The Pompadour

The Pompadour takes its name from Madame de Pompadour, celebrated mistress of Louis XV, & has been the flagship dining room at this grand hotel for more than 80 years. The decor lives up to its illustrious inspiration – an elegant take on refined 18th-century French aesthetics, not for minimalists or modernists. Dinner is equally Gallic, kicking off with, say, roasted scallops with chorizo & squid ink polenta, before fillet of beef with braised shallots, girolles & foie gras cromesquis. To conclude, consider lemon & lime mousse with Tanqueray gin & tonic sorbet & candied lemon. There’s also a five-course tasting menu. The restaurant is on first floor of the hotel, & the views towards Edinburgh Castle are excellent – provided you can secure a good table. If you can’t make dinner, you can always check out the stunning interior by popping in for posh afternoon tea (2-5pm daily).