The Edinburgh Festival attracts over four million visitors to the city centre every year, but just a few minutes away from the crowded streets, Edinburgh’s waterfront in Leith and Tollcross are just two of the capital’s most popular gourmet boltholes.
The coastal Edinburgh neighbourhood of Leith alone now boasts more fine dining restaurants than anywhere else in the country, including a wide variety of restaurants brimming with the best fish and seafood landed around the shores of Scotland.
Here is just a small menu of ideas to tempt you away from the city centre this August, including a green urban oasis cocktail bar and garden in Tollcross; a Michelin-acclaimed Scottish seafood restaurant in a waterside setting; and a two AA Rosette restaurant and outdoor deck onboard Scotland’s only five-star luxury floating hotel.
5. Dùthchas 187 Great Jct St, Edinburgh
Book this celebrated Leith restaurant to try their six course tasting menu, or if you’re not that hungry, their three course "wee" taster menu both of which are inspired mainly by Scottish seasonal ingredients. | Dùthchas, Edinburgh
6. The Blackbird, 37-39 Leven Street, Tollcross, Edinburgh
One of Edinburgh’s most popular neighbourhood cocktail bars is shaking things up with a £100,000 interior makeover in time for this year’s Fringe Festival. Located just two minutes from King’s Theatre in a lively hub for culture, dining, and shopping, The Blackbird is also home to a unique beer garden terrace, which offers a green urban oasis on warm summer evenings during the Festival and throughout the year. | contributed
7. The Lighthouse Restaurant & Bar, Fingal Hotel, Alexandra Dock, Leith, Edinburgh
Permanently berthed in Edinburgh’s historic Port of Leith, Fingal is Scotland's only five-star luxury floating hotel and is a world-class foodie destination with a nautical twist. Fingal's Lighthouse Restaurant & Bar has 2 AA rosettes for culinary excellence. The galley team is continuing to enhance the dining experience for the ship's guests following the expansion of its award-winning restaurant, which offers the finest-quality Scottish menus that are bursting with seasonal flavours, including Fingal citrus-cured Loch Eilt salmon with lemon salad and Gentleman’s Relish; roast peach with nasturtium, roquette and foraged Scottish mushrooms; plus poached meringue with Scottish strawberries and crème anglaise. Fingal’s The Lighthouse Restaurant & Bar is open to non-residents for afternoon tea, dinner and cocktails, offering an outdoor deck and a choice of private dining booths for small pre-booked groups. | contributed