The 5 Tasty Restaurants in South Queensferry That Won Us Over
If you’re a wise mum like me, you’re probably avoiding dining spots with sky-high prices, slow service, or itty-bitty portions.
I don’t even need to guess—my kids have no filter as my little taste testers. And we’ve had our fair share of hits and misses, making me quite the local dining aficionado too. The best part? We’re not keeping these spots a secret!
So whether you’re a local foodie, curious tourist, or meticulous parent like me, we’ve got these top-rated restaurants in South Queensferry for you to consider.
How We Chose The Best Restaurants in South Queensferry
1. Rogue Bros
Address: 22 High St
Phone: +44 131 331 5429, [email protected]
Business hours:
- Tuesday-Thursday: 12 PM–10:30 PM
- Friday-Saturday: 12 PM–11 PM
- Sunday: 12 PM–10 PM
- Monday: Closed
Seafood fans should make their way to Rogue Bros at least once. This South Queensferry restaurant offers casual, nautical-styled interiors with Forth Bridge views that we think can elevate your typical dining experience.
We love that diners can stay upstairs for tapas-style dining (smaller, shareable plates) or go downstairs for a traditional sit-down meal with full-sized portions. For us, this helps cater to both friends and family.
As for the modern Scottish and European grub, we recommend going for the steak tartare (raw) or oysters to get a more sophisticated experience. Or, you can always go for buttermilk fried chicken if you want something filling.
For pudding, you can get the sticky date pudding or burnt Basque (a region in northern Spain) cheesecake. We reckon the kids would love these sweet classic options too.
Just keep in mind that the upstairs area can get pretty noisy during busy weekends. We recommend making reservations in advance to cut your waiting time as well.
Highly Recommended
“I would recommend the chicken thighs. Best ever chkn thighs I’ve tried. Cheesecake wàs also superb. Great relaxing view looking into the water and bridge. I will be back”
– Mr. Ken Godwin, Google Review
Best Meal I’ve Had
“Couldn’t fault it. My husband and I visited for the first time today with our 3 year old (yes they’ve a kids menu) and the food was amazing. Best meal I’ve had out in a while and the view was absolutely stunning.”
– Ms. Christine Fleming, Google Review
2. Scotts
Address: Port Edgar Marina, Shore Rd
Phone: +44 131 370 8166, [email protected]
Business hours:
- Monday-Thursday: 9 AM–9 PM
- Friday-Saturday: 9 AM–10 PM
- Sunday: 9 AM–9 PM
Scotts is known as a trendy waterfront restaurant and bar offering all-day dining, as well as extensive classic British and international food.
Right off the bat, we bet locals and travellers would love its fish and chips and dry-aged steaks. We like that there are loads of drinks too, such as wines, cocktails, artisan gins, and craft beers.
Dessert-wise, we encourage trying something new with the Cranachan cheesecake. This is made from a traditional Scottish pudding made from oatmeal, raspberries, crowdie or soft Scottish cheese, honey, and whisky—a combo of all the good stuff!
If you have children in tow, we appreciate the Little Foodies deal on weekdays from 3 to 5 pm. This already includes mains, ice cream, and a drink for £3.50—ideal for hungry kids and kids at heart.
And if you want free parking, remember to enter your car registration number inside. That should make things a breeze.
Nevertheless, we noticed that its prices lean on the higher side. Still, we believe you’re paying for the view and ambience most of the time—it could be worth it.
Charming Spot
“A charming spot with friendly service, tasty food, and a “sweet chili” that’s spicier than expected.”
– Mr. Paul Collins, Google Review
Excellent Food and Service
“The food and service was excellent it was busy when we went at 6:30 so I would recommend booking. My only gripe is them adding on a service charge I would prefer to give what I think not what the bill says. And I know you can ask to have it removed but I just feel it shouldn’t be there in the first place.”
– Ms. Karen Law, Google Review
3. The Railbridge
Address: 4 Newhalls Rd
Phone: +44 131 331 1996, [email protected]
Business hours:
- Monday-Thursday: 9 AM–8 PM
- Friday-Saturday: 9 AM–9 PM
- Sunday: 10 AM–8 PM
The Railbridge is a contemporary, bustling bar-diner serving a Scottish bistro-style menu. It also boasts Forth Bridge vistas that we feel make sunsets look better.
Have a big appetite? We suggest going for the steak and ale pie, cheeseburgers, or Italian chicken right away. Alternatively, this spot serves light dishes, like fish and chips and sandwiches.
To end on a sweet note, why not try the apple crumble—it’s homemade, so we bet this recipe is one of a kind.
No need to worry about your schedule either—this spot is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! In our opinion, this makes it ideal for day-trippers looking for a tasty stop while exploring the town.
We’re also happy about its on-site store, which supports local artists. While waiting for your food, browsing over here seems like a fun way to kill time.
The only drawback for us is that the menu can use some innovation. We feel a few seasonal specials might spice things up. But if you only want classic and timeless food, we think you’re already in for a treat.
First Class
“We went for lunch, had the club sandwich, soup, and a guinness, first class, would reccomend😎🍺⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”
– Mr. Winston Craig, Google Review
Fantastic Service
“Had the great pleasure of eating here this evening, great food, fantastic service, just a lovely place to dine with a view to die for. The young man who served us couldn’t do enough to help us, sorry didn’t get his name”
– Mr. Jason Thompson, Google Review
4. Orocco Pier
Address: 17 High St
Phone: +44 131 331 1298, [email protected]
Business hours:
- Monday-Thursday: 7 AM–10:30 PM
- Friday: 7 AM–11 PM
- Saturday: 8 AM–11 PM
- Sunday: 8 AM–10:30 PM
Orocco Pier is where you can eat, drink, or celebrate at a venue while taking in the dramatic surroundings.
It’s a trendy bar, boutique hotel, and seafood brasserie (French-style restaurant) all in one, so we reckon it’s basically a triple threat to several spots around.
Plus, we feel it’s convenient that there are many dining experiences here to enjoy. You can go for cocktails, afternoon tea, dinner, or an overnight stay for a cosy breakfast—ideal for couples, we say.
This place is known for its contemporary Scottish seafood and grill dishes too. We bet you’ll like the oysters and mussels, as well as the chargrilled steaks.
We recommend the chocolate fondant for dessert lovers as well! Otherwise, the lemon posset (a creamy citrus-infused dessert, dating back centuries) is a delightful option if you want something refreshingly zesty.
In addition, we’re stoked that this spot is only under 10 mi (16.1 km) from Edinburgh city centre, making it highly accessible to many travellers.
However, we find that some portions look a tad modest for their price. But the way we see it, the overall presentation and food quality often make up for it.
Nice Service
“Service was nice, the scones were fantastic and the view is one of a kind! Would recommend 👍🏻”
– Mr. JakoBiene, Google Review
Superior Meal
“Wonderful food, service a bit slower than I would have liked, but acceptable. Great water view with the bridges. Street parking, so plan ahead for an extra few minutes. All in all a superior meal.”
– Mr. Tom Morley, Google Review
5. Dakota
Address: Dakota Hotel Edinburgh, Ferrymuir Ln
Phone: +44 131 319 3690, Online Booking
Business hours:
- Monday-Thursday: 12–10 PM
- Friday-Saturday: 12–9 PM
- Sunday: 12–9 PM
Fancy high-end dining in South Queensferry? As the flagship restaurant of the Dakota Hotel, Dakota offers refined Scottish cuisine for a luxurious vibe.
We love that it offers breakfast, Sunday lunch, and even vegan fare to cater to various diets. We think that makes it ideal for both leisure and business meetups.
Its menu highlights modern British and European cuisine, but the crowd favourite is the steak (we’re a fan of the grilled ribeye!). Seafood lovers can also have a blast with the pan-seared sea bass and crispy calamari.
There are plenty of drinks too. We bet you’ll find something you like among the classic martinis, signature cocktails, and fine wines.
Also, the private dining rooms and chic cocktail bar seem handy for those wanting more privacy. Parking is complimentary too, if that can make it lighter for your wallet.
Just keep in mind that its ambience can look a tad too dark for some. If you prefer to meet in a bright space, this spot might not be for you.
Delicious and Delicate Food
“The food was delicious and delicate .My boyfriend took me out for dinner the atmosphere was amazing the service even better highly recommend”
– Ms. Chido Mazhanga, Google Review
Amaziing All Around
“Incredible meal celebrating our wedding legalities! Jack and Lewis really looked after us the entire evening and made our meal extra special. The food was spectacular. Amazing all round!!!”
– Ms. Rebekah Donaldson, Google Review