10 Best Grassmarket Restaurants in Edinburgh for 2026

Edinburgh’s Grassmarket is one of those places where choosing where to eat can easily become part of the sightseeing experience. The historic square sits beneath Edinburgh Castle, surrounded by colourful buildings, cobbled streets and the winding lanes of the Old Town. Around it, restaurants range from Scottish seafood specialists and traditional bistros to pizza restaurants, brunch cafés and quick lunch spots.

The choice extends beyond the main Grassmarket square. West Bow rises towards Victoria Street, while Victoria Terrace overlooks the neighbourhood from above. Together, these streets form one compact dining area where you can eat breakfast, stop for a quick lunch, enjoy an early dinner or settle in for an evening meal without travelling across Edinburgh.

For anyone looking for the best Grassmarket restaurants, this updated 2026 guide focuses on places that are actually in Grassmarket or within a very short walk of it. The selection covers different cuisines, budgets and occasions so you can find somewhere suitable whether you want Scottish food, seafood, pizza, French cuisine, brunch or a simple meal between attractions.

Which Are the Best Grassmarket Restaurants in Edinburgh?

There is no single restaurant that suits every visitor. Some of the area’s strongest places specialise in Scottish ingredients, while others are better for families, groups, couples or travellers who simply want something quick.

Here is a quick comparison before we look at each restaurant in more detail.

1. The Mussel & Steak Bar

Address: 110 West Bow, Grassmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2HH

For travellers who want their meal to include some of Scotland’s best-known produce, The Mussel & Steak Bar is an obvious place to start.

Positioned where West Bow meets the Grassmarket, the restaurant specialises in seafood and locally sourced Scottish steak. Its location makes it particularly convenient after visiting Edinburgh Castle, the National Museum of Scotland or the Royal Mile.

Seafood plays a major role in the menu. Depending on the current selection, diners may find mussels, oysters, shellfish combinations and fish dishes alongside beef and steak. The restaurant’s current menu also includes seafood linguine, Scottish haddock and locally sourced rib-eye steak.

The atmosphere feels more restaurant-focused than many of Grassmarket’s pub-style venues, making it a good option for an evening meal or a special lunch.

It is particularly worth considering if two people in the same group have very different preferences: one can concentrate on seafood while another chooses steak.

The restaurant currently operates from 110 West Bow and lists daily lunch and evening service.

Best for: seafood lovers, steak, date nights and a substantial evening meal.

2. Petit Paris

Address: 38–40 Grassmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2JU

Walk through Grassmarket and it would be easy to assume that Scottish food and pubs dominate the area. Petit Paris provides a very different experience.

This small French restaurant brings the feel of a traditional neighbourhood bistro to Edinburgh’s Old Town. Rather than trying to modernise everything, it leans into familiar French cooking and an intimate dining-room atmosphere.

Current dishes highlighted by the restaurant include French bistro favourites such as mussels, chicken dishes, steak and terrines, accompanied by a selection of French wines.

Petit Paris works particularly well for couples because it feels smaller and more personal than many of the larger restaurants around the square. It can also make a pleasant change if you have already eaten several meals based around traditional Scottish or British food during your Edinburgh trip.

There is another practical advantage: the restaurant is directly on Grassmarket, so there is no need to leave the neighbourhood after a day of sightseeing.

Its central position also makes it useful for an early dinner before heading towards the Royal Mile, a show, a pub or an evening attraction.

Best for: French food, couples, relaxed lunches and intimate dinners.

3. Cold Town House

Address: 4 Grassmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2JU

Cold Town House is as much about location and atmosphere as it is about food.

The venue occupies a prominent position at the western end of the Grassmarket and is particularly well known for its rooftop terrace, which looks towards Edinburgh Castle.

Inside, the concept combines a bar, brewery and casual restaurant. Neapolitan-style pizza is one of its main food attractions, accompanied by burgers, loaded fries and small plates. Cold Town beer is also brewed on site.

For groups of friends, this combination works well. You can start with food and remain for drinks rather than having to find a second venue later in the evening.

The rooftop is the real draw when the weather cooperates. Edinburgh Castle rises dramatically above Grassmarket, and few dining locations in this part of the city can compete with that setting.

Because of the terrace’s popularity, Cold Town House currently recommends booking it where possible.

This is not the restaurant to choose if you are searching for quiet fine dining. It is better suited to people who want energy, drinks, informal food and a memorable Old Town setting.

Best for: Edinburgh Castle views, pizza, groups, drinks and lively evenings.

4. Howies Victoria

Address: 10–14 Victoria Street, Edinburgh EH1 2HG

Visitors who specifically want to eat Scottish food should put Howies Victoria high on their shortlist.

Located on Victoria Street, only a short walk uphill from Grassmarket, Howies occupies a historic Old Town setting and centres its menu around seasonal Scottish produce.

Its current food information highlights ingredients including Scottish seafood, smoked salmon, mussels, grass-fed steak, cheese and seasonal vegetables. Traditional Scottish dishes and locally influenced cooking sit alongside vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free choices.

That makes Howies particularly useful for first-time visitors. Rather than simply choosing a restaurant because it happens to be near the castle, you can have a meal that reflects ingredients and dishes associated with Scotland.

The dining room also fits its location. Stone walls and the surrounding historic architecture help make the meal feel connected to Edinburgh’s Old Town.

Howies is currently open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, and its Victoria Street location is only minutes from Grassmarket, the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle.

It is suitable for couples, families and visitors who want a slightly more traditional sit-down restaurant experience without moving into formal fine dining.

Best for: Scottish cuisine, first-time Edinburgh visitors and relaxed dinners.

5. Bertie’s Proper Fish & Chips

Address: 9 Victoria Street, Edinburgh EH1 2HE

Sometimes visitors to Scotland simply want a proper portion of fish and chips, and Bertie’s is one of the most convenient places to find it around Grassmarket.

The restaurant is situated on Victoria Street and is considerably larger than the typical takeaway fish-and-chip shop.

Its focus remains the British classic of battered fish and chips, but the restaurant format makes it easier for families, groups and visitors who prefer to sit down rather than eat on the move.

Bertie’s says it uses sustainably sourced fish and also provides a broader selection of Scottish-inspired sides and accompanying dishes. The venue can accommodate large groups as well as ordinary restaurant bookings.

That capacity is especially useful during busy Edinburgh periods, when many of the smaller restaurants around the Old Town can struggle with larger parties.

Its position is another advantage. You can reach it quickly from the Grassmarket before continuing uphill towards George IV Bridge or the Royal Mile.

Best for: fish and chips, families, groups and an informal British meal.

6. Mamma’s American Pizza

Address: 28 Grassmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2JU

Mamma’s has something many restaurants in a tourist-heavy district cannot easily reproduce: longevity.

The independent restaurant has been operating since 1985 and sits directly on Grassmarket beneath Edinburgh Castle.

Its speciality is fresh, hand-rolled, stone-baked pizza, with options designed to accommodate a wide range of tastes and dietary requirements. The restaurant specifically highlights vegan, meat-based and gluten-free options.

Pizza is naturally well suited to families and groups because everyone can choose their preferred toppings without turning the meal into a complicated decision.

Mamma’s is also useful when you want to stay in the square itself. Instead of walking uphill through the Old Town, you can finish sightseeing and head directly into the restaurant.

During suitable weather, the location becomes particularly appealing because you remain surrounded by the atmosphere of the Grassmarket.

The restaurant also offers takeaway, which can be useful if you would rather continue exploring than spend a long time over lunch.

Best for: pizza, families, groups and straightforward casual dining.

7. Makars Mash Bar

Address: 9–12 Bank Street, Edinburgh EH1 2LN

Makars Mash Bar is a good choice for visitors who want traditional Scottish flavours presented in a relaxed, contemporary setting. Located on Bank Street near The Mound, it is within easy walking distance of Grassmarket, Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile.

The restaurant focuses on Scottish comfort food, with slow-cooked meats, its own haggis and a choice of different mashed potato accompaniments forming an important part of the menu. Visitors wanting to try a Scottish classic can also find haggis, neeps and tatties, while the menu extends well beyond the most familiar tourist dishes.

Makars is also particularly useful for groups with different dietary requirements. Its current information highlights vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free choices, while the kitchen is nut-free.

The atmosphere is informal rather than fine dining, making it suitable for lunch after sightseeing or a relaxed evening meal. The restaurant accepts both bookings and walk-ins, although its official site warns that walk-in waits can become lengthy at busy times.

Best for: Scottish comfort food, haggis, mash and dietary-friendly options

Why choose it: Makars is a strong option for travellers who want approachable Scottish cooking, especially haggis, slow-cooked meat and comforting mash-based dishes, close to the Grassmarket and Edinburgh Castle.

8. Hula

Address: 103–105 West Bow, Edinburgh EH1 2JP

After several days of restaurant meals, fried food and pub dinners, some visitors start looking for something lighter.

Hula provides that alternative.

Located on West Bow close to the Grassmarket, Hula is focused more on breakfast, brunch, juices, smoothies and lighter café-style food than on the traditional Scottish restaurant experience.

Edinburgh’s official visitor guide highlights Hula among the area’s casual eating options and notes its sit-in and takeaway service as well as fresh juices and smoothies.

Its Grassmarket branch is at 103–105 West Bow, placing it extremely close to the main square and Victoria Street.

Hula is therefore particularly useful at the start of the day. You can have breakfast before walking up towards Edinburgh Castle or use it for a lighter lunch between attractions.

It also adds important variety to the area. Grassmarket has no shortage of burgers, steak, pizza and pub food, so having somewhere aimed at a different style of eating makes the neighbourhood stronger overall.

Best for: breakfast, brunch, lighter meals, smoothies and daytime dining.

9. Oink Victoria Street

Address: 34 Victoria Street, Edinburgh EH1 2JW

Oink proves that one of the most memorable meals around Grassmarket does not necessarily need table service.

The concept is simple: Scottish hog roast served as a roll or box, designed for a quick and filling lunch.

Its Victoria Street branch is directly beside the Grassmarket area at 34 Victoria Street. The business currently opens the shop daily from late morning until the day’s pork sells out.

That last detail is worth remembering. If Oink is specifically on your Edinburgh food list, earlier is safer than arriving late in the afternoon.

The format also makes it useful for sightseeing days. You can order, eat relatively quickly and continue towards the castle, Greyfriars, the National Museum or Royal Mile without committing to a long restaurant lunch.

Oink describes itself as a family farming business and operates several shops in Edinburgh, with Victoria Street being the one most relevant to visitors in Grassmarket.

It is not a conventional sit-down restaurant, but excluding it from a guide to eating around Grassmarket would ignore one of the neighbourhood’s most practical casual-food choices.

Best for: quick lunches, Scottish hog roast and eating on a busy sightseeing day.

10. O’Oliviero

Address: 64 Grassmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2JR

O’Oliviero completes the list with a traditional Italian option directly in the Grassmarket.

The restaurant serves pasta, pizza, meat and fish dishes in a classic Italian restaurant setting. Its current menu includes dishes such as lasagne, carbonara, grilled salmon, steak and tiramisu.

Italian food can be particularly useful when travelling with a family or mixed group because it provides familiar choices without restricting everyone to exactly the same style of meal.

Its location is another major advantage. At 64 Grassmarket, you are right in the historic neighbourhood rather than travelling elsewhere in Edinburgh for dinner.

The restaurant can work equally well for a couple looking for a relaxed dinner, a family after a day of sightseeing or a larger group wanting a familiar menu.

During warmer periods, its position in the Grassmarket also allows visitors to enjoy more of the Old Town atmosphere before or after eating.

Best for: Italian food, pasta, families and relaxed dinners.

Which Grassmarket Restaurant Should You Choose?

The easiest way to choose is to start with the type of meal rather than trying to identify one restaurant that is “best” for everyone.

Where Can You Find Traditional Scottish Food in Grassmarket?

For a full sit-down meal centred on Scottish ingredients, Howies Victoria is one of the strongest nearby choices.

Its menus are built around seasonal produce from Scotland, including seafood, meat, vegetables and locally produced drinks.

The Mussel & Steak Bar is another good option when Scottish seafood or locally sourced steak is the priority.

For something much quicker, Oink takes Scottish pork and turns it into a straightforward takeaway lunch.

Together, these restaurants demonstrate that eating Scottish food around Grassmarket does not have to mean ordering exactly the same traditional dishes everywhere you go.

Which Grassmarket Restaurants Have Edinburgh Castle Views?

The castle dominates the skyline above Grassmarket, but that does not mean every restaurant has an uninterrupted view from every table.

Cold Town House offers one of the area’s clearest dining-and-drinking experiences built around the view. Its rooftop terrace directly promotes views towards Edinburgh Castle and remains one of the venue’s major attractions.

Elsewhere, the wider Grassmarket itself provides dramatic views upwards towards the castle, particularly when walking through the square.

Scotts Kitchen offers another type of Edinburgh view from Victoria Terrace, looking across the architecture and activity of Victoria Street.

If the view is important to your meal, request or reserve the relevant terrace rather than assuming every indoor table will offer the same outlook.

Where Should You Eat Breakfast or Brunch Near Grassmarket?

Scotts Kitchen and Hula are two of the easiest choices.

Scotts has the broader all-day restaurant format, beginning with breakfast and continuing through brunch, lunch and later food. Its Victoria Terrace position also adds a particularly attractive setting.

Hula is better suited to diners looking for a café-style breakfast, juice, smoothie or lighter brunch close to West Bow.

Having these alternatives is useful because many visitors stay in or around Edinburgh Old Town and want to begin sightseeing early rather than wait until lunchtime for their first substantial meal.

Where Can You Find Cheap or Casual Food in Grassmarket?

Grassmarket is a major tourist destination, so prices can vary considerably. A full-service evening meal will naturally cost more than grabbing something quickly during the day.

Oink is one of the most practical options when time matters more than formal service. Mamma’s offers another casual choice if pizza suits the group, while Hula works for lighter daytime food.

Cold Town House also sits on the casual side of the spectrum, although visitors may choose it as much for the atmosphere and rooftop experience as for the food.

Checking the latest menu directly with each restaurant before visiting is sensible if you are working to a strict budget because prices and seasonal menus can change.

Do You Need to Book Grassmarket Restaurants?

For a weekday lunch outside Edinburgh’s busiest periods, finding a table can sometimes be straightforward. Even so, booking becomes much more important for weekend evenings, larger groups and popular restaurants.

August requires particular planning because Edinburgh becomes exceptionally busy during the festival season.

Christmas and New Year can also increase demand, as can major sporting events and busy holiday weekends.

Restaurants with a particular attraction, such as the Cold Town House rooftop, are worth reserving specifically rather than simply arriving and hoping the preferred seating area is available. The venue itself recommends advance rooftop bookings because of demand.

For smaller casual places and takeaway-focused venues, booking may not be relevant at all.

What Is Grassmarket Like for Eating Out?

The biggest advantage is variety within a very small area.

You can begin the morning with brunch, pick up a hog roast for lunch, stop somewhere for coffee and still have French, Italian, Scottish or seafood restaurants available for dinner.

Grassmarket itself is part of Edinburgh’s historic Old Town and sits beneath Edinburgh Castle. The wider neighbourhood combines restaurants and cafés with independent shops, bars and historic streets.

Victoria Street and West Bow also make the area particularly enjoyable to explore on foot.

That compact layout means choosing the wrong restaurant is less of a problem than it might be elsewhere. If one place is full, several alternatives are normally only a short walk away.

What Can You Visit Near Grassmarket Before or After Eating?

Grassmarket is particularly convenient for visitors because many major Edinburgh attractions are within walking distance.

Edinburgh Castle is immediately above the neighbourhood, while the Royal Mile is nearby. Greyfriars Kirkyard and the National Museum of Scotland are also easy to reach on foot.

Victoria Street connects the Grassmarket area with the higher streets of the Old Town and has become an attraction in its own right because of its curved layout and colourful shopfronts.

If you visit on Saturday, the area can also have an additional food-shopping element. Edinburgh’s official visitor information states that Grassmarket Market takes place on Saturdays and includes food producers and street-food traders alongside other stalls.

This makes Grassmarket an easy neighbourhood around which to build several hours of an Edinburgh itinerary rather than somewhere you visit only for one meal.

Are Grassmarket Restaurants Suitable for Families?

Yes, although some venues are better suited to families than others.

Mamma’s is an obvious choice because pizza is easy to customise and the restaurant specifically caters for different dietary requirements.

Bertie’s is another practical family option thanks to its spacious restaurant format and familiar fish-and-chip menu.

O’Oliviero can work well for families who want pasta, pizza or other Italian dishes, while Scotts Kitchen is convenient for daytime family dining.

For evenings with younger children, checking each restaurant’s current age policies, closing times and booking arrangements before travelling is recommended.

Are There Vegetarian, Vegan and Gluten-Free Options?

Many restaurants around Grassmarket now cater for a broader range of diets, but the level of choice varies considerably between venues.

Mamma’s specifically promotes vegan and gluten-free options alongside its standard pizzas.

Howies Victoria also lists vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free choices as part of its Scottish-focused menu.

Cold Town House lists vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dietary options, while other restaurants may be able to adjust particular dishes.

Anyone with coeliac disease, serious allergies or other medical dietary requirements should contact the individual restaurant directly because preparation methods and cross-contamination procedures matter just as much as the ingredients shown on a menu.

When Is the Best Time to Eat in Grassmarket?

There is a noticeable difference between daytime and evening.

During the morning and early afternoon, the area feels more closely connected to sightseeing, cafés, shopping and visitors moving between the castle and surrounding attractions.

As the afternoon moves into evening, Grassmarket becomes livelier. Restaurants fill, pubs become busier and groups begin arriving for dinner and drinks.

If you want a quieter restaurant experience, an earlier lunch or early evening booking may suit you better.

If you are visiting specifically for the atmosphere, later evening dining can be part of the appeal.

Warm, dry days also change the character of the area because terraces and outdoor tables become much more attractive.

Why Is Grassmarket One of Edinburgh’s Best Areas for Food?

Grassmarket succeeds because it gives visitors plenty of choice without requiring them to leave the historic centre.

You can find Scottish ingredients without being restricted to traditional food, choose international cuisine when you want something familiar or eat casually when sightseeing is the priority.

The surroundings also make a difference. This is not a restaurant district created inside a modern development. You are eating among the steep streets, stone buildings and historic architecture of Edinburgh’s Old Town, with the castle rising above the neighbourhood.

That setting adds something even when the meal itself is simple.

Final Thoughts on Grassmarket Restaurants

Choosing between the best Grassmarket restaurants in Edinburgh depends on what sort of experience you want.

For seafood and Scottish steak, The Mussel & Steak Bar remains one of the area’s strongest choices. Petit Paris brings a relaxed French bistro atmosphere directly to the square, while Howies Victoria is well suited to anyone who wants seasonal Scottish food.

Cold Town House is difficult to beat when the priority is atmosphere, drinks and Edinburgh Castle views. Mamma’s is an easy choice for pizza, Bertie’s covers the classic fish-and-chip experience, and O’Oliviero provides traditional Italian food in the heart of Grassmarket.

During the day, Scotts Kitchen and Hula offer useful breakfast and brunch alternatives, while Oink is ideal when you want a quick lunch and would rather spend your time exploring the city than sitting through a long meal.

The biggest advantage is that you rarely need to choose between good food and a convenient location. Grassmarket, Victoria Street and West Bow place a wide range of restaurants within a compact section of Edinburgh Old Town, allowing you to eat well while remaining close to Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile and many of the city’s most visited attractions.

Restaurant menus, opening hours and booking arrangements can change, so check directly with the venue before making a special journey.