We braved these 5 Leith restaurants for your next foodie fix!
I’ve tried overhyped tourist traps with bland menus over the last few weeks, and I’m over it. While I’ve always been open to trying new places, I think social media has made everything look disproportionately great—even though the taste doesn’t really match.
And since I go out to write and dine at nice places, I’ve become somewhat of a connoisseur of foodie spots. This time, I was obsessed with exploring my options in Leith. I even brought my boyfriend along so we could judge them more fairly.
So whether you’re a local dining aficionado, Michelin chaser, or curious tourist, we’ve reviewed these top-rated Leith restaurants for you below.
How We Chose The Best Leith Restaurants
1. The Kitchin
Address: 78, Commercial Quay
Phone: +44 131 555 1755, [email protected]
Business hours:
- Tue-Sat: 12:00pm – 2:30pm, 6:00pm – 10:00pm
- Sun-Mon: Closed
Fancy dining is The Kitchin’s thing. For us, it’s among the most interesting Leith restaurants because it’s a refined and chic converted whisky warehouse. We reckon it’s also what makes the vibe intimate, cosy, and relaxed.
Not to mention, this restaurant was awarded a Michelin star in 2007. If you’re bringing a date, we think this spot is more than impressive.
It’s also intriguing for us that it uses French techniques on Scottish produce. The meat and fish used are brought in whole, while butchering and filleting are done in-house every day, so we know they’re all fresh.
And with that, we recommend going for the North Sea shellfish or roasted lamb with seasonal vegetables. There’s a curated wine list, but we bet you’ll love the premium Scottish whiskies to maximise your experience.
Moreover, we like that the guests can view the chef and his team through a glass window in the main dining room. Why not enjoy the theatre of cooking by moving closer?
Nevertheless, its expensive pricing isn’t for everyone. Its meals might look smaller than average too, so don’t come in expecting the heartiest portions.
Incredible Food
“Amazing all around! Food was incredible and the wine pairing selections were delicious. Very pricy but if you love good local ingredients cooked by pro’s and wine that is unusual but delicious- The Kitchin is worth the price”
– Ms. Bernadette Ruby, Google Review
Wanted to Lick the Plates
“Every single thing about this place is amazing. I wanted to lick the plates and even the things that were a bit adventurous for us were absolutely fabulous.”
– Ms. Sharon Jones, Google Review
2. The Ship on The Shore
Address: 24-26, 24-26 Shore
Phone: +44 131 555 0409, [email protected]
Business hours:
- Mon-Fri: 11:00am – 10:00pm
- Sat-Sun: 10:00am – 10:00pm
Love shellfish? As one of the top seafood and champagne spots in Leith, The Ship on The Shore has that as its speciality. Plus, it features a nautical yet sophisticated charm for a cosy vintage feel.
The way we see it, its waterfront views give off an elegant and romantic vibe. It’s also got outdoor tables if you want a breezier experience.
As for the grub, this spot boasts a broad selection of freshly caught fish. If it’s your first time with friends, we recommend the seafood platters with oysters, mussels, scallops, and more.
Apart from the champagne, you can grab something sweet like the classic sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream. If you’re trying to be healthy, you can try any fruit-based dessert instead.
The catch? Well, several seafood meals here are sold at market price—depending on the fishing yields and other factors. This means that your bill total (if you’re ordering the same items next time) can change now and then.
Fantastic Mussels and Fish Pie
“We were very happy campers. The food, especially mussels and fish pie were fantastic. Service was great. Not cheap, but very much recommended by us.”
– Mr. Keith The Beer Guy, Google Review
Great Seafood
“Lovely seafood restaurant! Nice atmosphere, excellent friendly service and great seafood.”
– Mr. Olli Holmström, Google Review
3. Roseleaf Bar Cafe
Address: 23/24 Sandport Pl
Phone: +44 131 476 5268, [email protected]
Business hours:
- Sun-Thu: 10:00am – 11:00pm
- Fri-Sat: 10:00am – 12:00am
Looking for a casual dining spot? Roseleaf Bar Cafe is known for its quirky, informal setting as a cafe bistro in Leith. A great stop for chilling with friends while on a budget, we say.
What makes it whimsical for us is its interiors. Think mismatched furniture and vintage decor all over the place. It’s colourful, which we feel makes it interesting for young families.
We love that this spot is quite accessible too—it’s open for brunch, lunch, dinner, afternoon teas, and everything in between every day.
In our opinion, you should try all-day breakfasts like eggs Benedict or pancakes first. Otherwise, we like the fish and chips and burgers too. Dessert-wise, we bet you can’t go wrong with a good ol’ cheesecake.
But the tradeoff is that it can get pretty crowded at peak brunch hours. Service can get slower too, so it’s smart to arrive earlier (or later) for lunch or dinner.
The Best
“Best brunch I’ve ever had, coffee was fantastic too + lovely service”
– Mr. Joshua Barnes, Google Review
Delicious, Perfectly Cooked
“I really loved this space. The ambiance was very romantic (even though I was there by myself, lol) I was able to sneak in last minute (around 8pm) for dinner and a drink. And it was still quite busy, so clearly a popular spot. The drinks were super unique, mine was a play on the classic margarita and it was DELICIOUS. My burger was perfectly cooked, the fries were tasty, and OH MY GOODNESS this cake. Seriously. The cake. What a way to end my trip.”
– Ms. Hannah Lushko, Google Review
4. Nobles
Address: 44A Constitution St
Phone: +44 131 629 7215, [email protected]
Business hours:
- Tue-Thu: 4:00pm – 12:00am
- Fri-Sat: 10:00am – 12:00am
- Sun: 10:00am – 11:00pm
- Mon: Closed
Sometimes, you just want to be treated like royalty, and Nobles (from its name) oozes a lot of elegance we appreciate. It’s a sophisticated gastropub cafe-bar in Leith known for its stained-glass windows and nautical decor.
It’s handy for us that it’s got 4 separate menus too, such as brunch, evening, dessert, and Sunday Roast—a crowd favourite. As for the regular grub, we’ve heard good things about the Full Scottish breakfast and fish and chips.
On top of that, we like that it caters to vegetarians and vegans. We suggest giving the beetroot and butterbean hummus toast or avocado croissant a try.
Just remember that kids (naturally supervised by parents and guardians) are welcome here until 10 pm only. So if you’re going as a family, it’s best to arrive earlier to avoid any hassle.
Another hiccup is that the seating can feel tight due to its cosy space. It can get packed and noisy during peak hours too, but we reckon that’s inevitable for most bustling eateries.
Delicious Sunday Roast
“Peppercorn sauce! On a Sunday roast! That’s not gravy, that’s steak night sneaking in wearing a Yorkshire pudding as a hat. A proper Sunday roast and gravy belong together like bread & butter or Ant & Dec. The rest of the roast was delicious, great veg and perfect Yorkshire pudding. We will definitely be back… just as soon as gravy is allowed back where it belongs.”
– Mr. Geoff Morrison, Google Review
Magnificent
“From the moment through the door, the genuine atmosphere that historical Leith port vibe and warm staff, I knew we were in for an amazing night. A bottle of great merlot and two Sunday dinners with a scrumptious appetiser and a to-die-for desert was spectacular. Top that off with a real log fire, candle lighting and staff that cared with an attention to detail like old world banquets for Queen Mary of Scotland and King Charles, and all the ‘Nobles’ who have come this way. Every local should check this place out. The food was mesmerising to the palette. The chef/main cook ‘Sultana’ (her forte is mostly Indian food, but her culinary skills are obviously international) and wait staff, exceptionally well mannered and polite. The architecture is stunning. Edinburgh and beyond would love this place and it’s worth it! If you spend the evening at Nobles it will be cherished. A luxury between the Port of Leith and Leith walk. Magnificent!”
– Mr. Israel Bensinger-Barnson, Google Review
5. Paloma
Address: 50-54 Henderson St
Phone: [email protected]
Business hours:
- Wed-Fri: 5:00pm – 12:00am
- Sat-Sun: 12:00pm – 12:00am
- Mon-Tue: Closed
Paloma is the neighbourhood taco spot you might like if you’re craving authentic Mediterranean coastal flavours and vibes.
Right off the bat, we’re all about the hand-pressed corn tortillas, as well as the shared plates and banging cocktails. It’s gluten-free too, so a lot more customers can indulge.
We also love the Asada Sundays (Mexican tradition of a backyard barbecue). For £32 for 2, you can feast on your choice of either a spiced, cola-glazed sugar pit pork rib or a 35-day dry-aged rump of beef.
Just keep in mind that the cooking time for Asada Sundays is at least 30 minutes, so you have to be patient. Meanwhile, we appreciate that this restaurant has a good wine selection and creative cocktails to get you through that.
And since it offers many savoury items, we like that the desserts here complement them. Our top picks are the citrus tarts and rotating seasonal sweets.
Nonetheless, we noticed that the portions on the small plates aren’t as generous as those of other spots. We think some customers might deem this too light.
Outstanding
“Absolutely brilliant. Friendly and impeccable service, great atmosphere and, of course, championship-class tacos. A shout-out too, to the Pancho’s Margarita 2.0 and its pineapple goodness – outstanding!”
– Mr. Kyles Dignall, Google Review
Good and Friendly Service
“Lovely Mexican place. We had all of the meat tacos on the menu and they were all really nice! The whipped feta tostada and corn were also very good.
The drinks were also lovely and the service was good and friendly”
– Mr. Ryan White, Google Review