Skippers Seafood Bistro

Before Edinburgh’s docks area was redeveloped & filled with yuppie apartments, it took a brave restaurant to test the water. Skippers was a pioneer in that sense & has now been one of the city’s foremost seafood bistros for more than a quarter of a century. It strives not to be taken for granted though & standards are high. Even the bargain lunch menu (two light courses & glass of house wine for £10) could bring robust fishcakes with homemade tartare sauce, then moist & well presented grilled mackerel fillets on a chunky salsa verde. A more formal three courses might involve grilled prawns with pimento aioli to start; roast hake fillet in Mull cheddar & caramelised shallot crust as a main; poached pears with Greek yoghurt & toasted almonds for dessert. The dining area is nautical with wooden fixtures, warm red walls, & jammed with seafaring knick-knacks; service is both friendly & informative.