Scottish city named ‘most exciting food destination’ by national guide

A Scottish city has been crowned the ‘most exciting food destination’ in the UK.

The Good Food Guide has named Edinburgh its most exciting food destination ahead of its annual awards, which are taking place on 3 February.

The accolade is a nod to Edinburgh’s growing and varied dining scene, which spans Michelin Star restaurants to street food. 

While we’ve seen a flurry of closures in this month alone, Edinburgh restaurants have been riding high with openings such as Stuart Ralston’s Lyla in late 2023 (a new Michelin Star contender), Skua and Cardinal, and Roberta Hall-McCarron’s Ardfern as well as  Rodney Wages Avery in Stockbridge (also one to watch for a star). There’s a good mix of tasting menu and high end as well as mid-range restaurant to enjoy a lunch or a la carte meal.

Lyla Edinburgh
Picture: Claire Irwin

Of Lyla, the Good Food Guide said: “While some restaurants feel like a step on a journey to something more, this feels like Ralston’s destination. In Lyla, he has arrived at somewhere spectacular.”

The Guide’s co-editor Chloë Hamilton said of the award for Edinburgh: ‘Every year, our coverage of Edinburgh’s dining scene ranks among the most-read content by our knowledgeable readers and this is the era in which the city is answering their voracious appetite for great restaurants at every level.’

This award also comes when the guide has unveiled their shortlist for their awards, with four Scottish restaurants or industry names up for an award - mainly from Edinburgh.

Lyla is up for Best New Restaurant; Timberyard and Montrose for Best Drinks List; Philip Mcenaney and Katie Austin from the now closed Boath House in Nairn are up for Chef to Watch while The Palmerston in Edinburgh is up for Best Value Set Menu and Glasgow’s Scoop Restaurants are up for Restaurateur of the Year.

Edinburgh, UK
Edinburgh, UK
Known for cake making, experimental jam recipes, Champagne, whisky and gin drinking (and the inability to cook Gnocchi), Rosalind is the Food and Drink Editor and whisky writer for The Scotsman, as well as hosting Scran, The Scotsman's food and drink podcast.
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