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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Gary Armstrong

The 25 Edinburgh restaurants in Michelin Guide 2022 and why judges included them

Edinburgh's food and drink scene is thriving and you can see that across all corners of the capital.

From fancy high-end city restaurants to cosy neighbourhood street corner favourites, there's certainly something for everyone.

And for those who are a fan of fine dining, this is certainly a good time to be living in or paying a visit to Edinburgh.

READ MORE: The Lobster Shack North Berwick opens this weekend to serve its famous seafood this summer

Just a few weeks ago, we brought you news of the city's three Michelin Star winners for 2022.

However, including the triumphant trio, there are a whopping 25 capital restaurants included in this year's Michelin Guide.

We've put together a list of where they are and why the judges believed they deserved to be included on the prestigious food list:

1 MICHELIN STAR

Condita, Newington

"Chef Conor Toomey offers a surprise menu where interesting modern dishes are confidently prepared and skilfully presented.

An example of one of Condita's dishes: Black face hogget with roast garlic puree and artichoke puree (Condita)

"Produce is British but it’s the quality that dictates the origin, not the location. Flavours are honest yet delicate and are carefully thought-through to enhance one another.

"The team deliver the dishes with pride and, if you have any questions, Conor is more than willing to find time to talk."

Kitchin, Leith

"Tom Kitchin is a passionate ambassador for all things Scottish and this, combined with his nature-to-plate philosophy and classical French training, results in dishes that hit the mark every time.

"Choose from the perfectly balanced à la carte or opt for one of the surprise, vegetarian or prestige tasting menus. Highland game is a speciality, as is his ‘Rockpool’ dish of fresh local seafood."

Martin Wishart

"Martin Wishart spent his formative years working in the kitchens of some of the industry’s most stellar names, like Albert Roux and Marco Pierre White, so it’s no surprise that his cooking comes with a sound classical French base.

Restaurant Martin Wishart retained its Michelin Star this year (Restaurant Martin Wishart/ Facebook)

"But this Edinburgh-born chef is also a proud Scot, so he will always seek out the best ingredients his country has to offer – like Shetland squid or Peterhead skate; he then adds innovative little touches of his own, to give his cooking personality and his dishes individuality."

BIB GOURMAND

Noto, New Town

"Following the success of Aizle – and time spent in New York – Stuart Ralston opened this small plates diner in the heart of Edinburgh. Well-conceived dishes display influences which span the globe, with a particular focus on Asia.

"Save room for the luscious Michel Cluizel chocolate and miso dessert."

The Scran and Scallie, Stockbridge

"A smart, village-like suburb plays host to one of Tom Kitchin’s more casual ventures. It has a wood-furnished bar and a dining room which blends rustic and contemporary décor.

"Extensive menus follow a ‘Nature to Plate’ philosophy and focus on the classical and the local."

INCLUDED IN THIS YEAR'S GUIDE

21212, New Town

"A stunningly refurbished Georgian townhouse designed by William Playfair. The glass-fronted kitchen is the focal point of the stylish room.

"Cooking is innovative and features quirky combinations; ‘21212’ reflects the number of dishes per course.

"Some of the luxurious bedrooms overlook the Firth of Forth."

Aurora, Leith

"This warm, inviting bistro offers a seasonally adapted tasting menu featuring local ingredients, accompanied by some great, minimal intervention wine pairings.

"The original dishes are influenced by the keen chef’s travels and have plenty of personality and some adventurous flavour combinations."

Aizle, New Town

"Aizle sits within the appropriately named Garden Room of the Kimpton Charlotte Square – a bright, cool setting in the heart of the city.

"The constantly evolving menu takes on a tasting format and comprises pared-back dishes made up of the latest seasonal harvest. Try one of their homemade kombuchas."

Borough, Leith

"A young but experienced couple run this smart restaurant, which sits on a cobbled street in a residential area near the port. Well-crafted, keenly priced dishes have a clean, modern style.

"Seasonal Scottish produce is kept to the fore, with usually no more than 4 ingredients featured on each plate."

The Broughton, New Town

"You’ll receive a wonderful welcome at this contemporary dining pub a few minutes’ walk from Princes Street. Drinkers tend to congregate on ground level, with diners in the raised area, but it’s not set in stone.

"Menus are short but appealing, with traditional dishes given an attractive modern makeover."

Eleanore, Leith

"Formerly home to the Little Chartroom, this space is now occupied by its sister: a cosy wine bar with high level seating, named after the owners’ boat and decorated in white and blue.

"Super fresh small plates arrive as they’re ready, with many finished at the counter. The wine list is passionately compiled."

Fhior, New Town

"A husband and wife team run this appealing Scandic-style restaurant whose name means ‘True’. Creative modern cooking showcases local and foraged produce, with their one acre garden the real driving force behind the menus.

Fine dining in Fhior (Instagram/Fhior)

"They preserve their home-grown ingredients so they can use them all year round."

Gardener's Cottage, Leith

"This quirky little eatery was once home to a royal gardener and much of the produce comes from the kitchen garden. The two cosy, simply furnished rooms have long communal tables.

"Well-presented modern dishes feature on a frequently changing set menu and salmon is cured in the on-site smokehouse."

Heron, Leith

"Two young chefs chose a great spot by The Shore to open their first restaurant. Cool, modern furnishings sit beneath an ornate period ceiling and floor-to-ceiling windows make the most of the view.

"Confidently prepared dishes follow a less-is-more approach and flavour combinations are appealing."

The Little Chartroom, Leith

"The buzz at this popular restaurant is addictive. Grab a drink in the chilled-out bar before finding a spot in the modern, pared-back dining room; the seats at the counter are the ones to go for.

"Original dishes have deep, bold, yet delicately balanced flavours, and are inspired by the local larder."

The Lookout by Gardener's Cottage, Calton Hill

"Take in some of the best views of the city from the full-length windows of this modern, cantilevered building in a wonderful spot on the top of Calton Hill.

Floor to ceiling windows give customers a beautiful view of Edinburgh and beyond from Calton Hill (TripAdvisor Website)

"The room has a minimalist, design-driven feel – and the contemporary, pared-back dishes allow each ingredient to shine. Tasting menu only in the evenings."

Mono, South Bridge

"A friendly team run this smart designer restaurant, which is decorated in a monochrome theme.

"The bar menu offers classic plates, while the progressive set tasting menu uses a mix of Scottish and Italian produce in modern dishes with an authentic Italian heart."

Number One at The Balmoral, Princes Street

"Behind the striking Edwardian façade of The Balmoral, one of Scotland’s top hotels, sits this stylish basement restaurant. Richly upholstered banquettes and red lacquered walls give it a plush, luxurious feel.

"The 7 course tasting menu showcases the local larder in eye-catching combinations."

Ondine, Old Town

"This smart, lively restaurant is dominated by an impressive horseshoe bar and a crustacean counter.

"Although there are meat dishes available, the classic menus mainly showcase prime Scottish seafood in tasty, straightforward dishes which let the ingredients shine. Service is well-structured."

Palmerston, West End

"For something a bit different, head to this beautifully converted former bank; now a buzzy café-cum-restaurant-cum-bar.

"Sit at polished bistro tables and enjoy unfussy dishes with European touches – the pies for 2 are a hit. Local beers, a carefully curated wine list and friendly service complete the picture."

Purslane, Stockbridge

Stunning eats from Stockbridge's Purslane (Instagram @purslane1)

"A cosy, atmospheric basement restaurant made up of just 9 tables.

"The young chef-owner creates ambitious modern dishes which mix tried-and-tested flavours with contemporary techniques. Lunch is particularly good value."

Rabbit Hole, Marchmont

"Hidden away in the suburbs is this appealing neighbourhood restaurant with tightly packed tables. Passion oozes from the knowledgeable owners and the tasty dishes show plenty of personality.

"There’s a great value set price lunch menu, while the evening à la carte ramps things up a gear."

Rico's, New Town

"A chic Italian restaurant named after the owner’s grandfather; head to the bar for cicchetti and cocktails or through to the elegant dining room for classic Italian dishes which are bursting with flavour.

"Pasta is homemade and local produce to the fore, from East Neuk crab to Tweed Valley rib-eye."

Spry, Leith Walk

"This wine shop, set on the ground floor of a classic Georgian house by the famous Leith Walk, sells a wide selection of naturally produced, often organic wines.

"Enjoy them in-house alongside some of their great value seasonal small plates; owners Matt and Marzena are always on hand to advise."

Timberyard, Lady Lawson Street

"Trendy warehouse restaurant; its spacious, rustic interior incorporating wood-burning stoves.

The fantastic Timberyard restaurant (Instagram @timberyard10)

"The Scandic-influenced menu offers ‘bites’, ‘small’ and ‘large’ sizes, with some home-smoked ingredients and an emphasis on distinct, punchy flavours. Cocktails are made with vegetable purées and foraged herbs."

Which is your favourite of the 25 restaurants? Let us know in the comments!

To see the Michelin Guide inclusions for Edinburgh in full, you can visit the Michelin website here.

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