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Honourable Tom Houghton’s Top Ten Edinburgh Restaurants Picks

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by Honourable Tom Houghton
Updated August 03, 2022
Tom is a stand-up comic, influencer and illustrator who has just finished his first sold-out UK tour, Work in Progress. Set to appear at the 2022 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Tom shares his selection of the best places to dine in the city. Delve into his top ten 'must visit' restaurant list below.
4.3 (305)
£25 and under
Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service
Edinburgh

The Fringe is all about mixing it up, so why not start your night in style with this incredibly cool, snug cocktail bar. Forget amber and nectar… this is the real gift from the gods.

Top review
NicoleVIP
Dined on Apr 23, 2025
The cocktails were well crafted and delicious. Service was attentive but not overbearing. My group had a great time in the intimate setting and would go back for another drink next time we’re in town.

The Fringe is all about mixing it up, so why not start your night in style with this incredibly cool, snug cocktail bar. Forget amber and nectar… this is the real gift from the gods.

Top review
NicoleVIP
Dined on Apr 23, 2025
The cocktails were well crafted and delicious. Service was attentive but not overbearing. My group had a great time in the intimate setting and would go back for another drink next time we’re in town.
4.6 (2390)
£25 and under
Scottish
Old Town

Nothing says Scotland like a top notch Scotch. Peruse the vast selection of foxy devils after chomping down a haggis burger.

Top review
Nick
Dined 3 days ago
Good food no particular fancy more like a pub food some how better

Nothing says Scotland like a top notch Scotch. Peruse the vast selection of foxy devils after chomping down a haggis burger.

Top review
Nick
Dined 3 days ago
Good food no particular fancy more like a pub food some how better
4.2 (163)
£25 and under
Thai
Edinburgh

Not breaking the budget, but definitely delivering on taste. It’s also right next to the Playhouse to watch some big names and close to Princes Street to take in some shopping.

Top review
WilliamVIP
Dined on Apr 19, 2025
Great spot. Loved they had crafted non-alcoholic drinks at great prices. The food was very tasty and the atmosphere was fun and lively.

Not breaking the budget, but definitely delivering on taste. It’s also right next to the Playhouse to watch some big names and close to Princes Street to take in some shopping.

Top review
WilliamVIP
Dined on Apr 19, 2025
Great spot. Loved they had crafted non-alcoholic drinks at great prices. The food was very tasty and the atmosphere was fun and lively.
4.7 (1313)
£25 and under
Spanish
Edinburgh

Sometimes the Fringe can be overwhelming, so I highly recommend taking a trip out of the centre and down to Leith to relax and recharge. And because this is Tapas, you don’t have to worry about choice, you can have a taste of everything.

Top review
Bruce
Dined 3 days ago
The food was great, small portions but the menu tells you that and the service was really good aswell the waiters were relaxed but on the ball at the same time highly recommended

Sometimes the Fringe can be overwhelming, so I highly recommend taking a trip out of the centre and down to Leith to relax and recharge. And because this is Tapas, you don’t have to worry about choice, you can have a taste of everything.

Top review
Bruce
Dined 3 days ago
The food was great, small portions but the menu tells you that and the service was really good aswell the waiters were relaxed but on the ball at the same time highly recommended
4.6 (587)
£25 and under
Italian
Edinburgh

On my visit here I had a rib-eye, but there are plenty of other Italian classics to enjoy. It’s also got some of the freshest salads to make you feel healthy and satisfied.

Top review
Andrew
Dined 6 days ago
Excellent as always. Great food, great staff, great ambience and the wines not bad! Fast becoming my favourite restaurant

On my visit here I had a rib-eye, but there are plenty of other Italian classics to enjoy. It’s also got some of the freshest salads to make you feel healthy and satisfied.

Top review
Andrew
Dined 6 days ago
Excellent as always. Great food, great staff, great ambience and the wines not bad! Fast becoming my favourite restaurant
4.6 (164)
£26 to £40
Indian
Edinburgh

The best Indian in town. A quiet, relaxed setting with wonderful staff and gorgeous flavours, you’ll be greeted by a welcoming atmosphere as soon as you walk through the door.

Top review
OpenTable Diner
Dined on Mar 18, 2023
All ok except the restaurant has changed it’s name which was a bit confusing on arrival

The best Indian in town. A quiet, relaxed setting with wonderful staff and gorgeous flavours, you’ll be greeted by a welcoming atmosphere as soon as you walk through the door.

Top review
OpenTable Diner
Dined on Mar 18, 2023
All ok except the restaurant has changed it’s name which was a bit confusing on arrival
4.3 (2263)
£26 to £40
Seafood
The Royal Mile

I love seafood, and this tapas place means you can sample as many little swimmers as you like. It’s got an especially good selection of oysters. Go on… treat yourself. Then come and see my show and tell me all about it.

Top review
GaryVIP
Dined 4 days ago
Excellent service and seafood. Three tapas dishes and vegetables were enough for two.

I love seafood, and this tapas place means you can sample as many little swimmers as you like. It’s got an especially good selection of oysters. Go on… treat yourself. Then come and see my show and tell me all about it.

Top review
GaryVIP
Dined 4 days ago
Excellent service and seafood. Three tapas dishes and vegetables were enough for two.
4.7 (584)
£25 and under
Scottish
Morningside

If you want to immerse yourself in a real Scottish experience, this is it. Sit amongst the “never changing décor” of trinkets collected since 1871. The seafood is great and you can also learn about the history of the pub. Highly recommended.

Top review
Adrian
Dined on Apr 25, 2025
We had a truly wonderful meal here. Our server was friendly and incredibly helpful, the room is beautiful, and the atmosphere memoriable. Be sure to try one of the SMØRREBRØD sandwiches.

If you want to immerse yourself in a real Scottish experience, this is it. Sit amongst the “never changing décor” of trinkets collected since 1871. The seafood is great and you can also learn about the history of the pub. Highly recommended.

Top review
Adrian
Dined on Apr 25, 2025
We had a truly wonderful meal here. Our server was friendly and incredibly helpful, the room is beautiful, and the atmosphere memoriable. Be sure to try one of the SMØRREBRØD sandwiches.
£25 and under
Pizzeria
New Town

The Royal Mile really is the centre of the Fringe, and if you have a full schedule you’re going to want to eat quick and somewhere close. But that shouldn’t mean sacrificing quality, if you’re a pizza fiend then this place just made your day.

Top review
Naomi
Dined on Feb 3, 2023
Great place for an easy no fuss dinner! Pizzas are delicious especially as a celiac! Super careful not to cross contaminate so puts your mind at rest. Lovely staff and easy to order on the app.

The Royal Mile really is the centre of the Fringe, and if you have a full schedule you’re going to want to eat quick and somewhere close. But that shouldn’t mean sacrificing quality, if you’re a pizza fiend then this place just made your day.

Top review
Naomi
Dined on Feb 3, 2023
Great place for an easy no fuss dinner! Pizzas are delicious especially as a celiac! Super careful not to cross contaminate so puts your mind at rest. Lovely staff and easy to order on the app.
4.5 (311)
£41 and over
Afternoon Tea
Edinburgh

If you want to show off on social media, there is no place more Instagrammable than here. Afternoon tea is a delight with teas and desserts that really look the part. This is not big comfort eating, its tiny parcels of fabulous fun.

Top review
OpenTable Diner
Dined on Sep 30, 2024
Our waitress was very attentive and very thorough with explaining the menu to us. They went above and beyond for making our experience perfect as can be.

If you want to show off on social media, there is no place more Instagrammable than here. Afternoon tea is a delight with teas and desserts that really look the part. This is not big comfort eating, its tiny parcels of fabulous fun.

Top review
OpenTable Diner
Dined on Sep 30, 2024
Our waitress was very attentive and very thorough with explaining the menu to us. They went above and beyond for making our experience perfect as can be.
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