Cafe St. Honoré
34 North West Thistle Street Lane
This long-loved, back-street New Town venue feels like a chic Parisian bistro with white tablecloths, dark wood, and plenty of candles. The vibes may be French, but chef Neil Forbes ensures only the best of Scotland’s larder appears on his menus. The à la carte menu changes daily, and the set menu is excellent value. 

Edinburgh Larder                         
15 Blackfriars Street
If it’s not local, in season or the very best Scottish produce, then it’s not on The Edinburgh Larder’s menu. Breakfast is served all day, with hazelnut and blueberry waffles, hash browns with cold smoked sea trout, and a full Scottish on the menu. Soup, salads and sandwiches are added to the mix at noon. Now also on Morningside Road.    

First Coast       
97-101 Dalry Road
As all good bistros should be, First Coast is a spot for all reasons and seasons; you’re as likely to be sitting next to a first date as a big group catch-up or family tea. The food is equally accessible, whether chicken breast with harissa and whipped feta or terrine with picalilli. But there’s plenty of skill behind the seeming simplicity, for example hake with a creamy crab sauce is flaky, crispy-skinned, perfectly seasoned and cleverly balanced with the acidic hit from oven-dried tomatoes.

L'Escargot Bleu
56 Broughton Street
A chef so dedicated to his produce that he grows it himself, chef Fred Berkmiller grows all the vegetables and salads for his classic French bistro just outside Edinburgh. The restaurant is Pasture for Life accredited, showing commitment to sustainable farming. Enjoy the Gallic flavours with 24-hour braised Hardiesmill farm beef Bourguignon. 

LeftField            
12 Barclay Terrace
The simple menu at LeftField lets the quality of Scotland’s seafood speak for itself. Fluffy half-lobsters, steamed Shetland mussels and flaky sea trout are accompanied by French flavours or sometimes just a simple, generous squeeze of lemon. Conversations are absorbed by a wall of pot plants, creating an intimate atmosphere, complemented by the sprawling greenery of Bruntsfield Links seen through the huge windows.

The Scottish Café And Restaurant
National Galleries of Scotland, The Mound
Conveniently placed at the garden entrance of the National Gallery, this is a cut above your usual gallery caff. The sourcing is impeccable, with fruit and veg from the Contini kitchen garden and quality produce from across Scotland always on the menu. The afternoon tea comes highly recommended.            

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. Main picture: Tina Leahy.