Good company, celebrations and good food go hand in hand. So when you have the perfect excuse for celebrating as a couple, with family, or friends, here are ten restaurants in Edinburgh to enjoy a celebratory meal.
1. The Stockbridge Restaurant
This fine dining treat is tucked away on St Stephen Street and will welcome you in to a lovely ambiance with a very intimate and cosy feel.
There is no unnecessary pomp at The Stockbridge Restaurant and the service is equally unfussy but still attentive.
The food is by far the main attraction, you can dine a la carte or choose from a two or three course set dinner. Eating at The Stockbridge Restaurant feels much more expensive than it actually is.
Our favourite has to be their pork starter; pork fillet wrapped in pancetta with pork belly, cheeks and black pudding with sweet potato puree and sauce – £8.45
2. Dining At The Pass (at One Square)
If you really want the wow factor and a dining experience that is truly unique then book Dining at the Pass. You get to sit at the marble pass in the heart of the One Square kitchen (Sheraton Hotel) where you can watch and interact with the chefs as they work. You can choose from a 5-course sample menu (£60pp) or a 7-course sample menu (£80pp).
I’ve been twice now and the food is amazing as is the experience, sample menus are a great way to taste lots of lovely food and you won’t be disappointed. You can buy this experience as a gift too but definitely treat yourself first!
Our favourites from the sample menu were the venison and turbot and the showstopping desert – I’m not saying anymore!
3. Wedgwood
Wedgwood is one of those restaurants that can go under the radar in Edinburgh as it lacks a Michelin star, but like The Stockbridge Restaurant it’s a hidden gem that’s not to be missed.
Wedgwood’s tasting menu is Scottish themed with seven course for only £50pp. This is a lovely intimate restaurant with warm and friendly service. The owners, Paul & Lisa Wedgwood’s vision for their restaurant was based on their idea of a perfect night out and they have certainly achieved this.
Our favourites were the rare wild pigeon, haggis, neeps and tatties.
4. Ondine
Ondine is one of Scotland’s most well respected seafood restaurants. Located in the heart of Edinburgh, just off the Royal Mile, it’s the perfect place to enjoy a celebratory meal, perhaps in conjunction with a play or show at one of the theatres that it’s in the vicinity of.
If you’re really spoiling yourself, we recommend the langoustines or lobster, they’re not cheap, but high quality seafood never is.
5. Restaurant Andrew Fairlie
Not in Edinburgh, but well worth the drive!
Make a night of your celebrations and book into the Gleneagles Hotel and dine in Restaurant Andrew Fairlie. In 2006 Andrew Fairlie was awarded his second Michelin star, one of only a handful of two Michelin star restaurants in the UK. It is widely accepted as the best restaurant in Scotland. This is world class dining so even if you don’t spend the night the drive there will be well worth it.
The Degustation menu is best value. We counted 14 courses in all and some of the finest Scottish produce, we felt that despite the high price it was great value and well worth the experience.
6. 21212
Whether you go to 21212 for a romantic dinner for two or for a larger gathering you certainly won’t be disappointed. As well as the 38-seat restaurant with open kitchen, there’s a drawing room, two private dining areas and four luxury bedrooms. The décor of this gorgeous townhouse is elegant and sumptuous, just like the food. The Michelin star is well deserved and an evening here will make for the finest of celebrations.
The menu changes weekly but my favourite ever desert was from here – Crème brulee with homemade turkish delight, honeydew melon, chocolate buttons and kahlua anglaise. If it appears on the menu when you’re there, get it!
7. Dine Edinburgh
Dine by Stuart Muir is located just off Lothian Road, above the Traverse Theatre. The 30 seat champagne lounge is a great way to begin your celebratory meal with a cocktail or glass of bubbly.
The restaurant itself is circular with an eye catching tree at its centre, something a little bit different that your guests may appreciate. The food is smart, verging on fine dining, but without the price tag. It’s my pick if you want somewhere nice to celebrate, but you need to watch the pennies.
8. Seasons Tasting
This is the place to go if you’re celebrating something special with a real foodie. There’s no menu, just a list of seasonal ingredients, from which the chef will create either a five or seven plate tasting menu for you. This is an experience as well as dinner!
Five plate tasting £40, seven plate tasting £55 – we recommend pushing the boat out and getting the optional matched wines, it really adds to the experience.
See our full Seasons Tasting feature here.
9. Castle Terrace Restaurant
Castle Terrace is a classy restaurant where you can choose to dine privately in the restaurant, or at the Chef’s table in the open plan kitchen. The restaurant’s philosophy – From Nature to Plate – is exactly the same as its sister restaurant The Kitchin. Food here is the finest and freshest seasonal Scottish ingredients and offers elegant and wonderfully balanced dishes, all prepared with a delicate flair and passion.
Our favourite for a celebration has to be the surprise tasting menu with the exclusive matched wine package. Go on, spoil yourselves.
10. Forage & Chatter
One of the newest restaurant’s on our list which opened last year where previously the Edinburgh Larder resided on Alva Street. Cameron, the owner, has worked with a number of high profile chefs in London and has come home to launch his own venture.
The proposition is simple enough; locally sourced ingredients turned into fine dining dishes at a price most foodies will be more than happy to pay.
The intimate setting and personalised service make this a good option if you want to say well done to someone close to you.
See our full feature on Forage & Chatter here.
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