These 5 picky-eater-approved Portobello restaurants saved us!
Been to crowded or overpriced seaside spots in Portobello? Yeah, I know the feeling. My family used to live there, so we’ve had our fair share of ups and downs in choosing the perfect eatery—one that everyone approves of.
One might think they’ve seen it all, but everything gets chaotic when you’re a parent. My husband and I needed to find places our kids wouldn’t make a fuss about. And with a family of picky eaters, that’s almost as easy as nailing jelly to a wall.
It’s a good thing our list grew over time, though. So whether you’re a parent with picky toddlers, a blogger, a tourist, or just a foodie, we’ve got you covered with these top-rated Portobello restaurants below.
How We Chose the Best Portobello Restaurants
1. The Espy
Address: 62-64 Bath St
Phone: +44 131 669 0082, [email protected]
Business hours:
- Mon-Sun: 11:00am – 1:00am
Short for ‘The Esplanade,’ The Espy is a Portobello restaurant bar offering a very chill dining experience. We believe this is lovely for anyone’s day off, just going on a lazy weekend brunch while spoiling yourself with the 360-degree views.
We appreciate that there’s a lot to love from the menu as well. Depending on your mood, you can go from fish and chips and signature burgers to loaded nachos and Asian-fusion meals.
Something we want to rave about is its classic mojitos (cocktails with rum, soda, and lime) and signature gin mixes. Otherwise, you can try one of the indulgent treats, like the plum and apple tart.
Moreover, we like that the diners can see stunning sea views from almost every seat! We reckon this is a lifesaver if you’re bringing a date.
Alternatively, we adore the fact that this spot is pet-friendly. No need to leave your pups at home!
And if your budget is tight, the seasonal promotions are convenient for us. There are weekday lunch specials, 2-for-1 cocktail hours, and the like.
Still, we noticed that the prices are slightly above average for the area. But in our opinion, the ambience and experience can justify them.
Lovely, Go-To Place
“Espy is lovely, this is our go to place for drinks. Place has character inside and lovely to sit outside on summers day or night. Staff are excellent very friendly and very efficient, glad to have this on my door step.”
-Ms. Margaret McIntosh, Google Review
Delicious, High-Quality Food
“I tried fish&chips a few times before, but never liked it. Well, I left the Espy being a fan of it. Delicious! I suggest also the homemade ginger beer, it’s amazing. Extremely nice service and very fair prices, considering the quality of the food.”
-Ms. Anna Rogers, Google Review
2. Miro’s on the Prom
Address: 25-25a Promenade
Phone: +44 131 669 9996, [email protected]
Business hours:
- Mon-Sun: 7:00am – 11:00pm
Miro’s on the Prom is a family-favourite brunch place in Portobello since it offers many options for all ages and preferences.
It’s known for its many homemade cakes and specialty coffees too, making it a go-to place for many locals or anyone who calls themselves ‘morning people.’
We especially love its pancakes with homemade mixed berry compote and sour cream, eggs on toast, and breakfast rolls—you can even choose from a bunch of ingredients, like bacon, sausage, black pudding, chestnut mushrooms, and more.
More than that, we appreciate the kids’ menu for breakfast, lunch, and dessert—there are numerous ice cream flavours which we think can lessen the chances of a tantrum.
Plus, we’re all for the casual vibe with the large windows that let each customer gaze onto the promenade.
Just one drawback, though. Since this restaurant is quite popular, we feel that finding a decent table can be tricky sometimes.
A Real Gem
“A real gem of a place too stop and and have a coffee and cake, and watch the world go by. It was my first time visiting Portobello beach. And I’m glad that I found this place too! Staff are really friendly and noting is too much trouble for them. Coffee and cake were amazing.”
-Ms. Rebecca Parker, Google Review
Best I’ve Ever Had
“Excellent place on Portobello Beach. We’ve been there twice now. The first time I had the burger, delicious. The second time I had fish and chips. The best I’ve ever had, without a doubt. Very good food and excellent service. The location is unbeatable.”
-Mr. Alberto Martín Pérez, Google Review
3. La Grotta
Address: 78 Portobello High St
Phone: +44 7309 707240, 01313744628
Business hours:
- Tue-Sun: 11:30am – 3:00pm, 5:00pm – 10:00pm
- Mon: Closed
As one of the longest-standing Italian spots in Portobello, La Grotta prides itself on its traditional recipes. And just like Italy, we’ve heard that its staff is big on being warm and hospitable—one major reason why patrons keep coming back, in our opinion.
No worrying about getting experimental cuisine, either—this restaurant actually sticks to the classics. We appreciate that you can go for anything, from rich pastas (like carbonara and seafood linguine) to oven-baked pizzas.
Moreover, we think it’s amazing that the interiors look authentic. It’s got checkered tablecloths and rustic decor, so it’s like stepping into an actual trattoria (small Italian resto).
We reckon you won’t feel cheated with the price too—the staff typically gives generous portions, so you’d better come in hungry.
Nevertheless, this option might not be for you if you’re looking for something more modern or innovative when it comes to the decor or recipes.
Always Delicious
“Food always delicious, the owners are very welcoming. A must of you like authentic Italian cuisine.”
-Mr. Joe Madden, Google Review
Consistently Beautiful Pasta
“This is becoming a regular local for us as every time we’ve been here it does not disappoint. Pasta is consistently beautiful. Lovely relaxed no rush atmosphere.”
-Ms. Cara Lucy, Google Review
4. Golden Bite
Address: 102 Portobello High St
Phone: +44 131 657 9063
Business hours:
- Tue-Sat: 12:00pm – 8:00pm
- Sun: 3:30pm – 9:00pm
- Mon: Closed
Should you be short on time, Golden Bite is one of our go-to takeaway spots in Portobello for fish and chips and other fast food.
With its comfort meals, we believe this is also a great option for late-night cravings, especially on Sundays when it closes an hour later than usual.
The food variety is handy for us as well. Whether you want a burger, pizza, kebab, or a traditional fish supper, you can find them all here.
We did, however, notice that there aren’t many desserts on the menu. Still, we believe the numerous savoury options and budget-friendly items are worth a visit.
Also, we gently advise against lining up at peak times. We heard from a former customer that the food quality can be inconsistent at times.
Lovely
“Lovely old-school family run chippy. Proper friendly bunch inside, matched with a very good fish supper! The Haddock was lovely.”
-Mr. Josh G, Google Review
Very Tasty
“I took fish and chips and it was very tasty. Owners were an Italian couple who were very bright and happy to give suggestions. Don’t miss out on the brown sauce for your fish and chips – it’s divine. Also, watch out for seagulls if you bring your food to the beach. These birds also know the good stuff.”
-Mr. Jay Albaos, Google Review
5. The Beach House
Address: 57 Bath St
Phone: +44 131 657 2636, [email protected]
Business hours:
- Mon-Fri: 8:00am – 5:00pm
- Sat-Sun: 8:00am – 6:00pm
Had a stressful week? The Beach House can be the low-key cafe you want, with its well-lit interiors and beachside tables.
Besides the organic eggs and free-range meats, we appreciate that it has a small garden. The staff grows their own flowers, herbs, spinach, and salads that they use for specialty breakfasts and light lunches every day!
We’re also a fan of them making their own gelatos, ice creams, and sorbets with organic milk. And if you ask for a special diet (something dairy-free, gluten-free, or vegan), you can ask the staff and they’ll be accommodating enough to adjust!
Before you leave, we suggest browsing its bakery too—there are lots of homemade bread, cakes, spreads, and other treats you can take home for yourself or your loved ones.
Just remember that parking near the seafront here can be tough, so it’s wise to scope out the area first to be sure.
Excellent
“Great service despite being busy, called in for coffee and cake, coffee excellent and cake very nice 👍🏼”
-Mr. Andrew Rogers, Google Review
Love It Here
“Love it here, often get a take away coffee when heading along the beach with the dog (he loves their home made dog treats) but have been in for coffee and a cake/ brunch several times as well. Food is always great but cant leave service unmentioned, all the staff are super friendly and attentive with special mention to Sam and Jack who always go the extra mile.”
-Mr. Stuart Gray, Google Review