Reid Main

I had absolutely no idea how vibrant of a food scene there was in Edinburgh before our trip. The city only has a population of about 500,000 and a surprisingly large portion of that are immigrants from all over mainland Europe and the Middle East. This seems to have led to a very diverse set of restaurants all over the city. We found lots of pubs and restaurants that served very traditional Scottish food but there were also a number of Indian, Italian, Iranian, Pakistani, Polish, etc places whose food was absolutely delicious.

Dishoom

Dishoom is undoubtedly my favourite restaurant in all of Edinburgh. It was the only place that we went to twice during our trip.

It is a Irani cafe right on St. Andrew's Square. During our two visits we tried everything from their vegetable samosas to their chicken ruby curry to their absolutely mind blowing house black daal accompanied with some juicy chicken tikka. What I am trying to say is that everyone should go here. If we ever make it back to Edinburgh I can guarantee you this will be our first stop.

If you're also looking for a quick drink before dinner you can't go wrong with The Permit Room. It is a quaint little bar hidden in the basement of Dishoom where you can partake in a cocktail before heading upstairs to enjoy some of their delicious food.

Mums Great Comfort Food

We took an Uber to the Edinburgh Zoo one day and our driver was as Scottish as they come. We chatted about Edinburgh and he told us that the best place to get traditional Scottish grub was Mums Great Comfort Food and holy smokes was he right. It is a small little hole in the wall that feels like a family diner from the 70s.

For our appetizer we went full on Scottish food and had our first haggis of the trip, smothered in a delicious gravy. For the main course I partook in some bangers and mash while Elsie ordered a shepherd's pie and both entrees did not disappoint.

The Pantry

Just around the corner from our Airbnb was an amazing brunch place called The Pantry. If you're looking for some eggs benedict or waffles and bacon with a great cup of coffee then you must come here. After brunch at this place we were fully energized for the rest of our day.

Twenty Princes Street

On our last day in Edinburgh we decided that we wanted to go all out and find ourselves an outstanding steakhouse. We succeeded when we discovered Twenty Princes Street. The steaks were not cheap but were worth every pound we spent on them and were cooked to juicy perfection. Accompanied with some signature cocktails from their bar (which emphasized local gin) it was a perfect end to our trip.

The Dogs

We stumbled across The Dogs one night when we were just looking for a quick bite to eat. What we found was a Michelin ranked, Bib Gourmand restaurant that was absolutely fantastic. Nothing on the menu was over £15 and all of the dishes focused on local Scottish ingredients. My pork belly served over mash potatoes was to die for.

I think everyone who visits Edinburgh should try The Dogs because I can't imagine you'll find a better bang for your buck.

Burgers and Beers Grillhouse

I'll keep this one short and sweet. If you're looking for a kick-ass burger then go to Burgers and Beers Grillhouse. They have a variety of signature burgers but you can also craft your own with a plethora of toppings. Combine that with their large beer selection and you've got the recipe for a solid meal.

The Standing Order

If you're looking for traditional pub food with a massive drink selection then come to The Standing Order. Re-purposed from a former bank, this pub is the perfect place for large groups to mingle and/or watch live sports. If you're looking for a drink recommendation this was the first place I tried Kopparberg Mixed Fruit Cider which is fantastic!

The Dome

The Dome is a strange beast because it feels out of place even in a city as old as Edinburgh. Its Graeco-Roman façade slaps you in the face the second you walk in the lobby. If you can tear yourself away from gawking at the architecture you can partake in some cocktails at the bar or even afternoon tea upstairs. If you're feeling a bit more peckish you can sit down in the grill room (under the eponymous dome) and enjoy a delicious meal.

Five Guys

Hey don't judge me! Five Guys is amazing in the U.S. and they are still amazing in Scotland. Sometimes you just want a burger, milkshake and a large bag of fries.