Review: A Taste of Scotland at The Ivy on the Square

An August-only menu that blends Scottish tradition with classic Ivy flair.

I found out this weekend that Edinburgh’s Ivy on the Square is my mother’s favourite restaurant. I love my mum, but she’s picky, with a firm belief in old-school traditions (don’t you dare leave your knife and fork akimbo once you’ve finished eating).

I also went to The Ivy on the Square for the first time this week, so the pressure was on. Sorry to brag, but I was invited to the press launch of “Taste of Scotland,” The Ivy’s special menu for August, designed to celebrate the nation’s finest ingredients during the city’s most vibrant season.

“Taste of Scotland” isn’t just The Ivy putting their own twist on iconic Scottish food, but a full collaboration with Johnnie Walker, featuring a curated selection of whisky-based cocktails.

Firstly, as a blogging idiot, I didn’t pay for my meal, but the price is seriously impressive. It’s £24.95 for two courses and £30.95 for three courses. No wonder mum likes the place.

The Food: A Tour of Scotland’s Larder

We started with nibbles. Out of the truffle arancini rice balls, zucchini fritti, and the very Scottish Oatmeal-rolled Lathallan Haggis Bon Bons (served with a malt whisky and wholegrain mustard mayonnaise), the prize easily went to the creamy, decadent rice balls.

For a proper starter, I had what I think may be the hero dish of the night: the Smoked Peterhead Haddock Risotto. It was perfectly cooked, creamy, and came with a soft poached hen’s egg that, once broken, coated the dish in a rich, devilled hollandaise. Other options showed a real commitment to the theme, including a Twice-Baked Gratinated Cheese Soufflé made with Strathdon Blue from Tain and a Mackerel Pâté with horseradish and apple.

For the main course, I moved to the Scottish Aged Sirloin Steak, served with a punchy Laphroaig whisky peppercorn sauce. Seeing a steak of this quality on a set menu (albeit with a supplement) at this price point was a pleasant surprise. And yes, there’s haggis, of course. Not just as a starter, but as a hearty main of Campbells Haggis served with a creative neeps and tatties shepherd’s pie and a red wine sauce.

Lastly, dessert. I resisted the urge to try the “blue murder cheese” (Strathdon Blue) and went with the Cranachan Bombe. I think it had undisclosed popping candy in it, which was a delightful surprise. It was also the first ‘bombe’ dish that actually performed for me. The press release explains the magic: it’s a melting chocolate dome filled with vanilla ice cream and raspberries, which breaks open when the server pours over a Scottish heather honey and hot whisky cream sauce at the table. A bit of theatre to end the meal.

The Drinks: A Johnnie Walker Journey

The collaboration with Johnnie Walker is more than just a name. The cocktail list is a tribute to Scottish flavours. The Dundee Spritz was a standout, mixing Johnnie Walker Black Label with crème de apricot and Dundee marmalade for a tangy, refreshing start. For something more robust, the Cranachan Highball blends Singleton 12-year-old and Talisker 10-year-old whiskies with apple and ginger ale. And for an after-dinner tipple, the Caledonian Coffee offers a smooth mix of Johnnie Walker Gold Label, coffee liqueur, and Caledonian cream.

The Vibe: First Class on an Economy Ticket

The place is great. I still can’t quite balance the level of service with the price of the food. It felt like we were getting first-class service for economy prices. The wait staff were practised, well-trained, and attentive without being intrusive.

We also had a bagpiper. The strapping young chap might just have been there for the launch night, but it shows the sort of care and attention the team puts into events. It was priceless, contrasting the ‘could not be bothered’ look on the teenage diners’ faces with the absolute surprise and joy of the slightly older European guests. This attention to detail seems to come from the top. As Head Chef Colin Fleming says, “Scotland’s natural larder is second to none, and this menu is our way of honouring its richness, depth, and the incredible producers behind it… every dish tells a story of heritage and flavour, reimagined with The Ivy’s signature flair.”

Things to do in the city centre

There are loads of options from this fantastically central location!

There are two cinemas and two theatres within walking distance, from Vue to the Everyman, and the Edinburgh Playhouse, with The Usher Hall a bit further away. During the Festival, forget the cinema, and go see a show.

Ivy on the Square is also near Edinburgh’s Waverley train station, making it an acceptable meeting point for coordinating with visitors.

I suspect meeting at John Lewis or anywhere in the St James works as a good pre-Ivy meeting and, frankly, most of the centre is an acceptable post-dinner/lunch idea.

Overall

I was impressed. I feel slightly foolish that I’d not been before, but I can see why my mother, with her high standards, is such a fan. The Ivy on the Square is going on my list as the first place to take business guests. If you do become a recurring Edinburgh Reviews sponsor, this is where I’d take you as a thank-you dinner.

In the centre of Edinburgh on St Andrew Square, The Ivy on the Square provides a refined setting for all-day dining. The restaurant features a varied menu of modern British and global cuisine, ensuring plentiful options for vegan and vegetarian guests.