12 best set menus in Edinburgh: From pre-theatre deals to affordable tasting menus

Let’s be honest: no one enjoys trying to split a massive bill after a night out, or doing mental maths on an a la carte menu when they're already starving. Enter the brilliant world of set menus in Edinburgh - the ultimate dining hack that’s taking over the Scottish capital's food scene. Whether you’re trying to look professional at a business meeting, rushing to catch a show and need a quick pre theatre bite, or just fancy a taste of the high life without a punishing bill, these options are your golden ticket into the city’s coolest kitchens.

The benefits are simple: zero decision fatigue, predictable pricing, and maximum reward. Set menus may seem restrictive but they actually suit a huge range of situations. The biggest win, of course, is value - set menus are responsible for some of the best lunch deals in Edinburgh. On top of that, mid-week prix fixe specials and lunch set menus offer an affordable way to eat at some of Edinburgh’s top restaurants, which ordinarily would take a huge chunk out of your bank balance. Plus, restaurants often want to show you their very best dishes on a set menu, so you get a curated snapshot of exactly what a kitchen can do, minus the eye-watering price tag.

From the moody, cobbled corners of the Old Town to the flashy Georgian spots in the New Town, and down to the absolute culinary powerhouse that is Leith, the city is stacked with brilliant kitchens serving up seriously thoughtful, seasonal food.

So, we’ve done the hard work for you. This guide rounds up the absolute best set menus in Edinburgh, mapping out everything from fancy Michelin-starred destinations to your new favourite neighbourhood joints. Whether you need a slick set lunch in Edinburgh to impress a client or you’re hunting for the most generous set lunch deals in Edinburgh to stretch your weekend budget, go ahead and bookmark this page right now.

Best set lunch menus in Edinburgh

Edinburgh's best lunch deals cover all occasions, from meetings where you need to impress, to bargain celebrations at some of the city's very best restaurants. Scroll on for some big savings.

Heron

What: Located right on the Water of Leith, Heron is one of Edinburgh's collection of Michelin-starred restaurants, much-loved for it's dedication to hyper-seasonal Scottish ingredients and ot-changing tasting menus. Ordinarily you'd be looking at a full tasting menu to eat here, but the lunch menu offers three courses for £65 - pretty exceptional value to eat at one of Scotland's top restaurants. Expect dishes along the lines of squid with Isle of Wight tomato and Parmesan, morels with Denhead Farm asparagus and wild garlic, and a dessert of Scottish strawberries, cardamom and pistachio. 
How much: £65 for three courses
Where: 87-91A Henderson Street, Leith, EH6 6ED
Book now: Heron

Fishers in the City

What: A long-running seafood favourite in Edinburgh’s New Town, Fishers in the City specialises in sustainably sourced fish and shellfish, drawing in fans with crowd-pleasing classics like fish chowder, mussels in white wine and cream, and an excellent, fresh fish and chips. The restaurant’s classic brasserie feel and central location make it a dependable choice for a catch-ups with friends and lunch meetings alike, and the set menu is superb value, especially as it includes some of Fishers' signature dishes, like salmon and smoked haddock fishcakes, and seafood linguine with brown crab butter. 
How much: £25 for two courses, £30 for three courses
Where: 58 Thistle Street, EH2 1EN
Book now: Fishers in the City

Tattu Edinburgh

What: Tattu's flamboyant take on modern Chinese cooking has turned it into a UK-wide phenomenon, pairing colourful, theatrical interiors with contemporary takes on familiar Cantonese dishes. The Edinburgh location is right in the city centre, and the set lunch menu is perfect for those occasions where you want something a bit special and memorable without breaking the bank. The set menu includes some iconic Tattu signatures too, including the wok fired angry bird chicken, pan-seared pork dumplings, and yuzu lemon drop dessert. 
How much: £27.50 for two courses, £32.50 for three courses
Where: 18 West Register Street, EH2 2AA
Book now: Tattu Edinburgh

Chez Jules

What: This long-running bistro is famous in Edinburgh for its affordable French cooking and popular set lunch, which serves, frankly, some unbelievably good food given the prices. Chez Jules has always been a go-to for those seeking a reliable, low-cost lunch, serving bistro classics like French onion soup, chargrilled bavette with peppercorn sauce and fries, and coq au vin, and chocolate mousse. 
How much: £9.90 for one course, £12.90 for two courses, £15.90 for three courses
Where: 109 Hanover Street, EH2 1DJ
Book now: Chez Jules

Montrose

What: Montrose is a slightly more casual sibling to Michelin-starred Timberyard, but no less delicious. Like it's older sibling, it's a beautiful, architectural space that absolutely no-one would be unhappy to visit, even if you're just there for a shared bottle of wine and quick catch-up. At three course for just £25, you might as well eat lunch there too, especially with dishes like confit duck leg, beans and salsa verde on the menu.
How much: £25 for three courses
Where: 1 Montrose Terrace, EH7 5DJ
Book now: Montrose

Timberyard

What: The first thing to say about Timberyard - except, of course, for the Michelin star it holds - is that the main dining rooms is one of our absolute favourite rooms in Edinburgh: it's a room of cathedral proportions, right in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle, with wide-set timber tables, bare brick and Scandi details. The food matches up - minimal but seasonal and exceptionally precise. Ordinarily lunch or dinner wouldn't be cheap, but book yourself in for the set lunch and you can swag yourself four courses for just £55, plus the option of a few additions if you're feeling fancy.
How much: £55 for four courses
Where: 10 Lady Lawson Street, EH3 9DS
Book now: Timberyard

Noto

What: Noto's minimalist, effortless cool has won it many fans in Edinburgh, and chef-patron Stuart Ralston certainly seems to have a good thing going here, and at sister restaurants like Lyla and Tipo. This Michelin Bib Gourmand hotspot pairs a chic, stripped-back aesthetic with spectacular Asian-inspired small plates featuring clever European twists, like big bread with whipped tofu and wild garlic butter or beef tartare with black garlic. Both of those feature on the set lunch menu in fact - a great example of when restaurants pack the set menu with their best dishes. 
How much: £30 for four courses
Where: 47a Thistle Street, Edinburgh, EH2 1DY
Book now: Noto

Best all-day set menus in Edinburgh

These restaurants have set menu deals on offer all-day, or at least for lunch and dinner, often combining set lunch and pre-theatre menus to prove that you can eat well and save money at any time of the day.

The Little Chartroom

What: Chef-patron Roberta Hall-McCarron’s The Little Chartroom has built a strong reputation for precise, ingredient-led cooking that balances technical skill with a personal touch, so much so that it regularly holds a spot in SquareMeal's Top 100 UK Restaurants list (last year it placed in the top 20 in the country). The dining room is understated and intimate, with Hall-McCarron driving a menu that puts Scottish produce in the spotlight. The set menu doesn't hold back on brilliant cooking either, with dishes at the time of writing including Lowfields Farm hogget with artichoke and rocket, and Denhead Farm asparagus tart. Matched wines are also available for £39 per person.
How much: £49 for three courses
Where: 14 Bonnington Road, Bonnington, EH6 5JD
Book now: The Little Chartroom

Hawksmoor Edinburgh

What: Set within a former banking hall in the New Town, Hawksmoor Edinburgh is one of the group's most impressive sites, and retains the same reputation for high-quality British beef and classic steakhouse cooking. High ceilings, original features and a slick dining room make it a solid pick for business lunches or early evening dining in the city centre. Hawksmoor offers lunch and early evening set menus to cover all the bases, with dishes including 35-day dry-aged rump steak with chips, smoked mackerel salad, and sticky toffee sundae.
How much: £20 for one course, £25 for two courses, £30 for three courses
Where: 23 West Register Street, EH2 2AA
Book now: Hawksmoor Edinburgh

Bistro du Vin Edinburgh

What: Attached to Hotel du Vin, this French bistro focuses on classic Gallic cooking in a cosy, low-lit dining room. Bistro du Vin is all about well-executed staples, from pâtés to slow-cooked meats, and much of the best stuff appears on the very popular prix fixe menu, available everyday at lunch and in the early evening. If three courses of salmon rillettes, trout au Grenobloise, and an indulgent Valrhona chocolate pot sounds like your idea of a good meal, you know where to go. 
How much: £24.95 for two courses, £29.95 for three courses
Where: 11 Bristo Place, Edinburgh, EH1 1EZ
Book now: Bistro du Vin Edinburgh

Café St Honoré

What: A stalwart of Edinburgh dining, Café St Honoré is another of the city's excellent French restaurants, albeit like others, there are a lot of cues taken from Scottish ingredients. The wood-panelled dining room and Parisian feel make it a firm favourite for leisurely lunches, and if you're looking to eat in this iconic spot on a budget, fear not - it can be done. Café St Honoré's 'Cafe Classics' menu is the way to go - it's a strict prix fixe with no choices, except two or three courses, with dishes at the time of writing including creamed broccoli and Stilton soup,slow cooked pork belly with braised borlotti beans and apple sauce, and lemon posset with poached Yorkshire rhubarb and almond granola.
How much: £30 for two courses, £38 for three courses
Where: 34 North West Thistle Street Lane, EH2 1EA
Book now: Café St Honoré

Chez Mal Brasserie at Malmaison Edinburgh & Edinburgh City

What: The ever-reliable Chez Mal Brasserie at Malmaison sticks to tried-and-tested French classics, weaving in Scottish influences and produce along the way. The hotel setting is plush and relaxed, making it flexible enough to host business lunches and clients as well as lunch with friends or family, and the Edinburgh City location near St Andrew Square is ideal for anything happening in the centre of Edinburgh. The set menu has something for everyone, from crispy buttermilk fried chicken thighs with hot honey, to a cracking sticky toffee pudding with toffee sauce and vanilla ice cream. 
How much: £24.95 for two courses, £29.95 for three courses
Where: 1 Tower Place, EH6 7BZ; 22 St Andrews Square, EH2 1AY
Book now: Chez Mal Brasserie at Malmaison Edinburgh; Chez Mal Brasserie at Malmaison Edinburgh City

Set menus in Edinburgh offer one of the easiest ways to explore the city’s food scene without stretching the budget. Want to read more about Edinburgh’s best restaurants? Our critics have picked their best Edinburgh restaurants, putting all the city’s best food into a handy guide. Or, have a browse through our entire Edinburgh restaurant directory, where you can filter restaurants by price, ambiance, cuisine and more.

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