10 of the best restaurants in Edinburgh to try when they reopen from 15 July

Are you excited to visit any restaurants when they reopen? (Photo: Shutterstock)

While you might have perfected your culinary skills in the kitchen during lockdown, you may also be looking forward to having a meal prepared for you by a professional.

If that’s the case, you’ve probably been thinking about the restaurants you want to visit once they’re allowed to reopen on 15 July.

Here are some of the best eateries in Edinburgh to check out this month.

The opening dates of each restaurant may vary.

Alby’s

8 Portland Terrace, EH6 6JZ

Alby’s is known for their “big hot sandwiches” and has become a firm favourite amongst foodies in Edinburgh.

They celebrated their one year birthday in Edinburgh on Friday 26 June,

A quick glance at their beautifully curated Instagram page (@albys_leith) will give you a glimpse into offerings on their menu, including the vegan bahn mi, which includes peking jackfruit, hoisin sauce, pickled carrot, cucumber, spring onion, sesame paste, coriander, beansprouts, rocket and other crunchy bits.

There’s lots on offer for non-vegan foodies as well, such as the Korean fried chicken sandwich, stuffed with Korean fried chicken, kimchi, sesame and lime mayo, spring onion and iceberg lettuce.

The menu is ever changing, and you’re always guaranteed to find something you’ll like.

Harajuku Kitchen

10 Gillespie Place, EH10 4HS

Offering traditional and authentic Japanese food in the centre of Edinburgh, many of the restaurant’s recipes have been passed down through three generations of chef patron, Kaori Simpson’s, family.

Simpson was born in Hong Kong and learned to cook in her mother’s restaurants after her great grandfather established one of the most famous fine dining restaurants in Japan.

She moved to the UK to continue her training, even working at Edinburgh’s Michelin-starred The Kitchin.

Opening in 2009, Harajuku Kitchen has bagged awards for its washoku and sushi. The menu also offers bento boxes, katsu curry and delicious gyoza.

Noto

47a Thistle Street, EH2 1DY

Noto is an independent restaurant in Edinburgh which describes itself as a “New York inspired restaurant with a love for Asian cuisine”.

The name comes from chef and owner, Stuart’s, time living and working in New York City with his ecelentic friend and roommate, Bob Noto.

Menu items include beef tartare, yuzu kosho, egg yolk and grilled sourdough, fried buttermilk chicken katsu sandwich, a Shanghai-style pork bao, and fried apple pie with tatin ice cream.

Mono

85 South Bridge, EH1 1HN

Mono offers up modern fine dining in a relaxed atmosphere, serving up traditional Italian recipes that have been reimagined in a contemporary style, using only the finest ingredients from Scotland and Italy.

The kitchen is run by a team of young and passionate chefs, as well as Italian foodie Joseph Crolla and his front-of-house team.

Tasting menus are available and these can be paired with wine and priced per person. Each menu is subject to change according to the availability of fresh produce.

As well as a regular tasting menu, there is also a vegetarian tasting menu, which includes dishes like ravioli, risotto and a nutella dessert.

Condita

15 Salisbury Place, Newington, EH9 1SL

Condita describes itself as an “intimate dining experience” which moves with the seasons - from the food to the decor. The restaurant is small, with just six large wooden tables and Mackintosh-inspired chairs.

Owned by fine dining consultant Mark Slaney, the kitchen is run by head chef Conor Toomey, who was previously with the Michelin-starred Isle of Eriska Hotel, and this year Condita was awarded a Michelin star.

You’ll be treated to a surprise, no-choice tasting menu which boasts eight courses, with much of the produce coming from a 19th century walled garden situated in the Scottish Borders.

The High Dive

81/85 St Leonard’s Street, EH8 9QY

From the team behind Edinburgh’s Civerinos and Civerinos Slice comes The High Dive.

“Think Twin Peaks meets Hip Hop, Techno, Civerinos Pizza and blue wicked and negroni slushies”, says the restaurant.

On the menu are all kinds of pizza to soothe the soul, as well as various sides such as fries and mac n cheese bites, and desserts like hot zeppole doughnuts.

Pizzas of note include:

- The number 11: a classic, buffalo mozzarella, Civerinos San Marzano Tomato sugo and basil

- The number four: sugo, grated mozzarella, cheddar, haggis (vegetarian option available), chilli flakes, crispy shallots and cracked black pepper

- The number 100: sugo, artichoke, sun dried tomatoes, marinated mushrooms and fresh basil to garnish

The Lookout by Gardener’s Cottage

Calton Hill, EH7 5AA

Situated on top of the famous Calton Hill in Edinburgh, The Lookout offers incredible views of the city, as well as an amazing dining experience.

The menu highlights the best seasonal ingredients, with a focus on simple dishes that showcase quality ingredients and cooking.

Items on the menu include egg yolk, spinach and potato ravioli, dressed crab and a gooseberry meringue pie with sweet cicely ice cream for dessert.

Fhior

36 Broughton Street, EH1 3SB

The name Fhior is an adaptation from the Gaelic word for “true” - a theme that owners Scott and Laura Smith want to impart on every aspect of the restaurant.

Fhior shines a light on seasonal, Scottish ingredients and because of this, the menus are ever-changing and evolving with whatever is in season and at its best.

In 2020, Scott and Laura went into partnership with Secret Herb Garden to exclusively cultivate all the fruit and vegetables used in Fhior.

The restaurant therefore offers rare varieties of fruit and vegetables, such as Shetland kale and black potatoes, Musselburgh leeks and Bloody Ploughmans apples.

The Little Chartroom

30 Albert Place, EH7 5HN

A neighbourhood bistro with a nautical theme, The Little Chartroom opened in the summer of 2018, and is owned by head chef Roberta Hall - formerly of The Kitchin and Castle Terrace restaurant - and her partner, Shaun McCarron.

It quickly made its debut into The Estrella Damm National Restaurant Awards top 100 list, and the Michelin guide 2019. Roberta also won the Young British Foodie chef award in 2018, and was crowned best newcomer at the Edinburgh Restaurant Awards..

Offering a menu of high quality, seasonal dishes made using locally sourced ingredients, mains include things like cured monkfish, cucumber and apple vinegar with yoghurt and sesame, while desserts are equally tempting, with the likes of Biggar blue & Eccles cakes and rhubarb and custard trifles up for grabs.

Six by Nico

97 Hanover Street, EH2 1DJ

Arriving in Edinburgh in April 2018, Six by Nico offers up a six-course tasting menu that changes its theme every six weeks. Each menu is based on a different place or a memory - some of the previous themes include a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, New York and Guilty Pleasures.

Alongside the tasting menu is also a vegetarian tasting menu as well, so non-meat eaters can get in on the fun as well.

The newest menu that Six by Nico will be offering up post-lockdown is Chippe 2.0, which will run from Friday 17 July to Sunday 6 September.

“Are you ready to be transported back to that very first bite of chips and cheese?

“That very first moment you tried the Deep Fried Mars Bar and never wanted it to end?” Six by Nico asks.