It might not be the official city of love, but Scotland’s capital is home to a fair share of romantic spots. From quaint bistros to rooftop restaurants, we’ve scoured the city in search of the most love-filled spots in Edinburgh.
When it comes to romantic date ideas, nothing quite beats a special dinner for two. We know we’re biased, but there are few things more intimate than spending an entire evening together over great food and drink. Whether you’re meeting someone for the very first time, or are celebrating a milestone anniversary, it’s important to get the setting exactly right. That’s why we’ve included a range of romantic restaurants in Edinburgh suited to all types of moods, budgets and occasions, because we understand that there’s isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution to the perfect date.
If it’s early days in your dating journey and you’re still getting to know someone, we’ve included plenty of casual restaurants where the vibes are fun and relaxed that will (hopefully) keep any awkward moments at bay. Equally, if you're after the perfect place to pop the question, you’ll also find a cohort of restaurants for dates in Edinburgh on the fancier end of the spectrum, serving fine dining menus in elegant interiors.
Our list includes options all over the city. Discover romantic restaurants in Edinburgh Old Town, including one special spot located at the gates of Edinburgh Castle. Or, swoop on over to the other side of the city to find a wealth of romantic restaurants in Edinburgh city centre, from affordable places to rustic bistros.
Whatever the vibe, the one thing you can guarantee from all these places is a memorable meal. Have a scroll to find a restaurant that’s right for you, then go ahead and book a table for two.
Hawksmoor
![grand dining room with red seats and steak with red wine]()
What: Steak and a bottle of red – is there a more iconic date night duo? This popular steakhouse is just the ticket for those looking for a reliable romantic restaurant where the vibes and the food are on point. It’s housed in the grand banking hall of a grade-A listed building on St Andrew Square, and boasts high ceilings, marble columns and dark wooden furniture amongst other original features. Its grass-fed, native breed steaks are the thing to go for here, alongside a selection of sides such as macaroni cheese, beef dripping fries and creamed spinach. On Mondays, it also offers corkage for £5 if you fancy a special meal to kick off the week.
Where: 23 West Register Street, EH2 2AA
Book now: Hawksmoor Edinburgh
Tattu
![Interiors and short ribs at Tattu]()
What: Combining contemporary Chinese fine dining with boujie interiors, Tattu is all about opulence and luxury. Now with multiple restaurants across the UK, it’s become pretty well known for its pretty pink cherry blossom trees and moody purple interiors, which you can’t deny help set the tone for a romantic evening. The menu, meanwhile, is built around sharing and features a luxurious selection of dim sum, meat, seafood, wok and signature small plates. If you’re struggling to decide, its sharing menu includes a curated selection for a fixed price, from caramel soy aged beef fillet to salt grilled Japanese black wagyu and Shanghai black cod.
Where: 18 West Register Street, EH2 2AA
Book now: Tattu
Café St Honoré
![bistro restaurant with white and black checkerboard floors]()
What: This longstanding restaurant has stood the test of time for many reasons, one being its classic fine de siecle Parisian interiors. With its monochrome checkerboard floors, mirrored walls, dark wooden cabinets and old-school white tablecloths, it offers plenty of charming vintage appeal. While the daily-changing menu boasts a concise selection of modern European dishes, from pork rillettes with red onion jam to start, followed by confit rabbit leg with buttery mash for main course. It also runs a fixed-price ‘cafe classics’ menu, starting with a creamed broccoli and stilton soup, followed by slow-cooked pork belly with braised borlotti beans, and finishing with lemon posset.
Where: 34 North West Thistle Lane, EH2 1EA
Book now: Café St Honoré
Bistro du Vin
![restaurant dining room and steak with red wine]()
What: On the topic of romantic bistros, Bistro du Vin is another classy spot in the city, offering romantic interiors, French-inspired elegance and perfectly cooked steaks. The grand dining room is bright and airy during the day, becoming moody and dimly lit in the evening - the perfect backdrop to date night. The a la carte menu features French flatbread with caramelised onion and anchovies, and chicken liver parfait with raisin chutney. For an elevated dining experience, there's also a 'Taste Du Vin' set menu which pairs a glass of fine wine with each course. Move through beef cheek bourguignon complemented by a Beaujolais Brouilly, and French artisan cheeses with a Uruguayan port.
Where: 11 Bristo Place, EH1 1EZ
Book now: Bistro du Vin
Skua
![candles on tables at skua]()
What: Skua’s pitch black walls are lit only by candles on the tables and a single street-side window, making this vibey little wine bar effortlessly romantic. The atmosphere is backed up by some of the most interesting, distinct cooking in Edinburgh, courtesy of Tomas Gormley (also the chef at smart sibling restaurant Cardinal). Most of the menu is sharable, and two hungry people can eat almost everything, making this a nice date spot for a pair of adventurous foodies. And if you're partial to a cocktail, their house cocktail list is pretty damn good!
Where: 49 St Stephen Street, Stockbridge, EH3 5AH
Book now: Skua
Six by Nico
![Dishes at Six by Nico]()
What: Six by Nico is a multi-course concept based around six experiential dishes. The menu changes every week and is inspired by a different memory, place or idea, so you never quite know what to expect. With no dress code, and at £45 a head, the idea is to make fine dining as affordable as possible while offering an exceptional level of dining and service. Guests can opt to add a wine pairing to their meal for an extra £35, and there are optional snacks and cocktails too. If you love a unique date night idea, you have to check out Six by Nico.
Where: 97 Hanover Street, EH2 1DJ
Book now: Six by Nico
Cafe Andaluz
![Interiors and paella at Cafe Andaluz]()
What: Tapas is a solid choice when it comes to getting the romance right, with the dining style built around the concept of sharing. Half the fun is deciding what to have at this charming Spanish restaurant, and a great way to spark conversation with your date. Look out for mussels cooked in white wine, ham and mozzarella croquettes, asparagus with Manchego and hollandaise, and traditional paellas made for sharing. Plus, date night is a great excuse for a pitcher of sangria or Tinto de Verano - a delicious summer red with sparkling lemon and Martini Bianco, that'll make even the coldest winter nights feel like summer.
Where: 77b George Street, EH2 3EE
Book now: Cafe Andaluz
Chaophraya
![rooftop bar and two glasses of white wine]()
What: Nothing says romantic like rooftop dining, and Charophraya has earned a reputation for delivering classy Thai food in elegant big-city settings. Nab a seat on its rooftop terrace to enjoy views of Edinburgh Castle and the Firth of Forth while you chow down an array of classic Thai dishes, including hot and sour soups, fragrant curries, spicy rice dishes and more. There’s an entire section dedicated to vegans and veggies, which includes Thai tacos, sweetcorn cakes, papaya salad and tofu in tamarind sauce. Elsewhere, Chaophraya's sharing set menus are a great way to go on date night, offering family-style dishes for two.
Where: 33 Castle Street, EH2 3DN
Book now: Chaophraya
The Witchery by the Castle
![candlelit dining room and prawns with white wine]()
What: Located at the gates of Edinburgh Castle, this gloriously gothic 16th-century building is steeped in history and atmosphere. Here, chef Douglas Roberts has created a fine dining menu using the best of Scotland’s larder, with game sourced from Perthshire and the Highlands to beef from the Scottish Borders. Starters include aged Scotch beef tartare with St Ewes egg yolk and mustard mayonnaise, while mains include the likes of market fish bouillabaisse with mussels, saffron potatoes and dill oil. There’s also a world-class wine list of over 600 bins which features an exceptional collection of global old and new world wines.
Where: 352 Castlehill, The Royal Mile, EH1 2NF
Book now: The Witchery by the Castle
Looking for more places to impress? Take a look at the best restaurants in Edinburgh with a view and check out our picks of the best spots in the city serving afternoon tea for an extra special occasion.