The Scottish capital is one of those cities that oozes charm no matter where you look. Located between rolling hills and the sea, Edinburgh not only gets hearts racing with its stunning castle overlooking the city and tiny cobbled lanes leading through the Old Town, but also with its array of culinary delights. If you’re in the mood for romance, we’ve rounded up five restaurants that are perfect for date night.
Monteiths is an intimate boutique restaurant, nestled in a fairy-lit close in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town. The décor of Monteiths is chic, yet cosy at the same time. Sit back in comfy sofas and chairs decked out in tartan whilst sipping on one of their expertly made cocktails. The restaurant offers a carefully curated drinks menu and next to its fantastic cocktails, you’ll find a selection of rare vintage wines sourced from across the globe as well as excellent craft beers. The menu changes with the seasons but always features superb steaks and seafood. Fresh oysters, when available, are a must try – especially on date night.
Seasons describes itself as a modern Nordic restaurant and its Swedish chef cooks up a storm with locally sourced ingredients from Scotland, as well as Scandinavia. For owner Matthew Urry, wine and food are a match made in heaven and as a result, Seasons offers an impressive range of cocktails, beers and wine. The restaurant’s sommelier James Paulin is happy to help you find the perfect pairing. After dinner, you can transfer straight from your table to the bar – perfect for a date night that just never ends…
Tigerlily is all about cocktails and partying the night away in the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town. Conveniently located within the Tigerlily boutique hotel, it also comes with its own club for after-dinner dancing. The restaurant itself specialises in Scottish and continental cuisines and for couples, there are plenty of great dishes to choose from, including sharing platters that will get you and your date just close enough. We also recommend you check out their special After Dinner cocktail trolley: it comes with private service from one of their mixologists for the evening – a great way to impress your date!
Café St Honoré brings French flair to the heart of Edinburgh. The charming bistro specialises in fresh, organic Scottish produce with a French twist and its décor transports you straight into 1920s Paris with plenty of subtle candlelight to set the scene for gazing into your date’s eyes. Owner and chef Neil Forbes makes a point of using fairly traded and locally sourced ingredients produced to the highest ethical standards, so you and your date can tuck into culinary delights with a clear conscience, too. Save room for dessert – we highly recommend the vanilla crème brulée to share.
If you are looking to impress someone special, pay Angels with Bagpipes a visit. The restaurant is located on Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile and its atmospheric Old Town setting is the perfect backdrop for a date night to remember. Angels with Bagpipes showcases modern Scottish cooking at its innovative best, using local produce. From Scottish beef, lamb and game to fantastic seafood, you are bound to find a dish that makes your heart sing. Tip: Ask for a table near the window to benefit from that historic view down Edinburgh’s Royal Mile.
Visit OpenTable to discover even more restaurants in Edinburgh.
This is a guest post from freelance journalist Beatrice Clark. She has written for Vogue, Glamour and Vanity Fair, among others, and has spent the past 15 years living in France, England and Scotland. She is currently based in Berlin and is always on the hunt for the perfect Eggs Benedict.
