12 of the best restaurants to try in East Lothian

Published 8th Mar 2018
Updated 12 th Sep 2023

While the city of Edinburgh is often praised for its culinary scene, there are plenty of fantastic restaurants waiting to be discovered in nearby East Lothian.

From fresh seafood to comforting pub food done properly, here are 12 of the very best eateries in the area.

The Creel, Dunbar

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Located by the harbour in Dunbar, The Creel specialises in seafood of all kinds, but also serves options for meat lovers and vegetarians alike.

Visit: 25 Lamer Street, Dunbar, EH42 1HJ - creelrestaurant.co.uk

La Potinière, Gullane

Owned by award-winning chefs, La Potinière's French-inspired gourmet menu changes seasonally and uses fresh ingredients grown locally, nationally and in the restaurant's very own garden.

Visit: Main Street, Gullane, EH31 2AA - lapotiniere.co.uk

Gurkha Bar & Restaurant, Musselburgh


Serving authentic Nepalese food to a high standard, this welcoming and popular restaurant has won many awards and offers a great deal of choice on its lengthy menu.

Visit: 96 North High Street, Musselburgh, EH21 6AS - gurkha-restaurant.com

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Cucina Amore, North Berwick

Modern, family-run Italian eatery, Cucina Amore, opened its doors in the seaside town of North Berwick in 2013.

With freshly made classics such as spaghetti carbonara, calzone and calamari on offer, this place quickly became a popular haunt for both locals and visitors.

Visit: 37 Quality Street, North Berwick, EH39 4HR - cucinaamore.co.uk

Chez Roux, Gullane

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Located inside the five star Greywalls Hotel, fine dining restaurant Chez Roux serves French cuisine made with Scottish ingredients.

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Expect to see the likes of Orkney scallops, Highland deer and North Berwick crab on their a la carte menu.

Visit: Greywalls Hotel, Muirfield, Gullane, EH31 2EG - greywalls.co.uk

The Main Course, Gullane

Opened in 2015 by the owner of two successful fish and chip shops, The Main Course is a relaxed but refined place to dine, that nods to Gullane's historical relationship with the game of golf.

With a varied menu of Italian cuisine, there's something for everyone here.

Visit: 40 Main Street, Gullane, EH31 2AA - themaincoursegullane.co.uk

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The Waterside Bistro, Haddington


Run by two brothers, the cosy but elegant Waterside Bistro in the small town of Haddington is known for its sophisticated comfort food - from haddock in tempura batter to creamy risotto.

Visit: 1-5 Waterside, Haddington, EH41 4AT - thewatersidebistro.co.uk

Duck's Inn, Aberlady

House in a building that was constructed in 1638, the Duck's Inn in Aberlady boasts two AA rosettes for culinary excellence.

Their menu includes satisfying, hearty dishes with a distinct Scottish influence.

Visit: Main Street, Aberlady, EH32 0RE - ducks.co.uk

Osteria, North Berwick

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A family-run and family-orientated operation, Osteria uses simple and fresh ingredients to produce truly exceptional Italian food, with some signature Scottish fusion.

Visit: 71 High Street, North Berwick, EH39 4HG - osteria-no1.co.uk

Giancarlo's, Tranent

Another much-loved Italian eatery, Giancarlo's in Tranent serves moreish pizza, pasta, fish dishes and sides in modern surroundings.

Visit: 119 High Street, Tranent, EH33 1LW - giancarlositalian.co.uk

The Lobster Shack, North Berwick


Usually open for business between March and September, the famous Lobster Shack on North Berwick's harbour specialises in freshly grilled local lobster.

They also serve seafood chowder, fish and chips and seabass which can all be enjoyed al fresco at tables near the Shack itself.

Visit: Harbour Lodge, North Berwick, EH39 - lobstershack.co.uk

Crolla's Italian Restaurant, Musselburgh

Dishing up a true taste of Italy in the heart of Musselburgh, Crolla's has a huge selection of classic dishes on its menu, all prepared with expert knowledge and great care by a family team.

Visit: The Courtyard, Station Road, Musselburgh, EH21 7PQ - crollasitalian.com

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