Michelin star restaurants Edinburgh: 7 spots with a star in Scotland's capital

Edinburgh is famous for being one of the most beautiful cities in the UK – and it just so happens that it is also one of the best places to eat out in the UK. There are now seven Michelin star restaurants in Edinburgh, and another five that hold a Michelin Bib Gourmand - an award defined by the famous red guide as ‘exceptionally good food at moderate prices’. One Michelin star, in case you’re wondering, means ‘a very good restaurant’ – and each of the restaurants below is very good indeed.

The Michelin Guide isn’t the be-all and end-all of good food, of course. Though Michelin has tried to maintain a fairly middle-of-the-road position in recent years the guide does still lean in the direction of fine dining and that comes, usually, at a certain cost. The introduction of Bib Gourmands and Michelin Green Stars (given to restaurants that are seen to be highly sustainable) are reflective of that, but Edinburgh’s dining landscape is so much more than what you’ll find in the Michelin Guide - this is a city packed with brilliant places to eat, at all price points and of many different backgrounds and cultures.

Four Edinburgh restaurants featured in SquareMeal’s Top 100 UK Restaurants list this year, putting the Scottish capital firmly among the UK’s very best food cities. Among those are a set of restaurants that perfectly represent the modern Scottish dining scene at the capital, whether it’s Scott Smith’s elegant, precise cooking and home fermentation at Fhior, or the magnificent Little Chartroom by Roberta Hall-McCarron. 

Scroll down to read more about the Edinburgh restaurants that currently have Michelin awards, as well as a pick of the other restaurants mentioned in the guide.

One Michelin star restaurants in Edinburgh

This elite group of Michelin restaurants in Edinburgh all hold a coveted star for their food offering. At each of these spots you are nearly guaranteed a fantastic meal, with service and ambiance to match. From French-style menus to restaurants that use the best of Scotland's larder, these really are the pick of the bunch on the Edinburgh dining scene.

Lyla, Abbeyhill

What: Lyla is a stylish restaurant set in a Georgian townhouse from chef Stuart Ralston. This is Ralston's fourth restaurant to date, following on from Aizle, Noto and Tipo, although Lyla is the only one to win a Michelin star. This one is undoubtedly a more refined affair, serving a ten-course tasting menu that champions ingredients from the Scottish Isles. Think Isle of Skye langoustine with bonito emulsion and burgundy sorrel, chawanmushi with razor clam and fermented white asparagus, and laminated brioche with cultured butter and whipped macadamia.
Where: 3 Royal Terrace, EH7 5AB
Book now: Lyla

Avery, Stockbridge

What: Owner and chef Rodney Wages has moved his Michelin-starred San Franciscan restaurant to Edinburgh, a glamorous but moody incarnation with dark brick walls, gold framed mirrors and vintage rugs. While the menu changes frequently with the seasons, expect dishes such as maple-glazed smoked trout with filo pastry, sweet onion puree, and topped with caviar, plus an inventive drinks list to match.
Where: 54 St Stephen Street, EH3 5AL
Book now: Avery

Restaurant Martin Wishart, Leith

What: One of Edinburgh’s longest standing fine dining restaurants, Restaurant Martin Wishart is still right at the top of the game when it comes to the best restaurants in the capital. The addition of a vegetarian tasting menu has been a masterstroke, alongside the regular tasting menu and excellent value lunch set. Classic service and a superb wine list has all occasions covered.
Where: 54 The Shore, EH6 6RA
Book now: Restaurant Martin Wishart

Timberyard, Old Town

What: 2023 saw long-standing Edinburgh favourite Timberyard walk away with on Michelin star. This family-run restaurant is found in the shadow of the imposing castle and in contrast to the classic baronial architecture above brings modernist, industrial interiors. Cooking isn’t overly engineered, and instead carefully takes the best of Scottish produce and melds it into plates of food where each flavour is allowed its time to shine. Service is warm and friendly too, and there's a cracking drinks list to top everything off.
Where: 10 Lady Lawson Street, EH3 9DS
Book now: Timberyard

Heron, Leith

What: Heron in Leith is a sweet seaside spot just outside of Edinburgh city centre and recieved its Michelin star in 2023. Tomás Gormley and Sam Yorke have created a pared-back, Scandi-style dining room in which they serve their contemporary take on fine dining food. With a knack for intensifying flavour, we’d suggest going for the gutsy tasting menu from the team (with drinks to match, if you’d like), to get the full multi-sensory experience.
Where: 91A Henderson Street, EH6 6ED
Book now: Heron

Condita, Newington

What: Winning a Michelin star in 2020, Condita has fast become one of Edinburgh’s shining lights. The restaurant takes guests on a journey of discovery - menus change from day to day and aren’t revealed until the end of the meal, so everything you eat is a complete surprise. The dishes are intricate and cleverly devised, and much of what makes it onto plates is grown in Condita’s own allotment.
Where: 15 Salisbury Place, EH9 1SL
Book now: Condita

The Kitchin, Leith

What: ‘From nature to plate’ is the mantra of chef Tom Kitchin, and it’s a philosophy that you can see everywhere in his restaurant in Leith. Natural materials such as slate and wood complemented by fabrics in cool blues and greys create a calming atmosphere for cooking that uses seasonal ingredients from regional growers, producers and fishermen. North Sea wild halibut, smoked to order on oak chips and served with parsley purée and horseradish cream potatoes, gives an idea of the level of accomplishment on offer.
Where: 78 Commercial Quay, EH6 6LX
Book now: The Kitchin

Bib Gourmand restaurants in Edinburgh

As mentioned above a Bib Gourmand isn't quite a Michelin star, but the award still indicates an exceptionally high standard of cooking. With Edinburgh only having one restaurant in this bracket the spot below gets pretty booked up, so it's worth planning ahead to secure your table.

Ardfern, Bonnington

What: Roberta Hall-McCarron's Ardfern is a cafe, bar, restaurant and bottle shop located in the building just next door to her other restaurant, The Little Chartroom. This relaxed, neighbourhood spot showcases the very best of Scottish cuisine, offering a mix of table and counter seating, and with varying menus throughout the day depending on what time you visit. From cracking brunches to evening sharing dishes and a top-notch wine list, there's a space and menu for everyone here. 
Where: 10-12 Bonnington Road, EH6 5JD
Book now: Ardfern

Skua, Stockbridge

What: Tomás Gormley and Sam Yorke, the duo behind fine dining restaurant Heron in Leith, opened their second restaurant Skua to offer diners something a bit more accessible, albeit still focused around great-tasting food. The sharing plate concept places a major focus on sustainability, using often overlooked cuts to reduce food waste, while keeping the menu small and streamlined. Example dishes include fried chicken with hot sauce, donuts with smoked cheese and guanciale, and BBQ leeks with hazelnut mole. 
Where: 49 St Stephen Street, EH3 5AH
Book now: Skua

Noto, New Town

What: Stuart Ralston’s second Edinburgh restaurant (he also runs the excellent Aizle), Noto blends minimal, effortlessly trendy interiors with a modern, Asian-inspired menu. Dishes include sesame prawn toast with katsuobushi, scallops with yuzu kosho, and chicken yakitori with umeboshi, all washed down with bespoke cocktails and natural wines.
Where: 47A Thistle Street, EH2 1DY
Book now: Noto

The Scran & Scallie, Stockbridge

What: Chef Tom Kitchin does fine-dining at The Kitchin but he also does down-to-earth eating, too, at his family-friendly gastropub, The Scran & Scallie. The menu might read traditionally – ham, egg and chips; fish and chips; steak or fish pie – but this is pub grub taken to another level thanks to the skill of the team in the kitchen and the quality of ingredients. Good by-the-glass wines and Scottish beers, too.
Where: Comely Bank Road, EH4 1DT
Book now: The Scran & Scallie

Tipo, New Town

What: Stuart Ralston clearly has the touch, as Tipo joins Noto as his second Bib Gourmand awarded restaurant in Edinburgh. A slew of Italian-inspired small plates meet really excellent pasta plates and a clever cocktail list to make this one of Edinburgh’s most unique, interesting new restaurants.
Where: 110 Hanover Street, EH2 1DR
Book now: Tipo

The Bonnie Badger, Gullane

What: The Bonnie Badger is a little way outside of Edinburgh in Gullane, but it's worth a mention as it’s very accessible and makes a nice day trip from the city. This is another part of Tom Kitchin’s very successful restaurant group, and not dissimilar to The Scran & Scallie in the town centre, focusing on hearty, gastropub-style dishes that make the most of great Scottish produce.
Where: Main Street, EH31 2AB
Book now: The Bonnie Badger

More interested in drinking than dining? Check out our guide to the best rooftop bars in Edinburgh