Fin & Grape is a neighbourhood restaurant in Bruntsfield with a clear focus: Scottish fish, responsibly sourced wines and food designed to be shared. It’s the type of neighbourhood haunt we all wish was around the coner, where you can settle in properly, order a drink first, and let the meal build at its own pace.
The experience usually begins simply. A glass of house Champagne sets things off, followed by a small round of snacks to settle in. Spiced nuts arrive warm, pork rillettes come rich and well-seasoned, and sourdough with butter is exactly what it should be: good bread, no distractions. It’s a deliberate start that encourages conversation and makes it easy to relax into the rhythm of the meal.
From there, the set menu is designed for the table rather than the individual. Plates are brought out to share, encouraging everyone to try a bit of everything. Of course, seafood takes the lead, with dishes that highlight Scottish produce without overcomplicating it. Torched sea trout comes with Jerusalem artichoke, confit leek, miso and hazelnut alongside slow-roasted winter squash paired with a Chablis butter sauce, walnut and guanciale.
Vegetables are treated with the same care. Roasted sprouts are served with whipped white bean, nduja and crispy onion, a combination that manages to feel both comforting and well-judged. Sides follow the same straightforward logic: fries with aioli for the table, and a mixed leaf salad with poached pear, mustard, pumpkin seed and Ossau-Iraty to cut through the richer dishes.
Dessert continues the sharing format. A dark chocolate mousse with s’mores and hazelnut is generous and indulgent, while deep-fried rice pudding with crème fraîche, fig and walnut leans more towards warmth and nostalgia.
Add to that, a stylishly rustic space, a team with character and passion, and artfully served plates, and you've got yourself an instant winner - somewhere that goes down a treat with locals and visitors alike.