The best restaurants serving Scottish food in Edinburgh and Lothian

My wife and I were in East Lothian for a family event. I found a hotel in Gullane on Tripadvisor. I asked my family for a restaurant recommendation. They did not reply in time. I looked on Tripadvisor and was intrigued by La Potiniere's intimate approach. I was also intrigued by its reviews and thought they were too good to be true, but thought if even if 50% of the reviews were genuine it must be pretty good. I booked and fortunately the night we were there La Potiniere was open and they had a table available for my wife and I. Well, the reviews were right and some! My wife and I have lived and worked around the world, and have been very fortunate to dine in some of the world's top restaurants for business and pleasure. We debated and concluded La Potiniere gets into our Top 10. The food was superb, but so was the intimate, personal, quiet, refined, professional environment and service. It was not pretentious, formal, stuffy nor up its own @r5e unlike many of the top restaurants. It was also excellent value for its quality. We also had the wine pairing to complete the experience. We only saw the Keith part of the Keith and Mary equation, as Mary was creating her magic in the kitchen, however, Keith had just a perfect approach to us as diners service-wise. He was passionate about his restaurant, its food etc and took the time to answer all our questions about how things were prepared, the ingredients used etc. We shall return! Thank you La Potiniere for a truly wonderful evening of food, wine and service.

Haggis traditionnel avec la sauce à la moutarde et whiskey ! 😍 Une belle façon de découvrir le haggis! C’était délicieux!

Ordered online via Scoffable for my daughter and I. I ordered the Chicken Cheese Bacon & Hash Brown Burger. Omg this was amazing! The burger was sooo tasty and the chips were fab too! The estimated time was 1hr, but came in 20mins. I was caught short and forgot to tip my driver - apologies! Its a shame your own order website appears down and having to use Scoffable instead. Great local cafe. Thanks again.

Sigue siendo nuestro lugar favorito para el almuerzo y la cena. Excelente relación calidad-precio para deliciosa comida, vinos preciosos y un bar bien surtido, sin olvidar el excelente servicio. Quién podría pedir más.

TOTAL RIP OFF! The price of a morning roll at this place is £3.20 and that's just the roll mind, no filling included!. With one filling (in my case some dried out lorne sausage) it costs £6. Lived in Edinburgh all my life and never experienced this level of cheeky price for a Scottish staple which you can get for <£1 in any corner shop. Cafes nearby don't charge like that. Standard practice is ~£3ish for a roll + 1 filling (e.g. bacon/lorne sausage), then additional fillings are charged at extra. This place is beyond cheeky - not worth wasting your money on! The menu reads like it is £3.20 for a morning roll and filling but oh no, only when you get to the counter to pay you find out it's £6... sneaky and cheeky!

Tasty food, quick, friendly service. Number1 vegan place in Edinburgh 😁

Great place for a pitstop on a busy day of sightseeing. Can recommend the gin and whiskey flights. I had a Sweet Tooth gin flight which was just over £20, beautifully presented with 3 fruity gins, paired tonics and gorgeous garnishes. A really lovely treat, can totally recommend

We had a great meal here. The service was very good. Thank you joe!

The decor is paired back with both the interior and exterior sporting a hunter green, setting a cosy and welcoming atmosphere. As soon as you walk in, you’re greeted with the cocktail bar at the front, perfect for a quick drink or a relaxed chat. Down a few steps towards the rear, you’ll find a dining area with some comfortable booths that are ideal for more intimate meals. You can however, eat anywhere in the bar. Service is laid back, friendly and very relaxed serving up casual vibes that make you feel like you have been coming here for years and this really is your ‘local’. Their cocktail menu is a true homage to Peruvian flavours, showcasing ingredients like Pisco, purple corn juice (Chicha Morada), Olmeca tequila, and the iconic Inca Kola. We couldn't resist trying the 'Pisco Pop' (£8.90)—a delightful blend featuring Peru's beloved soft drink, Inca Kola. It’s incredibly easy to drink and has quickly become a crowd favourite! Some bar snacks to nibble on included these gorgeous big juicy green Olives (£3) and some toasted corn known as Maiz Chulpe! (very addictive). Their menu is thoughtfully curated, presenting a well-balanced selection of small plates, large plates, and desserts. Each section offers a delightful array of flavours to suit every palate. The small plates menu features enticing dishes like Crispy Monkfish cheeks (£8) and Salt-baked parsnip with pear, Strathdon blue, and hazelnuts (£6). We decided to try the Coronation Fried Cauliflower (£5)—a generous serving of crispy cauliflower infused with a hint of spices and topped with a creamy, flavourful sauce. The large plates carry on this delightful trend, each dish thoughtfully prepared to showcase the best of hearty, simple ingredients. There are only three large plate dishes Hokkaido Squash (£13), Bacon Chop (£15) and The Bonnington Cheesesteak and chips (£15) We went for the Bacon Chop and the Cheesesteak. The Bacon Chop with cabbage and mash is a comforting culinary experience that wraps each bite in a warm, satisfying embrace. The bacon chop is irresistibly succulent, perfectly cooked to retain all its juicy goodness. The smoky cabbage adds a delicious depth, complementing the rich flavours of the dish. And then there's the mash—creamy and smooth, it just makes this entire meal extra! When it comes to indulgence, their cheesesteak sandwich sets the bar high. Imagine two substantial slices of perfectly toasted bread, generously filled with tender steak and melted cheese. It's the ultimate comfort food that promises to satisfy your cravings every single time. For Desserts we chose the Chocolate Fondant with creme fraiche (£7) and the Meyer Lemon crème brûlée and shortbread (£5) Their desserts are the perfect indulgence after a carb-heavy feast, perfectly sized to leave you satisfied yet craving more. Though petite, the flavours are anything but small—each dessert is a masterclass in culinary execution. When the beautifully crafted desserts arrived at our table, it was clear they were made with precision and passion. The sheer delight on my face as I cut into the chocolate fondant was rare; the rich, molten centre oozing out offered unparalleled foodie satisfaction. It was an entire experience in a single bite. Meanwhile, the crème brûlée was a little masterpiece of texture and taste. A gentle tap of the spoon broke through the perfectly caramelised top, revealing the creamiest, smoothest vanilla custard underneath. Each spoonful was a luxurious blend of crunchy and velvety, leaving me in a state of dessert bliss. The food and drink, much like the decor, embrace a minimalist yet sophisticated charm. There are no elaborate frills or quirky presentations here. Instead, it's all about celebrating the pure, unadulterated flavours. The Bonnington is quickly becoming a beloved neighbourhood favourite. Locals and visitors will be drawn to its unpretentious yet high-standard offerings, making it a go-to spot for anyone seeking a truly satisfying dining experience.

I had a delicious festive afternoon tea today with my mum using a voucher I had been given for my birthday. The staff were extremely attentive and nothing was too much trouble for them. The restaurant was lovely and cosy with gorgeous Christmas decorations. The food was fantastic - different from your usual afternoon tea with a lovely cup of soup to start followed by some festive savoury bites and delicious sweet treats. Would definitely recommend.

This restaurant is a real gem in the middle of Edinburgh. We actually got married here 2 years ago and went back for our anniversary. The staff were wonderful and the food was delicious and really good value. We will be back!

Reservado para una cena de Navidad y estaba tristemente decepcionado por la calidad de la comida. Los dos tuvimos la sopa que era muy agradable, pero la principal fue decepcionante, el pavo estaba seco y las verduras y patatas estaban mal cocidas. Nos gustaría haber dado una buena crítica para el personal, pero al salir un miembro del personal nos gritó preguntándonos si habíamos pagado la cuenta que yo y mi pareja nos sentimos mortificados como todos en el bar lo oyeron. Sí, habíamos pagado la factura, pero creo que el miembro del personal necesita capacitación en servicio al cliente. Soy gerente de bar y estaría reprendiendo a mi personal si hablaran con un cliente así. No volveremos.

That's right and everything was delicious

No muy bien, el personal inservible y no exactamente siguiendo la seguridad alimentaria. Presenció a un miembro del personal durante más de 10 minutos manejando tazas de café de papel y simultáneamente limpiando allí la nariz con la palma de su mano y luego limpiando su mano en sus jeans y de vuelta a sostener la taza no solo por el borde, sino también por el interior de la taza y luego usando la máquina molinillo de café. Extremadamente sombrío.