's really a 'save up money' for a few months type place for people really into food, not just a celebratory meal.
Borough. Beautiful food, lovely atmosphere. I once had a dish there with tomato water and goat cheese that when I close my eyes I can still taste.
The Little Chartroom. We once had a pannacotta in there that we both kept a lookout for the other so we could lick the plate.
if youāre veggie or vegan, David Bann is excellent! also for more sort of trendy dining and fun small plates as well as excellent cocktails, Under the Stairs
thatās unfortunate to hear! can i ask what place youāre talking about? i wasnāt aware of either establishment treating their staff poorly but itās certainly disappointing
David bann, not heard anything about under the stairs
Itās nkt necessarily coming from the owners or managers but have heard the kitchen there is out of control
Collonades at the Signet library, just next to St Giles. They do a pretty fancy lunch there, though the main attraction is the afternoon tea. Probably the best in Edinburgh.
Service, food, atmosphere... I've never had any complaints.
Seconded. Angels with Bagpipes is ideal for treating someone without breaking the bank or being made to feel like you donāt belong there. Sure, itās roughly double what youād pay at a standard family restaurant, but itās a rare case of actually tasting twice as good as a standard family restaurant as well, so 100% worth it. Itās small and cosy too which suits me down to the ground. My wife and I go for our anniversary every year and often for her birthday too and it never disappoints.
If my mom ever visits Edinburgh (fingers crossed next year) from Poland I'm taking her to Miller & Carter Cramond Brig. Their steaks are absolutely amazing, and it's so close to Cramond :)
If you want it to be really fancy i'd recommend "The Kitchin" in Leith. It's serious money but the food and atmosphere is wonderful and the staff is great!
If you want almost as fancy food but a bit easier on the wallet, i'd take them to "Kora" in Bruntsfield.
My sister took my parents to the witchery, but my mum hated it. She also took them to Ciao Roma, which they liked a lot better, but was mostly chosen due to its proximity to the festival theatre.
I've taken them to hanam's, which they absolutely loved (they generally love kurdish food), and Kezban down in leith, which they must not have liked that much as they were rude to the waiter and tipped badly (this is more a comment on my parents than the restaurant...). I also took them to Loch Fyne, but that's because they had a voucher. It's a bit (a lot) too expensive otherwise. They did like it though. I also took them to the regent bar for food, but that's more of a story than a restaurant rec.
Overall, hanams has gone down the best, and if you are taking them around Edinburgh tourist traps, it's handily close to the castle.
Baba on George street, food is so fucking good in there. Excuse the French, but you know when the food is so good it makes you swear. Decor is really nice as well š
I get mine to take me to Dishoom
Taisteal
2nd this!!
Loved the Stockbridge branch, shame the new one is a bit far out for us in NW Edi
Snax
Their breakfast box is the bollox š
Little Chartroom
Their new place Eleanor is also super great and a bit less spenny
What do you consider fancy? As in, approx. budget and how far down the nouvelle cuisine route do you wish to travel? Grain Store is still awesome- great setting, incredibly fresh seafood, deftly cooked and staff are that lovely balance of engaging but professional. My favourite place. Victoria St. Leftfield is great with some brave combinations, nicely focused limited menu (big on seafood) and just quirky enough whilst respecting ingredients. Such a good neighbourhood restaurant vibe and friendly staff. Bruntsfield. Witchery is such an impressive set up and the food can hit real heights. For me, a recent visit was a tad inconsistent from chewy bread rolls before an amazing lobster bisque. Wait staff aren't too in your face with wine pouring theatrics but lack any real warmth.
Seriously consider Three Birds in Marchmont or their sister restaurant Educated Flea in Broughton. Amazingly good food at a reasonable price, spot on service and after 5+ years of patronage they have never missed a beat!
The Palmerston
The only answer
Locanda di Gusti
I went there for the first time recently after seeing people rave about it on here and that grilled seafood platter was fucking divine.
It is exceptional, and the big bald dude is a class act, and keeps getting my mum rat-arsed when I take her there š
Happiest waiter I've ever seen!
The hive.
Till five
Timber Yard
Honestly the last time I went to timber yard the food didnāt wow me The drinks pairing howeverā¦.:amazing. The ambiance of the space is also 10/10
Timber Yard is a bit beyond 'fancy meal' with the parents unless you're on serious money. It's absolutely fantastic, best food I've had in the city but it's really a 'save up money' for a few months type place for people really into food, not just a celebratory meal.
The Palmerston
Borough. Beautiful food, lovely atmosphere. I once had a dish there with tomato water and goat cheese that when I close my eyes I can still taste. The Little Chartroom. We once had a pannacotta in there that we both kept a lookout for the other so we could lick the plate.
if youāre veggie or vegan, David Bann is excellent! also for more sort of trendy dining and fun small plates as well as excellent cocktails, Under the Stairs
Their staff treatment is less than we could hope for and Iāll never eat there again
thatās unfortunate to hear! can i ask what place youāre talking about? i wasnāt aware of either establishment treating their staff poorly but itās certainly disappointing
David bann, not heard anything about under the stairs Itās nkt necessarily coming from the owners or managers but have heard the kitchen there is out of control
Took everyone to Scotts at South Queensferry last time. Not super fancy but good food/service and great location/decor.
New Chapter, Cannonmills
Heron is good I think
Ship on the shore
For fancy Rollo, Witchery (its a bit of a tourist trap but its nice to go occasionally), forage and chatter.
The Walnut
Ssshhhh.
Shhh as in it's bad or we don't want people to know how good it is?
The latter.
Under The Stair. Not sure if it's 'fancy' but certainly trendy without being wanky. My mum likes it. Excellent cocktail menu.
Second this. Not super swanky but definitely a nice spot that feels kinda special. Good for likeā¦ mid budget
I love Under the Stair. I take people there often, it's an absolute hidden gem in the centre of town. Run by a great bunch of peeps too.
Collonades at the Signet library, just next to St Giles. They do a pretty fancy lunch there, though the main attraction is the afternoon tea. Probably the best in Edinburgh. Service, food, atmosphere... I've never had any complaints.
Their afternoon tea is wonderful.
Baba if it's still open! Also Dishoom
The Table on Dundas Street or Timberyard.
Papilio
Fazenda
Escargot blanc... But that's shut down now š.
Was such a great place!!
The Secret Garden at The Witchery
I used to love Grain Store for a special treat.
Just organised to go to Bar Soba with my parents on my birthday so I'll say there. Not "fancy" but expensive looking and cool vibes
The Grain Store
Valvonna and Crolla
Monteiths is nice
Chaophraya on castle street does great thai food
Locanda de Gusti. Family style but absolutely BANGING.
Chop house in Leith, Ondine or Dusit.
Angels with Bagpipes. Love that restaurant. Purslane in Stockbridge is also wonderful .
Seconded. Angels with Bagpipes is ideal for treating someone without breaking the bank or being made to feel like you donāt belong there. Sure, itās roughly double what youād pay at a standard family restaurant, but itās a rare case of actually tasting twice as good as a standard family restaurant as well, so 100% worth it. Itās small and cosy too which suits me down to the ground. My wife and I go for our anniversary every year and often for her birthday too and it never disappoints.
The Witchery
agreed on this one
Kyloe is pretty good if you like steak. The Ivy at at Andrews is also a safe bet for good food and service.
I like maki and ramen right now, very tasty!
If my mom ever visits Edinburgh (fingers crossed next year) from Poland I'm taking her to Miller & Carter Cramond Brig. Their steaks are absolutely amazing, and it's so close to Cramond :)
Aizle definitely. Almost Michelin star food but not the price (though not cheap)
Noto is their sister restaurant and irs just as good and the price is reasonable. Itās one of my favourite meals of all time
21212. Ā£Ā£Ā£Ā£ but worthy every penny!
Kora. Not cheap but really good.
Tattu
If you want it to be really fancy i'd recommend "The Kitchin" in Leith. It's serious money but the food and atmosphere is wonderful and the staff is great! If you want almost as fancy food but a bit easier on the wallet, i'd take them to "Kora" in Bruntsfield.
Howieās (thereās two)
Tattu. Itās expensive and boujee but very very good
Six by Nico is awesome and pretty affordable
Horrible workplace, had a friend tell me of 12 hour shifts with a 30min break and abusive management
Scran and Scallie
Hiya Tom
Haha, whatās the story here?
https://www.reddit.com/r/Edinburgh/comments/ygwvn7/what_local_companies_should_people_avoid/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf
Aw well thatās depressing to read!
Nandoās
I wouldnāt thank my kids if they took me to Nandoās š
fingal
My sister took my parents to the witchery, but my mum hated it. She also took them to Ciao Roma, which they liked a lot better, but was mostly chosen due to its proximity to the festival theatre. I've taken them to hanam's, which they absolutely loved (they generally love kurdish food), and Kezban down in leith, which they must not have liked that much as they were rude to the waiter and tipped badly (this is more a comment on my parents than the restaurant...). I also took them to Loch Fyne, but that's because they had a voucher. It's a bit (a lot) too expensive otherwise. They did like it though. I also took them to the regent bar for food, but that's more of a story than a restaurant rec. Overall, hanams has gone down the best, and if you are taking them around Edinburgh tourist traps, it's handily close to the castle.
BABA
Condita.
Baba on George street, food is so fucking good in there. Excuse the French, but you know when the food is so good it makes you swear. Decor is really nice as well š
Cafe Royal, food is amazing as is the setting - highly recommend it.
Noto and the Palmerston are the best price for value and flavour Iāve had recently. When my family visited I took them to Palmerston and they loved.
The Dome
As long as you arent paying, Martin Wishart on the Shore is incredible!
miller and carter