Edinburgh is the historic and cultural capital of Scotland and boasts a very proud and distinctly Scottish heritage that draws in millions of visitors each year. It’s popular with families across the globe, and its sleepy timeless character makes it a favourite for people visiting with their grandparents. While many may come for the beautiful Edinburgh Castle, the ancient winding streets, impressive museums, and world-famous Scottish whiskey, Edinburgh is also home to a vastly under-appreciated cuisine scene as well.
Treat your grandparents with a meal out in style, as we show you our top selection of the best restaurants and cafes that Edinburgh has to offer.
Voujon
Located on Newington Road, this award-winning restaurant is a relative newcomer to the Edinburgh restaurant scene but has nevertheless made its mark with its delicious selection of dishes that draw inspiration from the northern regions of India and Bangladesh. Voujon has taken careful care of everything, from the décor, to the ingredients, to the herbs and spices used in every dish.
If your grandparents have a taste for excellent Asian cuisine, then make sure that you schedule in at least one visit to Voujon.
Café St Honoré
Looking as though it has been airlifted and deposited on North West Thistle Street Lane from the streets of Paris, Café St Honoré used to specialise in French cuisine in the bistro style but that got side-lined a long time ago. Nowadays the Café offers a much more international focus on its food, using locally sourced Scottish produce to produce some truly excellent dishes.
Café St Honoré places just as much attention to its drinks as it does its food. While sampling their freshly sourced ingredients and dishes, help yourself to a glass of fine wine, refreshing spirits, or some traditional Scottish malt.
The Educated Flea
If your grandparents are looking for something a little more homely and welcoming, try taking them to The Educated Flea on Broughton Street. While it may look a little on the cosy side, the restaurant is big on flavour and offers a stunning variety of meals on its menu. The restaurant caters to all requirements too, so expect something even if you’re vegan, vegetarian, or coeliac. Coupled with excellent, friendly service, and the Educated Flea offers the perfect spot for a quick lunch or a light pre-theatre dinner.
Chizuru Tei
Give your grandparents a truly exotic experience with a meal at Chizuru Tei. Offering some the finest selections of Japanese cuisine in Scotland, the venue on Morrison Street is decked out a traditional style with lacquered wooden furniture, stylised paintings of cranes and mountains, and carefully sculpted bonsai trees. The atmosphere is minimalist and calming, contributing very much to the traditional Japanese aesthetic.
The food’s presentation is equally as eye-catching, with Chizaru Tei offering bento boxes, sushi platters, and steaming bowls of hot ramen throughout the day.
Ristorante Isola
For great Italian food in Edinburgh, Ristorante Isola is among the most popular venues. Take a walk down Newington Road to find it, and step inside to sample some of the best authentic Italian cuisine in Scotland. The restaurant’s culinary tradition derives from Sardinian dishes, giving a unique menu compared to Tuscan or Sicilian styles more typical to other Italian restaurants.
The restaurant opens all week from midday until late, so there’s plenty of opportunity to drop in either for a hearty lunch in between other sites, or a supper to wrap off a busy day in the capital.
The King’s Wark
If you’re looking for more of a pub experience for your grandparents rather than anything more international, the King’s Wark on the Shore is a 15th-century pub that also offers restaurant meals. The bar is fully stocked out with a wide selection of beers, whiskeys, ales, wines, and gins, as well as coffees and teas. Meanwhile the restaurant offers expertly cooked gastro-pub meals with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
The atmosphere is timeless, warm and welcoming in a true pub fashion, offering a welcome retreat from the city. Whether you’re just taking a quick break to enjoy a cold drink and a cheeseboard, or want to stop here for a full-on meal, the King’s Wark makes for a fantastic place to take your grandparents.
The Witchery
We’ll finish off this guide with something truly on the high end. Sometimes you don’t just want a meal out, you also want an experience in the genuine sense of the term. Something you’re probably never going to do again. For those occasions where you really want to give your grandparents an evening to remember, book a table at The Witchery.
It offers high-class, high-quality fine dining without any of the pompous pretentiousness that usually comes with it. The venue is a beautifully preserved 16th-century building on the Royal Mile, where the staff are just on the right side of stuffy and exceedingly helpful all the same.
The dishes are locally served and cooked to perfection – everyone in Edinburgh will recommend their steak tartare – and extensive wine list has no less than 800 suggestions. Upon walking through the doors, your grandparents will be knocked off their feet. This is especially the place to bring them for celebrating truly special moments, such as wedding anniversaries or birthdays.
Are you looking for a carer in Edinburgh? At SuperCarers, we can help you find the right home care for you by matching you with experienced local carers. Call us on 020 8629 1030 and we’ll search for the best carers in Edinburgh to meet your care needs.
You may also be interested in our blog about accessible attractions in Edinburgh.
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