eating out in edinburgh

You can't go far wrong when it comes to eating in Edinburgh these days - and you can eat well on almost any budget.  As well as dozens of restaurants serving traditional Scottish cuisine, there are excellent Italian, French and Indian restaurants. The best are concentrated in old town (particularly the narrow lanes leading off the Royal Mile), though the New Town (near to Princes St), Southside and Leith have their fair share of spots.

Some real highlights:

The Witchery

Castlehill, Royal Mile Tel: +44 (0)131-225-5613

At the very top of the Royal Mile, actually by the gates of the castle itself, this superb restaurant occupies a 16th-century building. The dining room is a model of oak panelled opulence, with period hangings that rival the finery of Holyrood Palace itself, while the "Secret Garden" is an award winning period style conversion of an old courtyard, and a beautiful place for lunch. The food is traditional Scottish, including fresh salmon and trout and locally reared beef. The two course lunch-time special puts this elegance within everyone's reach.

Martin's

70 Rose St, North Lane  Tel: +44 (0)131-225-3106

A luxury restaurant just behind Princes Street with a small, but imaginative menu featuring game and seafood from Scotland's Coast.

Jacksons

209 High St  Tel: +44 (0)131-225-1793

A popular restaurant in an old close just off the Royal Mile. Jacksons specialises in Scottish classics - think Aberdeen Angus beef, salmon and haggis.

French Corner Bistro

17 Queensferry Street  Tel: +44 (0)131-226-1890

If you can imagine French/Scottish fusion cuisine, then that's probably how the French Corner Bistro would be classed. An innovative menu offers delights such as haggis with raspberry coulis or grilled princess scallops with sesame leaves. The wooden floors and tables create a warm ambience and the two-course lunch menu at GBP6.90 offers great value for money. Vegetarian options also available.

David Banns  

58 St Mary's St  Tel: +44 (0)131-556-5888

Stylish restaurant serving a variety of delicious veggie takes on dishes from all round the world. The menu changes regularly, so there's usually something new on offer.

Mussel Inn

61-65 Rose St  Tel: +44 (0)131-225-5979

In the middle of Rose Street's bars, this restaurant serves the best of Scottish fish. As you'd expect by its name the highlight is the huge buckets of steamed mussels. Good, reasonably priced eating, in the heart of the city.

The Vintner's Rooms

87 Giles St, Leith  Tel: +44 (0)131-554-6767

A luxurious eatery but on the pricey side. The high tariff is rewarded with excellent cuisine, with seafood a speciality.

Café Royal Oyster Bar

 17a West Register St  Tel: +44 (0)131-556-4124

Busy, atmospheric restaurant featured in the film "Chariots of Fire". Oysters, of course, plus salmon, turbot, cod, scallops - anything that swims. Tends to be a bit on the expensive side.

Creelers

3 Hunter Sq  Tel: +44 (0)131-220-4447

Super contemporary restaurant serving fresh seafood creatively prepared. The front section next to the bar is just as good but cheaper than the main restaurant.

Skippers Bistro  

1a Dock Pl, Leith  Tel: +44 (0)131-554-1018

Down in Leith, Skippers has survived the burgeoning trendiness of the area relatively unscathed, and still serves up fantastic fish and fruits de mer to a loyal clientele. It's not cheap but is possibly the best seafood place in the city, from a strong bunch of contenders.

The Patio  

87 Hanover St  Tel: +44 (0)131-226-3653

Popular Italian restaurant. Lots of fresh, homemade pasta, pizza, seafood and poultry. Cheaply priced with lunchtime specials an absolute bargain.

Ayutthaya Restaurant  

14b Nicolson St  Tel: +44 (0)131-556-9351

Directly opposite the Festival Theatre, Ayutthaya attracts the pre and post-show crowd with its tasty and reasonably priced Thai food. A good place for some imaginative vegetarian cuisine, a cut above the standard vege-burger.