The ambience is just as important as the meticulous food to make for a romantic restaurant: the décor, the lighting, the attention to detail and adequately spaced tables can all add to an overall intimate feel while on a date. So, if you’re looking for that perfectly balanced place to take your date to, we’ve summoned up a list of the most pretty and romantic restaurants in Edinburgh just in time for Valentine’s Day.
1. The Kitchin
As far as a romantic restaurants list goes, the award-winning Michelin Star restaurant The Kitchin in Leith takes the cake. On top of making the top 5 in the Harden’s List of the best restaurants in the UK, The Kitchin is run by celebrity Chef Tom Kitchin. The restaurant carries the motto ‘from nature to plate’, so the ingredients are exclusively sourced from Scotland, where guests are only served the freshest meals inspired by British and French cuisines. What is more, the interior is warm and welcoming: a modern fireplace adds that warm touch and a glass wall in the kitchen allows guests to peer into the art of Michelin-starred cooking. While it’s £110 for a three-course dinner, budget-conscious guests can opt for the three-course lunch menu which is also stunning and costs £52.50.
78, Commercial Quay, Leith, EH6 6LX
2. Tattu Edinburgh
When it comes to dimly-lit, intimate restaurants in Edinburgh, Tattu often comes to mind. The famous cherry blossom trees seen from the outside easily lure one in, in the hopes of trying something extraordinary. The concept of connection is well understood in Tattu, where guests are encouraged to share their food. Both small and large platters are created to be shared from Tattu’s seasonal Chinese-inspired menu, where food lovers can try a bit of everything while having a well-deserved break with their loved one. As Kobayashi Issa said: “In the cherry blossom’s shade there’s no such thing as a stranger.” And that is certainly true in Tattu Edinburgh.
18 W Register St, EH2 2AA
3. Origano Cafe & Pizzeria
The building where Origano is located is the only surviving part of the former Victoria India Rubber Mill in Leith. The cosy open-plan restaurant has a big red candle on each table to help add an extra romance, and the stone-baked pizzas are a great addition to the intimate vibes. The space is essentially doused in candlelight, open stone walls and wooden elements from both the original structures and the newly added décor. What is more, the restaurant owners would also appreciate the additional support right now as their takeaway branch was flooded in January and still remains shut.
236 Leith Walk, EH6 5EL
4. Gordon Ramsay Bread Street Kitchen & Bar
Bread Street Kitchen means business when it comes to beef and chocolate fondant. Located at St Andrew Square, Bread Street Kitchen & Bar is a place of effortless splendour, where classic British cuisine meets modern signature touches. Moreover, requesting a table upstairs will be the best option for some extra romance with a pleasant view over St Andrew Square. If you’re there for the signature beef Wellington experience or to indulge in the large cuts, the portions are generous and are created to be shared. Guests can choose their preferred rare breed cut that has been dry-aged for 35 days and is at least 900g of juicy goodness. What is more, you must also try the chocolate fondant: it’s the best we’ve had in Edinburgh so far.
4 St Andrew Square, EH2 2BD
5. Mia Italian Kitchen
Mia Italian Kitchen – we love that place. While we’ve only visited the Morningside branch, there is another restaurant in Dalry. There is just something innately romantic about Italian food, and thankfully, Edinburgh has plenty of Italian restaurants to go around. Mia Italian Kitchen is a local family business with a homely interior, where you can expect a simple menu cooked in a rustic way. What is more, the wine list is exceptional, so it’s a great place for wine lovers of all kinds.
96 Dalry Rd, EH11 2AX
394 Morningside Rd, EH10 5HX
6. The Prahna Indian Grill
If you live not too far from Costorphine or are willing to travel to the instagrammble spot, The Prahna Indian Grill is what some visitors have described as ‘the best Indian they’ve ever had’ on TripAdvisor. While Edinburgh is abundant in Indian restaurants, this one not only comes with raving reviews, but also a stunning interior and a buzzing atmosphere. Forget curries presented in metal bowls, The Prahna Indian Grill takes food presentation seriously: for example, the afternoon tea comes in a meticulously presented golden hexagon, so you can imagine the rest of the dishes.
295 St. Johns Road Corstorphine, EH12 7XF
7. Duck & Waffle
Duck & Waffle is not just another of the romantic restaurants out there. While it is very pretty indeed, the food is just as delightful. The critically acclaimed restaurant is famous for its creative effortless take on British cuisine, with playful touches from fellow European cuisines. Duck & Waffle is most known for its signature dish, which (shockingly) contains a buttermilk waffle topped with a crispy duck leg confit and fried duck egg doused in mustard maple syrup. The main menu is delightfully wholesome nonetheless, with vegan, gluten-free, breakfast, brunch, all-day and late-night sections.