Mussel and Steak Bar in Edinburgh, City of

Marvellous food! The Cullen Skink soup was my favourite.

Rating: 3/5 (generous) Tried this fish restaurant recently and left feeling underwhelmed. While the service was decent, the food—unfortunately—didn't live up to expectations. It was expensive and average at best, lacking any real creativity or flair you'd expect at that price point. The location is good, and the ambiance is fine, but it’s hard to justify the cost when the dishes feel uninspired. Overall, disappointing for what could’ve been a much more inspiring experience.

Absolutely wonderful little place with exceptional food and service. Very friendly staff and great with my infant son. Raw oysters were to die for and the mussels and steak were cooked perfectly. I highly recommend the chili garlic sauce for the mussels. Definitely will be back!

Oysters and mussels were fantastic, the place is relaxed, child friendly and the lunch menu was brilliant value

Excellent fresh fish, super friendly and smiling waiters. Clean and welcoming place. High prices, but you pay for the quality

Arrived just as they opened for dinner service. Given a complimentary fresh oyster to try, which was delicious. Ordered the chilli ribs surf and turf with a side salad. The original waiter who served me was very attentive and gave his recommendations of sauce pairing with the mussels I chose chilli and garlic. The ribs were divine, crispy outer layer with just enough bite and tender on the inside. It paired very well with the light refreshing side salad. The mussels were a miss for me. The texture was soft and delicate but lacked flavour the broth didn't add anything to the dish. The one large prawn was the star of the show. Juicy sweet and full of flavour. I would happily have a half bucket of the prawns accompanying the ribs instead of the mussels unfortunately. I ordered the skinny Bailey's cheesecake which was light and fluffy not enough baileys for me and the fruit compote/coolie wasn't particularly sweet it wouldn't of been missed . Overall the food was good. The service on the other hand didn't exist. My original server disappeared after he gave me my dessert. A young lady cleared my plate after 10 minutes and I sat waiting for 25 minutes I had to ask for my bill. There was no attention to detail. Two of the managers stood by the bar/till discussing issues with reviews rather acknowledging the the current customers they had. The family sitting next to me were also waiting for a long period of time for their table to be cleared then additional time just to order their desserts. Disappointing.

Terrible service, it took more than 1 hour to serve

Extremely Dissatisfied - Pension Refund of £147.41 Still Pending at Mussels and Steak Bar I have been trying to resolve an issue regarding my pension refund of £147.41, which has not been paid out despite numerous follow-ups since November 2024. It has now been over 5 months, and I continue to receive vague responses saying that I will be updated soon, yet no action has been taken. Many people, including myself, have had our pension refunds redirected to Mussels and Steak Bar, but still, no progress has been made in addressing the matter. I have consistently reached out to the company and was told that I need to wait for updates from the head office, but this is simply not acceptable. This is a serious issue, and it’s deeply frustrating to be ignored and left with no answers about the funds owed to me. The company needs to take responsibility and resolve this immediately. I’m leaving this review as evidence of the company’s poor communication and handling of pension refunds. I expect prompt action and an update regarding my refund as soon as possible.

I had dinner here on Saturday night. The decor is lovely and atmosphere were fantastic. The staff were all amazing, very friendly and smiley despite how busy it was. Food was to die for. We will definitely be back

We went with high hopes, we asked for rib eye well and medium, it came below medium, the service was very hasty, fish n chips beer battered was not bad but should have been more crunchy, the result was mediocre and also 120 pounds for 3 people, a bit salty

We provide one oyster per person! The service is very good and above all, the food is very delicious. It is enough to visit twice during a 3-day, 2-night Edinburgh itinerary.

Amazing and fresh seafood. Loved the oysters and the mussels. The large prawns and the steak were very good as well. We went for lunch and immediately made a reservation for dinner that same day!

Came here under false pretense, not disappointed, the staff is very friendly

Had the seafood platter and venison dish. Both meals were really nice. Staff were friendly and helpful. Very welcoming. Offered a choice of tables to sit at. They looked after us, made sure we were happy with our meals. Recommend you try the food here. Was offered complimentary oysters which were yum.

Delicious food, steak was cooked perfectly

Ordered the seafood platter to share (£170) and the taste of everything was mostly average except for the scallops.

Fresh delicious Oysters and mussels and melt in your mouth steak 5 stars. Great service well worth a visit

We all had something different. I had seafood linguine and added grill chicken for an extra £5.

The restaurant is beautifully located in the old town of Edinburgh and is simply a dream

The food was spectacular and the service was unbeatable.

It was only by accident did we stumble upon this establishment. Food was amazing, but the service is what took the edge off. The staff were incredibly friendly and chatty. We were one of the last few customers to leave, and we were not rushed. Yet, we were encouraged to stay for desserts and assured the kitchen would be still be open for it. An amazing seafood experience from start to end.

The food is tasty and the staff are super efficient and friendly. However, I would say the value for money is not good. I paid almost 60 quid for the surf and turf and a large glass of wine. They asked if I wanted bread and added on 4 quid, which I wasn't aware of until bill time. Add the 5.50 service charge, it made it into a meal that was not worth the cost. Tip to restaurant - don't charge for bread.

I called at critical time to ask if there was space for 16 people and they gladly accepted us. We ordered a little of everything to try and everything was delicious. I am left with the attention of the waiters, they treated us great, even though we ate super late. When I recommend places to eat in Edinburgh, this will be a fixture.

Wow! An absolute incredible evening! Best steak me and my boyfriend have EVER had! We shared the 40oz Tomahawk, such lovely staff and great atmosphere! Can’t wait come back!❤️

Visiting from south Wales, the food was absolutely delicious, excellent quality, the staff were really friendly and welcoming. Great location too, would highly recommend 😁

Just returning home from a lovely couple of days in Edinburgh Stumbled across Mussel and Steak bar and so pleased we did! Super fresh seafood with an additional complimentary oyster as a hello! The service from start to finish was faultless Really recommend this restaurant.

Bon plat mais très cher pour ce qu’il y dans le menu Par contre attention de l’eau en bouteille à 9£ et en plus des frais de service de 7£ Exagéré je trouve Une fois pas deux Seule note positive on vous donne une huître en entrée, mais vous la payez en faites vu le prix 21£ pour des moules (juste moules)

This time, I was in the snow, and when I was there, I was visiting Ai Ding Pavilion, and I was visiting Ai Ding Ba, and I was visiting the hometown of Faguo Ichime. I left the seafood restaurant, the waiter was very friendly, the food was reasonable, and every time the ingredients arrived, I got an emergency lecture! This time we went skiing in Scotland, and on the way back we stopped in Edinburgh for sightseeing. Edinburgh made me feel like my hometown, just like France. We went to this seafood restaurant, the waiter was very friendly, the price was reasonable, and every ingredient was prepared with great care! This time we skied in Scotland and stopped in Edinburgh for some sightseeing on the way back. Edinburgh felt like home, as did France. We went to this seafood restaurant. The waiters were very friendly, the prices were reasonable and all the ingredients were carefully prepared. Cette fois-ci, nous sommes allés skier en Écosse et, sur le chemin du retour, nous nous sommes arrêtés à Édimbourg pour faire du tourisme. Le serveur était très sympathique, le prix était raisonnable et chaque ingrédient était préparé avec beaucoup de soin!

Absolutely amazing food, service & drinks... my favourite place to go whenever in Edinburgh ❤️ seafood for myself and steak for the hubby... not forgetting the Cullen skink for starters 😊 delicious all round 😋

We visited on Wednesday night 19th February with a couple of friends. One of my friends is Celiac and the waitress was fantastic with her and they had some brilliant charts to help her choose what’s available in Gluten Free. We had Oysters and Cullen Skink to start both fabulous. Then my seafood Linguine was amazing. All the food and service was fantastic. The only downside was the staff obviously wanted an early finish as there were no customers apart from us about 9.30 they brought the bill without us asking for it then started clearing our table before we were finished our wine and drinks. Then as we were leaving they were sat at a table and we said thanks and good night but got no response. It did leave a wee sour note to a great evening. Overall I would recommend this restaurant the bill was average for what we had.

If I could give 6 stars for service I would great food too and great Gluten Free option 10/10 all round

OMG. So happy to have found this little treasure but annoyed at the same time we haven't been before. We booked for 5pm opening and before long the restaurant was filling up so I would definitely book. We received a warm welcome upon arrival and a high level of service was given for the whole evening. Specifically, Courtney looked after us and offered input to our menu choices when we asked and the haggis wellington starter now lives rent free in my mind. You must try this if you visit. We could not fault any part of the meal /drinks and feel that both the food and service made our evening a memorable one. Thank you Courtney and keep up the good work.

We had such an amazing experience at this small yet cozy restaurant. The staff were absolutely welcoming and attentive and made us feel welcomed and comfortable…and the food was absolutely amazing!! I’ve never been to a restaurant where oysters were complimentary…I love love oysters and these were absolutely delicious… The portions of their meals are quite big..I ordered the mussels with steak and I should’ve just shared that with my daughter cause all she ordered was steak as her main meal and I could barely finish mine and she couldn’t finish her steak. She had the chowder soup for starters and that itself was a lot…and OMG!!! I should’ve ordered one myself cause that may be the best chowder soup I’ve had in my life!! Absolutely delicious!!

My husband and I love mussles. It was our first trip to Edinburgh, so we thought, why not. We were accompanied by our 4 year old son and 8-month-old baby. We didn't have a reservation, but Gorden and Jess made space for us and our buggy. They were both great and very attentive but also provided us with space. Colouring pencils and paper were provided without promt, and we were able to order my sons meal relatively quickly so that we could focus on the array of menues that were provided. In the end, we sampled their lovely oysters, we tried their haggis Wellington starter (this was great) and Cullen skink soup ( this was a warm welcome as it was absolutely cold outside) For our mains, we did opt for their mussles in white wine. This was all washed down with a lovely large glass of white wine. Our son had chicken tenders with chips and salad. He devoured his plate before I remembered to take a picture.

I came here on the recommendation of Xiaohongshu. The shrimps were terrible and the meat shredded as soon as they were peeled off. They were all the same on the plate. They were super stale. The mussels were not fresh either. I could only say they were edible and average, but not worth the price of 33 pounds. I don’t recommend this restaurant at all. You can eat better elsewhere for the same money.

I saw it recommended by someone on the Internet. Everyone will get a free oyster in front of you Two of us ordered a seafood platter But I didn’t expect such a big plate and I was a little shocked when it was served. A platter might be more suitable for 3-4 people. Boys with big appetites may be able to finish the meal for two people.

We were three friends and we ate both meat and fish, which were of great quality and very good flavor. The service was great, we were served by a guy who was attentive at all times. We will repeat without a doubt. 100% recommended. Thank you very much for the service and for everything.

Bit of a mixed review for us,food was exceptional and service was fantastic throughout the meal. However we booked our table for 6pm and were told we would have until 7:30pm. At 7:05pm, whilst we were still eating our mains which had only been served 15mins prior, we wouldn’t be able to order dessert (which was fine as we had our fill) but also we had 8-10 mins to finish our mains and leave. No sooner had we finished our mains at 7:10pm when the bill was presented and we were hastened out. Such a shame as up until that point this was a 5 star review

We had a wonderful evening! Very good, friendly service, and the food is extra class. As a greeting from the kitchen, there were oysters. For the main course, mussels in chili, garlic and white wine stock and the mixed fish platter. Everything was super fresh and very tasty. We would love to come back. It is necessary to reserve a place in advance. THANKS to the team

We were advised by a receptionist at our hotel. Despite not having a reservation, they welcomed us with a smile and found a place for us to settle. Everything we ordered for dinner was delicious (salmon duo, rib eye and fish and chips), but where I was blown away was the cheesecake (probably the best I've ever had in my life). It's not a cheap place, but you have to pay for good things. By the way, the music, great.

Recommended for product quality/price and friendliness of service (01-27-25)

Yes, eat well, welcoming and fast, staggering venison steak, crazy delicious. The fish dish was a little less so but not because of the quality which was good but because of how it was prepared. Overall I highly recommend.

A good place for lunch in Edinburgh, although I'm not a soup eater, you'll love the culmen skink, it's a fish soup with vegetables and cream, it's great, I recommend this place if you come here

We absolutely loved our experience here! Dana was amazingly friendly and helpful and full of laughs and enthusiasm! The food without a doubt was worth every penny and will definitely return! Thank you all for an amazing evening and for our first anniversary we couldn’t have had a better evening. Thank you all again.

This small restaurant has a really strict & short 90 minute seating timeline, which really doesn't fit a place that serves shellfish that you need to break apart. There was a miscommunication where my husband arrived an hour early to an empty restaurant and they somehow started the "clock" then. The hostess/manager later agreed to let us stay the original 90 minutes, but we still were rushed out at the end of our meal, wine still in the bottle. It honestly ruined the whole evening and what was supposed to be a splurge seafood dinner. The food was decent, but not amazing. The scallops were very delicious, as was the Cullen Skink soup. The surf & turf....the mussels were the highlight. The steak was thin, very overcooked and under seasoned. Our server was a gem, but the meal would have been so much better if we weren't constantly reminded that we needed to give up our table. Definitely felt like a waste of £150.

Just had a great meal here , Anna welcomed us as soon as we arrived , had complimentary oysters , fabulous atmosphere and service . Food delicious , would definitely recommend here .

We had reserved. The mussels were very fresh and tasty. There were three eggs as a greeting from the kitchen. Good wines. Seafood pasta was also good. Nice staff - they could use a little more fresh herbs and spices. Then it would be perfect! We wanted a little spiciness and were given Tabasco :-)

Amazing seafood food. I tried the soup. It was amazing. The food they have is amazing. I recommend it. All good thank you very much

Delicious meal in a lovely restaurant, very relaxed atmosphere with excellent staff. Surf and turf was incredible. Chips fried in beef dripping amazing, Cocktails were also great!

The food was okay, the hot chocolate was delish, the service was superb and the vibe was cozy.

My goodness. Where to start? My husband and I are visiting for the weekend and were looking for a good middle ground for what we were both craving. The menu is excellent, it has many choices and they are mindful of allergens. The server, Duncan was so kind and attentive, made sure my allergens were accounted for and was very knowledgeable on both the cocktails and food menu. We were served with complimentary oysters that were incredibly fresh, we then ordered the seafood linguini, the seabass, 12 oysters, wine, a cocktail and a delicious lentil soup. The food for us wad 10/10, service was top tier, food was served at the perfect time and was very fresh, portions were excellent so if you're hungry but want Michelin Star quality food, this is the place! Duncan's grandma- if you're reading this review, you should be very proud of him, we were served like Royalty.

We had a lovely family evening here enjoying some mussels with wine and cream (a must). Duncan treated us like kings making the experience memorable. I truly recommend this place if you are around. Good quality seafood and customer obsession in the service makes it a top choice.

Absolutely exquisite. The perfect place to end my visit in Edinburgh. Food was cooked perfectly and came out very quickly and the complimentary oyster was a lovely touch as I’d never tried one before! My server Tiana was a gem, very friendly and helpful. Will definitely come back next time I visit!

The food is good, although on the pricy side, but the service was awful and not paying attention or being helpful while seating, ordering or afterwards. Maybe it was because of January 1st, but still.

I’ve been frequenting this restaurant for years and this time it still was amazing and didn’t disappoint albeit it during New Years Eve. If you’re looking for authentic Scottish comfort food at affordable prices this is tour go to restaurant. Food was amazing and service was impeccable. Thanks for the complimentary fresh oysters! Definitely worth a visit.

We had a 40 minute wait for our table, but that wasn't a problem. It was worth it. We chose mussels and oysters and it was fantastic. The service was super pleasant and extremely helpful. Clear recommendation!

It is a place in the most touristic part of Edinburgh. Although it was always crowded, the service quality and food taste were good. The price-performance ratio is balanced according to the region.

Lucky enough to get a reservation on the spot early 5pm but Steak was quite ropey mussels were fantastic service great well worth a visit but book ahead

Amazing food, well worth the price! The oysters were delicate and fresh, venison and mussels cooked to delicious perfection, and the drinks superb. The ribs had a unique chili sauce we were pleasantly surprised by. Our server, Gordon, was so amiable and fun, he made the whole experience a blast! We did overshoot closing by a few minutes, but we never felt rushed to close out

The restaurant is located on Victoria Street and offers an amazing dining experience. The food is incredibly delicious, and the staff provides excellent service. Each guest is treated to a complimentary mussel, which was absolutely tasty with no fishy smell. I ordered the lobster, grilled scallops, seafood plate, and Cullen skink soup. Everything was fresh, sweet, and perfectly cooked, with tender and bouncy textures that were truly impressive. I highly recommend visiting and trying it out for yourself!

Been before, but don’t think it was as good as last time. Menu hadn’t changed at all in 3 years. Food tasted nice but needed more flavour and not a fan of getting grit in my mouth from the shellfish

Good place, love their steaks. Mussels in white wine were amazing. We got complimentary oysters

Recently visited the mussel and steak the food was excellent and the complimentary oysters a bonus. My only criticism of the place was the dining itself , I felt the area could be a bit more plush it is premium prices so would expect a bit more of a fine dining experience as opposed to a cafeteria feel.

Although the mussel with white wine is not amazing, it is delicious; the steak is too far behind. First of all, the meat is very woody and dry, and then the medial rare I ordered is almost well done when it is made. It is not like the steak restaurant. Level; the oyster given was quite plump; the service guy was pretty nice, but when he saw other tables, the kitchen closed early, but he didn't ask the guest in advance if he wanted to add more food. In the end, the customer wanted to add more food but couldn't Situations that cannot be added

It’s so delicious, the portions are small, and the price is very reasonable. Everyone should try it.

I don't know the server's name on the second floor but his service is so good!! The food is so nice, we ordered mussels and pork steak. The orange Edinburgh gin tastes good.

Very fresh and hearty dishes, a few oysters offered as a starter for fun, fish and ships with haddock to die for, succulent mussels, and really friendly service, which only added to the pay attention to the pleasure of the meal… An address to recommend!

Good food at an ok price, right in the tourist area. Cullen skink was good too. Service was relatively fast and restaurant setting is ok. If you’re in the area and looking for a meal this is a reasonable choice.

The best food we had in Edinburgh!!!!

Super friendly staff and amazing food! Go there, you’ll have an fantastic evening.

excellent lunch in edinburgh. fantastic and fresh seafood. best oysters ever. haggis was surprisingly delicious. a must try.

Wowsers wowsers there’s a party in my trousers!!! My stomach is happy, my trousers are bursting at the seems. The sharing platter is a must have. Loved loved loved it. Loved it that much I would come back just for that. The food is unreal. Definitely book as they were turning people away at the door. A must for a seafood junkie. Some of the best I’ve had.

We went with high expectations, motivated by the reviews about the pasta with mussels and seafood. However, we found the dish somewhat bland, to the point that we had to add Tabasco, salt, pepper and a little of the sauce from the mussel starter to the wine to give it more flavor. The mussels, considered the star dish of the place, were up to par: fresh and accompanied by an interesting sauce, different from the usual. As a courtesy, they offered us some very fresh oysters, a gesture that was appreciated. In general, I would repeat only for the mussels, since we did not try other dishes on the menu. The service was excellent, although the price seemed a little high in relation to the experience.

Excellent fishfood very friendly and nice restaurant.

Really good food! - A little pricey, but you get what you pay for here. Steak and scallops cooked beautifully.

Lovely meal. The ribs were lovely and moist. Staff were friendly

Incredible service, you rarely see such a friendy staff, food was vety good, and if you’re a sea food beginner, free oysters to have a taste.

Everything we tried was fantastic!!

This is the best meal I have ever had, I’m not even joking. The whiskey sauce is incredible and the mussels are out of this world!! I’m so happy I stumbled across this little gem of a restaurant!! Ngā mihi nui

We have literally just left this little gem of a restaurant. The food was fresh and packed with flavour. The service was exceptional. Our lovely waiter had only been there for 2 weeks but he was polite and attentive and took time to explain about all the dishes we enquired about. Even though crab was not on the menu it was available when my husband asked. He was delighted to be presented with a full crab which he said was extremely tasty. Our main course was delayed my some time and in all honesty we were chatting and hadn't really thought about it. The manageress however had noticed and not only came to apologise but to offer our deserts for free. Rarely to you see such professional customer service like this. I would strongly recommend this wonderful restaurant.

The onion rings were good, the meat too. The mussels are average and lacking in salt. The price is normal for Scotland and a central area. High.

Haggis Wellington is soooo goood!

The free oyster as we sat down qas so fresh. The surf and turf was the best I've had. So many mussels and the whiskey steay sauce was incredibly good! Great little find this place!

Great food, great atmosphere and the staff were super friendly.

We had some wonderful evenings in this restaurant. The mussels in chili, garlic and white wine stock are highly recommended. We've had them on various visits and they've been great every time. The service is friendly and cheerful. We will definitely come back. Great recommendation!

I was very tired during my trip and wanted to find a place to take a quick break. The onion rings were so delicious, and they even gave a free try of oyster. Excellent service, well deserving of a perfect score.

Staff were amazing, very attentive. Food was awesome. Recommended wine was perfect!

A good place to sit down and relax for dinner after a long day of sightseeing. Mussels are the jewel in the crown, but we do not recommend mixing them with the seafood platter because you will end up with a double portion of mussels. They give a free oyster as a starter.

We were recommended to this restaurant by our hotel and so enjoyed it we went back for a second meal. We tried the recommended Cullen Skink soup (similar to clam chowder but made with smoked fish) and loved it. Ditto for the whole sea bass. On the second night, we shared the huge pot of mussels and then the venison done to perfection. Small, unassuming restaurant but a first-rate kitchen and friendly and attentive wait staff that make you feel welcome as soon as you arrive. Highly recommend on your next visit to Edinburgh.

My wife and I used to come to Edinburgh a fair bit about a decade ago and always go here because it was so good. Very disappointing to return recently to see how it's become a complete tourist trap. Filthy toilets, overpriced and bland food, decor now dated and dirty. Such a shame. We won't be returning.

We were a group of six adult family members traveling in Edinburgh. One of our group expressed an interest in mussels; and, as it turned out, we could see the Mussel and Steak bar from out hotel. We were there on a busy Saturday night, but service was friendly and efficient. Maybe the pitch to up sell the sharing platter was a little over-entusiastic, but that's not the servers fault. The food was delicious and plentiful. The complimentary oysters were a real treat. I didn't give five stars because there's not a lot of charm to the restaurant, but, hey, you don't eat charm.

Very nice place where we had a divine dinner with seafood dishes, mussels and oysters on everything. Helpful and friendly staff who help and advise you in your choice

Me and my family went for dinner here, and it was a great experience. The food was really good, there was a great selection and the staff was very helpful and welcoming. The manager also offered us a free desert which was very nice of her. The atmosphere was a bit better on the second floor, and the prices were a bit high, but considering it was mostly seafood and steak its understandable. Overall would definitely recommend, especially for families!!

First, a confession. This was the only place I could book short notice in Edinburgh. Sometimes, no choice turns out to be the best choice. It’s a cosy place with great staff. Complimentary oysters is a nice touch. The Haggis twist, Haggis Wellington, is delicious. The Fillet was one of the best I’ve eaten anywhere, perfectly cooked. Beef surf & turf dishes had juicy steaks and tasty mussels. A real find, this place. Would go again if in Edinburgh. Highly recommend.

I recently had the pleasure of dining at the Mussel and Steak Bar, and it exceeded my expectations in every way. Despite a last-minute reservation, they graciously accommodated us, setting the tone for a fantastic experience. The food was outstanding – everything tasted incredibly fresh, and the oysters were phenomenal, offering that perfect blend of briny sweetness. The crab was equally impressive, cooked to perfection and bursting with flavor. Adding to the delight was the attentive and welcoming staff, who were friendly and made sure we felt looked after. I highly recommend this place for anyone looking for a top-notch seafood experience with excellent service!

Excellent seafood! Excellent service! We had the seafood linguine. Amazing dish…seafood done very well! Manager Dana is awesome. Very friendly and lovely to talk to. Made us feel much at home! Must go here if in Edinburgh!

Quelques erreurs durant le service mais il y avais beaucoup de monde. Mais pour ce qui est de la qualité du repas c'était top !!! Je le recommande

Needs heater for outside tables

A very good experience, from the staff to the kitchen I highly recommend

I went here on Wednesday after visiting the castle and I found the restaurant to have a very welcoming ambience and the food was fairly good. The service I must say was excellent, our table was waited on by a very polite Japanese young man who was attentive throughout the evening and made my wife and I feel very at home in your wonderful city.