10 great places to eat and drink on and around The Royal Mile
From whisky bars and tapas spots to refined Scottish dining and excellent coffee, the Royal Mile offers plenty of standout places to eat and drink
The Black Grape
240 Canongate
Sleek and sophisticated, this wine bar is where Scottish produce like sea trout and wild mushrooms is crafted into a delectable selection of sharing dishes, accompanied by a varied and delightfully affordable wine list. Their cocktails are worth talking about too.
Cannonball Restaurant & Bar
356 Castlehill
A restaurant from the always reliable Contini family, set inside a former schoolhouse at the top of the Royal Mile (it gets its name from a cannonball embedded in the building). Big ticket Scottish produce such as haggis or venison is handled with creative flair and an eye to detail, making for satisfying seasonal dining with well-drilled and friendly staff.
Devil's Advocate
9 Advocate's Close
A vast whisky collection gleams amber and tawny behind the huge, steel bar. This whisky-first establishment eschews old-fashioned gentleman’s club vibes for modern industrialism. Food is classic Scottish done well and the covered outdoor terrace has heaters for an al fresco dram even on a dreich Edinburgh night.
Piggs
276 Canongate
Piggs brings a touch of Spanish passion to the Mile with an excellent selection of wine and traditional tapas dishes to share. Charcuterie boards of serrano ham, black pudding and manchego cheese are piled high and there’s a sausage, eggs and chips dish that is sure to fill you up.
Santu Coffee Bar
126 Canongate
Their impressive roastery is in Union Street, but Santu Coffee serves a super-fresh brew in this achingly cool café outpost. Beans are sourced from Brazil, there’s bossa nova on the record player and the coffee machine is sunshine-yellow, adding a touch of exotic colour to the Canongate.
Wedgwood The Restaurant
267 Canongate
Since opening in 2007, Wedgwood has provided an intimate haven of fine but unfussy dining. Chef Paul Wedgwood’s love of foraging can be seen in the seasonal menu of dishes like venison carpaccio with wild wood sorrel or pigeon pastrami with sweet cicely, and he runs foraging experiences on alternating weekends.
Also try… the classy seafood at White Horse, good value contemporary dining at The Outsider and drinks with a difference at quirky venues House Of Gods and Sköll & Hati.
This TipList is taken from Eat & Drink 365, our sister mag recommending the best in restaurants, bars, cafés and more across Edinburgh. Want a copy? It’s available online or across all good stockists in Scotland’s capital.