Edinburgh's Most Romantic Restaurants

EDINBURGH’S MOST ROMANTIC RESTAURANTS

Edinburgh is blessed with great romantic hideways for canoodling couples.  We've selected ten of the best - ideal for Valentine's Day and other romantic occasions.  Enjoy!

 
The Witchery – Castlehill, The Royal Mile, EH1 2NF   0131 225 5613
 
Housed in a 16th century building by the gates of Edinburgh Castle, The Witchery is a truly unique experience. The oak panelled walls are draped with rich tapestries and mirrors and the spectacular gilded ceilings are reminiscent of those in Holyrood Palace. The overall effect is theatrical, decadent, atmospheric and thoroughly indulgent. The ideal spot for kindling (or re-kindling) romance!  Past patrons include Ewan McGregor, Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta Jones and Jack Nicholson. Andrew Lloyd Weber called it ‘the prettiest restaurant ever’!

Starters include a flavoursome Terrine of Wild Rabbit and Toulouse Sausage with beetroot remoulade or Ceviche of Western Isle Scallops and Oak Smoked Salmon. Main courses include Chateaubriand of Borders Beef with a béarnaise sauce or Peppered Monkfish with apple roast pork belly and ‘red clawed crayfish’. As you might expect, The Witchery has a diverse and internationally-renowned wine list.

Price guide – dinner £32 for 2 courses £40 for 3.

Rhubarb at Prestonfield – Prestonfield House, Priestfield Rd., EH16 5UT 0131 225 1333
 
Set in 18 acres of stunning parkland in a white-rendered former Lord Provost’s house, Prestonfield hotel is an extraordinarily opulent celebrity hideaway, described by the Mr. and Mrs. Smith guide to Europe’s sexiest locations as ‘the only romantic destination in Scotland’. With walls lavishly upholstered in shades of deep red, black and bronze and sparkling chandeliers dangling from domed ceilings Conde Naste Traveller described the restaurant  as ‘like walking onto the set of some flamboyant costume drama’.

Starters include Roasted Butternut Squash and Marjoram Ravioli with Pecorino Mornay or Pan-seared Scallops on Horseradish pomme puree. Mains include Seared Fillet of Turbot on Langoustine crushed potatoes or Roast Cannon of Scottish Borders lamb, ecrasse potatoes, black olive and garlic jus.

Price guide – dinner 2 courses £36 or £45 for 3 courses.

The Vintners Rooms – 87 Giles St., Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6BZ Tel:  0131 554 6767

Described as ‘one of the most romantic restaurants anywhere’ the Vintners Rooms are set in an old wine merchants’ auction room in the historic Vaults warehouse.  It’s a deeply atmospheric venue with warm wood panelling, candlelight and crackling log fires.  Hardens said in 2009 ‘A great place to impress your date.  Few venues feel as special as this’.

The food is a Franco-Scottish fusion and the service impeccable.  Starters include Seared Wood Pigeon with Puy Lentil Salad, a Trilogie of Foie Gras and a half-dozen West Coast Oysters.  Mains include Roast Duck Breast Facon Rossini with Blueberry and Honey Sauce, Poached Turbot with Mussel Broth and a Squid Ink Risotto with Roasted Prawns. 

Price guide:  c. £38 for a two course dinner. 
  

Restaurant Martin Wishart – 54 The Shore. EH6 6RA 0131 553 3557
 
Awarded the Capital’s first Michelin star, the environment is bright, airy and tranquil with a decidedly art-deco feel. The location’s great too being adjacent to the picturesque Water of Leith. The superb cuisine is firmly in the classic French tradition and the menus change regularly to take advantage of the freshest, seasonally-available ingredients. Dinner starts with a selection of delicate, flavoursome canapés. Appetisers include a Presse of Foie Gras and Smoked Pheasant or a Langoustines, Potato and Orange Mousseline. The superb main selection includes Steamed Sea Bass with Oyster Ravioli or Poached Anjou Pigeon with Calamari Risotto, Oyster Rissolee and Savoy Cabbage. If you’re feeling really adventurous, why not try the 7-course Tasting Menu?

Price guide – dinner c. £50 for 3 courses. Tasting menu - £60 for canapés and 7 courses

The Dining Room at The Society – Scotch Malt Whisky Society,, 28 Queen St., EH2
 
Enjoy a superb meal in the relaxed, intimate and  elegant surroundings of a traditional Georgian dining room. The menu changes constantly but starters include options like pumpkin soup with herb gnocchi and whisky-cured salmon terrine with a light gazpacho salad and crème fraiche. Mains options include a hearty daube of beef bourgignon with a horseradish mash and grilled sea bream on a saffron risotto.

Price guide –  £32.00 for 2 courses

 
The Atholl Dining Room – The Howard Hotel, 34 Great King St., EH3 6QH  0131 557 3500
 

With its elegant, flower-filled, Georgian setting, intimate atmosphere, fine wine list and expertly prepared modern Scottish menu, the Atholl draws an enthusiastic and knowledgeable local clientele.  Seating only 14 at a time it’s one of Edinburgh's best kept secrets.
 
Superb modern Scottish cuisine in an elegant setting within a 5-star Georgian hotel. Sip an aperitif in the drawing room before sampling the 5-star menu and service in the dining room. You could start with pan-roasted scallops with wasabi pomme puree and salsa verde. Or you could try twice-baked goat’s cheese soufflé with caramelised pear and walnut salad. Mains include roast breast of Gressingham duck, pak choi and vanilla jus or fillet of Scottish beef, spinach, parmesan and anchovy puree with pommes dauphinoise. If you’ve still got room after all that, the selection of Mellis cheeses with oatcakes and gingerbread is sensational.

Price guide – dinner £28 for 2 courses £33 for 3.

The Bonham Restaurant - 35 Drumsheugh Gardens  Edinburgh, EH3 7RN Tel:  0131 226 6050

Décor at the Bonham artfully blends the best of the gracious Victorian townhouse with chic, modern furnishings.  With airy proportions, an elegant stripped floor and subdued colour scheme the effect is tranquil, intimate and reassuring. 

Head Chef Michel Bouyer previously worked at Michelin-starred restaurants in Paris, the Jules Verne and the Drouant.  He use his knowledge of traditional Breton dishes, overlaid with culinary skills honed in Paris, to create a menu of modern classics based on fresh Scottish produce.

A la carte starters include seared hand-dived scallops with ham hock-stuffed pigs trotters.   Mains include grilled fillet of sea bass with potato gnocchi and roasted almonds or a hunk of Aberdeen Angus beef with cèpe jus.   Or if you’re being treated for Valentine’s Day you might want to try the dedicated Valentine’s Menu.

Price  A-la Carte – c.£32 for two courses. Valentine Menu 6 courses for £55.
 

The Stockbridge Restaurant  – 54 St. Stephen’s St. EH3 5AL 0131 226 6766
 
This intimate establishment with its crisp, starched linen, fresh flowers and twinkling fairy lights sets the mood for a most romantic date. 
 
Starters from the award-winning menu include Seared Scallops with a spring onion blini and Spiced Pigeon Breast with red onion marmalade and a port wine jus. Mains include Fillet of Wild Halibut with a hash brown, oyster mushrooms, spinach, quail’s egg, pancetta and Arran mustard sauce and Pan-fried Gressingham Duck with ratte potatoes, savoy cabbage, beetroot and goat’s cheese tartlet and jus.

Price guide - c. £24 for 2 courses £29 for 3.

Merchants - 17 Merchant Street, EH1 2QD   0131 557 9318
 

Located in the heart of the historic Old Town, close to Greyfriars Church and the Grassmarket, this cosy, intimate restaurant nestles in a romantic nook off Candlemaker Row.

Classic Scottish fare is presented with flair, imagination and superb service.  The eclectic, ever changing menu is prepared with the freshest produce and accompanied by the finest wines. 
 
Starters include a Filo Pastry Parcel filled with Haggis set on creamed "Neeps" cordoned with a Whisky Jus and  Highland Game Terrine served with an Onion and Sauternes Chutney.

Mains include Succulent Medallions of Angus Beef Fillet topped with crumbed Stilton and a rich Red Wine Sauce and Breast of Pheasant wrapped in Ayrshire Bacon served with a White Onion Cream Sauce.

Price Guide:  2 courses £23.50  3 courses £27.50