1820 Rooftop Bar
There’s definitely a POV that Edinburgh’s never bonnier than on a winter night. Where better, then, to view the lights and action than a rooftop bar with a warming whisky cocktail in hand? This is a great spot to start or end your festive event. You don’t have to do the whisky experiences to access the bar, but they’re highly recommended too.

BABA
A quiet table for four or a banquet for 20: Baba is the place for a Levantine feast with friends. Pick and choose your favourite mezze or go for their ‘best of Baba’ selection which includes the signature buffalo mozzarella with sour cherry harissa and basil.

Contini George Street
This former bank building exudes glamour and their take on modern Italian dining is like getting a hug from a nonna on Christmas morning. A turkey-free menu hits enough universally festive notes to feel familiar, while precise cooking, impeccable sourcing and a genuine welcome elevates the experience to a classy treat.

Dishoom
Arrive hungry, stay all night: Dishoom is a brilliant place to host a party. They’re hot on dietaries, so it’s easy to keep everyone happy. Expect a heavily laden table with flavours of Bombay, like keema pau, black dhal and chicken ruby. Festive menus start from £49 and if you’re ignoring the whole Christmas thing, classic feasts are still available.

Ka Pao
Add a little industrial chic to your get-together, with a booth at Asian-inspired Ka Pao. The sharing menu (£35pp) is super-generous, avoids ordering stress and includes all the big-hitters, like Arbroath smokie miang and coconut corn ribs. Get the party started with a pandan and Thai basil Old Fashioned.

The Palmerston
With tables for up to 12, The Palmerston is an elegant yet relaxed restaurant to gather your fave people together. Ideal for a long, relaxed lunch, expect properly hearty servings of hyper-seasonal local produce, like Berkshire pork shoulder or Shetland lamb with lentils, and definitely leave space for pudding.

Port Of Leith Distillery Bar
You’ll have to be early to watch the sunset, but that’s all the more reason to head to this swish skyline distillery bar for a chilled-out catch-up over aperitivo. Or go later in the evening to watch the lights over the Forth with a wee cocktail or two.

Sotto
A low-level trattoria, a warm bowl of tortellini in brodo and your pals; what could be cosier or more convivial this winter? Get yourselves down to Sotto, toast your impeccable taste with a Salted Negroni Sbagliato and thank us later. Christmas menus start from £45.

This article comes from WishList 2025, our guide dedicated to making your festive season a little more special. Pick up your copy now from wherever you get your copy of The List.