There are few things better than filling up your belly with amazing fresh seafood and then meandering along the waterfront at dusk. This part of Edinburgh has so much history as a once busy port. Now it is home to several amazing (some even Michelin starred) restaurants, and tastefully renovated waterfront areas. Take a seat and watch the big ships roll past.

16 or 22 bus from Prince's st in direction of Ocean Terminal
Google map: bit.ly/Yh7Juj

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

This is a small, but perfectly formed little diner in the heart of student central. The decor is "interesting" and the welcome is friendly. While not top end food the menu includes some of the most authentic Korean food I've had outside of Seoul. Try the brown rice tea. A cracker !

kimsminimeals.com/
5 Buccleuch Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9JN
+44(0)131 629 7951
Google map: bit.ly/NhBSoB

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

A very popular fish restaurant on the shore that people keep coming back to. Always a good mix of locals and tourists. There is a bar area where locals come in for a pint or even a glass of champagne.
Had the fish platters and they did not disappoint!
Great quality fish as you come to expect. For two platters, bottle of house white, chips and glasses of port it set us back only £83.
In recent years while we were there we have seen the actor Stellan Skarsgard, cabinet minister Ben Bradshaw, Tom Kitchin (Michelin starred chef) and Celebrity Masterchef winner Nadia Sawalha to name but a few.

www.theshipontheshore.co.uk/
24-26 Shore, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 6QN
+44(0)131 555 0409
Google map: bit.ly/IpoUSn

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Decent food quickly at very reasonable prices.
We had two mains, one Coke, two bottles of beer for £12.80. It should have cost £15 or so but there was an automatic 20% discount (which seems to occur frequently).
This place serves decent Asian food and not surprisingly given the student population in the area is always busy.
It is quick and cheap and while it will not be garnering any Michelin stars it is somewhere we often go back to when in the area.
Don't believe they do reservations and you can always get a table though you might have to wait a few minutes.

45 South Bridge, Edinburgh , EH1 1LL
Google map: bit.ly/IL8nH4

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Great bar on the Shore area of Leith in Edinburgh.
Extremely friendly and efficient staff. Feels like a French bar with dark wood and a fire in the corner.
This bar also has a separate eating area though you can eat in bar as well. We had a great fish pie (£8.50) and a steak and kidney pie (£9.50).
The bar, unlike some on the Shore area, is kids friendly.

www.fishersbistros.co.uk/the-shore-bar-and-restaurant.php
3-4 The Shore, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 6QW
+44(0)131 554 5666
Google map: bit.ly/HEVn49

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

A really decent pub.
This is part of the Belhaven chain and has a very good value drinks menu. Additionally the food menu is very reasonably priced and very tasty - a step above a lot of pubs.
In the less busy times of the week, there are great deals to be had on food and drink.
They even have a 'Man V Food' challenge on Tuesdays!
The pub is situated on the popular Shore area of Edinburgh (Leith) and feels like a pub that should be in a port with all the nautical memorabilia on the walls.

www.belhavenpubs.co.uk/pub/get_pub/77/
58 The Shore, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 6RA
+44(0)131 554 2425
Google map: bit.ly/Ir9Y7H

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Over the past ten years, Jeffrey Street’s La Garrigue has steadily built up a loyal following of regulars who don’t need Gordon Ramsay’s endorsement to tell them that this is French food made to the highest order. And then 12 months ago, La Garrigue opened a sister branch on the other side of town, so I popped along to see if the food there was up to scratch.

There is a friendly, welcoming atmosphere and La Garrigue’s whole ambience is similar to sitting in a friend’s front room. Offering wonderful service and mouth-watering dishes, three courses for £30 is exceptional value for the fine ingredients and culinary skill. Be sure to take your appetite.

www.lagarrigue.co.uk‎
14 Eyre Place, Edinburgh EH3 5EP
+44(0)131 5581608
Google map: bit.ly/ydGkYf

* Rachel is our Been there local for Edinburgh. You can view her profile here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/edinburgh-local-rachel-brown.jsp and follow her tips here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/travellers/RachelBrown

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

The word 'gastropub' is so overused these days but this establishment certainly deserves that tag.
Have been here many times before and as usual it did not disappoint. Good food, friendly service and great value. There is a wide choice on the menu (and on specials board).
My wife had lentil soup as well as mackerel pate with oatcakes while I had the homemade burger. Portion sizes were big and together with two drinks only set us back £22.
This place never seems to be in various restaurant listing publications but it is well known to people from the Leith area as a place to be treasured.
Kitchen open 10 am - 10pm.

44 Queen Charlotte street, EH6 7EX Edinburgh
+44(0)131 554 1979
www.facebook.com/thecompassleith
Google map: bit.ly/z5Zxmi

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Good location for food and drink. The menu while on the face of it looks like a typical bar menu is inventive. You'll find things like rabbit burgers and pheasant on the menu that you wouldn't normally find in a bar. The food is very much moving towards 'gastropub' territory.
On Saturday nights the bar is packed as they have live music. Even when it is quieter it is nice to sit down with a nice pint.
Family friendly.

www.noblesbarleith.co.uk/
44a Constitution street, Edinburgh EH6 6RS
+44(0)131 629 7215
Google map: bit.ly/z8TeR1

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Henderson’s Vegetarian Restaurant at 94 Hanover Street provides anything from light snacks to a full meal – and with its location just minutes away from the charming George Street, it’s a great place to rest your feet and tuck into a hearty healthy lunch. There is a gorgeous deli and shop too – the perfect place to stock up on gifts for foodie friends.

www.hendersonsofedinburgh.co.uk/
94 Hanover Street, Edinburgh, EH2 1DR
+44(0)131 225 2131
Google map: bit.ly/tPQ6vi

* Rachel is our Been there local for Edinburgh. You can view her profile here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/edinburgh-local-rachel-brown.jsp and follow her tips here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/travellers/RachelBrown

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Gorgeous, good value and amazing range of vegetarian and vegan food. There is a nightly programme of live music ranging from jazz, folk to more contemporary styles. Henderson's of Edinburgh is also an arts venue housing Janet and Mac Gallery and there are regular exhibitions, openings and charity events. It is a cultural hub, home to many monthly community meetings including the Scottish animal welfare society.

94 Hanover Street, Edinburgh, EH2 1DR
www.hendersonsofedinburgh.co.uk
+44(0)131 225 2131
Google map:P bit.ly/ermhvL

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Just off Edinburgh's Royal Mile, David Bann's is a modern adventurous veggie restaurant. It says on the menu there are no microwaves in the kitchen, and you can taste the results of that in the food. The combinations are delicious and you don't get a fiddly little portion in the middle of a big plate - you get such a large portion that I have never managed to get through the full three courses. It's very reasonably priced (mains are £10 - £13 )and is guaranteed to be full on a Saturday night. Inspiration for the menu comes from all round the world and the puddings in particular are top notch.

56-58 St Mary's Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1SX
+44(0)131 556 5888
www.davidbann.com
Google map: bit.ly/hmFS9E

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

If you are in search of a vegetarian snack, Hendersons Of Edinburgh is split over two locations on Hanover Street as well as a bistro on Thistle Street in Edinburgh's New Town. The restaurant, bistro and deli offer a variety of vegetarian treats as well as other fair trade, organic nibbles. As a popular arts venue, in the evening you can sit back in the restaurant and enjoy musical performances or after your meal take a look upstairs around the contemporary art gallery.

94 Hanover St, Edinburgh, EH2 1DR
+44(0)131 225 2131
www.hendersonsofedinburgh.co.uk/
Google map: bit.ly/dTjvYN

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Wonderful authentic Vietnamese restaurant in the centre of Edinburgh.
Though small, the food is superb and great value.
Run by a young woman from Saigon so you can be sure of its authenticity.
No drink licence yet but its BYOB with only £1.50 corkage fee.

3 Grove Street, Edinburgh, EH3 8AF
+44(0)131 228 3383
www.vietnamhousescotland.com
Google map: bit.ly/gDo6ov

Just off Morrison Street, a stone's throw away from Haymarket Railway station.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

I think this restaurant is new, this was my first visit. It is directly opposite the Zoo.
I went there early in the evening for what I hoped would be a quality steak.
Having eaten in most of Edinburgh's well known steakhouses I consider myself a good judge of quality. The Porterhouse didn't disappoint with a perfectly cooked sirloin in beautiful surroundings. The atmosphere was excellent and we recieved a complimentary bottle of red as we'd had to wait a few minutes for a table. Nice touch!

www.porterhouseedinburgh.co.uk/
3-4 Downie Terrace, Edinburgh, EH12 7AU
+44(00131 334 3823
Google map: bit.ly/fc4DCk

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

I was in Edinburgh for the festival, and oh boy was this place full of fun and all free. I stayed for two weeks and almost every night would end up there. They have live music and very delicious food ... but I think what made this place shine for me was the friendly staff. It is an Irish bar and you sense that throughout - be it the traditional design of the place, or Irish bar staff, or the fresh soda bread that you can have for lunch.

14 Forrest Road, EH1 2QN
Nearest station: Edinburgh Waverley
www.malonesedinburgh.com
+44(0)131 226 5954
Google map: bit.ly/bsISa0

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Honest food at honest prices. "Real" beef or chicken or bacon burgers, traditionally with bun or healthily with salad, with thick shakes...or Fentimans Ginger beer, and on the Roral Mile,too. Rightly poular with families, locals and tourists.

217 High Street, Edinburgh
Google map: tinyurl.com/3y697ea

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Tucked away in one of Edinburgh's most famous streets, this culinary gem is the perfect place to escape the Festival crowds without leaving the centre of town. Situated on the upper floor of 30 Victoria Street, opposite the fabulous Bow Bar (perfect for a pre or post-dinner drink), it is easy to miss from the street which lends a visit a pleasantly "in the know" feel. Once you're in, the low vaulted loft setting is intimate, charming and very romantic; the food is imaginative, unfussy, beautifully prepared and, (the best bit) excellent value.

The Grain Store
30 Victoria St (1st Floor)
Edinburgh, Scotland
Tel: 0131 225 7635
grainstore-restaurant.co.uk
Google map: tinyurl.com/2wre6cl

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

The team at Sweet Melinda's genuinely care about ingredients with a focus on seafood and game the dishes are interesting and delicious - all sourced locally, cooked on site and served in the cosy restaurant filled with old quirky photos. Don't miss it if you're a festival goer or just a city visitor

11 Roseneath Street, Marchmont
0131 2297953, sweetmelindas.co.uk
Google map: tinyurl.com/3a8mhj3

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

A beautiful cafe with incredible food. Off the beaten track slightly, in the heart of Marchmont, so you'll likely avoid swarms of festival-goers, but popular with the locals so it will be fairly busy nonetheless.
Booking is sensible on weekends for brunch, when they serve a classic menu cooked to perfection. Their Full Scottish Breakfast - an essential experience when visiting Edinburgh - is almost definitely the finest in the city. Sandwiches and proper mains available too. All dishes at reasonable prices and guaranteed to delight.

146 Marchmont Road, +44 (0)131 446 9873
www.toastedinburgh.co.uk/Brunch.html
Google map: bit.ly/8Y7rRn

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends