Edinburgh’s dining scene is vibrant and cosmopolitan. You’ll find stellar French restaurants in and around the city, offering high-end food and top-notch service inspired by continental dining culture. From relaxed, intimate bistros that feel hot off the Paris streets to luxurious fine-dining gems, the best French restaurants in Edinburgh feel almost like travelling abroad.
An awarded bistro near the Royal Mile entices diners with rich, southern French cuisine and a premium wine list to match. A cosy destination specialising in classic seafood dishes like moules marinière and pan-seared scallops will transport you to the French coast. Hearty Chateaubriand steaks supplied by the official Aberdeenshire butcher to the royal family are a must-try, while traditional beef bourguignon steeps succulent beef in an intense red wine sauce. Treat yourself to a decadent champagne breakfast, complete with fluffy brioche and buttery hollandaise eggs, or try French afternoon tea with prosecco and crème de cassis cocktails.
Read on for the 5 best French restaurants in Edinburgh to book right now on OpenTable.
The 5 best French restaurants in Edinburgh to visit ASAP – read on for a guide
For fresh seafood dishes at one of Edinburgh’s best French restaurants – don’t miss Le Bistrot in Edinburgh
Known for its sumptuous seafood dishes, Le Bistrot in Edinburgh captures the cosy, casual mood of a traditional French bistro. It’s known for being one of the best French restaurants in Edinburgh for moules marinière – mussels cooked in a cream and white wine sauce. Seafood starters, like the smoked salmon and crème fraiche ballotine or the pan-fried scallops in lobster thermidor, are also menu highlights. If you want to sink your teeth into a hearty meat main, Le Bistrot also serves a 600g T-bone steak with a choice of sauces. A flaky millefeuille pastry with cream and fresh berries is a deliciously light way to wrap up your meal. Le Bistrot also has a classic cocktail menu, with Parisian favourites like a kir royale – prosecco and crème de cassis – or an Aperol spritz. The restaurant has a relaxed, café feel that’s perfect for a quick bite or a lively celebration.
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For traditional French dishes made with local, organic produce – visit Café St Honoré in New Town
Café St Honoré in New Town bases its menu around seasonal produce and is one of Edinburgh’s best French restaurants for fresh, organic food. The menu du jour changes every day and features a range of classic French dishes with a nod to Scottish influences. In 2017, Café St Honoré was awarded the Boom Award for outstanding use of organic produce. Meanwhile, the restaurant also landed the Best Eatery Experience at the 2022/2023 Scottish Thistle Awards and was a finalist in the Scotland Food and Drink Excellence Awards 2023. Examples of popular dishes include local pheasant served with creamy mashed potato and freshly caught cod with a potato and leek chowder. Slow-cooked pork belly showcases classic French cooking techniques, while the lentil accompaniment adds a Scottish touch. Café St Honoré also has a wine list of premium French vintages and the homey vibe of a well-known local gem.
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For rustic Languedoc cuisine – book at La Garrigue in Old Town
La Garrigue in Edinburgh Old Town has exceptional views and specialises in hearty, southern French cuisine. Located near Princess Street and the Royal Mile, La Garrigue’s glass front overlooks the historic Calton Hill. The restaurant has been awarded two AA rosettes for culinary excellence and for its outstanding wine selection. Inspired by France’s Languedoc region, popular menu items include the confit duck cassoulet with Toulouse sausage and lingot beans and the pheasant with creamed mushrooms and spinach. You can also enjoy a plant-based cassoulet made with vegan sausage. The restaurant prides itself on using fresh, seasonal ingredients and regularly updates the menu du jour around this, while premium wines from the Languedoc region add to the memorable French experience. La Garrigue has an old-world elegance, making it one of the best French restaurants in Edinburgh for a special occasion or a business meal.
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For premium Scottish steak at one of Edinburgh’s best French restaurants – try Hotel du Vin and Bistro Edinburgh in Old Town
Hotel du Vin and Bistro Edinburgh in the Old Town has a relaxed yet sophisticated ambience that makes it great for a romantic meal out. The a la carte menu focuses on classic French cooking and the restaurant also offers a graduation menu for end-of-term celebrations. Diners can enjoy a grass-fed 500g Chateaubriand steak sourced from the royal family’s personal supplier or go veggie with a wild mushroom risotto. Moules marinière or sea trout are wonderful options for seafood fans. Artisan cheese and port pairings are the perfect way to finish off your meal in true French fashion. You can also enjoy a luxurious afternoon tea with a French fizz champagne cocktail after a day of shopping on the Mile. Rustic decor and plenty of natural light give diners a taste of rural French dining.
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For a classic Parisian café feel at one of the best French restaurants in Edinburgh – try Côte Brasserie in Edinburgh
Emulating a stylish Parisian brasserie, Côte Brasserie in Edinburgh is one of the best French restaurants in Edinburgh to try classic, continental cuisine. Located right in the heart of Edinburgh’s cultural city centre, Côte is the perfect place for a sophisticated lunch or an elegant brunch before some sightseeing. Côte Brasserie’s menu features classic French dishes, including steak tartare with peppery Dijon mustard and succulent confit duck served with creamy dauphinois potatoes. The beef Bourguignon is slow-cooked for six hours in rich, red wine gravy to give the meat a melt-in-the-mouth quality. As well as lunch and dinner, Côte Brasserie also offers a luxurious champagne breakfast. Start the day with some brioche French toast or enjoy a brunch of fluffy eggs benedict and a spicy bloody mary. The relaxed vibe and chic decor are perfect for a lunch date or a catch-up with friends.
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Edinburgh has plenty to offer diners who want to sample traditional French cuisine. Whether you love a classic steak frites or fancy a sumptuous duck confit, these are some of the best French restaurants that Edinburgh has to offer. From classy champagne breakfasts to leisurely afternoon teas, a visit to these French Edinburgh eateries is bound to make you feel like a true Parisian out on the town.
