Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Edinburgh/Midlothian

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Edinburgh/Midlothian? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Novapizza Vegan Kitchen

4.8

4.8 (738)

£26 to £40

Vegan

Edinburgh

About the restaurant

Welcome to Novapizza Vegan Kitchen, the unique 100% vegan Italian place in Edinburgh.

We are a lgbtq+ family business, operating since 2015.
We are known for our delicious pizzas and pasta, some of the awards won are:
- Best Pizza Scottish Italian awards 2017
- Best Vegan Restaurant Scottish food awards 2020

Our philosophy is to recreate the most popular Italian dishes in a vegan key.
Our restaurant has a small capacity with a very cosy and romantic atmosphere.

Top review

JaimeVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Nova Pizza is one of our favorite place. Burrata is exceptional. Pizzas are perfection and the pasta is delish. Every bite makes your tastebuds happy.

Sora Lella Vegan Roman Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (901)

£25 and under

Vegan

Edinburgh

About the restaurant

Ciao belli! We look forward to welcoming you to our charming little restaurant in the heart of Edinburgh. We are passionate about providing an authentic taste of Rome, made vegan. From traditional pastas such as carbonara and cacio pepe as well as delicious authentic pizzas, we are sure that you will find something you love when eating with us.

Top review

Sebastian

Dined on Jun 20, 2025

This is one of the most fantastic places on Earth if you are a vegan. The plates are delicious and creative. I think one of the biggest challenges of transitioning from a non-vegan/non-vegetarian diet is leaving some products behind that hinder pasta. How is it possible to enjoy great pasta again? Would I ever relish a pizza again? Where would I ever find gnocchi with a fantastic sauce? Gnocchi is one of my favourite meals, and here they excel at it. To be honest, they nail everything. The food tastes fresh and delicious, and best of all... it is cruelty-free! It is also dog-friendly, and both the staff and customers are welcoming. The overall vibe of the place is fantastic, encouraging you to stay and return time and again (which I have done, oops).

Skua

4.8

4.8 (47)

£26 to £40

Scottish

Edinburgh

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Emma

Dined 4 days ago

Went in early doors and had the place to ourselves. Cocktails to start.. all innovative but simple in a way that made them classic. Had cumbrea oysters to starþ so fresh and plump! Mussels were next and a round of applause and excitement from us as were cooked perfectly and had to get some bread to get every bit of sauce. Beef tartare served with simplicity and skill followed by market fish that came with tasty green tomatoes that i think i will dream of. We got a bottle of chin chin from portugal giggling over it as we had recognised it from a recent trip. These guys deserve the hype. Date night or just thurday. Perfect

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Experience

Drinks and Bar Snacks Only

Port of Leith Distillery

4.7

4.7 (488)

£25 and under

Scottish

Edinburgh

About the restaurant

Situated on the eighth floor of the Port of Leith Distillery, the Distillery Bar is a premium new-wave Whisky Bar and Scottish food & drink destination.

With stunning views of Edinburgh, Leith and the Firth of Forth, the 300-bottle double-height back bar is intended to invite discovery at the sheer wonder and variety of global whisky alchemy.

With a critically acclaimed seasonal inspired food menu, Head Chef Patrick and his team combine classic and modern techniques, championing the best of Scotland’s farmers and produce.

We look forward to welcoming you in for a dram.

Our Kitchen closes at 9pm Sun-Wed and 9:30pm Thurs-Sat

Top review

Trevor

Dined 5 days ago

Delightful three courses ! There was a "bread course " that wasn't really a course - but nice enough bread .. Very nice prosecco and red wine - very reasonably priced ..

Cardinal

4.7

4.7 (45)

£41 and over

Scottish

Edinburgh

About the restaurant

Cardinal is a relaxed fine dining restaurant from chef Tomás Gormley. Located in Edinburghs historic New Town Cardinal offers a modern approach to Scottish cooking.

With a wide range of local and sustainable suppliers at our doorstep, from our Lobsters and Crabs at Belhaven Lobsters in Dunbar to our vegetables and Native breed meats at Free Company Farm in Balerno we’re lucky to be taking advantage of Scotlands unique and unrivalled natural larder.

Cooking over coals helps add an extra layer of flavour to whatever we’re cooking on them, it’s more intuitive and engaging as cooks and we feel like that comes through on the plate.

Tasting menus are our bread and butter but we also offer a pre fixe three course.

Top review

Karen

Dined 5 days ago

This is our second visit to the restaurant and the food and wine still amazed me. Each dish is carefully curated and the pairing of the wine helps to pair and bring out their own character and flavor. It is a small restaurant therefore it is wise to make reservations.

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Experience

Tasting Menu

Experience

Seasonal Three-Course

Monteiths

4.5

4.5 (1986)

£26 to £40

Scottish

The Royal Mile

About the restaurant

Monteiths bar & restaurant is nestled in a fairy-lit close in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town. The award winning venue is located on the historic Royal Mile and combines chic cocktail bar with intimate restaurant. A favourite of locals and visitors alike, Monteiths is a must for relaxed dining and innovative cocktails.

Monteiths is by the team behind the White Horse Oyster Bar, and Chop House

Due to licensing restrictions Monteiths cannot accept children under the age of 5 at any time. Children aged 15 & under can be admitted until 10pm. Apologies for any inconvenience caused.

Top review

Katherine

Dined 4 days ago

All staff were welcoming and attentive. Haggis was unreal, best I’ve ever had. Atmosphere was perfect. Design of restaurant, from furniture to font choices of the menu were perfect. 100/10

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White Horse Oyster & Seafood Bar

4.4

4.4 (2288)

£26 to £40

Seafood

The Royal Mile

About the restaurant

White Horse Oyster & Seafood Bar, situated on the site of the oldest inn on the Royal Mile, serving the best of British seafood and shellfish sourced from boutique suppliers across the country. Expect small plates, sharing platters & hand-crafted cocktails washed down with a carefully curated selection of wine & fizz. Brought to you by the team behind Chop House & Monteiths.

A child or young person must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Children aged:
0-5 from 12pm until 9pm
5-17 from 12pm until 10pm

Top review

MichelleVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Absolutely amazing food and service. Currently trying to talk myself out of going back a second night during my trip. Recommends: Scallops and Mussels & Clams.

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Canopy Kitchen & Courtyard

4.4

4.4 (90)

£25 and under

Scottish

Edinburgh

About the restaurant

At Canopy, we believe in more than just a meal. Inspired by the tranquil and nurturing essence of a forest canopy, our Kitchen and Courtyard is a space where community and creativity blossom together.

We look forward to welcoming you!

Top review

Sigi

Dined on Jun 21, 2025

very nice place with good food and friendly staff.

Boozy Cow

4.3

4.3 (694)

£25 and under

Burgers

Edinburgh

About the restaurant

We’re all about bold burgers, dirty fries, outrageous milkshakes, and cocktails that taste just as good as they look.

At Boozy Cow, we keep it fresh with locally sourced ingredients and a whole lot of love – we know you’ll be as obsessed with our food as we are. Head down the stairs into our punk rock-inspired dive bar, where the 90s vibes are loud and proud, and good times come as standard.

We don’t take ourselves too seriously, but we’re seriously good at what we do – and our crew is always on hand to make sure you have a blast.

🔥 Think you can handle it? Take on our Burger Challenge – not for the faint-hearted. Big appetite, big glory. Are you up for it?

👦 No under 5s | 6–17 year olds welcome until 11pm
🐶 Dog-friendly – bring your four-legged mates
🚶 Walk-ins welcome
🍹 Bookings for food & drinks or just drinks are all good
📅 Got a crew of 8 or more? Hit us up directly to book

Top review

Sam

Dined on May 27, 2025

Friendly welcome and great service throughout the meal. Quick service for the food. Good Cocktail list, overall a good dinner out.

Sora Diana

4.3

4.3 (26)

£26 to £40

Vegan

Newington

About the restaurant

Welcome to Sora Diana! The newest vibrant lady of the Sora family, bringing traditional Italian flavours to life through a fully vegan menu.
With her lively personality, Sora Diana isn’t just about incredible food—it’s the go-to destination for evening entertainment and a dazzling selection of handcrafted cocktails, served until 1 AM on Saturday.
Whether you’re joining us for an intimate dinner or hosting a special celebration in our private group party area, Sora Diana promises an experience brimming with warmth, flavour, and unforgettable moments.

Top review

Phoebe

Dined on Jun 15, 2025

Excellent vegan Italian cuisine. Creative menu, friendly staff.

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