Romantic restaurants in Edinburgh: 9 spots for the perfect date

It might not be the official city of love, but Scotland’s bonnie capital is home to its fair share of amorous spots. From Parisian bistros to rooftop Thai restaurants, we’ve scoured the city in search of the most romantic restaurants 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

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

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 £39 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 £30, and there are optional snack and cocktails too.
Where: 97 Hanover Street, EH2 1DJ
Book now: Six by Nico

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 ‘modern sharing’ menu includes a curated selection for a fixed price, from seven spiced seared tuna with truffle aioli and caviar, to caramel soy aged beef with shiitake, ginger and asparagus.
Where: 18 West Register Street, EH2 2AA
Book now: Tattu

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. 
Where: 77b George Street, EH2 3EE
Book now: Cafe Andaluz

Bar Soba

What: On the hunt for a relaxed place to party the night away? Bar Soba combines South East Asian street food, creative cocktails and a killer playlist curated by the best local and international DJs. Feast on dishes inspired by South East Asia’s bustling night markets, from bao buns to dumplings, katsu curries and noodle, all washed down with some of the most creative cocktails in the business. Disco drinks, soba’d up, pan Asian persuasion and classic crowdpleasers are all dedicated sections on the menu.
Where: 104 Hanover Street, EH2 1DR
Book now: Bar Soba

Chaophraya

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 also an entire section dedicated to vegans and veggies, which includes Thai tacos, sweetcorn cakes, papaya salad and tofu in tamarind sauce.
Where: 33 Castle Street, EH2 3DN
Book now: Chaophraya

The Voodoo Rooms

What: The Voodoo Rooms in central Edinburgh scores top points for atmospheric interiors. This impressive venue finds its home in a beautiful historic building, with moulded ceilings, black leather booths and a glam-gothic black and gold colour scheme. Both the dining room and the bar are open to the public where guests can choose from a brasserie style menu alongside award-winning cocktails. It also hosts live music throughout the week, so you might want to consider planning your romantic evening around one of its exciting artists.
Where: 19a West Register Street, EH2 2AA
Book now: The Voodoo Rooms

The Witchery by the Castle

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 raw hen’s egg and mustard mayonnaise, while mains include the likes of lamb wellington with ratatouille, buttered Jersey Royals and jus. 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

Café St Honoré

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 piccalilli to start, followed by pork belly, black pudding, buttery mash and greens for main course. It also runs a fixed-price ‘cafe classics’ menu, starting with a niçoise salad, followed by smoked haddock with crushed potatoes and capers, and finishing with Eton Mess.
Where: 34 North West Thistle Lane, EH2 1EA
Book now: Café St Honoré

Looking for more places to impress? Take a look at the best restaurants in Edinburgh with a view.