The Best Romantic Restaurants in Edinburgh

When it comes to picking the best place to go on a date, you first have to ask yourself a few questions. What kind of date am I going on? Is it a special date? Do we want to go somewhere fancy or do we just not want to have dishes to clean at the end of the evening?

That said, sometimes you also just want to take your special someone somewhere special. Because it’s nice to be nice and you want to show them you still care, and that they’re just as important to you now as they were on your first date. Also, sometimes it’s your first date and you need somewhere to go.

So with that in mind, we walked the dreamy cobbled streets of Edinburgh to find you the most romantic restaurants in the city. Whether you're out for a Valentine's Day dinner, first date or keeping the romance alive with a special outing, this list is sure to send some sparks flying.

Aizle

Making sure there is something on the menu you and your date are going to enjoy is not a problem at Aizle since there is no menu. Instead, Aizle offers a unique dining experience of a six-course meal based around seasonal produce. Each dish is as beautiful visually as it is delicious and the whole experience is a great example of fine dining.

Everything is made in house and many of the ingredients are grown and produced by the restaurant itself. It’s no wonder Aizle has won so many awards. If you want to treat yourself and your significant other to something more than special that is absolutely stunning while appearing effortlessly romantic, then you want to book a table at Aizle.

Website107-109 St. Leonard’s St, Edinburgh EH8 9QY, UK

Angels with Bagpipes

Simple and understated with just the most charming name, Angels with Bagpipes opened its doors back in 2010 and has offered a stunning dining experience ever since. Sitting on the Royal Mile directly across from St Giles, if you’re looking for a romantic location, you’ve found it.

Each dish on the seasonal menu is visually stunning and prepared using top quality, locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant’s low lighting and candles all come together to create an intimate atmosphere, perfect for staring longingly into your love’s eyes while you whisper sweet nothings to each other.

Website343 High St, Edinburgh EH1 1PW, UK

Cafe St Honorė

The romance of Cafe St Honorė starts before you even get to the restaurant, as you have to walk down the quiet, cobblestoned Thistle Street Lane to get there, a journey that feels very much like stepping back in time. A multi-award-winning, Parisian-style bistro that has been a member of the Sustainable Restaurant Association since 2009, Cafe St Honorė is one of Edinburgh’s culinary gems.

Boasting an a la carte menu that changes with the seasons, a top-quality set menu and separate gluten-free and dairy-free menus, if you want to be sure that both you and your special someone are spoilt for choice, then this is the spot for you.

Website34 Thistle St N W Ln, Edinburgh EH2 1EA, UK

New Chapter

Staying in New Town, New Chapter offers a more relaxed form of romance. It is a family-run restaurant with a cosy, comfortable atmosphere and fantastic food to match. The menu bursts with a mix of classic and contemporary dishes, all offering a unique twist on classic brasserie-style cuisine.

Family dinner parties can be seated in a private dining area, leaving a quiet space for romantic nights where you and your special someone can enjoy great food and intimate conversations. And on Wednesdays, you can do it while listening to live jazz.

Website18 Eyre Pl, Edinburgh EH3 5EP, UK

Rhubarb

Being inside James Thomson’s five-star hotel in Prestonfield House, the very family that brought Rhubarb to the UK back in the 18th century, Rhubarb isn’t just romantic in the sense of having a beautifully prepared dinner with your special someone. It’s romantic in its very nature as well.

Serving top quality Scottish cuisine that showcases the very best locally sourced ingredients, Rhubarb also has a wine cellar and a fabulous cocktail menu. Rhubarb offers more than just a stunning meal and beautiful location; you can enjoy a bit of history as well, and even make a weekend of it by booking into one of the hotel’s many rooms.

WebsitePriestfield Rd, Edinburgh EH16 5UT, UK

The Witchery by the Castle

The Witchery by the Castle in Edinburgh’s old town is world-famous for being not only a great place to eat but one of the most visually stunning restaurants in the city. Over five decades old, The Witchery is a Scottish institution for charm, atmosphere and romance. Whether you’re in the stunning oak-panelled dining room or sitting among the candles in the Secret Garden, you can’t help but fall in love in and with this restaurant.

Website352 Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NF, UK

It has been said that it doesn’t matter where you are but who you’re with when it comes to the perfect romantic moment and any time spent with the ones you love should be cherished as it’s them who make a meal special. But Scotland, with its warrior poets, fields of heather and sometimes tragic history, lends itself perfectly to a romantic atmosphere. Edinburgh, the city of sandstone, is a place many people fall in love with at first sight.

If you think we missed your favourite date spot, please let us know in the comments section.