Edinburgh Christmas lunch

10 February 2023|Read time 3 mins

Andy Williams told us “It’s the most wonderful time of the year”, but I’ll bet he didn’t have to do the washing up!

How about leaving the dirty work to somebody else this Christmas, and enjoying your festive feast in one of Edinburgh’s favourite eateries?

The best Christmas Lunch and Dinner in Edinburgh

Edinburgh offers many great places to eat, including at Christmas. Read on for our guide on where to eat this festive season:

One for Leith: The Granary

Let’s get the ball rolling with a Leith favourite.

The Granary serves up delicious meals with all of the usual favourites, and a few luxury alternatives like a Wild Mushroom, Artichoke & Thyme Turnover.

The best bit? There’s a dessert menu featuring a cheeseboard, so no last-minute panics over whether to go for sweet or savoury.

One to warm the cockles: The Sheep Heid Inn

Dating back to 1360, and with its very own skittles alley, The Sheep Heid Inn is an Edinburgh institution, and you’ll struggle to find anywhere cosier for a friendly, traditional Christmas.

On offer is a scrumptious meal, featuring plenty of fresh, British ingredients and all the trimmings.

Go the whole hog: Miller & Carter

Miller & Carter often offer up a 30-day aged prime steak & seafood duo - oh my!

There's never the need to play menu roulette at Christmas with this establishment as they are known for wheeling out dining medleys & duos in their festive family extravaganza.

They also offer a Young Guest menu which isn’t like your normal kid's menu as it includes the option of hand-carved roast turkey, grilled salmon, or a Croxton manor cheese souffle.

Don't leave it too late with your booking as this is a place which fills up quicker than most.

Printing Press 

The former home of Susan Ferrier, who is said to be equal to Jane Austen, and renowned for lively celebrations and hospitality, the Printing Press is perfect for your festive celebration.

Winner of Hotel Cocktail Bar of the Year at the Scottish Hotel Awards 2019, you can be safe in the knowledge that they will deliver an experience to remember – and you don’t have to do any cooking or cleaning!

Adding a flare to traditional dishes, their menu offers delicacies such as pressed Loch Fyne salmon and Orkney crab, brown crab butter, fennel, grapefruit, vodka and caviar for your main course.

You can finish with the must-have dessert of steamed Christmas pudding, meringues, redcurrant compote and brandy butter.

Tigerlily, Edinburgh

Tigerlily offers a sleek and modern dining experience while taking pride in their “field to fork traceability”, sourcing the majority of their food from Scotland.

With plenty of festive cocktails on offer, they also add a modern twist to dishes, such as roast tomato and coconut soup.

You can also opt for more traditional choices such as roast turkey wrapped in pancetta with honey-glazed root vegetables, pigs in blankets and cranberry and port sauce.

Grazing by Mark Greenaway 

With sittings on Christmas Day, Grazing offers a truly unique experience at the Waldorf Astoria.

The menu is based on the ‘grazing’ concept, offering the chance to relax, unwind and eat at a leisurely pace.

Using locally sourced ingredients to create unique concept dishes, diners can graze on cuisines such as game broth, pheasant raviolo and winter vegetables and can finish the experience with a more traditional Christmas pudding with brandy butter and orange jelly.

One Square, Edinburgh 

Why not visit Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa this Christmas Day and sit and relax while the magic of Christmas is brought to you?

Your meal will begin in style with champagne on arrival, followed by 4 courses, including decadent dishes such as Peterhead crab and green apple with tri-colour radishes and peppery watercress.

Enjoy all of this while listening to live music – and if you’re lucky the man of the hour, Father Christmas himself may even pay a visit!

Brasserie Prince by Alain Roux 

One of the gems of Princes Street, the Balmoral Hotel has been welcoming families to celebrate the festive season for over a hundred years.

With the backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, what better view to look out over while eating Christmas Dinner?

You will be offered a glass of champagne on arrival followed by delicacies such as Roast Letham turkey, traditional garnish, bread sauce and jus while you can top the meal off with desserts such as The Prince’s Christmas pudding.

And one for luck: Browns

A national brand, central location, and more sprouts than you can shake a stick at – what else could you possibly need?

Celebrate with your loved ones at Browns and enjoy their menu with various traditional culinary delights such as a Roast Breast of turkey with chestnut & cranberry stuffing or a Roast Loin of Venison.

Book a Christmas break with Reserve Apartments

Now that you know where you'll be over-indulging, it's time to book your festive holiday accommodation with Reserve Apartments. 

Just don't forget to tell Father Christmas your new address, or he won't be able to deliver your presents!