Edinburgh's Most Romantic Restaurants

1. The Witchery - Castlehill, The Royal Mile, EH1 2NFmenu - £60 for canapes and 7 courses
0131 225 56136. The Dining Room at The Society - Scotch Malt
Housed in a 16th century building by the gates ofWhisky Society,, 28 Queen St., EH2
Edinburgh Castle The Witchery is a truly uniqueEnjoy a superb meal in the relaxed, intimate and
experience. The oak panelled walls are draped withelegant surroundings of a traditional Georgian dining
rich tapestries and mirrors and the spectacular gildedroom. The menu changes constantly but starters
ceilings are reminiscent of those in Holyrood Palace.include options like pumpkin soup with herb gnocchi and
The overall effect is theatrical, decadent, atmosphericwhisky-cured salmon terrine with a light gazpacho
and thoroughly indulgent. The ideal spot for kindling (orsalad and creme fraiche. Mains options include a
re-kindling) romance! Past patrons include Ewanhearty daube of beef bourgignon with a horseradish
McGregor, Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta Jones andmash and grilled sea bream on a saffron risotto.
Jack Nicholson. Andrew Lloyd Weber called it 'thePrice guide - £32.00 for 2 courses
prettiest restaurant ever'!7. The Atholl Dining Room - The Howard Hotel, 34
Starters include a flavoursome Terrine of Wild RabbitGreat King St., EH3 6QH 0131 557 3500
and Toulouse Sausage with beetroot remoulade orWith its elegant, flower-filled, Georgian setting, intimate
Ceviche of Western Isle Scallops and Oak Smokedatmosphere, fine wine list and expertly prepared
Salmon. Main courses include Chateaubriand ofmodern Scottish menu, the Atholl draws an
Borders Beef with a béarnaise sauce orenthusiastic and knowledgeable local clientele. Seating
Peppered Monkfish with apple roast pork belly and 'redonly 14 at a time it's one of Edinburgh's best kept
clawed crayfish'. As you might expect, The Witcherysecrets.
has a diverse and internationally-renowned wine list.Superb modern Scottish cuisine in an elegant setting
Price guide - dinner £32 for 2 courseswithin a 5-star Georgian hotel. Sip an aperitif in the
£40 for 3.drawing room before sampling the 5-star menu and
2. Rhubarb at Prestonfield - Prestonfield House,service in the dining room. You could start with
Priestfield Rd., EH16 5UT 0131 225 1333pan-roasted scallops with wasabi pomme puree and
Set in 18 acres of stunning parkland in asalsa verde. Or you could try twice-baked goat's
white-rendered former Lord Provost's house,cheese souffle with caramelised pear and walnut
Prestonfield hotel is an extraordinarily opulent celebritysalad. Mains include roast breast of Gressingham duck,
hideaway, described by the Mr. and Mrs. Smith guidepak choi and vanilla jus or fillet of Scottish beef,
to Europe's sexiest locations as 'the only romanticspinach, Parmesan and anchovy puree with pommes
destination in Scotland'. With walls lavishly upholstereddauphinoise. If you've still got room after all that, the
in shades of deep red, black and bronze and sparklingselection of Mellis cheeses with oatcakes and
chandeliers dangling from domed ceilings Conde Nastegingerbread is sensational.
Traveller described the restaurant as 'like walking ontoPrice guide - dinner £28 for 2 courses
the set of some flamboyant costume drama'.£33 for 3.
Starters include Roasted Butternut Squash and8. The Bonham Restaurant - 35 Drumsheugh Gardens
Marjoram Ravioli with Pecorino Mornay or Pan-searedEdinburgh, EH3 7RN Tel: 0131 226 6050
Scallops on Horseradish pomme puree. Mains includeDécor at the Bonham artfully blends the best
Seared Fillet of Turbot on Langoustine crushedof the gracious Victorian townhouse with chic, modern
potatoes or Roast Cannon of Scottish Borders lamb,furnishings. With airy proportions, an elegant stripped
ecrasse potatoes, black olive and garlic jus.floor and subdued colour scheme the effect is tranquil,
Price guide - dinner 2 courses £36 or £45intimate and reassuring.
for 3 courses.Head Chef Michel Bouyer previously worked at
3. Duck's at Le Marche Noir - 14 Eyre Place, EH3 5EPMichelin-starred restaurants in Paris, the Jules Verne
0131 558 1608and the Drouant. He use his knowledge of traditional
Duck's is an intimate, classically elegant venue with aBreton dishes, overlaid with culinary skills honed in Paris,
highly sophisticated menu, attentive staff and anto create a menu of modern classics based on fresh
award-winning wine list. Past patrons include SeanScottish produce.
Connery, Gordon Grown and Princess Anne. To whetA la carte starters include seared hand-dived scallops
your appetite why not try beetroot cured halibut withwith ham hock-stuffed pigs trotters. Mains include
shrimps, cucumber, chives and West Coast oysters?grilled fillet of sea bass with potato gnocchi and
Or asparagus with Serrano ham, truffled egg androasted almonds or a hunk of Aberdeen Angus beef
mousserons? To follow we heartily recommend thewith cepe jus. Or if you're being treated for Valentine's
roast hake with fennel, crisp sour dough and a vanillaDay you might want to try the dedicated Valentine's
and herb dressing. Or indeed the loin of PerthshireMenu.
venison with chestnuts, sprouts and fondant potato.Price A-la Carte - c.£32 for two courses.
Price guide - dinner c.£28 for 2 courses andValentine Menu 6 courses for £55.
£32 for 3.9. The Stockbridge Restaurant - 54 St. Stephen's St.
4. The Vintners Rooms - 87 Giles St., Leith, EdinburghEH3 5AL 0131 226 6766
EH6 6BZ Tel: 0131 554 6767This intimate establishment with its crisp, starched linen,
Described as 'one of the most romantic restaurantsfresh flowers and twinkling fairy lights sets the mood
anywhere' the Vintners Rooms are set in an old winefor a most romantic date.
merchants' auction room in the historic VaultsStarters from the award-winning menu include Seared
warehouse. It's a deeply atmospheric venue withScallops with a spring onion blini and Spiced Pigeon
warm wood panelling, candlelight and crackling log fires.Breast with red onion marmalade and a port wine jus.
Hardens said in 2009 'A great place to impress yourMains include Fillet of Wild Halibut with a hash brown,
date. Few venues feel as special as this'.oyster mushrooms, spinach, quail's egg, pancetta and
The food is a Franco-Scottish fusion and the serviceArran mustard sauce and Pan-fried Gressingham
impeccable. Starters include Seared Wood Pigeon withDuck with ratte potatoes, savoy cabbage, beetroot
Puy Lentil Salad, a Trilogie of Foie Gras and aand goat's cheese tartlet and jus.
half-dozen West Coast Oysters. Mains include RoastPrice guide - c. £24 for 2 courses £29
Duck Breast Facon Rossini with Blueberry and Honeyfor 3.
Sauce, Poached Turbot with Mussel Broth and a Squid10. Cafe Royal Oyster Bar - 17 West Register St., EH2
Ink Risotto with Roasted Prawns.2AA 0131 554 1018
Price guide: c. £38 for a two course dinner.Step inside and you'll be transported back in time to an
5. Restaurant Martin Wishart - 54 The Shore. EH6age of sumptuous Victorian splendour. With its
6RA 0131 553 3557elaborate plasterwork, eight fabulous stained glass
Awarded the Capital's first Michelin star, thewindows (designed by Edinburgh firm Ballantine and
environment is bright, airy and tranquil with a decidedlyGardiner) and original Doulton tile murals Cafe Royal
art-deco feel. The location's great too being adjacentspells out romance in the decor alone!
to the picturesque Water of Leith. The superb cuisineNot that the food isn't fantastic. To get you in the
is firmly in the classic French tradition and the menusmood for lurve, start with half a dozen rock oysters au
change regularly to take advantage of the freshest,naturale (with lemon juice and Tabasco) Kilpatrick style
seasonally-available ingredients. Dinner starts with a(wrapped in bacon and drizzled with balsamic) or
selection of delicate, flavoursome canapés.Rockefeller (with spinach, Pernod and hollandaise).
Appetisers include a Presse of Foie Gras andYum. If oysters aren't your thing try the crab on rocket
Smoked Pheasant or a Langoustines, Potato andor the delicious langoustines Breval. For your main
Orange Mousseline. The superb main selection includescourse we recommend the oh-so-delicate monkfish
Steamed Sea Bass with Oyster Ravioli or Poachedwrapped in parma ham. The Dover Sole Meuniere is
Anjou Pigeon with Calamari Risotto, Oyster Rissoleeworth a mention too. If you're a huge seafood fan why
and Savoy Cabbage. If you're feeling reallynot just go for it and order the hearty seafood platter.
adventurous, why not try the 7-course Tasting Menu?You know you want to!
Price guide - dinner c. £50 for 3 courses. TastingPrice guide - dinner c.