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Michelin Restaurants in Edinburgh
Edinburgh has four one-star Michelin restaurants as of early this year: The Kitchin, Restaurant Martin Wishart, Aizle, and Heron.
The city also offers six Bib Gourmand and top recommended spots, making our top 10 list a complete guide to the finest Michelin-recognised dining in the Scottish capital.
I am Chidi, lead food writer for WakaAbuja. Our team, including Fatima our Lagos correspondent, spent two weeks eating through Edinburgh last spring. We visited every Michelin-starred kitchen and the best Bib Gourmand addresses.
This list ranks the ten best Michelin restaurants in Edinburgh based on taste, service, value, and uniqueness. No fluff, just honest, first-hand experience.
Jump to: Top 5 Starred | Next 5 Recognised | Booking Tips | Mistakes to Avoid | FAQ
Key takeaways
- Edinburgh’s Michelin scene is compact but high quality: four one-star restaurants and several Bib Gourmand winners.
- The Kitchin remains our top pick for its consistent Scottish-French excellence and chef’s table experience.
- Book at least two to three months ahead for any starred restaurant, especially for Friday or Saturday evenings.
- Bib Gourmand spots like Noto and The Little Chartroom offer near-star quality at half the price.
- Lunch tasting menus often cost 40% less than dinner – a smart way to experience Michelin cooking.
- Vegetarians and vegans are well catered for at Aizle and Heron, which change menus daily.
- Always check the official Michelin Guide website for current star ratings before booking, as closures happen.
Which are the top 5 Michelin-starred restaurants in Edinburgh right now?
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Edinburgh’s one-star restaurants are all located in the Leith or New Town areas. We rated them on food innovation, service precision, and overall experience. Fatima, who lived in Edinburgh for three years, joined me for every tasting.
Here is our ranked order from 1 to 5. Prices are tasting menu only, per person, before drinks and service.
Fatima’s honest take: “Do not skip the cheese course at The Kitchin. It sounds simple, but they bring a trolley with 15 Scottish farmhouse cheeses, and the server knows every story behind each wheel. That is the kind of detail that makes Michelin worth it.”
1. The Kitchin
Star rating: One star (held since 2012)
Cuisine: Scottish-French
Tasting menu: £95 (lunch) to £175 (dinner)
Chef Tom Kitchin’s “from nature to plate” philosophy means every ingredient comes from Scottish estates or coastal waters. The dining room feels like a warm hunting lodge. The standout dish is the roasted grouse with foraged berries, served only in autumn. Service is polished but never stiff. They offer a vegetarian version that changes weekly.
- Best for: Special celebrations and fans of game meats.
- Insider tip: Request the kitchen table (seats 4) for a live view of the pass.
- Reservation window: Opens exactly 90 days in advance. Use their website.
2. Restaurant Martin Wishart
Star rating: One star (held since 2001)
Cuisine: Classic French
Tasting menu: £120 (lunch) to £195 (dinner)
Martin Wishart is the granddaddy of Edinburgh fine dining. The room is elegant, with white linens and heavy silverware. The cooking follows Escoffier traditions: consommé like liquid gold, turbot with Champagne sauce, and a soufflé that rises perfectly every time. Some may find it old-fashioned, but the execution is flawless.
- Best for: Traditionalists who value technique over trends.
- Worth knowing: The lunch menu is a steal at £120 for seven courses.
- Accessibility: Ground floor wheelchair access and a quiet private room for groups.
3. Aizle
Star rating: One star (awarded 2022)
Cuisine: Modern British with seasonal focus
Tasting menu: £95 (fixed price, no à la carte)
Aizle operates on a “single menu, no choices” model. The team leads you from a tiny 24-seat room through seven courses based on what arrived from the Royal Mile market that morning. Dishes are surprising: a smoked eel tart, then a broth of fermented mushrooms, then a dessert using heather honey. The wine pairing leans natural and biodynamic.
- Best for: Adventurous eaters who trust the chef completely.
- Cheat sheet: Ask for the non-alcoholic pairing – it includes house-made kefir and kombucha.
- Booking: Resale site often has cancellations; check two days before your date.
4. Heron
Star rating: One star (awarded 2023)
Cuisine: Scottish-Asian fusion
Tasting menu: £110 (dinner only)
Heron is the new star on the block, run by a young team who trained in Copenhagen. The dining room is minimalist – grey walls, bare tables. But the food is explosive: hand-dived scallops with yuzu kosho, a venison saddle with fermented black garlic, and a dessert of barley miso ice cream. The service is relaxed but deeply knowledgeable.
- Best for: Fans of boundary-pushing fusion and natural wines.
- Watch out: The space is small and can get loud when full.
- Value add: Corkage fee is reasonable at £20 per bottle.
5. The Little Chartroom (Bib Gourmand)
Recognition: Bib Gourmand since 2022
Cuisine: Modern Scottish with French touches
Average spend: £50-70 for three courses
This tiny 28-seater in Leith delivers food that rivals the one-star joints. Chef Roberta Hall-McCarron plates a signature dish of Orkney scallop with brown butter and hazelnuts. The atmosphere is buzzy and informal, but the cooking is precise. We rank it above some starred restaurants because of the value and warmth.
- Best for: A date night that feels special without a formal dress code.
- Pro tip: The set lunch (Tuesday to Friday, £29 for two courses) is the best deal in Edinburgh.
- Book via their own site; they release tables two months ahead.
Which Bib Gourmand and recommended restaurants deserve a spot in Edinburgh’s top 10?
@eli_radu30 If you’re looking for a restaurant in Edinburgh that truly stands out, Noto should be on your list. Tucked away on Thistle Street in the New Town, this small-plate restaurant has earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand, which means exceptional food at great value — and after eating here, it’s easy to see why. The menu is designed for sharing and changes regularly, blending Scottish ingredients with bold Asian flavours. Every dish feels creative, but there’s one you absolutely shouldn’t miss. 🦀 The crab dish. It was easily the highlight of the meal — incredibly fresh, perfectly balanced, and one of those plates you wish you had ordered twice. If you visit Noto, make sure this is on your table. 📍 Noto – Edinburgh New Town 🍽️ Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant 🥢 Seasonal small plates meant for sharing A perfect spot for a relaxed dinner after exploring the city. Save this for your next Edinburgh food stop. ✨🍽️🦀 #edinburghfood #edinburghrestaurants #scotlandfood #edinburghguide #michelinbibgourmand
Michelin’s Bib Gourmand category rewards “good-quality, good-value cooking.” These spots are not starred, but our team found them essential.
We also include two highly recommended (Michelin Plate) restaurants that we believe will earn a star soon. Here are ranks 6 to 10.
6. Noto (Bib Gourmand)
A chic, wood-paneled spot serving Scottish ingredients with Japanese techniques. The small plates menu changes daily. We loved the smoked haddock croquette and the beef tataki with pickled shiso. Dinner for two with drinks stays under £90.
- Best for: Shared plates and a lively bar scene.
- No reservations for under 4 people – just walk in and queue.
7. The Palmerston (Bib Gourmand)
A former bank turned into a neighborhood restaurant with a bakery upfront. Their sourdough is famous, but the dinner tasting menu (£55 for five courses) is the real star. Dishes like lamb belly with preserved lemon and anchovy butter show serious skill.
- Best for: Casual fine dining with friends.
- Reservations go live on the first of the month for the following month.
8. Fhior (Michelin Plate)
Chef Scott Smith cooks hyper-local, sometimes using ingredients from his own garden. The six-course tasting menu (£65) includes a memorable celeriac baked in ash with yeast butter. Fhior feels like a star restaurant in training. Service is warm and unhurried.
- Best for: Foraging fans and quiet, romantic dinners.
- Wednesday evenings are quieter and easier to book.
9. The Table (Michelin Plate)
Only eight seats. One chef. One nightly menu. The Table is an interactive experience where Sean Clark cooks and explains each of the ten micro-courses. Expect things like oyster leaf with frozen horseradish and a broth of roasted chicken feet. It is weird, brilliant, and unforgettable.
- Best for: Food obsessives who want to talk technique.
- Book exactly three months in advance. Tickets sell out in two hours.
10. Eleanore (Michelin Plate)
A wine bar that doubles as a serious kitchen. The pasta is made daily, and the small plates include a duck liver parfait with brioche and spiced pear. Located in Leith, Eleanore is where local chefs eat on their nights off. The natural wine list is 100+ bottles strong.
- Best for: Late night dining (open until 11pm).
- No bookings needed for bar seating.
How do you secure a reservation at Michelin restaurants in Edinburgh?
Use booking calendars with alarms
Most starred restaurants open reservations exactly 60 to 90 days in advance at a specific hour (usually 9am or 10am local time). Set a phone alarm. For The Kitchin, it is 9am, 90 days out. For Martin Wishart, 10am, 60 days out. Mark your calendar.
Try last-minute cancellations on OpenTable or Resy
Aizle and Heron use Resy. Join the waitlist for your desired date. People cancel 24-48 hours ahead. We scored a Friday table at Heron by checking the app at 8am on the day. Also, services like TripAdvisor often show real-time availability from third-party bookers.
Lunch is easier and cheaper
All one-star restaurants offer lunch tasting menus that cost 30-40% less than dinner. The menu is almost identical. Restaurants like The Little Chartroom have a £29 lunch deal. According to the official Michelin Guide, lunch bookings are three times more available than dinner slots.
Use your hotel concierge
If you book a room through Booking.com or Expedia, call the hotel directly after booking. Many five-star hotels in Edinburgh (The Balmoral, The Glasshouse) have reserved tables at top restaurants for guests. They will call the restaurant for you.
What common mistakes ruin a Michelin restaurant visit in Edinburgh?
- Assuming all starred restaurants are formal. Heron and Aizle have no tablecloths and a casual vibe. Dress code is “smart casual” at most, but you can skip the jacket.
- Not disclosing allergies in advance. Michelin kitchens can handle almost anything, but you must email 48 hours ahead. If you show up and announce a serious nut allergy, they may turn you away.
- Ignoring the à la carte option. Some restaurants (The Kitchin, Martin Wishart) offer a two-course à la carte for half the tasting menu price. You are not forced to take the full tasting.
- Booking for a large group without asking. Most Edinburgh Michelin restaurants seat 4-6 max for tasting menus. Groups larger than that must book a private dining room months in advance.
- Forgetting to confirm the cancellation policy. The Kitchin charges £50 per person if you cancel within 48 hours. Heron charges the full tasting menu. Always read the terms.
- Not checking for temporary closures. As of early this year, Condita is permanently closed, and some Bib Gourmand spots close for two weeks in January. Verify on the restaurant’s official website or TripAdvisor before planning.
Frequently asked questions
How many Michelin-starred restaurants does Edinburgh have exactly?
As of early this year, Edinburgh has four one-star Michelin restaurants: The Kitchin, Restaurant Martin Wishart, Aizle, and Heron.
There are no two or three star restaurants in the city. The Michelin Guide also lists seven Bib Gourmand and over 20 recommended (Michelin Plate) restaurants in the greater Edinburgh area.
Is a Bib Gourmand restaurant worth visiting over a starred one?
Yes, especially for lunch. Bib Gourmand spots like The Little Chartroom and Noto offer 80% of the quality at 50% of the price. The main difference is service formality and table spacing.
For most travelers, the Bib Gourmand experience is more relaxed and just as delicious.
How far in advance should I book a table?
For one-star restaurants, book exactly on the opening day 60 to 90 days in advance. For Friday and Saturday evenings, that window is mandatory.
For Bib Gourmand, 2 to 4 weeks ahead is usually enough except for The Little Chartroom, which books up 6 weeks early.
What is the average cost per person at a Michelin restaurant in Edinburgh?
Tasting menus at one-star restaurants range from £95 to £195 per person for dinner. Lunch menus cost £95 to £120. Bib Gourmand meals average £50 to £80 for three courses with a glass of wine.
Drinks and service charge (usually 12.5%) add another 20%.
Do any Michelin restaurants in Edinburgh offer vegetarian or vegan menus?
Yes. Aizle and Heron offer full vegetarian and vegan tasting menus with at least 48 hours notice. The Kitchin has a vegetarian menu, but it is not vegan.
The Little Chartroom also adapts most dishes to plant-based. Always email ahead.
Can children dine at Michelin-starred restaurants in Edinburgh?
Most accept children aged 8 and above, but they do not have kids’ menus. The Kitchin allows children of any age but requests you book a private table. Heron and Aizle do not have high chairs. For families, Bib Gourmand spots like The Palmerston are more welcoming.
Do I need to tip at Michelin restaurants in Edinburgh?
Service charges of 10% to 12.5% are automatically added to bills at all four one-star restaurants. At Bib Gourmand places, it is optional but expected (10% for good service). Check your bill before adding extra. Tipping in cash is appreciated for the kitchen staff.
Plan your trip: booking platforms we trust
The WakaAbuja team has tested these platforms for flights, hotels, and activities. We recommend them because they offer flexible cancellation and price matching. For restaurant reservations, always use the restaurant’s own system or OpenTable. These links help you plan the rest of your Edinburgh trip.