The Palmerston in Edinburgh, City of

I recently dined at your restaurant and wanted to share some feedback about our experience. The food was truly delightful; the ragu made for a lovely starter, and the lamb was very enjoyable. However, we found some aspects of the service lacking, particularly when our waitress was unable to explain the dish thoroughly. Additionally, the atmosphere seemed off from the moment we arrived. We were unsure whom to speak to upon entering, and once seated, the lighting felt too bright, lacking warmth. Moreover, the open windows made the dining area uncomfortably cold until we requested they be closed. While these elements detracted from our experience, I believe small adjustments could significantly enhance the overall ambiance and service. Despite these points, I appreciate the quality of your food and hope my feedback is helpful.

Fantástica comida en The Palmerston. Ubicado en un precioso edificio, anteriormente un banco, pero muy relajado y un agradable ambiente mojado. La comida era muy buena. Brandade entrante era excelente - buena cantidad de pescado en escamas en una mezcla de patata cremosa suave de terciopelo. El pastel de venado y vino tinto para 2 estaba delicioso (aunque solo una tapa de pastelería, por lo que algunos podrían consultar pastel) , y el chocolate y Guinness Sponge Pudding terminó la comida perfectamente. Muy bonita botella de tinto chileno para acompañar. Una de las mejores comidas que he tenido en Edimburgo.

El almuerzo fijado en £ 24 por persona era desafortunadamente abrumador. El camarero era bastante poco comunicativo, ciertamente no efusivo o acogedor. Nadie vino a comprobar cómo estábamos. El entrante era mínimo, pero bien, huevo cocido y apio. Principal, la pasta en ragu era bastante pequeña, cena escolar y muy salada. Se lo dijimos al camarero, dijo que se lo diría al chef pero no alteró la factura. Postre, un poco de merengue, satsuma y salsa de chocolate y muy básico. En general, no hay gran valor. Al hacer la reserva me preguntaron si había una ocasión especial y cumpleaños marcados. Ninguna referencia a esto durante el almuerzo, ni una vela, ni una bebida gratis, ni una mención. Al final pedí que se eliminara el cargo por servicio. Me las arreglé para pedir disculpas a medias. Huelga decir que no volveremos ya que todo fue un poco de mala calidad.

Mis hijas fueron a este restaurante el sábado pasado para almorzar. Les cobraron 57 libras por un pollo medio asado compartido, patatas fritas con salsa de mostaza. Mi hija todavía tiene un malestar estomacal por la comida. También se les cobró por su servicio @ 10 por ciento y una donación de £ 1 a MND. En total, la factura fue de 71 libras. 40 por favor no utilice este restaurante la brujería es mucho más acorde con los precios y no cobran de más. Evitar a toda costa.

Absolutely love the palmerston. The vibe is spot on and the menu is always perfectly curated. Wherever we have been he have sat at the bar which I really love. When we went last time we had a 50minute wait between starters and mains and I was away to give them a gentle nudge but they beat me to it and said our order got lost. These things happen and you can really tell how good a restaurant is when they respond to these situations and they were so kind. The food was worth waiting for and they insisted that desserts and cheese for afters would be on the house. Top class. Can’t wait to go back.

If I were to describe my experience at The Palmerston in two words it would be: incredibly underwhelming Where to start, I heard fantastic reviews about this place from the internet and from food critics around Edinburgh. The word on the street was this was Edinburgh’s chefs favorite restaurant. I was incredibly excited to try the food here during my 2 week trip to the UK. To say I was disappointed is an understatement. Now I don’t want to be too hard on them, the cocktails and appetizers were very good but it’s the entrees that fall completely short. I ordered the Kid Crépinettes with mash and cabbage and my partner ordered the Roasted Pork Shoulder with celeriac and bitter lettuce. The Kid Crépinette was probably the most disappointing due to it being very bland and gristly. Traditionally they are coated with melted butter and then tossed in breadcrumbs before sautéing or grilling. This felt like it was maybe formed and just put into the oven for 10 minutes. No hint of truffle or any significant flavor. As for the roasted pork shoulder, you would have thought it was a grilled pork loin with how tough and flavorless it was. Usually roasted pork shoulder means fall apart tenderness and flavor but this was tough. The only redeeming factor about the meal was the appetizers, cocktails and the wonderful service who did not charge us for the poorly made dishes. This all being said I would consider giving the Palmerston a second chance if I was in Edinburgh again in the future but I couldn’t help leave my thoughts on a dining experience I was very much looking forward to.

This is our 3rd time here and 3rd time of having an excellent meal. Really creative dishes, love that the menu changes all the time and the staff despite some of the reviews have always been really welcoming!

Comida muy sosa y cara. El tónico en la ginebra era plano y le faltaba algo para levantarlo, por ejemplo limón. Muy decepcionante. Los amigos habían intentado disuadirme de ir pero pensé en intentarlo y mantener la mente abierta. Debería haberlos escuchado.

Tried breakfast and lunch here. Both great.

Lovely food. Would be helpful if you put signs up to tell customers what each item was as the staff seemed annoyed that we asked what things were.

The food was very tasty but honestly it's quite pricey for was it is. £100 for a lunch and I left feeling hungry.

Loved **The Palmerston**! Cozy vibes, amazing service, and the food was top-notch. The beef tartare was a standout, and the wine selection was spot on. Can’t wait to return!

Overrated food and service was poor. Would recommend going elsewhere

Rude and careless personnel. Not so good bakeries

Wonderful food - simply presented and beautifully cooked. Staff made you feel like your were coming into their home.

Sorry; didn't take any photos, too busy enjoying those amazing flavours, need to know the magic ingredient in the parsnip soup and the fish stew, eat your heart out Yotam. Bonus tip; Guinness in Wetherspoons next to the station £5.23, The Palmerston £4.90, hurry now these prices cannot last.

Staff were nice and service was good. Menu really needs refining and balancing for the price they are asking for.

The soup was comforting and delicious!

Very inviting atmosphere, excellent service. Elevated food in a laid back, unpretentious environment. Highlights included the tender stem broccoli appetizer, rabbit leg main and the desserts.

Abysmal service. No signs to say Wait To Be Seated or Order At The Bar. No one comes to serve you, so you're left wondering what you should do. If you find a table, again, there's no one serving you or menus on the table. I went to the bar to ask for a menu. The guy didn't look interested and rudely said, "that's all we have left!" pointing to a few bits of bread. Felt like an F' off to me, so we left.

Had the best meal in recent memory here on Friday, the pasta dish was so good that I had to order a second! Everything we ate was 10/10, clean plates all around. Also excellent wine list and the most divine desserts - incredible chocolate cake and rhubarb trifle. Best part is they are dog-friendly! Will absolutely be back next time I'm in Edinburgh.

Called out-with service times and opening and still could not get anyone on the phone ! Friends from Australia couldn't get a table of 7 ?? Must be refreshing to be that busy you don't bother !

Can skip it. The food was a mixed bag but one of the dishes I received was a genuine disappointment. Service - one person was pretty nice and generally fine, one actively detracted from the experience of eating out, and it resulted in putting a damper on the whole evening.

Great ambience, fresh food and extensive of wine list.

Vibes were bad and service slow (15mins for two coffees but the place was only a quarter full), definitely much better bakeries around - twelve triangles just down the road is a far better rec.

Incredibly rude and arrogant staff. This is such a shame as I am a regular and the food has always been lovely but the arrogant and entitled staff really let this place down. I wouldn’t recommend to anyone that wants to enjoy a nice lunch out as this place lacks any atmosphere and you are made to feel like you shouldn’t be there.

Food was lovely - we had the pork and the lamb. Restaurant is let down by the unenthusiastic and uninterested service and the hour long wait for the main course.

Can't recommend this place enough! Me and my mum celebrated our last day in Edinburgh here; everything was amazing! The food, the service, the drinks, the atmosphere. You have to try the monkfish, it melts in your mouth. 10/10!

Terrific place. Such a lovely informal atmosphere, amazing wine list and exciting menu, and yes, every dish is delicious. Love how the superb bread and butter sets the tone. Such a good team welcoming and serving. The best.

Booked the Palmerston after seeing good things on social media but with the daily changing menu it was hard to know what to expect, we were roughly aware of the style of the food however it seemed way too expensive for what it was, the food was nice but it cost a total of £90 for what we had in the photo and was not worth it overall. Staff were nice but not overly attentive and it seemed very laidback for a higher end restaurant. Tables were very close together and was a bit disappointed with the feel of the place. So overall the food was nice but not worth the money as there are better restaurants in Edinburgh that are similar style to the Palmerston.

Food was good if not a little bit salty and on the pricier side Experience was let down by off-putting service and staff who had attitudes

I got a recommendation for The Palmerston around six months ago and when I booked my trip to Edinburgh, I knew I had to visit. The food was phenomenal. The Cod bouillabaisse was spectacular and the Sourdough was truly exceptional. The team were incredible, attentive and helpful. I really enjoyed my meal, thank you so much.

Friendly and helpful staff, but mainly the beef. It was perfectly seasoned and cooked. Champagne, desert and Irish Coffee, we're still talking about our meal weeks later. I couldn't recommend highly enough!

We had a great meal here! The staff were very helpful and always approachable. We also found the selection of white wine excellent - and the fact that our dog was allowed inside would even be worth a 6th star :)

Great food and atmosphere but the best part was Chris our waiter. Chris ensured our complicated order arrived without any hiccoughs and was very friendly and attentive throughout our meal. Thank you to the Palmerston and Chris for a lovely meal

The cooking reminds me off St. John - which is a good thing. Thankfully no haggis bon bons, Stornoway black pudding (nothing wrong with Stornoway black pudding by the way) or whisky sauces. Just top ingredients, though not always immediately familiar to many, cooked simply and thoughtfully. Nice room too. PS. Been several times since and just got back from another. Best restaurant in Edinburgh. Update Dec 24. Started getting my bread from the house bakery. Best toast ever.

Great food. No fuzz unpretentious good food. The team is tentative and the service is fast and reliable.

This is one of the best restaurant I’ve ever visited in my life , Atmosphere,Service and food are excellent, I personally highly recommend to everyone

This place truly deserves 5 stars in every way! The service is exceptional, with a team that is both professional and genuinely friendly. The atmosphere is warm, clean, and inviting, making every visit an enjoyable experience. The quality of the products and services offered here is outstanding—everything is delivered with care and attention to detail. It’s clear that customer satisfaction is a top priority. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or are a regular, you’ll always feel valued and well taken care of. Highly recommended for anyone looking for excellence in every aspect

Fantastic food, staff were so friendly and understanding, brilliant atmosphere. A1 service

This place is exceptional in every way. The staff are professional and friendly, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The environment is spotless, and every detail is thoughtfully taken care of. The quality of the services and products is unmatched, showing true dedication to customer satisfaction. Whether it’s your first visit or you’re a regular, you’ll always feel appreciated. A perfect example of excellence across the board.

Good restaurant , highly recommend

I really enjoy the food at Palmerston, and that is exactly why I’m writing this not so pleasant review. I’ve been to the place 5 times now, and the food is always top tier. However, the service is just so bad every time. It’s incredibly slow and it takes around 20 to 30 minutes for a waiter to realise you finished a meal and bring to a desert menu/a bill. And that happens even after asking them to do so multiple times. It’s very unfortunate because whenever I feel like having dinner there I have to be prepared to deal with the service. It’s such a shame and I really wish that this wasn’t the case…

Amazingly spot for a lazy Sunday afternoon, or at any time!!

Disappointing, have waited a long time to go to the Palmerston. Wasn't welcomed warmly and sent away as we were a little early, No flexibility to accommodate our early arrival and I was on crutches so had to walk further again. Food was overcooked and when we shared that with the waiting staff subtly nothing was done to fix it. Cold serving staff with no interaction very transactional. So many better experiences to be had in Edinburgh. Shame

I like the food quality, its very nice and i also like the enviroment! A good place to be in I recommend it

It has a very friendly atmosphere the food was very good and the service was fast and the staff was very nice.

I recently visited The palmerston and had an overall delightful experience. Upon entering, I was immediately struck by the cozy yet modern atmosphere. The interior features a mix of warm wood tones and green plants, creating a relaxing, nature-inspired vibe that made for a great dining experience.

It was a great pleasure at palmerston restaurant, their services is 100%. I cnt wait to visit again

Nice atmosphere and good service 👍🏻

A Fantastic Dining Experience! I had an amazing meal The ambiance was inviting, the service was attentive, and the food was absolutely delicious. All the dishes was packed with flavor and Everything was fresh, beautifully presented, and exceeded expectations. Highly recommend this spot for a memorable dining experience! 10/10 experience will definitely be back

Authentic food, excellent service & nice atmosphere

Really rude and very impatient with the disabled people

Great place to visit, nice ambience and definitely taste of choice

Onw of my favourite places to eat in Edinburgh. Grest food, good atmosphere and fantastic customer service. A must try..

Its the best place ever best food best environment

Absolutely fantastic! From the moment I walked in, the atmosphere was warm and inviting. The staff were incredibly friendly and attentive, making me feel right at home. The food? Simply outstanding—every bite was packed with flavor and beautifully presented. I highly recommend the [insert standout dish]—it was a game-changer. This is easily one of the best dining experiences I’ve had in a long time. Can’t wait to come back!

The food is amazing here. I can honestly say it is the best food I've had. You have got to try it, you won't disappointed.

Great restaurant. Very clean. Friendly staff and the food was delicious. Would definitely recommend.

A more than wonderful restaurant

We ate on the 21 November and it was just unbelievable!! We sat at the bar and the gentleman behind the bar served us all night and was absolutely fab, gave excellent recommendations and was chatty. The food was also amazing - I can’t even put into words. Just simply delicious. Thank you so much!

Eaten here a couple of times now, once for dinner at the bar, and once for the set lunch. Really like it. The food is great, innovative and uses fantastic ingredients. Brilliant wine list although it is pretty pricy! We got a great bottle but it was 4x retail price! Understand the challenges of running a restaurant these days but this seems excessive. Food is fantastic, although I did feel the lunch portions were a bit miserly especially on the main course compared with how generous dinner had felt.

We had a great time at the Palmerston. The atmosphere and service make it a wonderful experience. We got the pumpkin soup, pork shoulder, halibut, and the apple bun dessert, all of which we would highly recommend.

We planned a foodie tour across Edinburgh and The Palmerston far exceeded our expectations, the food was incredible and our server Grace elevated what was already an incredible experience into our favourite meal of the entire trip. Would absolutely recommend this place in a heartbeat, thanks to Grace and the incredible kitchen staff!

Well cooked lamb and great soup. The dinner menu is somewhat difficult to read and a bit specific, but the food was very good. Service was decent. I would recommend this restaurant for a night out. Portions were decent and priced reasonably. A bit of a nice dinner in pretty casual environs.

Food is excellent. The tables are on the small side . Service is good. We'll be back.

We love this place and go frequently. Some of the best pastries in Edinburgh, and friendly service.

Este es uno de nuestros lugares favoritos para comer fuera en Edimburgo. El servicio siempre es genial, y la comida es increíble. Vemos al mismo personal una y otra vez, lo que significa que se les retiene. Nunca nos han decepcionado y la calidad de la comida es excepcional. Las porciones están bien. Leer algunas de las críticas negativas en este restaurante me impulsó a enviar esto, ya que se siente como si hubiera poca apreciación de los productos de alta calidad cocinados increíblemente bien.

We’re confused… we heard great things about this place but it was remarkably average in every way. Did we order the wrong thing? Was it an off night? Food was pub quality at best, service was quite poor, and ambience was practically non existent.

Great meal here - produce is fantastic. Liked the relaxed service, and a very good wine list as well.

Great food... Bit loud in room, but really nice overall... Super original & Scottish menu choices, and lovely own baked sourdough bread too!

incredible meal, lovely staff, fantastic atmosphere - cosy and lively and not too loud! i came by myself and sat at the bar, which was so nice - perfect spot to take in the great vibes. service was super quick and attentive, and the food came out really fast, which was great because I couldn't get enough of it! delicious <3

Esta fue la peor comida que he comido en algún tiempo, el entrante era más una ensalada de acompañamiento, la principal parecía asquerosa y prácticamente no comestible. El personal era amable, pero este es un restaurante mal dirigido con chefs de mala calidad. No volveré y un poco avergonzado de que sea escocés.

Excellent experience. Wonderful staff, extremely kind. Food was amazing. They could easily charge x2 for the quality they deliver. The Palmerston is a must in Edinburgh.

This is a must go, love their changing menu. Great food the lamb was so tender and they make their own syrups for the soft drinks.

a very special place: In the morning, a simple breakfast is offered here with the products from our own bakery, plus a good coffee - you can pick up food in self-service. At lunchtime and in the evening, the restaurant with friendly, good service offers a very select menu of very well prepared dishes made from regional ingredients - also vegetarian, also quite Scottish-hearty, but of a very high standard - as well as the generously served bread from our own bakery and also the very checked wine list!

Great place) Very tasty pastries)

Food was great but our waitress was incredibly rude, they mentioned we had a 1.5 hr time window but at about 45 minutes she rudely said we had to leave since other guests needed the table, we asked to purchase more bread and she mentioned it was complimentary but then proceeded to ignore us and not bring us any when we tracked her down and asked again she brought us the most pitiful heal of bread that was Burnt. It was obvious she didn’t want us making requests like that even though we offered to pay for more. Overall sour attitude the whole time

Good food , delicious. We have a happy lunch.👍😋

Love the vibe and friendlies of the staff. The good is so tasty - especially lunch.

I was at the restaurant on 10/27 at 3:00 pm, the attendant informed me that it was full. I was with my baby daughter, my wife and my in-laws, I asked for a table for 4 people. It turns out that right at the entrance there was a vacant table with 6 seats. Very disrespectful towards customers, and lack of consideration, the attendant informing us that it was full and the table was vacant in front of us, it's rude, if they don't want to serve, close the doors and inform them that it is closed, we move for 40 minutes to the restaurant to get through it. Review your posture. And respect people more.

Beautiful place, excellent staff and fresh produce food but unfortunately the small of the kitchen is spread all over the dining area and it is unbearable... all our clothes had to be washed as well as ourselves .. there must be something that they can do to avoid this as it is really annoying! Apart of this the place is lovely and the wine list extensive and interesting :)

Good meal, service is attentive but can be sporadic if busy which it seems like it always is and will be, catch 22 I guess.

Lovely restaurant, with great food & excellent service. The complimentary bread was delicious!

Fantastic produce cooked beautifully, attentive service, can’t wait to return

We dined here a while back. Really overhyped and expensive.

One of the best starters I’ve had in a while. Such great flavours. The set lunch is a steal and all the food was prepared very well. The sour dough is one of the best I’ve had. I’d deffo recommend.

Get there when they open for the freshest flawless pastries!

Delicious and beautiful. However, it came out so late that it took 2 hours for lunch.

Fantastic lunch at Palmerston. Staff were friendly, attentive and helpful. Atmosphere and decor of the restaurant was stunning. Beer, cocktails and wine all tasty and a they have a wide and extensive offering. Finally, the food was absolutely sublime. Cannot recommend a visit to The Palmerston enough! A must visit for anyone in Edinburgh. Cant wait to come back!

The food was pretty decent, although i do wish that there was more pasta in my dish, it felt like the proportions were a little off. The lamb shoulder was tender and delicious. The price point is on the higher end, so do expect to fork out a bit more cash here. Great vibes, and a good place for a relaxed lunch

What a gem of a place. Stunningly fitted out in an old bank, this restaurant was warm and welcoming from the atmosphere to the staff. We were greeted by a wonderful front of house team who sat us at the bar and from there it was a dream. Grace was managing the bar and guided us through drinks choices and the menu expertly, with so much care and joy in her work. The wine was lovely, the Guinness was perfectly poured, the food was EXCELLENT. Well done, Palmerston. You're smashing it.

The best pastry I have ever eaten. Even better than many pastries I have had in France. Definitely a must try. Very unfriendly staff though. I hope this changes soon.

We just love the Palmerston. So cool and laid back and the food always hits the spot. It’s also great they allow well behaved pooches.

Una experiencia gastronómica imprescindible en Edimburgo. Esta fue una de las mejores comidas que he tenido en mucho tiempo. El menú está rotando y habría ido aquí todos los días si mi horario lo hubiera permitido.

I admit that the bakery is really good but I’m afraid the staff attitude maybe not really. The first time there was a boy he is very nice and patient to explain to me everything, but today the second I was there, it’s not really. Btw, it might be better if the name of each bakery could be shown to customers.

I was very excited to sample the set lunch menu at the Palmerston. Unfortunately, it did NOT live to expectations. The first course was 1/2 of an egg with 1 tablespoon of shredded cabbage/celeriac with mayo very poor and the second course was tagliatelle pasta ragu. The ragu lack in flavour and depth, my Italian grandmother would have been devastated. So we paid £21 for 2 courses and it was very unsatisfying. I wish we have gone to a different restaurant in Edinburgh, a pub meal would have been much more enjoyable. Maybe the a La carte is good but because the set menu was so poor that it is very off putting 🤷🏻‍♀️.

What a lovely place. Food was 10/10, service was 10/10. Our server Grace was so helpful and made my girlfriends night (on her bday)

Such a good time having lunch at the Palmeston. Amazing flavors, the fantastic bread and butter to start the meal with were so appreciated!

Amazing bakery with a great selection presented out front on the counter so you know exactly what they have in stock before you get to the counter. Great coffee too. We went here a couple of times during our short stay in Edinburgh it was that good.