The Spence in Edinburgh, City of

Absolutely Stunning. Could not fault The Spence. We came to celebrate our engagement and it couldn’t of been more special. The staff were incredible, attentive and a prime example of hospitality excellence. Extensive wine list paired with a seasonal menu and the atmosphere speaks for itself. Would highly recommend again and again!

We actually wanted to come for tea time but were only told in the restaurant that tea time is only available Monday to Friday. So we had to order from the normal menu. Unfortunately, we found all the dishes completely overpriced. The eclair was dry and tasted like it had been defrosted. The £30 chicken came without a side dish and was very small. The cheese platter was unfortunately the worst I've ever had in my life. The cocktails were just too sweet and created without any love. Only the chai tea was really delicious. The atmosphere is of course beautiful but unfortunately the food doesn't match it. What a shame.

To celebrate my wife's birthday, we paid an unexpected visit to Edinburgh. I came across this restaurant in the Michelin book. It goes without saying that the cuisine was top-notch; otherwise, they would not have made the cut. What really made the supper special, though, was the welcoming staff and the top-notch service. Everything about the evening was perfect: the ambiance, the attention to detail, the food presentation, and my wife's expression of contentment afterward. It means the world to me.

it’s a massive shame I can’t give this place 6 stars - I would if i could!!! Amazing building- beautiful. Helpful and courteous staff. Large range on the menu with attention to every detail. Amazing service. Highly recommend, especially after a rainy cold day in Edinburgh!! Easy to reach as well- opposite St Andrew’s Square Tram Stop.

Spence has an elegant and exquisite ambiance, which would be perfect for a special occasion or when you want to treat yourself to something more than just a night out. I really liked the cocktails. The food was good but not excellent; the sauce didn’t quite work with the fish. I also expected just a tiny bit more from service in such a restaurant.

Nice restaurant for business dinner as well as afternoon tea.

A real gem in the centre of Edinburgh. Attended for joint birthday celebrations and it did not disappoint. Wonderful food that tasted delicious. Excellent service and the special touch of a complimentary dessert for my birthday. Definitely worth a visit, you won't be disappointed!

Such a great place for breakfast. The Shakshouka was delicious. Also, I have tried the brioche with truffle, it was really tasty. Definitely I will come again.

Lovely visit, great food, great staff and special thanks to Helen, who made a wee treat for our son. Very thoughtful👍

Fab cocktails and amazing building. Will come back for a meal some time!

Went for my mother's birthday and it was good but not spectacular! With the gleneagles name above the door we were hoping for a bit more for the price food is good but a tad too much! Can eat in other places in rhe city for a bit less and a bit of a better crafted meal! £150 on food shouldn't be anywhere near a disspointment! Won't be returning once is a enough 👌

One of the most beautiful experiences i have ever had , the shakshuka more than greet, and we want to thanks “sunny “she was so kind and helpful

Excellent food and service in a beautiful room. Ideal for that special occasion.

I went to The Spence with two friends for drinks. The interior is truly beautiful and deserves five stars, the cocktails were a solid four stars. Unfortunately the experience was stained by an oddly rude service. On arrival we were only offered seats at the bar despite multiple vacant tables, unlike other guests we did not receive any tap water and one of my friends did not receive a menu either. The most astonishing interaction however was the payment proceedings. I asked to pay the whole check and a little tip (in addition to an already included 12.5% service charge). The waiter seemed rather annoyed by this and asked me whether I meant that I would like to pay this amount for my drink alone, suggesting a tip of more than 33£ (more than double the price of the cocktail I had). When I declined this and repeated that I would like to cover the whole check please, he too repeated his question. We then asked to split the bill, since apparently I could not pay for all of us with the „small“ tip I suggested. He then autonomously added a 2£-tip to all of our bills. I was so astonished by this behavior that I pointed it out to one of his colleagues at the reception when we left. She did not try to solve the situation but only told me that her colleague usually was very polite. I will not visit The Spence again and wouldn’t recommend it either. Edinburgh has so many other places with incredibly lovely service that one could rather go to.

Beautiful bar and restaurant. We're not currently members, but would seriously consider it. We got in there early but it filled up very quickly. Would definitely recommend a visit.

Amazing service and the best staff ever, super friendly and attentive

On a recent trip to Edinburgh, this was my favorite restaurant. Food was great, wine list amazing and staff very friendly. The room itself is gorgeous.

Good location. Great, kind & professional staff. The food was perfect, the cod fish was perfect and special.

Pricey, the cocktails are sensational. Well worth a trip. Takes American Express.

Magico... cena della vigilia di Natale in un posto davvero incantevole... tutto perfetto...cibo delizioso e personale estremamente gentile.

Ogni portata è stata apprezzata, ambiente interessante e accogliente, servizio all'altezza della situazione, conto appropriato.

We booked here yesterday for lunch (Boxing Day). It’s a nice place , but no nicer than the Dome , it’s just another former Bank converted to a Restaurant and Hotel. There is no atmosphere, perhaps a real person playing a piano would improve this. The food was ok’ish but unmemorable , no twists or personality stamped on it by the Chef. We were waited on by two people , the first one was male very jolly, helpful and with a bit of personality. The other was female , who diplomatically you could describe as “sullen”. Two of us ordered Beef Wellington , we discovered it was pre made and kept hot under one of those lights on a counter. We really should have got a freshly out of oven portion and asked if we wanted it rare, medium etc. What we got was pretty bland and overpriced! At Bill time we were not asked if everything was ok by “Ms Sullen”. We paid and pointed this out to theMaitre D , who just said well she should have asked ! We got the impression this is an establishment, primarily conceived to harvest money from well healed tourist who won’t be returning. We actually live in Edinburgh and return to Restaurants we enjoy. Given our experience we have no intention of returning or recommending to our friends.

Delicious smoked salmon crepes for breakfast in a very impressive dining room

amazing restaurant food and service, the Christmas decoration were spectacular

Amazing! Fabulous food and excellent service. Brilliant staff.

What a great restaurant, food and service were excellent!

What a lovely spot to spend lunchtime. Our daughter's graduation lunch, so a special occasion, and we were looked after so well. Best window seat looking out over the sumptuous bar and restaurant. Lovely food, readily adapted for our dietary requirements. All delicious! Great service from the time of walking through the front door to walking back out over two hours later. Thank you Team Gleneagles for making it such a memorable day.

High expectations were crushed by our experience at The Spence. The opulence of the old bank sets the stage for a fabulous experience, but be prepared to be disappointed. I had a party of ten, so it is not uncommon to be sat a little late. This did not bother us, but further issues compounded the negative experience. We were given the wrong menus. My crab had large chunks of shell in it. We waited forever for our entrees. They did not bring the sides we ordered for the table. It was a three hour meal. The venison was delicious, but portions were tiny. Our waiter was not attentive. It was truly embarrassing to bring my family here. I am flabbergasted that it received a star. It is also fairly expensive for the experience. My recommendation would be to go for an espresso martini and nothing else.

Great place for a relaxed breakfast treat. Good food, great service and a breathtaking surrounding.

Lunch with a friend was made special here, the settings and decor are magnificent. The young lady who served us was first class, attentive and professional. The food was beautifully presented and exceptional. Definitely would go again

Terribly disappointing, riding on the coat tails of the Gleneagles name. We came here for dinner. Akin to an upmarket Witherspoon's. Beautiful building and opulent inside, However, full of drunken riff raff, screaming children and a terrible ambience. Noisy and the background music was drum and bass on a loop for around 40 minutes. Food was overpriced and pretty average but served up suspiciously microwavably quick. On a positive note, the staff are very nice and the service prompt and polite.

Fabulous venue for catching up w friends, & luxuriating in opulent surroundings.

Ancienne banque transformée en restaurant chic. Très bonne carte, belle sélection de vin. Inutile d’arriver en avance si l’on a une réservation, vous serez assis à l’heure indiquée. Excellents plats, desserts etc… Chose étrange: le seau à vin d’une table à 3m était rangé juste derrière moi. J’aurais pu boire leur bouteille.

Un merveilleux restaurant à Édimbourg

Food (4.5/5) Good taste, good presentation, and good options. A bit pricy, but I suppose this is one of the places where you’re partly paying for the atmosphere. The dessert was also very nice (chocolate choux bun), but the portion is much smaller than what I’m accustomed to for desserts. Service (5/5) Very friendly and attentive staff—never took to long for them to come take my order, clear my plates, or get my bill. Atmosphere (5/5) The ambiance is the highlight of this restaurant. The interior is simply gorgeous—I love the tall and opulent ceiling, the carvings, the marble columns, and the lighting. Even the bathroom was so elegant. I also love their menu design and thought the pink embroidered napkin was a nice touch. Criticisms: I was seated in the lounge area off to the side, which itself was fine, but I found it almost too dark there. And my table was a bit dirty and had a bit of crumbs on it, which one really wouldn’t expect from an establishment of this class. And my bench was slightly too far from the table that was a bit too low, and I found myself in danger of slipping off my seat a few times when trying to lean in and eat.

Heerlijk ontbijten in een prachtige omgeving. Alles was perfect.

A little piece of THE one in Perth shire. Delectable, with exceptional service. We shall be back...

Very special place to dine. Staff were all exceptional from welcome when we arrived to when we left. The food was served without any delays and was very palatable and enjoy the meal. We visited on a Sunday so opted for the Sunday roast which was beautifully presented and so tasty. My partner is a vegetarian and there was plenty for her to chose from. Even when ordering drinks at the bar the barman requested how hot, in a scale of 1-10, I would like my virgin Mary. Beautiful venue

Delightful location for lunch. It's not cheap but you're paying for the ambience, service & food.

Visited for the monthly Sunday brunch club and the overall experience was very good. You're instantly captivated by the beauty of the building, which is a former bank. Priced at £85, we enjoyed mushroom arancini before we dug into the all-you-can-eat buffet surrounding the main bar. It consisted of a seafood bar, salads and a range of cheeses and charcuterie. The seafood, bar the hot and cold smoked salmon, was a bit of a disappointment but the salads and cheeses were excellent. The price also included a welcoming drink, served by the sommelier (mimosas for us). You choose a main course from the menu that involved pork, chicken, cod and a veggie option with a couple of sides. My cod was cooked perfectly and was generously portioned. The accompanying fries and roasted carrots were superb. Afterwards we visited the 'dessert room' which is really fun. We picked at a range of cakes/bakes, got a donut filled as we requested and old school sweets that you can also take home. The service is absolutely first class. Overall, it's an enjoyable experience worth doing as a treat.

Had breakfast at The Spence (inside The Gleneagles Townhouse) for the first time and why hadn’t we been here before?! The hotel is stunning from the minute you enter and The Spences interiors are beautiful. If you are an architecture/interiors fan, this alone is a good enough reason to visit, but lucky enough the food was excellent too. All food was bought up rapidly and served beautifully. All tasted delicious. The staff were friendly and attentive. After finishing our food, we sat for a while just to admire the surroundings further. I will definitely be returning here, both to stay and eat again and I cannot wait! 🤩

First time at The Spence. Business breakfast meeting. The room is super elegant. The staff are attentive and friendly. The food is top-class. We had a good exploration of the menu. Everyone was happy with the food. Downside it is a tad on the expensive side but a lovely place overall.

I have dined plenty of times, I have said it previously not a patch on Auchterarder. However today I was desole. Staff looked rather disinterested and somewhat less enthusiastic bordering depressed therefore no atmosphere. The food was good.

El lugar está padrísimo y la comida muy buena, ampliamente recomendado

I’ll caveat this review with the fact that we’re visiting from the US and might have different standards of service. However, for a relatively expensive meal, we were very disappointed in our experience. After taking our initial food and drink order, our server never checked in again. We had to flag down someone other than our server to order a second round of drinks. We had to inquire about the status of our meal after more than an hour had passed, only to be told “the kitchen was backed up” while simultaneously watching later-seated and larger parties receive their orders. We were never offered dessert despite what looked to be a spectacular dessert cart. The only thing we can fathom is that we somehow offended our server, which seems impossible given that we spoke so few words to him and rarely saw him. Regarding food, some of our meals were lovely (the truffle gnocchi!) but others were kind of bland (the chicken). Drinks were decent but pours were small. Overall, a subpar experience in a gorgeous setting.

I came to dine here during my solo trip. I was really looking forward to treating myself to a great meal. The decor and ambience is great and I really enjoyed observing each intricate detail. However the starter that I ordered had a stone in it. It caused me pain in my tooth and really ruined the entire experience. The manager was apologetic and didn't charge me for the dish but my entire experience was absolutely ruined. I had to fill up on ice water to numb the tooth pain and couldn't finish other dishes. My expectations were higher for the restaurant and they didn't keep up with it. For me it was like throwing $90 in the garbage and they should have refunded the entire amount. Atleast that's what I expect from a quality restaurant. Completely unacceptable!

网上找到这家，火车站不远的城市中心区域。餐厅环境非常好，坐着很舒适放松，优雅的上世纪风格。服务很好上菜很快。点了猪扒牛扒和各种烤蔬菜沙拉等，感觉味道中规中矩比较普通，唯一一道惊艳的是前菜虾，可惜忘了拍照。两个人不喝酒任意点才120多，性价比很高。

The breakfast here is incredible. The drinks were great, the food was flavorful, the staff is genuinely friendly, and the interior is stylish and elegant. The service was so on point that it makes me want to stay at the hotel. If you have space, try the almond brioche!

The Spence has an awesome atmosphere and friendly service. I would argue that the food isn’t quite as good as the price tag. It was tasty but there are many other spots in the city with better food for significantly less cost. Worth a stop if you’re not on a budget but otherwise check out some other places.

It is a magnificent place with delicious food and amicable staff

One of the nicest and best restaurant I had in my life ! I recommend to try this restaurant!

Indoors is stunning! Ordered the Tweed Valley Sirloin, Sleeping Beauty soft cocktail and the Rasberry & Vanilla Macaroon. The steak was fine for medium rare, but some parts did taste burnt on the top. The cocktail and dessert were so much better! Was too full after this. Service was top-notch!

Wonderful food and desserts. Here are my personal recommendations: 1. Crispy Pig (Snacks) 2. Pork Loin (Sunday Roast) 3. Gigha Halibut (Mains) 4. Raspberry & Vanilla Macaroon (Dessert) 5. Raspberry Chocolate Ganache (Dessert)

The food, service and atmosphere were excellent. The portions were tiny. After eating a main and side each we were both still so hungry. We are both thin to average size and don't require 5000 calories a day. We asked our server for suggestions for dinner after our STARTERS! Sheepishly he suggested a couple of places then came back with a couple of more. These fish dinners would not satisfy a child let alone an adult.

The Spence Weekend Brunch Club is booked up months in advance after an encounter with TikTok virality, so securing a table (during the Fringe, no less) took military precision. But my god, the planning paid off. You step into a glorious room topped with a giant dome, with ambience courtesy of a live jazz band. In the centre of the room the bar has been repurposed as an "all you can eat" buffet of seafood, salads, cheese and charcuterie. Make your selection of drinks and one main (accompanied by arancini and sides for the table), and make a start on the vast selection. Langoustines, smoked salmon, a cauliflower salad and cheeses accompanied by fresh honeycomb were all highlights. As were both our mains (pork loin and gnocchi). But really it's the dessert room, housed in their private dining room, that steals the show. Miniature cakes, brownies and tarts sit alongside a wealth of 'posh' pick and mix. But then there's the imposing chocolate fountain, and the 'choose your filling' doughnut station, to hit. "Make sure you take some more pick and mix for the road," our waitress offered as we paid the bill. I wasn't sure my stomach could take it, so I politely declined. But give it a few more months and I suspect I'll be starting another "secure a table" operation.

Overall we loved our experience and food, the wait staff were great and drinks were awesome! The only thing we didn’t like was the romesco sauce was not it, they need to redo that seriously especially for the price they charge. Highly recommend the pork chop, gnocchi, and sirloin!

Marvellous place, wonderful experience and a lovely and professional staff! We were there as a couple for a dinner and the food was delicious! Great selection of wine. I'd suggest you to try the Gigha Halibut, so tasty and well presented. As Edinburgh residents, we will surely be back, recommended!

Fine dining in elegant but relaxed surroundings. Beautifully cooked and presented food served by friendly and knowledgeable staff. Great wine list and very nice cocktails. Prices not for the faint hearted but a great place to celebrate a special occasion. I had a lovely piece of Halibut for my main which was cooked to perfection and shared a Baked Alaska for dessert which was finished very theatrically at the table. The Sommelier was very knowledgeable and offered good wine pairing advice.

Awsome food, like stepping back in time.

Ho avuto il piacere di cenare nel vostro ristorante. Appena entrata mi ha lasciata senza fiato per la maestosità degli arredi, seguiti da un'accoglienza impeccabile. Antipasti fantastici, carne ottima e dolci buonissimi e bellissimi. Grazie di tutto

We went in for lunch today. Staff were friendly and food was nice. Waited 5 mins to be taken to our seat despite the place not being busy, staff members walking past us and having a booking. Started to feel invisible at one point. Also waited 15 mins for a dessert menu after asking for one. Maybe they’re short staffed. Could have been a better experience.

It was my birthday dinner and I could not be happier . The food was just perfection and our server Anna was attentive, friendly and helpful. The chef made a dairy free dessert which arrived with a candle. It was just perfection

Lovely place, really good food, highly recommend.

The building was gorgeous, staff very attentive however food lacked any sort of seasoning. Which is really sad as I was excited to go here. Might have been a one off but ...

Was slightly underwhelmed by the food, felt that given the atmosphere was nothing short of spectacular. The service was exceptional yet the food was not matched. I went on a Sunday and took advantage of their Sunday roast which wasn’t cooked with any type of care or attention, I.E. beef wasn’t sliced thinly and the potatoes were cooked in vegetable oil giving them a sort of “average pub feel” Regardless, an excellent evening due to the specific company that I had there.

Enjoyed the food. Although many cocktails on the menu, barman had no idea how to make a vodka martini which had no taste. Manager deducted it from the bill, otherwise a very pleasant evening.

Le cadre est magnifique. Dès notre arrivée l’ambiance nous plonge dans un autre monde. Le service est chaleureux, professionnel et concerné par le bien être du client. La quantité des plats est raisonnable, ce qui permet d’en goûter plusieurs sans retenue. Tout est frais, de qualité et savoureux. Rien de gras, trop salé ou trop sucré. Un régal sans culpabilité. J’ai vécu un rêve éveillé grâce à vous, merci.

Great food and service in a grand old building. I had the gnocchi w morels. Paired it nicely with the Juice Asylum Il Terzo Grado. Excellent!

Great food in wonderful classical room and 5-star service. Burrata as a starter, lamb for main, and lemon tart for dessert were our highlights!

Beautiful building. Food could (and should) be better. Cocktails are not presented in nice way.

It's pretty much as good as it's hyped. The atmosphere and service are terrific. The food is quite good as well. Definitely recommend if you're looking for this type of place.

On the last weekend of the month they do the best brunch in Edinburgh. Cocktails on arrival, unlimited starters, seasonal main and an entire room dedicated to desserts.

People pay for the place which is amazing, food and service is quite below average.

Sloppy tortellini :( also the second plate had too much cheese

Really enjoyed my Sunday at the Spence. Despite being so hard to book and the fancy location, it was not very pretentious and staff were very friendly. The Sunday roast was spot on and the greens were immaculate, simple food but done well. Desserts were amazing too especially the chocolate rocher, felt like a party in my mouth! Would def come back more often!

Really pretty place with nice dishes, specially the Pinacolada desert! A must see in Edinburg!

I had one of the best dinner in town in here. First of all the service was more than amazing. Very fast and attentive. I ordered company bakery sourdough, asparagus and corn fed chicken. One word YUM! a must visit. I would recommend to book in advance to insure you don’t miss such experience.

Very well-preserved architecture inside and outside. Food and cocktails were great. Loved the idea of their cocktails inspired by the statues on the facade. Tried The Sailor and totally amazed by the glass rim of sea salt followed by the sweetness (with a hint of bitterness after) of the drinks chilled in one big block of ice... something different and inspiring for the evening.

Four went for a family brunch. First the positive, its an amazing location. The interior design is eclectic and interesting and I especially like the homage to female Scottish artists. The staff were attentive and friendly without being overbearing. But, sadly the standard of the food was a long way short of the price tag. The lobster and Prawn bun mainly consisted of crayfish atop a stale brioche bun. The accompanying fries were old. A scandal at £32. The roast sirloin was, ok. The quinoa salad was a poor imitation of an M&S lunch deal, again so overpriced £24. I genuinely get frustrated when an establishment relies on location location location in favour of decent quality. Please do better, much better.

Wow, this was our first time dining here and it was such a lovely experience. From the moment we walked in, the staff were so friendly and welcoming. The decor is absolutely beautiful and it has a great ambience. Our waitress was really great! Always had a smile on her face and was very professional. Nothing was a bother. I started with the burrata which was lovely. My husband got the spicy beef also very tasty. We got the chateaubriand for main and WOW it was absolutely delicious- cooked to perfection. We got the jalapeño hollandaise (definitely recommend) We finished with cheese and biscuits. Yum! They had a nice selection of wines and cocktails I am already looking to book again. A beautiful dining experience.

Precioso restaurante con buen servicio. Muy buena la comida , tan buena como exigua en cantidad. Creo que las raciones son casi ridiculas. Deberian de mejorar ese aspecto

We decided to pop in before a birthday lucn a quick espresso. Charlie was friendly and happy to help. The ambience is beautiful, and the features are in keeping with the old bank. We decided to have a treat champagne. Didn't get the young woman's name she was so sweet to..they came with the more stunning little chocolate cake..wishing my husband a happy birthday. How thoughtful and kind. Made our day. We will definitely be back to try the food, which looked good..Thank-you

This is by far the worst hotel resturant I have ever eaten in. Poor presentation, taste and quick in and out service.

Nice location in rhe center of Edimburgh, beautiful room but rather poor food. My roast potatoes were wet, the siloin pork not crispy, the scallops , inly 2 poor ones with a strange creamy crwam we didn’t take any desserts as they inatractive. The sevice was anyway friendly.

Nice location and good food. The wine was awarded in the menu as vintage 2020 but came as 2021. When I noticed this and I spoke to the waiter about it, he replied bossy to me that he had said that. Furthermore, the waiters only came to serve the courses. Once we were given wine by the waiter. In my opinion, a service charge of 12.5% is too high for this establishment.

Love at first sight! I keep coming back to the Spence as it always delivers a splendid experience with no pretentiousness.

We stopped in for a quiet drink. Had very tasty cocktails made by the friendly bartenders who were happy to chat while making our drinks. Great atmosphere if you want away from the hustle and bustle of regular city bars.

We spent a lovely afternoon in The Spence on our anniversary… it was stunning and relaxed fine dining 🥰 The staff could not be more attentive and helpful … while also surprising us with a tasty anniversary treat 🤩 Would highly recommend ✅

Visited based on good reviews, Very disappointed average food, over priced toast was burnt food was bland and under seasoned. The waiter didn’t check if everything was ok despite being over friendly to the table beside us, very poor service shame in such a lovely building.

The staff is amazing, so is the entire space. It’s 4 starts because the food is very average and very overpriced. I feel like it’s a great date spot where you don’t have to have a heavy dinner. 😎

Spent a wonderful 4 and a half hours at The Spence to celebrate daughter's birthday. We had a long, lazy brunch. Food was lovely, with a decent but not overly complicated selection to choose from and there was a comprehensive wine menu to select from. Something for every palette. The nicest part of the whole experience was that we had time to relax and enjoy the gorgeous setting, moving from the restaurant through to the bar, to enjoy coffees and more wine or cocktails. It was expensive, but we had anticipated that and considering we were afforded the space and peace for 4 hours in such a lovely setting, enjoying each others company and lovely hospitality from the staff, it was well worth it.

The girls on booking in are so dour and unwelcoming. It's not as if there's a huge queue, just us two waiting for one of them to look up, or even crack a smile .. food lovely, wine too. Please, make us feel welcome 🙏

Amazing see for yourselves. Great food and fantastic cocktails 🍸.

Brief visit with friends for morning coffee, very pleasant, stunning decor and ambience.

Last minute decision coming here and boy it was a good one! Loved it!!

Lovely spot at St Andrews Sq. The drinks and the bar snacks we had were fantastic. Great date spot

Stunning decor, way-finding and branding - such a tasteful redecoration of an already stunning building. Food was good but cocktails were to die for!

I love this place, and it’s really a lovely lounge for having afternoon tea. What’s more, the service is excellent and waiters are quite passionate.

One of the most beautiful restaurants I have visited. The food was excellent, the wine, too. We got oysters and scallops and the deer plate. Everything was so well cooked and the presentation was super. A must visit if you are in Edinburgh

A simply beautiful bar, in a luxe space, with a well considered, and balanced cocktail menu. All the staff we met during our visit were friendly, thoughtful, and dedicated.