Educated Flea in Edinburgh, City of

Had dinner here last night…was absolutely great. Thoroughly recommend this restaurant.

Service pleasant. Food tasty. Sister restaurant to three birds in Bruntsfield. Would return

My husband and I had a really lovely evening meal. The menu was creative, everything sounded very appetising, with plenty of imaginative flavour combinations and options. The very best bit being that because their kitchen is entirely Gluten Free, my husband (who has a Gluten intolerance) could choose absolutely anything from the menu - what a rarity and a delight! It made for such a refreshing change from the norm of having restricted and/or unimaginative “compromised” options offered in so many places. We had read the Educated Flea was recommended for those who can’t eat Gluten, but we hadn’t realised everything was Gluten Free! It even meant we could try each other’s dishes. The food was delicious, very nicely presented, we had great friendly service and there was really nice ambience. It was also full on a Thursday night in March. We enjoyed our meal so much, we returned for Saturday brunch - also absolutely lovely! We’ve recommended Educated Flea to multiple friends and will definitely be back again.

A really great experience - the food was amazing, and it was gluten free! Which meant I could share with my family. Thank you for the great service. I will be comming back very soon.

Amazing food, great for gluten free!

We randomly found this place on a Sunday afternoon for lunch and it was such a lovely treat! The veggie curry with coconut rice was amazing - as was the service. Highly recommend!

Food lovely and tasty. A bit disappointed by size of prawns and courgette pieces on skewer. Expected bigger prawns - these were the kind you’d make a prawn cocktail with. In an ideal world I’d always choose a French red but there was none, Spanish house was fine though. Beef shin was delicious and tender. Staff friendly and attentive. Tables close together and woman at next table kept listening in, not sure if she was bored by her companion or objected to our voices! But yes I’d go back, would like to sample rest of menu.

Fantastic meal. If you are visiting Edinburgh make sure Educated flea is on your itinerary! We booked on a Thursday for the Saturday and was lucky to have got in fairly early in the evening. Make sure you book. I had scallops as a special starter. This was somewhat out of my comfort zone but in was amazing! My wigs was equally impressed with her soup (pea and mint) We shared the big cow (steak with vegetables and fries medium rare). In all honesty I couldn’t fault it I. The slightest. Cooked to perfection and the sauces were incredible. The wine choices were absolutely spot on ( I had Malbec my wife had Sauvignon Blanc) . Our waitresses were very friendly and professional. She couldn’t have been any better. The only slight fault was in the layout of the restaurant with a bench seat arrangement. That is only because of personal preference. But it would absolutely not stop us going back. We would heartily recommend the Educated Flea. You won’t be disappointed with the food or the service. Give stars and would have given more if I could.

The food was bland. Nice staff though.

I have been to this restaurant numerous times and I can’t believe there’s a better, overall restaurant in all of Edinburgh, if not beyond. The menu changes regularly but the inventiveness and quality never drops below exceptional. Allied to the excellent, attentive staff, the general ambience and the very reasonable prices, makes this restaurant is unbeatable.

My husband and I ate here on the final night of our three night trip to Edinburgh. The whole experience was faultless. The menu was great, I actually struggled to make a choice it all sounded so good. The food was delicious and would recommend to anyone.

Came to Edinburgh for a long weekend and booked here on the Saturday night. Service was exceptional from start to finish and the food was amazing to. The fish stew was something else, would come back to Edinburgh just to eat here.

The Educated Flea: A Cosy Gem in Edinburgh I'm not usually one for fancy restaurants, but the Educated Flea completely charmed me. It's the perfect place for a romantic date (I can see it being a great second-date spot!) or even just a cosy evening out with friends. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with dim lighting and carefully spaced tables. It's the kind of place where you can relax and chat without feeling like you're being overheard. And while the tables are close together, it doesn't feel crowded - it just feels intimate. The food is absolutely delicious. I started with the confit seatrout with vodka, horseradish, beetroot, gribiche, and crispy capers. It was a bold and flavorful dish, and the vodka gave it a nice kick. The beef steak with mash and greens was equally good - perfectly cooked and full of flavour. And of course, I couldn't resist dessert - the sangria basil Eton mess was a delightful sundae that was the perfect way to end the meal. But the best part of the Educated Flea is the staff. They are friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the food and wine. They made me feel right at home, even though I was just a visitor. Overall, the Educated Flea is a fantastic restaurant. It's cosy and intimate, and the food is terrific. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable dining experience in Edinburgh. [Feb 24 - Still lovely and I recommend booking]

A delightful restaurant. The service was excellent with adequate time between courses. The food was delicious and not the usual fare. The atmosphere was lively with all tables occupied. Thoroughly recommend this small restuarant

Lovely food. Fair prices for Edinburgh. Friendly staff and a nice atmosphere. Nothing to complain about. Would definitely return

The gluten free food was awesome 💯

Lovely restaurant, friendly staff good food. Well worth a visit.

This is such a lovely restaurant - staff are charming, food is excellent and it has a calm peaceful vibe (probably helped by the gentle lighting and the panels on the ceiling which absorb the sound). Always consistently good.

Small, intimate restaurant with amazing food. Very friendly staff and great service. Venison main is a must!

Fantastic! Best food we ate whole week and lovely service. You need to take some time as everything is freshly prepared from scratch, but oh so worth it. Really spectacular tasty honest food. Compliments!

Great gluten-free menu helpful friendly staff can't recommend it enough.

Big Cow was unbelievable, a must try. We were recommended the Pistachio & Feta Dip while we waited on our main which I would also highly recommended.

Delicious fresh food, innovative menu - lovely service. I will be back. I left lunch with a smile on my face. THANK YOU!

Superb meal; loved the selection and the cooking is top of its class. Star were wonderful - so welcoming; atmosphere is so friendly.

Really great meal here today. Pretty much faultless. The £20 two course option is a bargain. But, the food is incredible and the staff attentive but not intrusive. Highly recommend the corn muffin starter and the sea trout main.

Very good for gluten-free options.

An extraordinary dining adventure begins the moment you step into the Educated Flea in Edinburgh. The restaurant's ambience perfectly melds elegance and comfort, immediately setting a welcoming tone. The meal was a parade of delightful flavours, with the Sangria Basil Mess standing out as an extraordinary dessert. This unique concoction was a true celebration of taste, perfectly concluding a culinary journey marked by an impeccably cooked venison and other exquisite dishes. The wine selections were meticulously paired with our meals, enhancing every course. However, what truly set this dining experience apart was the impeccable service. The staff were not only professional but also charming and helpful, making our evening truly memorable with their warmth and attentiveness. Summing it up, the Educated Flea is a jewel in Edinburgh's culinary crown, delivering an experience where food, service, and ambience intertwine to create something exceptionally special. It's a must-visit for those who treasure fine dining and wish to enjoy a meal that's not just eaten, but thoroughly relished.

I don’t often give five stars but have no hesitation here. Conveniently located 10 minutes’ walk from Princes Street, it must be booked in advance particularly at weekends as it is extremely cosy. But that adds to the ambience - it is almost like eating in someone’s home! The dishes are innovating and tasty, including excellent vegan options. We would recommend taking a “snack” as a starter.

Excellent food, very amicable service and good atmosphere! I’ll come back!

This was a wonderful surprise. We had a wee problem with a booking at another restaurant, needed a table elsewhere and The Educated Flea manged to squeeze us in at the last moment. I'm so glad they did. Food, wine and service all top notch. A friendly and laid back atmosphere, just what you need for a relaxing evening.

Excellent service Excellent food

Fantastic restaurant with top quality food. Absolutely ideal if you have any dietary requirements as all food is gluten free and so easy to also make diary free. Staff are so friendly and help make the place feel relaxed but intimate.

Genius!Unique taste and unique staff!🤩

A really nice small restaurant with interesting fresh food and choices for vegetarians as well as omnivores. Staff service is attentive but not intrusive. A good choice for lunch or dinner with a dec3nt selection of wine, reasonably priced.

An exceptional lunch in a down-to-earth bistro. Don't let the lack of an Instagram-friendly angle fool you, the food at Educated Flea is exceptional. Start with the pistachio and feta dip with corn bread and the haddock souffle, both great appetisers for what's to come. Then there is only one choice - the Big Cow. 600g of beef cooked to perfection with greens, fries, two sauces and mustard. Edinburgh is full of alternative meat-led venues, but you'll struggle to find as wallet-friendly an option at this one and at this standard. Just brilliant. The dessert menu is expected but excellent. Rocky road served in the style of an ice cream sundae. Affogato. And scoops of ice cream that include 'unicorn' and the life-changing salted heather honey The Educated Flea is unlikely to feature on a reel of the hottest Edinburgh restaurants you just HAVE TO try. That's unfair, as it is the quiet workhorse of bistro excellence that more than deserves your time, appetite and money.

It was delicious and all meals are nearly all glutenfree. I can highly recommend this restaurant. Thank you thank you thank you. I am celiac and for us celiacs it is soo much appreciated. No crosscontamination what so ever.

Viande incroyable et assortiment de légumes très original. Les champignons à l'ail persillé sont excellents avec la viande. Pas besoin de sauces même si elles sont aussi très bonnes

Such a brilliant restaurant, food excellent, service friendly and ambiance cosy. Great value and highly recommend.

This little gem is such a treat. Really unique, interesting food and excellent friendly service. Took my boyfriend here for his birthday dinner and we both loved it. Will definitely return!

Being a vegan amongst meat eaters wasn't a problem! Great vegan options available. Kids menu is good too! Bit small for people in wheelchairs. I use a stick , so it was navigable. Good range of wines and cocktails! Staff really friendly and capable.

Fantastic food; best I've had on my Scotland trip so far. The lamb was perfectly cooked and the drinks were lovely. The staff was friendly, my family felt welcome, and we enjoyed everything we ordered. We were so glad we ventured a bit outside the busy tourist center and took the short walk here.

Wonderful surprise tucked into a London neighborhood.

Need reservation on the weekend. Food is delicious!

I travel Europe for 3 months It’s the best meat I had ever eaten. Lamb💯

Pessima accoglienza, la signora che ci ha accolti lo ha fatto in modo sgarbato e frettoloso.

Nonostante ci fosse un tavolo libero, con i soliti modi poco cordiali, Hanno negato di farci pranzare in 5 persone tra cui una ragazzina celiaca. Complimenti!

I honestly had such a nice time here. The two ladies serving were so lovely and bubbly, they gave us a little dessert for my mum’s bday and the food was spectacular and great value. Absolutely will be returning here and recommending to others!

Wow, I have to say last night myself and my dinner date dined on some delectable, delicious, dreamy dishes. We got the daily special starter which was a ricotta gnudi concoction and the soup of the day (aubergine / chickpea / tomato fyi) to wet our whistles. Moving on the the main, the lamb neck and chorizo-stuffed chicken was some kind of melt-in-your-mouth madness. Dessert was sticky toffee pudding and a couple of scoops of ice cream which we didn’t need but really couldn’t resist. All of these was enveloped by a bottle of Merlot that was sadly a lot smoother than my chat on the eve.Our waiter and waitress combo were also an absolute treat and were so knowledgeable about the food, 10/10 for them specifically.Couldn’t recommend the Educated Flea enough, honestly 10/10 food and service thank you!

What a fantastic little restaurant, serving and an eclectic mix of food on the menu plus there are specials on the day. The food is lovingly prepared and presented. The staff are friendly and polite without being over fussy. The food is well priced for the quality of food and the wine is also very reasonably priced. Overall this is a great little restaurant and one I couldn’t fault. Make sure you book as it is very popular.

If they haven't won a Michelin Bib Gourmand yet, they should! The two-course lunch offers delicious food at a great price and the Malaysian curry is especially delicious.

We went to Educated Flea for my husbands 50th Birthday meal. It was just perfect! The staff were super friendly and nothing was too much trouble, even though we were probably a real pain they never once let on! 😁 We felt so relaxed and it was down to the excellent service! The food was delicious. It was so nice to have so well made and tasty. Such a great menu, something a little different which is always good! I couldn't recommend highly enough! We will be back next time we're in Edinburgh. Thank you so much!

Fabulous! Delicious food, nice atmosphere and lovely staff. You won’t be disappointed!

Food wasn't great and clearly understaffed.

Food and service first class helpful friendly staff

Absolutely fabulous!!! The blend of flavours was just incredible! Great service accompanied by good fun. Highly recommend

The staff were absolutely wonderful and the food delicious! The menu is limited if you're looking for vegan or vegetarian options.

Posto piccolo ma molto accogliente, personale gentile ed ospitale, cibo veramente buono. Detto da degli italiani è davvero un complimento.

Simply lovely. Great atmosphere, friendly staff, gorgeous food.

One of the most unique places I've been to! Super creative and delicious flavours!

Great cozy little restaurant. Lovely friendly staff, great food with a menu that regularly changes and lovely atmosphere. We had a wonderful evening here and will definitely be back soon

Delicious food, book in advance, highly recommended, try the pigs ears if you like pork scratchings

Visited with a friend and the food was so tasty!! Definitely be back. Lovely staff too.

I loved this restaurant. Beautifully-cooked food, really unusual combinations, and friendly, but not overwhelming service. Very reasonable wine list, and these days that is becoming much rarer than it should be. and an excellent list of specials. The tandoori monkfish cheeks were delicious, and the After Eight ice cream sublime!

Lovely food and very good value.

I visited to have a quick lunch-time dessert and was not disappointed! Great food, service and atmosphere

First visit as a family and excellent all-round. Glad we booked, even on a Tuesday evening, as it was full. Brilliant service and high-quality food plus reasonable prices. Very good ambience and we had an enjoyable time. Will be back next time we are in Edinburgh.

We had a lovely dinner here. Food was great and servers were very sweet. Definitely recommend.

Had a lovely meal here on Saturday night. It’s a small intimate dining area and the food is superb. My husband had the halibut risotto and said it was one of the best he’s tasted. I had the fillet of beef and it was so tender and tasty. The staff are lovely and helpful. We’ll defo be back.

First impression belies a uniquely authentic experience - premises are small, seemingly unchanged from some earlier retail or trade use, possibly a dry cleaners or taxi office - a genuine welcome and straightforward service - food good, duck confit & vegetable curry excellent - the Umbrele Merlot a delight - we shall return soon .

Absolutely wonderful experience! I shared a few of the small 'bites' with the table, had the incredible, perfectly-cooked and dressed Caribbean spiced steak for main, and delicious ice cream to finish. Everything on the menu is so creative in the best way (still very accessible), and every single bite was delicious! The service was fantastic as well, and the space is very cute and cozy. I can't wait for an excuse to go back!

Such good food, great menu, very special. Please visit it wonderfully.

Superb food, great atmosphere and the most attentive staff. Could not fault anything about dining at the Educated flea.

Fantastic food and the service was even better👍

Fantastic little restaurant, food was really good (I'm vegan and there were only a couple of options but that doesn't matter when the food's this good). The cauliflower starter is a must have, seriously one of the nicest things I've ever had. Aubergine main was good as well. Staff were great, friendly and efficient. Great place.

Visited the Educated Flea for a catch-up meal with cousins. The setting was relaxed and friendly, the food was great - full of interesting flavours and nicely presented - and our waitress was amazing. Attentive, upbeat and helpful. Would definitely go back and sample other things on the menu!

Food was incredible and the staff were lovely

Great dinner last night. The meal was amazing and the staff were friendly and efficient. Recommend the beef fillet share plate, great value, huge amount of food. Will certainly be back.

We booked for lunch and we were not disappointed with the food,as it offered great quality portion for the lunch menu. It's a busy venue so would suggest booking in advance. We would of given another star but,we did have an issue with the Bailey coffee we order as the latte was more than half done with froth, over stretching milk created an liquid of shot of Bailey with about quarter cup of milk,while rest was froth,was brought to his attention but was told you ordered a latte.. shame but would go back to eat again.

Really lovely place, excellent service, very tasty food and reasonably priced. We really enjoyed lunch with friends in this pretty little spot

My first time in Scotland and I am so glad we happened upon this place. We were lucky enough to get a table and had the most amazing meal. Beautifully prepared gourmet food in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. My only regret is not saving room for dessert.

We visited mid December, I have to say the food was excellent, the name of the restaurant was explained by the lady who was there. Our starters of the cauliflower, and the pork /cheese croquettes was a great start to the day. Our mains of roast chicken,and smoked fishcakes again was great.see menus. Our male server was helpful,but he let himself down when we queried the amount of froth on a Bailey latte my wife had. The mug it was served in was more than half full of froth,stretching milk was the cause,so the cup itself of milk and a shot of Bailey was about 100cl,against the norm of 350-500cl. We did bring it to his attention but was told a latte was ordered. Will visit again next time in Edinburgh.

Amazing food and informative, friendly service Would 100% recommend and come again

Recently my Xmas lunch with family was ruined at this place . Having eaten well here before we were looking forward to a 3 course lunch. We booked a few weeks in advance for lunch but as they were busy we were asked to come at 1130am. We assumed still for lunch. We arrived and were presented with menu for brunch with 4 items on it and the vegan option avocado on toast was without the avocado! Little sympathy from staff. I was angry and upset and said I would not be eating another breakfast and would not return. The reply was " and you will not be welcome" So great Xmas cheer. At least the staff at the Vietnamese restaurant we went to next were charming. Staff here are not.

We came across this lovely restaurant on a cold wet night in December, the food was amazing & the staff very welcoming. If we’re ever back in Edinburgh we will most definitely return.

Every course was exciting and delicious. The vegetarian/vegan options were particularly great. The atmosphere was cosy and the staff were attentive and friendly. We really enjoyed our visit this afternoon and will definitely be back for more.

Our first meal after landing in Edinburgh. Good beer, great food, great staff, good prices. What more can you want? Genuinely one of the best steaks I’ve ever had (Big Cow on the menu) and the mushrooms that come with it were to die for. Will definitely be back next time we’re in Edinburgh.

This place really surprised me. Nothing on the menu screamed I have to try this but I decided to get the specials and the flavors were amazing. I got a pork dish with earl grey rice and a vegetable patty that I can’t remember the name of but both were really good. My husband even liked the vegetable patty. The service was amazing and so accommodating.

I work here and all I can say is the staff are so helpful and very attentive at all times and very professional service all the time chefs do everything you ask or need

First time back for a couple of years. Still fab. Look forward to going again soon.

My second visit Zperfect for a meal with friends with lots of vegetarian choices. Staff exceptionally pleasant. Nice atmosphere

Excellent range of choices, food was very tasty and excellent friendly service. This is a small restaurant with a great atmosphere.

We were told of this gem of a restaurant before our trip to Edinburgh and it certainly didn't fail to impress. The staff were very friendly and interested in why we were in edinburgh and gave many recommendations for the rest of our stay. They even let me keep one of their beer glasses , to add to my collection!Me and my fiance shared the Big Cow , and it was phenomenal. We cannot wait to return!

Beautifully fresh food. Lunch was delicious and in such a cute and cosy atmosphere. Staff were lovely as well! Highly recommend.

Excellent food. We had fairly high expectations and were not disappointed. Interesting menu and the food is really very good. Had the scallops, pulled lamb shoulder and the Big Cow. All great dishes. Restaurant is quite basic and not many tables. But good atmosphere and well organised. Busy though- so patience required and booking looked essential.

Very grateful to get a walk-in at The Educated Flea.There was a new menu and new servers that day, but that was fine. The dishes are very innovative and it was difficult to choose. Wines available good and in multiple formats.There's no back-room and we couldn't decide whether listening to the lady doing her orders was good or bad, but as for her flat singing with her headphones on ....

Amazing meal at educated flea. My wife had been here before but this was my fist time and it didn't dissapoint. I have the braised pork cheek for starter which was delicious. Then I had the Caribbean beef which was great. We also had a bag of chips which filled us up too much for a dessert. Great selection of drinks and nice atmosphere.

A fantastic small restaurant with a great independent feel, wonderful atmosphere and excellent selection of food. The host / owner was fantastic and we had a good laugh throughout the night with her about her Spotify playlist (everything from Five to Dexys Midnight Runners :-) ).The food was excellent and there was certainly enough of it, we certainly left feeling full. All round an excellent night and we'd love to go back.

What a fantastic find! Lovely atmosphere, friendly staff, quick and very efficient! Food was a little different and totally delish! Was happy with the whole experience and intend to return. Thanks guys!

This is among the best places I have ever eaten. The food was exquisite, I like to eat something I could not replicate at home and this was definitely that. I ate Chicken Supreme in a Dahl sauce with other vegetables....sounds easy but it was text book perfect. I had ordered a side of Fries ( which was forgotten) but I was glad because I had more than enough to eat In addition the service was excellent with young friendly but professional staff ( okay she forgot the fries but that was not important) . Prices were also reasonable , no higher than a posh/gastro pub . The house wine was also very good value at only £12 for a 500 ml Carafe and good quality too. We will visit again for sure

Brunch is amazing!!. Very accommodating staff.