Edinburgh’s a good place to eat alone, with lots of great venues to fit your needs.
Some people sense a weird stigma around eating alone, which is rooted in something, but it’s frustrating as it really shouldn’t be there. There’s literally no harm in being somewhere other than your home or hotel if you fancy something to eat.
However, there are some practical considerations. For example, how can you be at your table to show it’s occupied while also ordering at the counter?
This page calls out those reviews for locations that have the solo tag. As a bonus, I started to add that to write-ups in 2022 when venues felt especially suited to eating alone.
Dinner for one in Edinburgh, solo dining, call it what you want, but trust the lived experience of many others; it’s no bad thing.
Latest eating alone reviews
Old Poison Distillery Bar on Portland Place is a hidden gem for cocktails and snacks. With neon skulls and a speakeasy vibe, it is perfect for a date night or business drinks. Highly recommended for your next night out in Leith.
Read more Review: Old Poison Distillery Bar, a cocktail bar in Leith
Guido’s brings proper sit-down dining to a traditional Great Junction Street chippy in Leith. Expect fresh haddock, crisp jumbo sausages, and punchy burgers served in an unpretentious room packed with authentic local character and friendly staff.
Read more Review: Guido’s Proper Fish & Chips, a chippy in Leith
Whirlybird brings thoughtful cooking and relaxed warmth to Edinburgh’s Victoria Street. With clever dishes like chargrilled chicken with poached apricot, fair prices, and cracking drinks, it neatly dodges the tourist trap label.
Read more Review: Whirlybird, a restaurant on Victoria Street
Experience authentic Neapolitan craft at scale. Paesano on George Street offers rapid service, traditional Italian ingredients, and a bustling vibe that makes it perfect for group dinners and quick City Centre bites.
A veteran of the Broughton Street food oasis, Eden’s Kitchen prioritises GMO-free and organic ingredients. The open kitchen and pizza oven create a relaxed, picturesque atmosphere perfect for a casual but high quality Mediterranean meal.
Read more Review: Eden’s Kitchen, a bistro on Broughton Street
Now in the old Kilted Donut unit, Bandits serves up hearty comfort food. From the titular Bandit Burger to buffalo wings and churros, the menu is packed. It’s family-run, warm, and offers a great alternative to the city’s many smash burger joints.
CATA is an authentic Spanish tapas and wine bar in Edinburgh’s Stockbridge, offering a candlelit atmosphere, generous pintxos, and a welcoming environment for both groups and solo diners.
Located near Haymarket station, Flatbread Turkish Bakery House serves authentic Pide and Lahmacun. The venue is clean with a great bakery counter. While portions are light, the Doner flatbread is delicious and the service is fast and friendly.
Read more Review: Flatbread Turkish Bakery House, Haymarket Terrace