My favourite type of meal is a tasting menu, second to that is a set lunch. Castle Terrace Restaurant offers its own set lunch for £29.50, we soon discovered what great value that was.

Castle Terrace Restaurant opened in 2010 by the team behind award-winning Michelin star restaurant The Kitchin. Dominic Jack offers a unique fine dining experience just a short walk from Edinburgh Castle.

The restaurant was busy on the Friday we were there, but service was very efficient indeed. Despite being a fine dining restaurant, the vibe was relaxed and informal.

A platter of amuse bouche arrived first and we immediately knew we were in for a treat. From left to right: Beetroot and Goats Cheese Macaron, Deep Fried Salt Cod Ravioli, ‘Caesar salad’

A ‘Smoked Haddock Egg’ arrived next. I have no idea how they created this, but it did indeed look like an egg that tasted of smoked haddock. I love it when a dish leaves you stumped as to how exactly it was made.

We both had the Pea Soup with Ham Hock Ravioli (pictured at the top). This was a delicious balance of sweet pea with salty ham. The ravioli were perfectly cooked. I wonder if this is a cheffy version of comfort food because I imagine myself eating a bowl of this on a bad day and feeling instantly better.

We wiped up all remnants of pea soup with the homemade bread. We both appreciated the personalised tweed cosy it arrived in. I may have to fashion one for our own dinner table at home.

For main we chose the Hogget (a lamb between weaning and first shearing), the flavour was slightly stronger than lamb and the dish was complete with the offal. The jus was deep and rich and made the dish, as is often the case with fine dining.

We chose two different desserts to share. The first was Chocolate Orange with Pistachio Custard. It was a big dessert, and even with both of us having a go we couldn’t finish it!

Our second dessert was Creme Brûlée, which as you’d expect from a French trained chef, was just perfect.

Our lunch was rounded off with Coffee and Petit Fours which were all included in the price.

We were left discussing how good the food was, but also what great value it was. To date, it’s the best value fine dining lunch I’ve had in Edinburgh. For a few pounds more than some fairly standard menus, you can enjoy something really special at Castle Terrace Restaurant.

Castle Terrace Restaurant
Location: Castle Terrace
Price: Three course set menu lunch £29.50
Good for: Relaxed fine dining
Bestinburgh: Best Fine Dining Lunch