5 Best Fine Dining Restaurants in Edinburgh

There’s never been a better time to enjoy fine dining in Edinburgh, as the city has become a hub for refined dining experiences and Michelin-star restaurants. After focusing on the traditional aspects of local cuisine for my Edinburgh food tours, I was a little late to the party when it came to discovering the top fine-dining restaurants!

That said, I’ve dived head-first into the Scottish capital’s fine dining scene ever since and now have quite a few restaurant recommendations for my fellow food lovers. With award-winning chefs at the helm and curated tasting menus, these spots for fine dining in Edinburgh are sure to tempt your tastebuds.

What Defines Fine Dining in Edinburgh?

Fine dining in Edinburgh is all about exceptional fare, elegant settings, and unparalleled service. 

While these are qualities most of us come to expect from Michelin-star restaurants, many of those without such accreditations often provide similarly superb experiences. As such, I’d advise against solely seeking out Michelin-star eateries for your high-end outings!

Although many upmarket restaurants are all about contemporary, innovative dining, most have managed to intertwine this with classic Scottish favorites like game meat, seafood, whiskey, and root vegetables. In essence, fine dining in Edinburgh is where the old and new come together in harmony.

Best Fine Dining Restaurants in Edinburgh

Fhior

Photo credit: Fhior

Scott and Laura Smith are the brains behind Fhior, an exquisite restaurant that features an ever-changing, seasonal menu in its bright, understated dining room near Calton Hill.

The service was exceptional from start to finish, from the wait staff to the knowledgeable sommelier. My favorite pairing was the trout and French rosé, as the wine’s citrusy notes cut through the nutty flavors of the fish and the umami furikake seasoning.

Fhior (€€€€) – Edinburgh EH1 3SB – Closed every Monday to Wednesday, open Thursday and Friday from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm and every Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm and from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm.

Aizle

Photo credit: Aizle

Aizle is where boho chic and sophistication meet, and chef Stuart Ralston has mastered the art of combining nutritious local fare with the fine dining experience. It might be just minutes from Edinburgh Castle, but as soon as I walked inside, it was like I’d been transported to a lavish country cottage.

I arrived at lunch and went for some a la carte offerings, including the lamb belly, which was recommended by the waitress. Rich, slightly gamey, and crisp on the outside, the lamb was even better when teamed with bold chive pesto.

Aizle (€€€€) – Edinburgh EH2 4HQ – Closed every Monday and Tuesday, open Wednesday to Friday and Sunday from 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm and every Saturday from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm and from 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm.

Rhubarb

Photo credit: Rhubarb

Rhubarb is among the most opulent spots for fine dining in Edinburgh. It’s set inside Prestonfield House, a lavish Scottish manor in the south of the city that boasts a stunning dining area covered in patterned wallpaper, plush carpets, and chandeliers.

Chef Dane Shelton has crafted a menu centering around indulgent Scottish flavors, such as the heavenly roasted goose breast I ordered. The meat was perfectly moist and flavorsome, and the creamy liver parfait, crispy potatoes, and tangy plum sauce made the dish feel so decadent.

Rhubarb (€€€) – Edinburgh EH16 5UT – Open every day from 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

Montrose

Photo credit: Montrose

Montrose in Abbeyhill is a sublime restaurant that offers paired-back dishes in a cozy, minimalistic environment. This spot came highly recommended by several friends of mine for the impeccable service and seasonal tasting menu.

The team from the award-winning eatery Timberyard, including chef James Murray, is behind Montrose, and the food was just as impressive as that in its Michelin-starred counterpart. For me, the main attraction was the luxurious mushroom tart, which came with flaky mackerel and thick caramelized cream.

Montrose (€€€) – Edinburgh EH7 5DJ – Closed every Monday to Wednesday, open Thursday and Friday from 5:00 pm to 8:45 pm and every Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm and from 5:00 pm to 8:45 pm.

Dean Banks

Photo credit: Dean Banks

Dean Banks lies on the outer edges of the Old Town in the glamorous Caledonian Hotel. When I arrived at the grand, arch-filled dining area for my lunchtime reservation, I was stoked to secure a window table overlooking the grounds of Edinburgh Castle.

The view was pretty spectacular, but the food quickly overshadowed it! I can still taste the sumptuous flavors of the grilled cod to this day, with its smokey notes contrasting with the minerality of the accompanying Chablis.

Dean Banks (€€€€) – Edinburgh EH1 2AB – Closed every Monday and Tuesday, open Wednesday from 5:00 pm to 12:00 am, and every Thursday to Sunday from 12:00 pm to 12:00 am.

Michelin-Starred Restaurants in Edinburgh

Photo credit: Lyla

Edinburgh now boasts seven Michelin-starred restaurants, two of which, Avery and Lyla, earned the prestigious honor at the beginning of 2025. Alongside these newly recognized establishments is Martin Wishart, the city’s longest-standing Michelin eatery, and esteemed spots like Timberyard, Heron, Condita, and The Kitchin.

The city’s first Michelin star came in 2001, and since then, a slew of incredible dining destinations have entered the thriving gourmet scene.

No matter which one of these stellar restaurants you choose, you’ll be assured of chic surroundings, distinct flavors, and impeccable service. As you might expect, most of these venues are at the higher end of the price scale, with a typical tasting menu coming in at over €170 per person. However, some offer lunchtime deals for a lower price.

Fine Dining Experiences & Tasting Menus

It’s not uncommon for upscale eateries in Edinburgh to have a la carte and set menus, but you’ll notice that the chef’s tasting menu tends to be the most sought-after. 

These carefully crafted menus feature six small courses, each utilizing unique ingredients, cooking techniques, and presentation styles while often adhering to a specific theme. By opting for the tasting menu, you’ll have a chance to indulge in a myriad of dishes, many of which can be paired with delicious wines and whisky.

Luxury Dining on a Budget: Is Fine Dining Worth It?

Though fine dining in Edinburgh will rarely be a budget-friendly experience, I’ve found plenty of ways to enjoy luxury dining without breaking the bank.

Among the best ways to keep your costs low is to stick to lunch menus. Around midday, many restaurants offer more compact versions of their classic tasting menus, while others construct set menus for a fixed price. If you’d prefer to sample the complete tasting menu, avoiding the drink pairing add-on is always a good option.

Alternatively, look out for venues awarded Michelin’s Bib Gourmand honor. Restaurants with Bib Gourmand status are those with quality, cultivated, yet affordable menus.

Sources:

Eating Europe. (n.d.). Edinburgh food tours & experiences. Eating Europe. Retrieved March 14, 2025, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/edinburgh/

Fhior. (n.d.). Fhior – Official website. Retrieved March 14, 2025, from https://fhior.com/

Aizle. (n.d.). Aizle – Official website. Retrieved March 14, 2025, from https://www.aizle.co.uk/

Prestonfield. (n.d.). Rhubarb restaurant at Prestonfield – Official website. Retrieved March 14, 2025, from https://www.prestonfield.com/eat-drink/rhubarb-restaurant/

Montrose Restaurant. (n.d.). Montrose Restaurant – Official website. Retrieved March 14, 2025, from https://www.montroserestaurant.co/

Dean Banks. (n.d.). Dean Banks – Official website. Retrieved March 14, 2025, from https://www.deanbanks.co.uk/

Avery Edinburgh. (n.d.). Avery Edinburgh – Official website. Retrieved March 14, 2025, from https://www.averyedi.co.uk/

Lyla Edinburgh. (n.d.). Lyla Edinburgh – Official website. Retrieved March 14, 2025, from https://lylaedinburgh.co.uk/

Martin Wishart. (n.d.). Restaurant Martin Wishart – Official website. Retrieved March 14, 2025, from https://restaurantmartinwishart.co.uk/

Timberyard. (n.d.). Timberyard – Official website. Retrieved March 14, 2025, from https://www.timberyard.co/

Heron. (n.d.). Heron – Official website. Retrieved March 14, 2025, from https://www.heron.scot/

Condita. (n.d.). Condita – Official website. Retrieved March 14, 2025, from https://www.condita.co.uk/

The Kitchin. (n.d.). The Kitchin – Official website. Retrieved March 14, 2025, from https://thekitchin.com/