Skua

Name: Skua
Address: 49 St Stephen St, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom, EH3 5AH
Telephone: 0131 202 7834
Price range: £26 to £40
Rating: 4.8

4.8 (44)

£26 to £40

Scottish

49 St Stephen St, Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH3 5AH

Make a reservation

2 people

Jun 18, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 15 times today

Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

Neighborhood gem
Innovative
Good for special occasions

Skua is a small basement restaurant and bar located on St Stephen street in Stockbridge. The food menu, led by Head Chef James Aikman, is seasonal, refined, well balanced and innovative. Drawing from a large library of pickled and fermented produce year round the kitchen team offers dishes that punch well above their weight and are produced in an exceptionally small space, visible to guests as they enter the restaurant. The cocktail programme, spearheaded by Jacob Thunder is equally innovative and playful with a regularly rotating selection of house favourites as well as the classics available on request. Skua has been listed in the Michelin Guide and The Good Food Guide since its opening year in 2023.

Additional information

Dining style
Fine Dining
Price
£26 to £40
Cuisines
Scottish, Contemporary British, Modern European
Hours of operation
Dinner Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
0131 202 7834
Website
http://www.skua.scot/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress

Location
49 St Stephen St, Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH3 5AH
Neighborhood
Edinburgh
Parking details
None
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Vegan, Wine

Experiences

Drinks and Bar Snacks Only
Multiple dates available
After 10pm we remain open as a bar, with a small selection of snacks available until we close. The main kitchen will not be able to prepare dishes from the main menu during tis time.

I.O.W Tomatoes | Gooseberries | Sorrel (V)£14.00
Braised Shallot | Plum | Pancetta | Spruce£14.00
Free Co Beef Tartar | Anchovy | Spelt | Fermented Leek£15.00
Scallop | Delica Pumpkin | Blackcurrant Leaf£15.00
Pink Fir | Walnut | Cheddar | Fermented Ramson (V)£15.00
Sea Trout | Sweet Potato | Cucumber | Aji Amarillo£14.00
Skua Fried Chicken 2.0 | Scotch Bonnet | Hung Yoghurt£22.00
Market Fish | Taramasalata | Sea Plantain£28.00
Sirloin | Girolle | Variegated Kale | Pedro Ximenez£30.00

Dessert

Woodruff Set Cream | Green Pine | Fig£8.00

House Cocktails

Stockbridge Sour£10.00
Single Malt | Symphony 6 | Douglas Fir | Red Wine
Paulie Walnuts£10.00
Toasted Walnut Brandy | Maraschino | House Vermouth
Not Another Gin Fizz£11.00
Purple Carrot Vodka | Kwai Feh | Rose Vermouth | Ginger
Sour Grapes£10.00
Midori | Suze | Verjus | Tequila
Kim’s Chi£10.00
Mezcal | Ancho Reyes | Sherry | Kimchi
Red Hackle£9.00
Lind & Lime Gin | Tawny Port | Campari
Creme Brulee£11.00
White Chocolate | Licor 43 | Olorosso
Blood Orange Fizz 0%£7.00
Lyres Italian Blood Orange | Ginger | Soda

Uncategorised

Bread | Butter
Oyster | Blackcurrant Leaf | Olive Oil
Beetroot Tart | Apple
Smoked Cheese Donut | Guanciale | Chive
Toasted Oat | Leek | Balck Pepper
Grilled Seabass | Cauliflower | Leek | Jersey Royals
Free Co Lamb | Tenderstem | Yoghurt | Bordelaise
Hen of the Woods | Alexanders | Spruce
Ricotta | Blood Orange

What 44 people are saying

Skua reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8

4.8 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.8Service
4.7Ambience
4.5Value

Noise • Energetic

Loved For

Edinburgh/Midlothian
Innovative
Edinburgh/Midlothian
Scottish
Edinburgh
Innovative
Edinburgh
Scottish

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Skua offers a "wonderful experience" with its "outstanding food and service." Guests love its "creative variety of plates" and "excellent cocktails." The intimate, stylish atmosphere and "super friendly staff" enhance the dining experience. Perfect for a cozy evening, Skua is a "hidden gem" in Edinburgh with "great wine and cocktail selections."

44 Reviews

A
Anita
London1 review
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Skua is a bit of a find. This was our first visit. Basement restaurant in a nice part of town, very welcoming and knowledgeable staff, superb fresh food with outstanding flavours and combinations. Highly recommend giving it a try.
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S
Sasha VIP
Pittsburgh / Western PA43 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 24, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Outstanding food and service. Cod and lamb were fantastic. Highly recommend.
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d
donald
Calgary / Southern Alberta1 review
5.0
Dined on May 22, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
excellent service and a creative variety of plates call out all of which were unique and flavorful. the beef and black bean had excellent flavor, but a better cut of meat would have vastly improved the tasting experience all other dishes were excellent and a reasonable portion size for sharing
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c
christie
Coastal Georgia1 review
5.0
Dined on May 22, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I wasn’t really sure what to expect from this place as there were so many different reviews online but I’m glad I trusted my instincts with this one! Love the whole vibe in here, love all the black, love the casual style yet flawless service of the staff, love the food - all the food, love the wine and the level of knowledge that came with it. I will be back :)
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M
Maricel VIP
Columbus1 review
4.0
Dined on May 16, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Portions are quite small. The large plates are sized like appetizers. Not a lot of choices either.
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K
Kilian VIP
London2 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 10, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Just go and visit! Wonderful experience on all levels- food, ambiance and service.
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w
woo VIP
Orange County2 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 3, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This is a restaurant we visited during our trip to Edinburgh in early May. The food was delicious, and the cocktails were wonderful as well. All seven of us were very satisfied. It has remained a pleasant memory for us.
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J
Jay VIP
Washington, D.C. Area53 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 3, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Definitely a small table, intimate restaurant with wonderful staff. It is more like a pub than a restaurant, but it is wonderful A+ to everyone.
1 person found this helpful
A
Angela
Edinburgh/Midlothian2 reviews
3.0
Dined on May 2, 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 2
Sadly a disappointing experience at one of our favourite restaurants. Welcome, menu options, service not as good as we have experienced in the past.
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T
Tracet
Edinburgh/Midlothian1 review
5.0
Dined on April 26, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Brilliant food and service. I had a sore throat and they brought honey and hot water and paper so I could write messages to my friend. Really thoughtful. I keep it would be good as my daughter had raved about it but it surpassed expectations on service.
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FAQs

Skua is rated 4.8 stars by 44 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Jun 18, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 15 times today

Experiences are available.

49 St Stephen St, Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH3 5AH

Additional information

Neighborhood
Edinburgh
Hours of operation
Dinner Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Price
£26 to £40
Cuisines
Scottish, Contemporary British, Modern European
Dining style
Fine Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
None
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Vegan, Wine

Website
http://www.skua.scot/
Phone number
0131 202 7834

Skua

Make a reservation

About this restaurant

Additional information

Drinks and Bar Snacks Only

Snacks

Bread | Katy Rodger's Cultured Butter (V)£2.50

Nocellara | Guindilla (V)£4.00

Coppa£10.00

Oyster | Beach Rose | Green Strawberry£4.50

Chickpea Panisse | Fennel | Summer Herbs (V)£5.00

Kimchi (V)£3.00

Skua Fried Chicken 1.0 | Hot Sauce£5.00

Plates

I.O.W Tomatoes | Gooseberries | Sorrel (V)£14.00

Braised Shallot | Plum | Pancetta | Spruce£14.00

Free Co Beef Tartar | Anchovy | Spelt | Fermented Leek£15.00

Scallop | Delica Pumpkin | Blackcurrant Leaf£15.00

Pink Fir | Walnut | Cheddar | Fermented Ramson (V)£15.00

Sea Trout | Sweet Potato | Cucumber | Aji Amarillo£14.00

Skua Fried Chicken 2.0 | Scotch Bonnet | Hung Yoghurt£22.00

Market Fish | Taramasalata | Sea Plantain£28.00

Sirloin | Girolle | Variegated Kale | Pedro Ximenez£30.00

Dessert

Woodruff Set Cream | Green Pine | Fig£8.00

House Cocktails

Stockbridge Sour£10.00

Paulie Walnuts£10.00

Not Another Gin Fizz£11.00

Sour Grapes£10.00

Kim’s Chi£10.00

Red Hackle£9.00

Creme Brulee£11.00

Blood Orange Fizz 0%£7.00

Uncategorised

Bread | Butter

Oyster | Blackcurrant Leaf | Olive Oil

Beetroot Tart | Apple

Smoked Cheese Donut | Guanciale | Chive

Toasted Oat | Leek | Balck Pepper

Grilled Seabass | Cauliflower | Leek | Jersey Royals

Free Co Lamb | Tenderstem | Yoghurt | Bordelaise

Hen of the Woods | Alexanders | Spruce

Ricotta | Blood Orange

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

How is Skua restaurant rated?

Is Skua currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information