Best of Edinburgh Food and Drink

01 March 2023|Read time 3 mins

Edinburgh’s diverse culture and history have given rise to a great range of places to eat in the city.

Stay with Reserve Apartments and enjoy exploring Edinburgh’s fantastic food scene.

From gastro pubs to tapas bars, there is something for everyone!

Best of Edinburgh Food and Drink

Best places to eat in Edinburgh

Edinburgh is home to many restaurants offering a wide variety of cuisines.

The Shore Bar and Restaurant in Leith serves British classics with a European twist and is well-placed for a meal after shopping or visiting the Royal Yacht Britannia at Ocean Terminal.

There are also many great restaurants in Edinburgh's city centre, such as Dusit, a Thai restaurant in the New Town, and Cafe Royal, by Waverley Station.

International plates can also be tasted at tapas restaurants, including Indaba in Tollcross.

If our guests are hungry for top French dishes, we recommend heading to Cafe St Honorè in the New Town.

Offering a sample of Parisian culture, this restaurant transports diners from Edinburgh with top dishes such as risotto and fish casserole.

Are you planning a Christmas self-catering trip to Edinburgh?

There are plenty of choices for Christmas Day dinner in the city, with restaurants such as Miller and Carter, the Printing Press and Brasserie Prince offering their top festive menus.

Top Edinburgh coffee shops

Sightseeing in Edinburgh can be thirsty work, however, there are plenty of coffee shops in the city centre for refreshment.

For coffee fans, there is Kilimanjaro Coffee on Nicholson Street along with Union Brew Lab on College Street, both offering a unique selection of caffeinated drinks to get you through the day.

Artisan Roast on Broughton Street also offers a great experience for coffee aficionados, with ethically sourced coffee on offer.

If you are looking for something more substantial to start your day, there is a wide range of options for brunch or breakfast in Edinburgh too.

From Jeremiah’s offering a full, Scottish breakfast, to Patisserie Florentin offering typical French breakfast items, Edinburgh has something for you to fill up on before heading into the city centre.

Best food experiences in Edinburgh

The Reserve Apartments team love a good foodie experience and Edinburgh is the perfect city for this!

The city’s IJ Mellis shops are world-class cheesemongers offering produce from across Scotland and abroad, such as Isle of Mull cheddar and Selles Sur Cher.

Serving customers since 1933, IJ Mellis is an Edinburgh institution not to be missed.

Another unmissable experience can be found at Valvona and Crolla on Elm Row.

This delicatessen and wine merchant began life as a market stall in 1934 and mostly served the Italian community in Edinburgh.

Today the shop has gained national fame and even appears in the book series 44 Scotland Street, written by Alexander McCall.

Locals enjoy visiting Valvona and Crolla for the on-site cafe or the shop and purchase freshly baked bread and high-quality cooking oils.

Best pubs in Edinburgh city centre

Dining at a pub is one of the best ways to get to know the locals of a city and Edinburgh is no different.

From gastro pubs in the city centre to historic pubs in the Old Town, such as The Pear Tree, you won’t be short of choice!

Soak in the atmosphere and enjoy a tasty meal or a tipple of whisky during your self-catering break.

One especially treasured Edinburgh pub is the Sheep Heid Inn in Duddingston.

With records dating back to 1360 and famous visitors over the years, including Mary Queen of Scots, this is an unbeatable experience.

Customers can enjoy a game of traditional skittles or, after eating, a refreshing hike in Holyrood Park.

Book a self-catering break with Reserve Apartments 

Whether you choose to dine out or eat in during your self-catering trip to Edinburgh you won’t go hungry!

Book with Reserve Apartments today - we look forward to welcoming you.