Food and Drink scene in Edinburgh

Edinburgh boasts an eclectic selection of high-quality restaurants, including some of the most luxurious dining experiences you can find in the UK, and it can be hard to know where to begin.

Whether you're looking to catch up with a client at a private Michelin-star dinner, entertain colleagues over a sumptuous afternoon tea in Edinburgh's New Town, celebrate your team's success at a lavish dinner party at one of Edinburgh's fine dining restaurants, or relax at a stylish cocktail bar in the city centre after a day at a conference, there are plenty of suitable options to choose from for every type of business event.

Edinburgh restaurants will work closely with you to make your event stylish, personal and memorable. You can expect local and seasonal ingredients, impeccable customer service, fantastic wine selections and menus that read like poetry.

Have a look through the selections here for future ideas.

Fine dining and Michelin star restaurants

If you’re looking to wow a dining companion, these fine dining restaurants are some of the best of Edinburgh’s restaurant scene.

For fine dining with an official seal of approval, why not book a table at one of Edinburgh’s four Michelin acclaimed venues? Michelin star restaurants are the perfect sites in which to hold special group dining events such as business lunches with clients and corporate dinners. The combination of the gastronomic experience, opulence of the venue and attention to detail guarantees that the event will be a mouth-watering experience never to be forgotten.

Why not to try:

• The Witchery by The Castle
• The Kitchin
• The Honours
• Number One

Restaurants with private dining

Private dining is more than just food – it’s an experience, so the setting is absolutely key. From high street hotel restaurants to galleries and libraries, to botanic gardens and historic buildings, there are stunning private dining spots to be found throughout the city.

We've handpicked a few private dining spaces in Edinburgh which'll add that extra bit of magic to your event, be it for a corporate banquet, product launch or exhibition opening.

Options include:

• The Dome
• Rhubarb at Prestonfield House
• Colonnades at The Signet Library
• 21212

Scottish cuisine

If you’re keen to give your event delegates the full Scottish experience, or just simply fancy switching it up from the usual dining choices, there is a host of eateries in Edinburgh that celebrate the rich heritage of Scottish cuisine.

Scottish produce is among the best in the world. Think of delicious fresh seafood, fine Aberdeen Angus beef, and wild game from the field, to name but a few gourmet ingredients.

Adventure through Scotland’s larder and explore how creative Scottish chefs are breathing new life to more traditional dishes like haggis, cullen skink and cranachan.

Below are just a few suggestions of places in which to enjoy some Edinburgh’s classic and contemporary cuisine.

Why not try:

• The Scran & Scallie
• The Printing Press Bar & Kitchen
• The Scotch Malt Whisky Society
• The Ox Edinburgh

Afternoon tea

Want a way to turn an off-site corporate meeting into something different? How about a three-tiered serving tray with a selection of delectable finger food? From delicious traditional scones served with fresh locally produced clotted cream and flavoursome Scottish shortbread, to finger sandwiches with Scottish smoked salmon or tasty roast beef, and heavenly sweets served along with a glass of bubbly or a hot beverage, all enjoyed in a relaxed atmosphere – it sure sounds like a treat!

We’ve collected some of the best afternoon teas in Edinburgh that would be ideal for your next occasion.

Options include:

• Fingal
• The Bonham Hotel
• The Palm Court, Balmoral Hotel
• Cannonball Restaurant & Bar

Vegan and vegetarian restaurants

When you have an important business meal with someone and need a vegetarian or vegan dining venue, where should you go to seal the deal?

There’s a great variety of top-notch dinner spots in the capital with satisfying plant-based options on the menu, and most importantly, that are business-ready for a serious work-related meal.

From daal and falafel to tapas and paella, a lot of Edinburgh restaurants are dishing up delicious, bold, rich meatless flavours on vegetarian or vegan food.

We’ve curated a short list of some of the prime picks for vegetarian and vegan dining in Edinburgh:

• Seeds For The Soul
• David Bann
• Harmonium

Bars

Edinburgh is teeming with fantastic bars and pubs, including whisky tasting bars, that are perfect to focus on work or hold a comfortable and productive meeting of all kinds, as well as those that are great for a drink after an all-day conference.

If a more social business meeting venue sounds just like what you might need, we’ve listed a few great options for you.

Options include:

• The Voodoo Rooms
• Lady Libertine
• Panda & Sons
• The Last Word Saloon

Edinburgh Whisky and Gin Distilleries

If you’re looking to arrange a visit to a whisky distillery in Edinburgh as an incentive for employees, team-building activity, client entertaining, or simply for leisure; look no further than these fantastic behind-the-scenes whisky and gin distillery experiences, or follow our fantastic maps for craft beer in Edinburgh and gin tour tastings in Edinburgh.

• Holyrood Distillery
• Edinburgh Gin Distillery 
• Pickering’s Gin
• The Scotch Whisky Experience