French Restaurants in Leith
1. Rhubarb, Prestonfield Hotel
Scottish restaurant in Edinburgh
Priestfield Rd - EH16
The “extravagant surroundings” of a lavishly decorated country house in 20 acres near Arthur’s Seat help set a spectacular scene at James Thomson’s luxury hotel (he also owns the famous Witchery). Fans say it’s “possibly the nicest upmarket place for dinner in Edinburgh – in particular for special occasions”. The cooking – from a wide range of menus including à la carte – is affordably priced given all the grandeur, and there’s an “exceptional wine list to go with it”.
2. Restaurant Martin Wishart
French restaurant in Edinburgh
54 The Shore - EH6
There’s nothing fancy, pretentious or self-aggrandising about Martin Wishart’s long- established HQ at the foot of a converted warehouse, which has been a feature of the area around the Leith waterfront for over a quarter of a century now. With rivals opening left, right and centre nowadays – often featuring tedious multicourse epic menus – it perhaps doesn’t feature in the headlines as much as it once did, but there’s no good reason for this other than the fickleness of media fashions. “Service is superb without being stuffy” and is “married with top-quality food” – thoughtful, accomplished cuisine that avoids pyrotechnics yet displays excellent technique and delivers “exceptional” flavours. The ‘Market Menu’ is a three-course à la carte for £125 per person, or there’s a (slightly) longer tasting menu for £145 per person. “A delight”… “sublime”.
3. The Walnut
British, Modern restaurant in Edinburgh
9 Croall Place - EH7
2021 Review: This “real gem” on the road to Leith – “family-run with flair and passion” – “uses unusual cuts of locally sourced meats and seasonal produce to keep the cost of lunch to £10”. It’s “intimate and cosy, but on a hot summer’s day, sitting outside sipping wine and eating the amazing fresh food the kitchen sends out is a real treat”.
4. L’Escargot Bleu
French restaurant in Edinburgh
56 Broughton St - EH1
2023 Review: “Like a Gallic hug”, chef-patron Fred Berkmiller’s “properly sourced old-school French cuisine” comes packaged with “Gallic good humour, impeccable service and quirky decoration in this wonderfully authentic restaurant”, “now with new wine bar underneath”. Sadly, its nearby sibling L’Escargot Blanc closed down last year after 18 years.
5. New Chapter
Scottish restaurant in Edinburgh
18 Eyre Pl. - EH3
“The food is of the highest standard” at chef Maciej Szymik’s modern European spot, tucked away in the New Town – “we were lucky to stumble on it”. There’s “only a handful of tables in each room, which gives the feel of quasi-private dining”. “My only real criticism is the portion sizes are too large – it just wasn’t possible to leave room for dessert”.
6. Café St-Honoré
French restaurant in Edinburgh
34 NW Thistle Street Ln - EH2
“Old-fashioned French-style” hospitality is “very well done” at this white-linen Gallic fixture down a cobbled New Town alleyway, which has for decades been the epitome of a side-street bistro. “I arrived on my own without a booking and was made very welcome”, with “lovely food and service and a warm atmosphere”.
7. La P’tite Folie
French restaurant in Edinburgh
61 Frederick St - EH2
Virginie Brouard’s smart outfit in a mock-Tudor building in the West End has established itself as one of Edinburgh’s most reliable Gallic restaurants as it noses into its third decade, with “reasonable prices” part of the draw, whether you opt for the à la carte menu or the two-course set lunch for £29. If you’re in the mood for a pre-dinner drink, her adjoining wine bar ‘Le Di-Vin’ occupies a dramatic former church (and has formerly featured as one of the best of its kind in the land in a Sunday Times national survey).
8. La Garrigue
French restaurant in Edinburgh
31 Jeffrey St - EH1
Jean-Michel Gauffre is the mastermind behind this “pleasing, modest French establishment”, in the Old Town; a firm fixture since its launch in 2001, it turns out hearty Gallic cooking with a particular focus on the Languedoc, alongside an excellent value lunchtime ‘Menu du Jour’.
9. Café Marlayne
French restaurant in Edinburgh
1 Thistle Street - EH2
Marcelline Levicky’s “friendly” New Town staple is a “small but buzzing French-style bistro” that has been of note for its “good value” cooking for aeons and remains distinctly amicale to the wallet (the set lunch is £18.90 and dinner a far from extortionate £32.50).
10. The Rabbit Hole
British, Modern restaurant in Edinburgh
11 Roseneath Street - EH9
2022 Review: “Good all round” – this popular and well-priced Marchmont venue keeps a local crowd happy with the French-accented dishes sent out by its owner-chefs, a Sicilian/Canadian couple who live nearby. A proper two-course lunch costs under £20, which adds to the appeal.
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