These are the most romantic restaurants in Edinburgh according to Trip Advisor

With Valentines Day fast approaching we thought we'd take a look at who Edinburgh locals - and visitors to the city - believe are the most romantic restaurants in the capital.

Published 12th Feb 2018
Updated 18 th Sep 2023

Most of us will have used it at one time or another, with more than a few leaving our own reviews, so where better to find out who diners thought were the best place to take your significant other for date night than by checking out who made the top ten romantic restaurants on Trip Advisor.

The most romantic restaurants in Edinburgh according to Trip Advisor

1. Forage & Chatter

(1A Alva Street, Edinburgh EH2 4PH, 0131 225 4599)

most romantic restaurants in Edinburgh Trip Advisor

Picture: Ian Georgeson

With 809 reviews - 90 per cent of which are excellent - F&C can be found in the west end and was auded for its innovative menu which features exciting Scottish ingredients such as Slow Cooked Pig Cheek, North Sea Hake and Monkfish all cooked with a modern flair that left users singing the kitchen team’s praises.

Described by one user as"an absolute asset to the great city of Edinburgh", the restaurant’s charming interior – think open brick work, plants and Berwick Tweed – was also a big hit with reviewers who described it as the "perfect setting for a romantic dinner".

Read our review here

2. Number One at The Balmoral

(1 Princes Street, The Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh EH2 2EQ, 0131 557 6727)

https://www.instagram.com/p/BetDKxjgw8h/?taken-at=233192472

With nearly 1,500 reviews it's fair to say that a trip to Number One is always considered a hot topic, particularly when it has such a high reputation as one of the city's best eateries.

Part of the renowned Balmoral Hotel on the corner where Princes Street meets North Bridge, it has received nearly the highest number of reviews of all of the eateries on the list but still managed to have 85 per cent of users rate it as ‘excellent’.

User LjHall02 wrote: "Couple the lovely staff with a beautiful, warm and romantic setting and you can't help but be blown away."

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Read our review here

3. Purslane Restaurant

(33A St. Stephen Street, Edinburgh EH3 5AH, 0131 226 3500)

https://www.instagram.com/p/BZt2g03llnX/?taken-at=468403577

Scotland’s 2015 “Best Fine Dining Award” winner has 782 reviews, with 82 per cent of those visiting this charming little restaurant have rated it as “excellent”.

A relaxed and comfortable setting and ‘casual fine-dining’ approach, Trip Advisor users were almost universally gushing in their praise.

User Paul L who enjoyed a "wonderful honeymoon meal" there posted: "The restaurant may be small, but this creates a fantastically intimate atmosphere, perfect for a romantic meal for two.

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"The service was truly excellent. The waiting staff were very friendly, and incredibly knowledgeable about everything on the menu."

4. Castle Terrace Restaurant

(33-35 Castle Terrace, Edinburgh EH1 2EL)

https://www.instagram.com/p/BXAVUJcAPMW/?taken-by=castle_terrace_restaurant

Trained in France, a country famous for its romance, with stints in some of the country's finest restaurants, Dominic Jack is now head chef of this Michelin star establishment.

The restaurant’s ethos is “from nature to plate” meaning you can rest assured that you and your date will be eating some of the tastiest food around.

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With 2,307 Reviews, Castle Terrace had user Patty H quick to sing its praises: "In one word... Amazing!

"Service and food superb. Thanks to made my birthday so romantic, we will be back soon!"

5. The Kitchin

( 78 Commercial St, Edinburgh EH6 6LX)

most romantic restaurants in Edinburgh Trip Advisor

Picture: TSPL

The Kitchin was opened by top Scots chef Tom Kitchin and his wife Michaela in 2006 and has gone on to become a true favourite in the capital.

Housed in a former whisky bond on the waterfront in Leith, it quickly gained a Michelin Star for its excellent Gallic-inspired dishes and has won rave reviews from critics such as the late great AA Gill – who famously gave the dining venue five stars out of five.

82 per cent of the over 3,000 reviews rate this restaurant as excellent with more than a few enjoying a romantic meal here.

Read our review here

6. The Grain Store

(30 Victoria Street, EH1 2JW)

most romantic restaurants in Edinburgh Trip Advisor

Picture: The Grain Store

With its stripped back aesthetic, authentic stone walls and flickering candle light, the Grain Store is the perfect setting for a romantic meal for two.

With everything made in-house - from bread to pasta and even the dessert - and every dish presented beautifully, The Grain Store has people regularly posting about the excellent food and "magical" setting.

7. Divino Enoteca

(5 Merchant Street, EH1 2QD)

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Italian cuisine is always a winner on date night, particularly if you are looking to relive that famous scene from the Lady and the Tramp and in Divino Enoteca you have one of the city's best venues for Italian cuisine and of course for sharing a glass of wine or two.

User Hannah_fm7 was hugely impressed describing it as "very, very romantic" and naming it her "new favourite place in Edinburgh".

8. Rhubarb

(Prestonfield House, Priestfield Road,  EH16 5UT)

most romantic restaurants in Edinburgh Trip Advisor

Picture: Rhubarb

Few things are more romantic than fine dining in an opulent setting and they don't come more grandiose than this 17th century Edinburgh mansion.

Golden candlesticks, flickering candle light, and the sumptuous reds and maroons of the fabrics will make a big impression.

The name of the restaurant may seem incongruous, but, in fact, the Prestonfield estate was the first in Scotland to propagate rhubarb.

American Randy B posted in his Trip Advisor review: "One of my favorite dining experiences anywhere - and surely one of the most romantic.

"It's a mini-Downton Abbey experience, with peacocks strolling the grounds, and gentlemen in kilts ushering you into Prestonfield House."

• READ MORE: The best Scottish restaurants in Edinburgh’s city centre

Driven by a passion for all things drinks-related, Sean writes for The Scotsman extensively on the subject. He can also sometimes be found behind the bar at the world famous Potstill bar in Glasgow where he continues to enhance his whisky knowledge built up over 10 years advising customers from all over the world on the wonders of our national drink. Recently, his first book was published. Dubbed Gin Galore, it explores Scotland's best gins and the stories behind those that make them.
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