Looking to sweep someone off their feet in the Scottish capital? Then look no further than our guide to the most romantic restaurants in Edinburgh. As one of the most picturesque cities in the UK, there’s no better place to plan a romantic staycation or a seductive weekend away. But, with so many fancy restaurants in Edinburgh to choose from for date night, finding the perfect place for you and your one true love is no easy gig.
That’s why we’ve compiled the very best romantic restaurants in Edinburgh, perfect for a hot date, a big anniversary celebration or a fun city break. Whether you’re looking for traditionally posh restaurants in Edinburgh or something a little more cute and contemporary, we’ve got something to suit every couple. So, go ahead and scroll through our pick of fancy restaurants in Edinburgh, perfect for a romantic dinner.
Be sure to check out our other restaurant guides.
The Best Fancy Restaurants in Edinburgh
The Witchery by the Castle
Situated on Castle Hill, right next door to Edinburgh Castle, The Witchery is certainly one of the most romantic restaurants in Edinburgh. Renowned for its fine dining by candlelight and spectacular Gothic décor, at this fancy restaurant in Edinburgh, you can relax in the lavish atmosphere while enjoying award-winning food and drink. Although the restaurant itself was only opened 40 years ago, the bones of the building date back to the 16th century, when it was built as a merchant’s home. Its name, The Witchery, comes from the hundreds of women accused of being witches and burned at the stake on the order of James VI.
The food is just as dramatic and indulgent as the building’s décor and history, perfect for a romantic dinner in Edinburgh. This posh restaurant in Edinburgh serves up a delicious lunch, evening and afternoon tea menu. For a romantic meal, though, you can expect to find delights like lemon sole, whole lobster thermidor, loin of Glenfeshie Red Deer, steak tartare, seafood platter and salt-baked celeriac. Room for dessert? Choose from chocolate torte with nut brittle, bramble macaroon with granny smith sorbet, and the Witchery cheese selection. This fancy restaurant in Edinburgh is also a boutique hotel, perfect for if you’re planning to extend your stay in the city.
The Lookout
Housed in a stunning glass-fronted building at the top of Edinburgh’s iconic Calton Hill, The Lookout is one of the most romantic restaurants in Edinburgh. Inside, the décor is nothing less than striking, with floor-to-ceiling windows, polished concrete floors, and an open kitchen with a fire grill. Meanwhile, the 360-degree views of the city make its the perfect spot to have a romantic dinner in Edinburgh, especially if you manage to catch a sunset.
The menu is ever-changing as the team here prioritise the best quality seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. Here, they offer an seven-course evening tasting menu, featuring posh nosh at its finest. Work your way through a feast of rye and spelt sourdough with Fen Farm butter; Dunbar crab with seaweed and garden herbs; wild mushroom and celeriac; Shetland hake and mussels; Perthshire mallard; Blackmount with honey, pear and walnut; and a white chocolate and malt dessert. While the food here is incredible, ultimately, out of all the fancy restaurants in Edinburgh, the view at The Lookout is what makes it stand out from the rest.
Wine & Peach
Located on Dalry Road, this romantic restaurant in Edinburgh showcases some of the best Italian and Greek tapas in the city, perfect for getting intimate and sharing with your date. The interior is bright and airy, with large, blue-framed windows and clean white walls. Wine bottles are carefully placed on shelves around the room, the floor is tiled and vintage lights hang from the walls to give this fancy restaurant in Edinburgh a posh seaside feel, immediately whisking you away to the Mediterranean. What more could you want from a date night in Edinburgh?
When it comes to the food, you’ll find a range of small plates designed to share, from the likes of lamb chops, octopus, moussaka, arancini, anchovy fillets, chicken wings, and hummus. We would advise ordering around three small plates per person for the perfect summer romantic dinner in Edinburgh. Visit Wine and Peach for authentic food, refreshing drinks, and a relaxing interior.
Chaophraya
Looking for something a little different for your Edinburgh date night? Chaophraya is a fancy Thai restaurant and one of the romantic places in the city. Its rooftop location, sat high above Edinburgh, and the glass walls, mean that you can enjoy spectacular views of some of the city’s most prominent landmarks, including Edinburgh Castle, George Street and Charlotte Square. The interior is very glamorous, with dark wood furniture, gold accents, and dim mood lighting to create a modern but traditionally oriental décor.
The menu at this romantic restaurant in Edinburgh takes inspiration from Thai heritage and family culture, encompassing a vibrant and diverse variety of flavours. Find traditional dishes like Pad Thai and Tom Yum soup, as well as some more modern additions. To start, why not share the sticky salmon bites, grilled pork skewers and steamed dumplings? For main, choose from curry, noodle, stir fry, salad and special dishes. Think beef Panang, red curried belly pork, seafood Udon noodles, spicy duck salad and Weeping Tiger sirloin steak.
Rhubarb
Rhubarb is luxurious restaurant located in the 17th century Prestonfield House hotel on Priestfield Road in Edinburgh. It’s the perfect romantic restaurant in Edinburgh to impress your date with a fine dining menu and opulent décor. Think show-stopping chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, plenty of candles dotted around, a dark red interior and a view of Arthur’s Seat outside. Using only local Scottih produce to create delicious plates and dishes, you’re guaranteed only best for a romantic dinner in Edinburgh at Rhubarb.
The menu at this posh restaurant in Edinburgh is just as grand and the décor. Choose from two menus: the set 3-course menu for £60pp or the a la carte menu featuring starters, mains and desserts. Start with the glazed beef cheek or the pan-seared plaice fillet. Move onto main course with the Tweeddale Scotch sirloin steak, the roast partridge breast, or the BBQ Hispi cabbage. Still got room for dessert? Indulge in the milk chocolate parfait, the caramelised white chocolate mousse, or the Pink Lady apple tarte Tatin.
White Horse
If you’re looking for the most romantic seafood restaurant in Edinburgh, White Horse is a fancy oyster bar housed in one of the oldest inns on the Royal Mile. Sourcing its seafood from boutique suppliers across Scotland to create a menu of delicious fishy delights. The interior is cool and trendy, complete with exposed stone walls and leather banquette seating, as well as cast iron radiators and a fully-stocked marble green bar.
From the menu, indulge in a selection of small plates like crab scotch egg, hand dived scallops, scotch bonnet salmon and monkfish satay. Or opt for a sharing platter of whole lobster, pickled mussels, oysters, scotch bonnet salmon, tuna tartare, dressed crab and marinated octopus. Wash it all down with a classy cocktail or a glass of wine from the bar. This is certainly one of the best restaurants in Edinburgh for couples who are fans of seafood.
The Devil’s Advocate
A very on-trend whisky and food bar, The Devil’s Advocate is a cosy restaurant in Edinburgh that occupies a former Victorian pump station. When it comes to the interior décor, the team has stuck to its industrial surroundings, maintaining many of the original features, including high ceilings and visible ducts. These are paired with exposed brick, gold lighting and slate floors to give it an intimate feel, perfect for a romantic dinner in Edinburgh with your other half.
Whisky is the main offering here (after all, we are in Scotland). Serving 200-plus whiskies behind the bar, you’ll be spoilt for choice if you and your date are into that kind of thing. As for the food, it’s a fancy wine bar affair – think charcuterie, cheese boards and small plates with a Scottish influence thrown in for good measure. You’ll find treats like confit pork belly, baked butternut squash, venison haunch and tempura battered haddock. Prefer to share? They have a selection of sharing platters, including the smoked fish and charcuterie options. So, if you’re looking for a more casual vibe than the rest of the romantic Edinburgh restaurants on this list, The Devil’s Advocate should be your go-to for date night.
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