L'ESCARGOT BLEU
Read moreThere's no shortage of French restaurants in Edinburgh, and this one hits the spot. Fred Berkmiller runs it with an expert hand, working in close contact with Scottish producers to source ducks, rabbits, chickens and seafood, which he adds with a distinctly Scottish touch. The idea is to exploit the local terroir. The cooking is perfect and there's nothing to complain about.
LA GARRIGUE
Read moreLa Garrigue is a little bit of Languedoc sunshine in the Edinburgh sky. Fish soups, cassoulets, bouillabaisses, Pézenas pies and rabbit quail are put on your plate here by Jean-Michel Gauffre, an adored chef who arrived in Scotland more than 20 years ago. Gordon Ramsay himself speaks of it as the best French chef in the country and it must be said that it is a success. The purple walls are decorated with works by a Scottish painter and the chairs and tables are the work of an English artist. The staff is entirely French (except for one Monegasque) and the view of Calton Hill is very pleasant. A beautiful establishment where it is better to book.
L'ESCARGOT BLANC
Read moreFred's number one rule is product quality. All the products cooked here come from local farms, breeders and suppliers, rigorously selected, in a local and sustainable development approach, in favour of taste and quality. Every product cooked here is not here by chance: there is always an encounter and a story! The dishes are simple, traditional and in tune with the seasons. In a bistro-style setting, you will have the best of Scotland reworked in the French style on your plate.
LA P’TITE FOLIE
Read moreThis address is distinguished by its elegant, but not stilted, atmosphere. You can have a drink at the bar, which has an impressive wine list and a good selection of champagnes, with an assortment of cheeses or mussels, or lunch at the restaurant upstairs. On the menu, all the classics of French cuisine. Its small tables with designer cutlery and candle holders are a detail that completes the refinement of the whole. The food is resolutely Franco-Scottish and the lunch menu is very good value for money.
RESTAURANT 21212
Read moreThis Michelin-starred gastronomic establishment delights discerning taste buds in the sumptuous setting of a listed Georgian building. Wide benches with elegant curves, moiré drapes, giant butterflies adorning the floor, chandeliers on the ceiling, one would almost forget to look at the map - and that would be a pity. Tom Kitchin's inventive cuisine is a must in the Scottish capital. The card changes every week and it's still fabulous. The good plan, for tighter budgets, is to dine early (before 6:30 pm) for a reduced price menu.