Scottish favourites and live music near the Royal Mile

The Piper’s Rest at 3 Hunter Square, just off the Royal Mile, is a classic Scottish pub-restaurant in Edinburgh’s Old Town, serving traditional dishes, local whiskies and craft beers, with live music seven nights a week. The menu is built around Scottish favourites with a modern twist.

What to order

Signatures include steak pie, haggis with neeps and tatties in whisky sauce, and a fish supper of battered Peterhead haddock. For fun, try haggis lollipops or a deep-fried Mars bar, and don’t miss the Cullen Skink. Produce comes from local suppliers like Buffalo Farm and Breadwinner.

Who it’s for

Great for visitors wanting an authentic taste of Scotland, a sociable night out or a relaxed Old Town meal. Reservations recommended in the evenings.

Questions and answers

What food does it serve? Traditional Scottish — haggis, steak pie, fish supper, Cullen Skink.

What to order? Haggis with neeps and tatties, the steak pie, or haggis lollipops.

Is there live music? Yes — seven nights a week.

Where is it? At 3 Hunter Square, off the Royal Mile.

Opening hours

Family-run Italian near the Edinburgh Playhouse

Mamma Roma is a much-loved family-run Italian restaurant on Antigua Street, founded in 1995. Opposite the Edinburgh Playhouse and near Princes Street Gardens and Waverley, it’s a favourite for pre-theatre dinners and date nights. The main room is Tuscan farmhouse style; the upstairs is theatre-themed with Italian-cinema paintings.

What to order

The focus is pasta and pizza. Classics include the Margherita, the house Pizza Mamma Roma, pepperoni and calzone; pasta favourites include carbonara and Bolognese, plus praised seafood. Finish with gelato or tiramisu.

Who it’s for

A warm, buzzy atmosphere and attentive service make it great for a date, a pre-theatre dinner or a relaxed meal — it featured in OpenTable’s Top 100 UK 2024.

Questions and answers

What food does it serve? Authentic Italian — pasta, pizza, seafood and desserts.

What to order? The house Pizza Mamma Roma, carbonara and tiramisu.

Good for pre-theatre? Yes — opposite the Edinburgh Playhouse.

Where is it? On Antigua Street, near the Playhouse.

Opening hours

Hidden whisky bar and Scottish kitchen in the Old Town

The Devil’s Advocate is one of Edinburgh’s most atmospheric bar-restaurants, tucked up Advocate’s Close in the Old Town, in an old Victorian pump house. Amber lighting, stone walls, raw wood and candle-lit booths create a warm, characterful space, with a mezzanine and a 300-strong whisky shelf.

What to order

Comforting, seasonal Scottish dishes. Signatures include black haggis with celeriac purée, whisky-cured Scottish salmon, venison and master-butcher steaks, plus duck breast with black pudding boulangère. To drink, over 300 whiskies and inventive cocktails.

Who it’s for

For whisky lovers, a cosy dinner or a date in a hidden, atmospheric setting — both a relaxed drink and a proper meal.

Questions and answers

What food does it serve? Comforting, seasonal Scottish dishes.

What to order? The black haggis, whisky-cured salmon, venison or a steak.

What about whisky? Over 300 Scottish and world whiskies, plus cocktails.

Where is it? On Advocate’s Close, in Edinburgh’s Old Town.

Opening hours

Grand Scottish-European dining under a glass dome

The Dome is one of Edinburgh’s most spectacular dining rooms, in a former bank on George Street dating to the mid-1800s. Inside: bronze doors, marble floors, crystal chandeliers, high ceilings and fluted columns, crowned by the spectacular glass dome that names it. The Grill Room’s ornate central bar is a showstopper.

What to order

Classic Scottish cuisine with contemporary European flair. Must-try dishes include the roast lamb and the famous Dome burger, with chocolate fondant and raspberry coulis to finish.

Who it’s for

A destination for special occasions, celebrations and memorable meals in the New Town — a glamorous dinner or a drink in one of its bars.

Questions and answers

What food does it serve? Classic Scottish with contemporary European flair.

What to order? The roast lamb, the Dome burger and the chocolate fondant.

What makes the interior special? Marble floors, crystal chandeliers and a spectacular glass dome.

Where is it? At 14 George Street, in Edinburgh’s New Town.

Opening hours

Contemporary Chinese, glamorous and atmospheric

Tattu Edinburgh brings the contemporary Chinese restaurant’s signature glamour to the city — as famous for its looks as its food. The interior is a masterpiece of modern elegance, known for its statement cherry blossom chandelier and trees, with a moody, atmospheric setting made for special occasions.

What to order

The menu reinvents Chinese classics — small plates, dim sum, meat, seafood, rice and noodles. Signatures include sweet miso Chilean sea bass, caramel soy beef fillet and saffron black cod, plus Peking duck. Pair with one of Tattu’s theatrical signature cocktails.

Who it’s for

For date nights, celebrations and stylish dinners where the setting is part of the occasion. Diners praise the service and vibrant atmosphere.

Questions and answers

What food does it serve? Modern Chinese — dim sum, Peking duck, sea bass and beef.

What to order? Sweet miso Chilean sea bass, caramel soy beef and Peking duck.

What makes the interior special? Its cherry blossom chandelier and glamorous setting.

Good for a special occasion? Yes — glamour and service.

Opening hours

Global street food under one neon-lit roof

Edinburgh Street Food is a lively, covered street food market in the Omni Centre on Leith Street, with its own street entrance. Opened in 2023, it gathers independent kitchens under one neon-lit roof, with 200+ seats inside and 250 on a heated, covered terrace, plus three bars focused on Scottish craft drinks (most draught beer from Edinburgh breweries).

What to order

The appeal is variety — independent traders serving global street food, fresh and made to share. The line-up has included award-winners like Junk, Bundits, Antojitos, The Peruvian, House of Tapas and Fabbrica, so you can graze across cuisines. Order by QR code or from floor staff.

Who it’s for

Great for groups with different tastes, a casual lunch or a relaxed evening of grazing and drinks — a mix of cuisines, communal seating and craft bars.

Questions and answers

What food does it serve? A rotating mix of global street food from independent traders.

How does ordering work? By QR code at your table or from floor staff.

What’s to drink? Three bars of Scottish craft drinks, mostly Edinburgh beer.

Where is it? In the Omni Centre on Leith Street, central Edinburgh.

Opening hours

Fresh, modern dining with a Princes Street view

Society Bar & Kitchen, at 1 Waterloo Place, is a bright, modern restaurant with panoramic views over Princes Street, near Calton Hill and moments from Waverley station. The fresh room — plants, an open kitchen and a buzzy feel — suits everything from brunch to drinks and dinner.

What to order

Fresh, regional dishes with an international, Mediterranean touch. Brunch highlights include the Highlander (salmon, poached eggs, cottage cheese on toast) and Turkish eggs; for dinner, Margherita pizza, steak with chimichurri or miso aubergine. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options throughout.

Who it’s for

A relaxed brunch with friends, a casual dinner or drinks with a view — central and varied, a dependable all-day choice.

Questions and answers

What food does it serve? Fresh regional with an international, Mediterranean touch.

What to order? The Highlander or Turkish eggs at brunch; steak with chimichurri at dinner.

Special diets? Yes — vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.

Where is it? At 1 Waterloo Place, central Edinburgh.

Opening hours

Scottish comfort food and gourmet mash in the Old Town

Makars Mash Bar is a family-run restaurant in Edinburgh’s Old Town, with a fresh take on Scottish comfort food. On The Mound, a short walk from the Castle and Waverley station, it has a relaxed, rustic, welcoming feel — and is one of the city’s highest-rated restaurants, a multiple Travellers’ Choice winner.

What to order

Pick a main from meaty or plant-based options, then pair it with one of nine gourmet mash choices. Classics include Haggis, Neeps and Tatties, Black Pudding Mash and Aberdeen Angus beef, with a rare-breed pork Scotch egg to start and sticky toffee pudding to finish. Meats are slow-cooked in whisky, red wine, port sherry or craft beer.

Who it’s for

A casual, comforting meal or a relaxed dinner with friends — with gluten-free and vegan options and a fully nut-free kitchen. Central for Old Town visitors.

Questions and answers

What food does it serve? Scottish comfort food with gourmet mashed potato.

What to order? Haggis, Neeps and Tatties or Aberdeen Angus beef with mash, and the Scotch egg.

How does the menu work? Choose a main, then one of nine mash options.

Where is it? On The Mound, in Edinburgh’s Old Town.

Opening hours