Le Petit Beefbar Edinburgh

Born in Monte Carlo and now spanning the globe, Le Petit Beefbar brings cosmopolitan flair and Parisian-inspired aesthetic to Edinburgh’s InterContinental Hotel.

The dining room is large and imposing, with lofty ceilings, black-and-white chequered tiling, and striking, off-white columns. It could feel too stuffy, too regal, but Art Deco flourishes and playful emoji-adorned plates help to tip the scales towards something more relaxed. A grand piano anchors the room, sitting centrally on its very own stage, and on another night, we imagine the tickling of ivories against the gentle hum of satisfied diners would be very pleasant.

The a la carte menu is a world tour of international cuisine, with an amped-up selection of ‘street food’ - far more elegant than anything you’d normally find curbside. We begin with tacos: golden, crunchy shells stuffed with satay-coated crab and topped with crushed cashews. Lime and coriander are added with confidence, and there’s just the right hint of spice too. Salmon crudo is equally punchy; thick, glistening slices of fish are delicately fanned, resting in a bath of yuzu and soy, and crowned with razor-sharp hits of raw ginger and chive.

Beef is, of course, the headline act, and the Crying Tiger is a must try. A sizzling grill sits at the centre of the table, smoking away around slices of striploin, blessing the ginger and honey marinated meat with a final waft of smoke. Elsewhere, a perfectly pink NY strip arrives herb-crusted, and slicked in Le Petit Beefbar’s buttery signature sauce. It’s less showy, but no less satisfying, and we quickly mop the plate clean.

The evening ends with a pistachio cheesecake, Basque-style but with added Dubai glam. It’s nutty and smooth, with the classic burnt exterior, though the accompaniment of a zesty, citrus compote doesn’t quite work for us, the sharp orange notes overwhelming the gentle pistachio flavours.

Boasting a serene setting, excellent service and prime location, Le Petit Beefbar is well worth a visit, and you won’t be disappointed with the food either.

Le Petit Beefbar Edinburgh is the first Scottish opening from restauranteur Riccardo Giraudi, who has over 30 locations around the world. It opened its doors in 2023 in the grand dining room of the InterContinental Edinburgh The George hotel. Situated on the hotel's ground floor, it retains the stylish hallmarks of the group's other high-class sites, with a slightly more relaxed air. 

Described as 'brasserie-style dining' expect stunning interiors like a grand piano, chequered flooring and cosy booths in rich, indulgent tones. As ever, the menu revolves around high quality cuts of beef, with creative dishes that pay homage to Beefbar classics, much loved across the globe.

Choose between the lunch, dinner and Sunday menu, with examples of all to be found on the website. To start, enjoy some sharing plates such as the Croque Sando with 45-day cured beef striploin prosciutto, mozzarella and the signature La Sauce Beefbar, alongside the Petit Kebab with mini Wagyu and Angus beef shawarma with wheat galette and tahini. 

For mains, diners can choose from Beefbar Classics, such as the miso black beef, a playful twist on the famous black cod but served with classic mash, or the Burger Bomb with a beef patty, confit shallots and pulled beef, bone marrow, cheese, pickles and crispy onions, served with fries. As for sides, we like the sound of artisanal savoury panettone, or the signature mash with servings of black truffle, gravy or lemon and lime.

When it comes to drinks, Le Petit Beefbar Edinburgh has a killer cocktail list, with a selection of both classic and signature cocktails. The 24 Degrees, for example, brings together Highland Park 12, Carpano Antica, Formula and Cocchi Americano vermouth, maraschino and Ferro-China amaro, for real kick. Or, check out the mocktail selection with alcohol-free options like Capitalise The Caper with Cordial de fleurs, ginger beer, salt and roasted lemon.