Edinburgh has a wide range of eating places, catering for all tastes and budgets.  From franchises like TGI Friday's and Pizza Express to great little independent Italian and Thai restaurants, from nationally known restaurants like The Witchery to local treasures like The World's End pub, the visitor to Edinburgh will never find it difficult to find somewhere good to eat.

Zest

15 North St Andrew St, Edinburgh

Zest is a fantastic little Indian restaurant serving contemporary Indian cuisine in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.  The food is extremely good value with starters costing around £4 and mains for about £7 or £8 plus rice.  The food is delicious - far better than the vast majority of Indian restaurants.  They also have a really good lunchtime deal - 3 courses for between £4.95 and £7.95.  Definitely worth a visit.

HERBE BISTRO

44-46 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh

The successful team behind The Marque Central have now opened this vibrant bistro.  With coffee shop upstairs and beautiful restaurant downstairs.  Menu ranges from light dishes, mains, sides/shares and sweets.  Set menus.  Open all day Monday to Saturday.  Excellent value for money. 0131 226 3269   

Hendersons

Hanover Street, Edinburgh

A bistro/cafe/wine bar with health food shop attached, catering particularly for vegetarian/vegan diners.  Simple food, including products from their own bakery and a wide range of salads. 

 There is a warm welcome and relaxed atmosphere, despite the self-service style.  The cafe is open all day from breakfast onwards and the wine bar has live music most evenings.  Reasonably priced (2 courses for £10.50)

Patio

Hanover Street, Edinburgh

Long-established Italian restaurant, specialising in seafood.  Extensive menu that changes regularly to reflect what's available: halibut, swordfish, king prawns, scallops...

Friendly and attentive service.  Usually very busy - and lots of people clearly go there regularly -  so worth booking ahead. Mid-priced.

The World's End

Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Situated about half way between the Castle and the Scottish Parliament building, this pub marks the corner where the city walls once stood.  Typical pub style decor and mostly traditional pub fare with a scottish twist (haggis, neeps and tatties is available as both a starter and a main course for example, and then there's the William Wallace burger!). 

The kitchen is tiny and the menu very restricted, but the service is friendly and helpful - and the pub is often very busy.  Expect to pay £6 to £9 for a main course.

Atrium

10 Cambridge Street, Edinburgh

Exciting, innovative food and good service in informal surroundings. Food is created with local, seasonal ingredients and transformed into very fine food without fuss or formality. Underwhelming building, but inside feels spacious and light.

Off the Wall

105 High Street

The menu is Scottish ingredients prepared in classic French style. Fresh flowers, muted colours and white linen gives the dining room a classic feel. Some good bottles on the wine list. This a special occasion place and worth it.

The New Bell

233 Causewayside

The dining room, upstairs from a pub, with mismatched decor cocoon diners creates a welcoming comfortable atmosphere. The food is Scottish with a twist like the ravioli haggis starter, a rich and mains like a crispy fillet of sea bream encrusted with a prawn and tarragon mousse. Iain Mellis cheeses are on the dessert menu. Short but interesting wine list. Impressive food in a warm setting.

The Pompadour

Caledonian Hilton, Princes Street

The grand dining room in the Caledonian Hilton has the romantic feel of a bygone elegance. The evening menu is upmarket such as foie gras with prune and Armagnac compote or John Dory roasted with a ragout of scallops and langoustines.

Restaurant Martin Wishart

54 The Shore Leith

The reputation for one of the best restaurants is well deserved. The haute cuisine comes with an understated decor and confident but relaxed service. There are tasting menus and an extensive la carte menu including a vegetarian menu. Everything is prepared and presented using only the best ingredients. Undoubtedly one of best dining experiences in Edinburgh.

Sweet Melindas

11 Roseneath Street

This is a neighbourhood restaurant with a tiny, single room tucked away in middle Marchmont. Cooking is great and the atmosphere convivial yet stylish. The menu is good for seafood with some game and veggie options. The fish is from neighbour Eddie's Seafood Market, and changes to suit whatever is fresh.

Tower Restaurant

Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street

A romantic setting on the fifth floor of the Museum with views of the castle and city. In summer, you can dine on the terrace. The menu combines the finest Scottish ingredients a with Mediterranean influences. The wine list is extensive. A meal here isn't cheap, but the experience is impressive.

The Vintners Rooms

The Vaults, 87 Giles Street

Leith

There are two dining areas in the centuries-old stone building in the heart of Leith . One, a small, candle-lit former wine auction room with rich oak panelling and the other, a larger, brighter sale room hung with tapestries with a long bar and fireplace. The menu is French pedigree with quality local produce. Not surprising, the wine list is extensive and the waiters are very knowledgeable on the subject.

Cosmo

58a North Castle Street

This is old fashioned, serious Italian cuisine served with great attentiveness. The Italian wine list is excellent. Cosmo has been around for quite a while and has maintained its reputation for superior Italian cooking and hospitality.

Valvona & Crolla Caffe Bar

19 Elm Row, Leith Walk

This is Edinburgh’s favourite deli for good reasons. Not open for dinner, the menu changes daily. Expect to wait to get in.

Valvona & Crolla Vin Caffe

11 Multrees Walk

Newly opened near Harvey Nichols, VinCaffe ’s has a bar and deli with a dining space above. This is Valvona & Crolla but open for dinner most nights. Lots of wines by the glass.

Fishers in the City

Thistle Street

 This is a really good restaurant and pretty centrally located.  The menu changes regularly and they always have a great selection of seafood dishes.  Smoked haddock with poached egg is delicious.  The bouillebaise is excellent.   Nice selection of wines too.

Buffalo Grill

There are 2 Buffalo Grills - one at Raeburn Place in Stockbridge and the other at Chapel Street on the Southside.  You can get a really good value steak here.  It's often full so you need to book.  You can also bring your own wine which is an added bonus.