Old Town Restaurants
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Merchants
Price: Expensive•Scottish•4.7(136)Merchants serves Scottish cuisine in one of the most bustling areas of Edinburgh. Braised shin of beef, haggis and seared seabass are some of the dishes on an ever-changing menu, and the restaurant is happy to try and cater for any specific dietary requirements. Situated at 17 Merchant Street, Merchants Restaurant is proud to use fresh, locally sourced produce in its dishes. Historic Edinburgh Castle is a nine-minute journey on foot and Greyfriars Kirkyard a mere two minutes walk. Most importantly, we are dog friendly.The Mussel and Steak Bar
Price: Expensive•Scottish•4.8(596)The Mussel & Steak Bar is dedicated to serving high quality, fresh and locally sourced seafood & steaks, with warm service and welcoming surroundings. Our restaurant is located at the bottom of Victoria Street in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town, just a few steps from the historic Royal Mile. While enjoying the best mussels, oysters and steaks that Scotland has to offer, you can catch a glimpse of Edinburgh Castle from our window.
Our menu features classic seafood and steak favourites with seasonal Scottish specialties: fresh oysters, kilo pots of steamed mussels, shellfish platters and delicious matured Scotch beef steaks. Sourced from the West to North coast of Scotland you can expect to find seafood specials of lobsters, crabs, langoustines and scallops.
Angels with Bagpipes
Price: Expensive•Scottish•4.6(4,325)Having opened its doors in 2010, Angels with Bagpipes quickly established itself as one of the finest restaurants to have graced Edinburgh’s most iconic and historic street, The Royal Mile. With upmost pride in sourcing fresh Scottish ingredients.
Mixing an atmospheric Old Town setting with chic, contemporary looks, the restaurant reflects many of the city’s most defining features. With a humble facade nestled in the beautiful 17th century building, rich tones of bronze and marble cascade throughout the two tiers of Angels with Bagpipes.
Angels with Bagpipe’s kitchen has gained a glowing reputation in a city abundant with restaurants of the highest standards. Sourcing the best produce and ingredients, allowing the quality to shine through their elegant dishes. By blending innovative and traditional techniques, their menu is fresh and exciting throughout all seasonsPiccolino
Price: Expensive•Italian•4.5(295)As the team at Edinburgh’s Piccolino will tell you themselves, no love is more sincere than love of food. Italian food, in this case, as Piccolino is one of the most delightful Italian restaurants in this part of the Old Town, right on High Riggs Street and a stone’s throw from all kinds of Edinburgh attractions. The authentic menu offers quality rather than quantity meaning you can be assured that whatever you order has been prepared with love by chefs who care about what they’re doing. Piccolino will warm your heart and certainly fill your stomach so reserve a table now – you’ll not regret it.
Tolbooth Tavern
Price: Moderate•Scottish•4.6(271)Built in 1591, the Tolbooth Tavern in Edinburgh was formerly part of the original Canongate Tolbooth. This medieval building was used to divide the Royal Burgh of Edinburgh and Canongate.
The Tolbooth Tavern is a cosy traditional Scottish pub full of character and charm. The small exterior gives way to a spacious bar and mezzanine dining area. It boasts a fantastic spot along the Royal Mile.
Serving hearty home-cooked Scottish fayre using locally sourced produce, we are sure to keep you full before a full day on the tourist trail or join us for an evening exploring our fine whisky collection.
Our house favourites include Cullen skink, Tolbooth burgers, freshly landed Scottish fish n chips and our Tolbooth steak and sausage pie.
If you want to embrace dark history and immerse yourself in a spooky atmosphere, The Tolbooth Tavern is a must visit whilst in Edinburgh.
We are open from 11am daily for drinks. Our food menus are available from 12pm.Abbotsford Restaurant
Price: Moderate•British•4.6(176)The Abbotsford serves wholesome pub food in one of the busiest parts of Edinburgh’s New Town. Classic pub fare is the mainstay of the menu, with dishes including beer battered haddock and chips, steak and ale pie, and haggis, neeps and tatties, and diners have the choice of dining al fresco, in the main bar, or in the restaurant. Situated at 3-5 Rose Street this is a pub beloved by diners and popular with locals and tourists alike. Edinburgh Waverley station is a five minute walk on foot, and historic Edinburgh Castle and the famous Royal Mile are a ten minute walk.
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See what locals rave about in Old Town
From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
- TTracyGlasgow/Lanarkshire •1 review5.0Dined 2 days agoWe had the 3 course express menu. The food was plentiful and exceptionally good. Fantastic value for money.More infoHawksmoor EdinburghPrice: Expensive• Steakhouse • Edinburgh•4.5
- PPhilipThailand •4 reviews5.0Dined 6 days agoOysters, seafood platter, surf and turk are very good. Service is excellent!More infoThe Mussel and Steak BarPrice: Expensive• Scottish• Old Town•4.8
- AAnthonyEdinburgh/Midlothian •7 reviews4.0Dined 6 days agoGreat place for lunch in the middle of Edinburgh near the stationMore infoThe Ivy on the SquarePrice: Expensive• Contemporary British• Old Town•4.4
- JJulieVIPLondon •22 reviews4.0Dined on 10 May 2025Steak delicious Lighting way too dim had to use torch on phone to read the menu. Menu font small Music too loudMore infoGaucho EdinburghPrice: Expensive• Steak• Edinburgh•4.6
- SSarahVIPGreensboro / Winston Salem / Highpoint •7 reviews4.0Dined on 10 Apr 2025If you want a good solid meal in the heart of Edinburgh, this is a great place to check out. Great food with a bunch of good looking options. Had a great time here.More infoBread Street Kitchen & Bar — EdinburghPrice: Expensive• British• New Town•4
Restaurant experiences trending in Edinburgh/Midlothian
Frequently asked questions
The best reviewed restaurant in Old Town is BABA - Edinburgh
The best vegan restaurants in Old Town are Angels with Bagpipes, Edinburgh - Bucks Bar Grindlay Street and The Ivy on the Square
The best vegetarian restaurants in Old Town are Pho Edinburgh Lothian Road, Angels with Bagpipes and Wahaca Edinburgh
The restaurants with the best service in Old Town are Eve, Mezcal - Edinburgh and BABA - Edinburgh
The restaurants with the best ambiance in Old Town are Eve, BABA - Edinburgh and Bar 1819