31st December 2017
Please note that this post is image heavy
Well it’s been another bumper year for Edinburgh Feasts. As we conclude our third year documenting our dining escapades, our readership and page hits have more than doubled since we completed our first year in 2015. It’s great to see that what started off as a way to remember all the great places to eat in Edinburgh when friends asked for recommendations has become something others are using as a guide. We have reviewed 59 restaurants in 2017, eight of which have gone into our highest scoring reviews. Here are some of the highlights.
Favourite Restaurants
There have been plenty of new openings in the city but we have tried to cover more of the long standing restaurants too. However, it’s the newbies who have really left their mark.
Sister restaurant to Ting Thai Caravan, Saboteur opened just a few doors down during the summer. Their menu has a very similar style to Ting Thai but this time with a Vietnamese slant. From noodle dishes to curries and bao, there should be something for everyone here.
Nestled in Newington, No.1 The Grange offers high end food in a relaxed pub setting. A welcoming atmosphere and reasonable prices for the quality of the food means it’s one to seek out.
Across in Glasgow, Ox and Finch has an excellent reputation. The masterminds behind that place opened BABA in Edinburgh as the year was coming to an end. A different style to its sister restaurant, BABA is inspired by the food from the Levant. Eastern Mediterranean flavours swirl around this place and the dips are to die for.
A stroll down to the bottom of Dundas St along to Eyre Place will lead you to New Chapter. A cosy little restaurant away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre but easily reached. Superb food – we particularly rated the fish.
Yet another sister restaurant on this list – this time Otro is the sister restaurant to the above New Chapter. Situated more centrally between Princes Street and Haymarket, this restaurant is light and bright with wonderful food and helpful staff.
Taisteal can be found in Stockbridge and offers the most amazing value pre-theatre menu, particularly considering the quality of the food. The a la carte menu is also worth exploring.
Hidden away a little in a side street in Tollcross, La Petite Mort has a french bistro feel inside. Some incredible food and a baked alaska that wins my vote.
Gin 71 is actually CupTea during the day but becomes a gin bar in the evenings. However, the food should not be overlooked in this place as it’s gorgeous. Watch out for vouchers on Itison for their tasting menu as it offers spectacular value.
My current office for the day job is round the corner from Kanpai and has quickly become a firm favourite. Beautiful sushi and sashimi, amongst other things, can be found here. A calming dining experience.
Best dishes
All the dips at BABA
Jilani’s milk chocolate chip cookie dough
Tuna maki at Kanpai
Hake at Lovage
Contandino at Contini
Chocolate bombe at the Ivy on the Square
Popular reviews and photos
Whilst this won’t be strictly accurate, considering not all reviews have been up for very long, the top 5 reviews on the site this year have been:
- On Bap (Korean)
- Saboteur (Vietnamese)
- Pizza Posto (Italian)
- New Chapter (Scottish)
- No. 1 The Grange (Scottish)
The top 9 photos on the Edinburgh Feasts Instagram account can be seen below:
Top row: dumplings at the Fringe (George Sq), covfefe at the Fringe (George Sq), Otro
Middle row: Dishoom, BABA, The Refinery
Bottom row: Ishka, 56 North, Saboteur
Lastly, here is an little infographic about Edinburgh Feasts over the past three years.
In 2018, we’ll look to develop some ‘top 5’ lists for additional ease of searching now we have so many reviews. We’ll also be eating at plenty of new places so come back and visit, or subscribe by filling in your email address into the subscribe option in the menu (left hand on desktops and settings icon on mobile).
All the best for 2018 and thanks for supporting Edinburgh Feasts!
Emma
