Review: Chez Bernard, A French wine bar and bistro on Leith’s Shore

Chez Bernard brings unpretentious French bistro culture to Leith, taking over the prominent corner site at 1-2 Shore that previously housed Pizza Express. Positioned directly where Bernard Street meets the waterfront, the bar and eatery pairs regional French wines by the glass, carafe, and bottle with classic charcuterie, cheeses, and hot bistro staples.

The venue opened its doors ahead of the autumn season, quickly establishing itself as a natural fit for the Shore’s thriving food and drink scene. Its deep claret facade and outdoor terrace face the Water of Leith, offering a relaxed Continental spot that transitions smoothly from daytime pushchair stops to lively evening tables.

Plates, Planchettes, and the Napkin Problem

The food menu leans unapologetically into French tradition, split across sharing boards (planchettes), hot plates (plats chauds), and seafood (fruits de mer). If you plan to tackle the charcuterie and cheese boards, prepare for finger food that demands a generous supply of napkins.

The boards arrive loaded with French cheeses, cured meats, fresh crusty bread, oatcakes, butter, chutney, and drizzled honey. That honey adds a delightful sweetness against the savoury charcuterie, but it makes every bite gloriously messy. A solitary paper napkin will not cut it when tackling warm, crusty baguettes smeared with rich pâté de campagne and topped with dressed salad greens. Crusts will splinter across the table, salad leaves will take flight, and you will relish every mouthful.

Beyond the cold boards, hot dishes include a dependable Croque Monsieur, quiche Lorraine, and savoury buckwheat galettes, alongside steaming bowls of French onion soup served with bread. For daytime diners, the weekday lunch deal offers any plat chaud for £8.00 between noon and 4:00 PM, providing great value for waterfront dining.

An Approachable Wine List and Generous Space

Wine takes centre stage at Chez Bernard, presented on a comprehensive, clearly laid-out list that doesn’t intimidate newcomers. Pour sizes suit every level of thirst, from 125 ml and 175 ml glasses to 250 ml and 500 ml carafes, plus full bottles. Staff are well-drilled, quick on their feet, and happy to help decipher the French menu terms or suggest a pour if you find yourself reaching for Google Lens to translate fruits de mer.

Red wine enthusiasts will find accessible French staples alongside Italian guests, such as a velvety Merlot Syrah blend from Vignerons Ardéchois labelled as “Bernard’s favourite,” an organic Primitivo from Puglia, and an earthy Côtes du Rhône La Grange de Piaugier. Pricing remains fair across the board, balancing everyday drinking with premium vintages without waterfront gouging.

The interior layout takes full advantage of the spacious former pizza restaurant footprint. Wide aisles and banquette seating provide ample room for prams, pushchairs, and family groups during the early afternoon. As night falls, candlelight and warm wall sconces reset the atmosphere for couples, mature parties, and visitors looking for a glass of wine before dinner.

Things to do in Leith

The Shore remains one of Edinburgh’s premier maritime and dining destinations, packed with independent businesses and cultural stops.

• Attractions & Culture: Take a short stroll along the historic waterfront quays to the Custom House, explore the cobbled streets of Old Leith, or walk up to Ocean Terminal to visit the Royal Yacht Britannia.
• Transport: Reaching the Shore is straightforward thanks to the Edinburgh Trams extension, which stops directly at the Shore tram stop a few paces away. Lothian Bus routes 16, 22, and 35 also serve the immediate neighbourhood.
• Shopping & Exploring: Wander along Leith Walk and Commercial Street to browse independent wine merchants, antique shops, and local bakeries.
• Accommodation: Visitors looking to stay right by the water can reserve nearby boutique rooms at Malmaison Edinburgh or explore waterfront apartments through Booking.com. Those planning wider road trips across Scotland can arrange vehicle pickup through Auto Europe.

Overall

Chez Bernard fits the Shore like a glove, delivering a welcoming wine bar and bistro that sidesteps pretension. Come for the well-curated wines, stay for the charcuterie, and simply remember to ask the staff for extra napkins.