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    Blonde Restaurants

    4.2 (32 reviews)
    Closed • 6:00 pm - 10:00 PM

    Blonde Restaurants Photos

    BLONDE RESTAURANTS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Classy
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - Blonde Restaurants

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    Reviews With Photos

    Kathy C.

    Came here through our Airbnb host's recommendation. They offer 2 or 3 course meals for lunch. There are many options for each course, so there is something for everyone. The service was excellent! We originally wanted to do the 3 course, but since the portion sizes were so generous, we were too full for dessert. The waitress had no issues with us downgrading to the 2 course. We did get one dessert to share, which was the rhubard creme brulee. It was your standard creme brulee until you hit the bottom, where the rhubard kicks in as a surprise, bringing in a nice fruity tartness that cuts into the heaviness of the traditional creme brulee. It was so good after a heavy meal!

    Set fir christmas
    Suzy G.

    Sunday night, prime Christmas party season. This place should have been PACKED! An absolute hidden gem, any time of the year, but a great option at Christmas with their great value, great choice and great service. I'm so grateful that the UYE Christmas dinner introduced the hubby and I to this great restaurant. We loved EVERYTHING! Comfortable setting with a clean, fresh, yet cosy interior. The staff were efficient, relaxed and fun. The menu was fantastic. When I first asked my husband if he wanted to come along, he hesitated. Most restaurants put on a stripped down Christmas menu, and often replace their signature dishes for turkey and stuffing. When we checked the Blonde holiday menu we were really excited by the wide variety of options which stayed true to their regular menu - but for a great price of £23.50 for 3 courses. Other restaurants should learn from Blonde - use the Christmas menu as a way to introduce diners to the best you have to offer - not as an excuse to pass off mass produced roasts at an inflated price. But, back to our meal. It was hard to choose but we started with the Black Pudding on a spelt salad and the spinach filo parcels. I know my hubby loves anything with Black pudding but we were both surprised by how much he loved the healthier portions of his starter - the spelt and especially the dollop of eggplant cream. I'd never get him to try anything like that at home! My filo parcels were delectable. Loads of spinach inside, crispy on the outside, and on a bed of a light caponata-like sauce that I practically licked off the plate. A big portion of potato salad made this starter feel more like a meal. I would easily have been satisfied with just that, but I'm glad there was more to come. Our venison and oxcheek mains were both well cooked, presented and well balanced with the side vegetables. Only a small niggle with the ox cheek. I was immersed in the soft, tender meat - which didn't need a knife as it just fell apart, when I was suddenly brought back to reality by a bitter blast as I bit down on a whole pink peppercorn. I use whole peppercorns in my sauces, but I strain them out before returning the stock to the pan for the final thickening. Not a major issue as once I realised they were there, it was easy to pick them out. Dessert was a very rich, moist flourless chocolate cake, drowned in a salted caramel sauce. This sauce was just to my taste - not super sweet with a strong caramel flavour similar to the top of a creme brulee. Another plate lickingly good sauce. Only other niggle was the wine/beer selection. Not many whites by the glass and the beers were all lagers, light ales. I would have loved a dark or amber option, especially when venison and ox were on the menu. Overall a great night out with great company and a new restaurant to add to our hidden gem list. Blonde, we will be back!

    image courtesy of www.blonderestaurant.co.uk
    Fiona H.

    This place would be perfect, if it were up in the Grassmarket or on George Street. Unfortunately, for Newington, the prices are a little excessive. I started with the fresh mussels cooked with coconut milk, fresh lime and coriander. Although it was tasty, given that it cost almost £6 the portion size was pretty mean to say the least. If there had just been a little more to it, I wouldn't have minded paying this much but given that in other restaurants in the area this price could get you a main course, I did feel a little robbed. The main course was a similar story: Although the grilled swordfish with the various accompaniments was delicious, at £13.95 I felt as though I should be in a much fancier restaurant than I was. That said, this place is always full... not only when I was there having dinner but also every time I walk past. If you're the kind of person who is seduced by any menu full of words like "bisque" and "terrine" etc then you'll love Blonde. If you're the kind of person that will happily pay these prices when it's in an exclusive upmarket city-centre location that can justify these amounts, then this is probably not your type of place. To sum up, although the food is tasty it's the kind of place where you'll have a 3-course meal and still leave feeling hungry.

    UYE Christmas dinner!
    Emma W.

    Met with other Yelpers for the UYE Christmas Dinner. Giving the place has lots of 5-stars I was looking forward to it however, I feel a little letdown. Like Hamish S, I'd say the food was hit and miss. I'd did enjoy the Duck Parfait with the fig and calvados chutney and toasted brioche, the Ox cheeks were lovely - so melt in the mouth but the sauce for me wasn't hitting the spot. To finish off, I had the Flourless chocolate cake with salted caramel sauce which was lovely and light but full on chocolate flavour. £23 for three courses from a fixed menu is a pretty good deal. I opted for a sparkling water as I was driving and had a double espresso to finish off the meal. The service was spot on and friendly, plus there weren't long waits for the food either, considering there were 10 of us. Kudos for a Gluten free options too, as we had a GF diner at our table. Bread was substituted with oatcakes. But do offer separate butter with them! The Atmosphere is casual, so like Alexandria M. says you could go all glam or wear jeans and just go casual. Give it a shot, just don't build your hopes up from all the 5-star reviews! Just enjoy yourself.

    Kenneth M.

    Had dinner here on Monday this week. Not a busy night by any means one duo in when we arrived and no-one else in between them and us leaving. 3 very well made and presented courses for £17 though was good vfm, particularly my fish cakes starter and the main course of trout. I didn't personally have wine but the list looked pretty comprehensive. Pleased to have finally made it inside here and would certainly go back.

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    15 years ago

    The place is small but the food is really really good. I would recommend it and would eat there again.

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    The Outsider

    The Outsider

    4.0(279 reviews)
    0.6 mi•Grassmarket, Old Town
    •££

    Such a cute place. And the view of the castle from here was amazing…read more Super helpful staff! I am a member of a flight crew and as I was eating dinner I was asked to get catering for a flight literally the next morning. I asked the manager if he could make me some take away (to-go) steaks cooked rare to be cooked further on the plane. (I'm a private flight attendant and we cook and plate everything onboard). He went out of his way to make sure I recieved all the items cooked perfectly. Passengers left raving about the food!!! And these are passengers that definitely eat the best steaks. The manager even talked me through a playing game plan and I ran my thoughts of the dishes with him and wow, perfect outcome. I personally got the coley fish dish and started with some cheese. I am a big bleu cheese/stilton girl and it was all amazing. Everything was so good I used the bread from my cheese to mop up every ounce of juice left from coley plate. Great service, great views, and incredible food. All local and ever changing menu to fit what's in market. You'll see handwritten additions to each menu like the cheese and fish. The steaks were the 35 day dry hung flat iron steaks.

    Three of us stumbled upon The Outsider while out looking for a place for dinner. It was so good we…read morewent back with 2 more friends a few nights later. Nice pleasant room with good size tables and very helpful, friendly courteous wait persons. Very good steaks, and fish, and affogato for dessert. Go to read the creative food descriptions on the menu!

    Photos
    The Outsider
    The Outsider - Flat iron steak

    Flat iron steak

    The Outsider

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    The Table - One of the night's stand out dishes, plus wine pairing

    The Table

    4.8(4 reviews)
    1.2 mi•New Town
    •££££

    Truly a memorable experience. We attended as a party or 4 (including one 11 year old proto-foodie)…read moreand each of us had a delightful time, and took away from the evening our own favorite dish of the night. Sean did a fantastic job highlighting the best of the fresh ingredients he served us, often in surprisingly formats. Highly recommend you make time in your Edinburgh schedule for The Table!

    If you have an open minded approach to eating and you can actually book a seat for this place, then…read moreI highly recommend going! At £60 per person, it's not for the faint hearted. We ate a 7 course tasting menu and they DO NOT cater to dietary requirements. You CAN however book the entire place if you have 9 other like minded people who are happy to eat to your dietary restrictions. I think we ended up having 9 plates of food including a little amuse bouche at the start and petit fours at the end and also a mini pre dessert. The portions are well sized. I managed to finish every course and left full but not stuffed. Each plate is beautifully presented and they talk you through each plate before you eat it. As it's an open kitchen and there's only 10 seats, there is the chance to ask questions and speak to the chefs which I really liked. There were some interesting things like freeze dried powdered foie gras which my palate was a bit confused by, but as a whole dish, it did come together if at first I wasn't quite sure. This is not a place for the non food adventurous! I love that they're making fine dining casual, there was great banter between courses and throughout the evening. Other reviews have deemed it worthy of two Michelin stars, I've personally never eaten at a '2 star' establishment so I can't comment about that, but the food was definitely as good if not better than some of the '1 star' establishments that I've eaten at in town. It's also BYOB with no corkage fee, so you can spend as much or as little as you like on booze. They do have soft drinks/tea/coffee/sparkling water for sale as well but serve tap water as standard. This place definitely is not for everyone. But if you're a foodie and have the budget, try and get booked ASAP! (I've been debating between 4 and 5 stars as the food was excellent, and I totally understand with only two people cooking, it's very difficult to cater to dietary requirements & especially for coeliacs they can't guarantee no contamination but it seems unfair that so many people can't enjoy their food!)

    Photos
    The Table - Just one dinner per night for 10!

    Just one dinner per night for 10!

    The Table - Frogs legs and chanterelles

    Frogs legs and chanterelles

    The Table - Halibut and lobster ragu

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    Halibut and lobster ragu

    Cucina

    Cucina

    3.7(16 reviews)
    0.7 mi•Old Town, Royal Mile
    •£££

    I read about this restaurant in a local foodies journal and had to try it! I had a great experience…read morehere: I booked a 6:30 reservation for 3, but we showed up early around 5:40 just to check the place out. We were unaware that they didn't open till 6, but the staff was so friendly and brought us over anyways and let us order our food and drinks early. I ordered the pumpkin gnocchi for dinner and the chocolate ganache for dessert. Both were incredible! I would definitely go back!

    This place just takes itself a little too seriously…read more I like nice décor and surroundings just as much as anyone else when I go to a restaurant, but I really don't need to read about who designed it/what fabric they used for it/where this particular cushion was imported from in the menu. By definition, when I open the menu it's because I'm hungry and I want to eat. After all their obsessive descriptions about every aspect of every single item that was within a mile radius of the restaurant, I couldn't help but suspect that they were doing it to dazzle you so much that you wouldn't notice if the food was mediocre. And it turned out I was right. I have no doubt that the ingredients were all grown especially for them and probably flown in on a private jet or something equally ridiculous, but there are so many other great food places along George IV bridge that I did feel a bit ripped off. Being part of the Hotel Missoni, people will always eat here. Mainly because of it's reputation and because it's the kind of place that you can name-drop. But unfortunately the quality and style of Missoni clothes doesn't transfer to their hotel restaurants.

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    Cucina
    Cucina - The pumpkin gnocchi

    The pumpkin gnocchi

    Cucina - I noticed that there wasn't an updated picture of this restaurant. It's beautifully decorated.

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    I noticed that there wasn't an updated picture of this restaurant. It's beautifully decorated.

    The Kitchin

    The Kitchin

    4.4(103 reviews)
    2.4 mi•Leith
    •££££

    Weird that we found some of the best meals we had in the country here in an airport hotel…read morerestaurant. Pizza.... Really good Chicken Alfredo.... Really good. Good portions. Good service. Tasteful decor. If you end up here or start here it is a really nice option. I would recommend 100%

    A friend and I went to The Kitchin in Scotland while we were there, because I always like to try…read morefinding a James Beard/Michelin restaurant when I travel, whenever possible. The Kitchin is located in the Leith area of Edinburgh, and is sort of in a strip of businesses, so we had a little trouble finding it, but when we did - oh my gosh, it was resplendent. The interior was very upscale, with a color palette of greys, whites, lilac, pewter, and lots of wood features. We started with our drinks while we perused the menu. I had the Paolozzi Lager (a Scottish beer) and it was so refreshing and flavorful. Later on, I had another Scottish brew; the Stewart Brewing Edinburgh Black. It was a dark beer but was so smooth and easy to drink, surprisingly. I definitely recommend either of these, if you're looking for a beer at The Kitchin. I love trying beers from the places I visit and not just getting Guinness or something like that everywhere. Once we were ready to order, our server was fantastic, checking on us just enough and explaining every different thing we ordered so we really got the experience of each dish. And even cooler, the menu came with a map of where each and every ingredient (down to the pottery and honey!) is sourced from within Scotland! So you can be sure that everything you are eating is very locally sourced. After our first drink, our server brought out an amuse bouche, to get our palettes ready for the feast. It was a tuna tartare with a horseradishy cream and little microgreens. We had the bread and butter next. It was warm and toasty, and the butter was spiced and paired perfectly with the loaves. Next our server delivered another amuse bouche, maybe to refresh our palettes after the bread and butter and drinks. It was a slice of tomato in a citrusy liquid that really did open up your palette! My friend and I chose the pre-fixe lunch menu (appetizer, entree, dessert), and it was a great way to experience a Michelin rated restaurant without spending an arm and a leg (or spending the rest of what you would have paid on extras, like more drinks). I chose the Lobster for my first course/starter and it was DECADENT, with large lumps of lobster atop a bisque, and a nice helping of gnocchi, which I'm a huge fan of - so this blew the doors off the experience from the get-go. My friend ordered the Duck starter, which came out so colorful! The duck ravioli was a green pasta, and there was a yellow corn velouté underneath it and little corn kernels on top. She gave me a bite, and even though I'm not a huge fan of duck usually, this was so tender and tasty! I chose the Pork for my entree and it came as little filets of pork belly with a velvety mushroom jus on the side that gave it a nice smooth counterbalance to the crispy pork. SO good. My travel companion got the Sea Bass for her entree and added calamari/squid on top. She liked her choice, as she is a calamari girl, usually. I tasted her sea bass and it was delightful. I love those types of fish; salmon, sea bass, etc. We were getting pretty full at this point but we definitely saved room for dessert, which is good because that's what came out next: I chose the Lemon Soufflé because I LOVE lemon, and this was so scrumptiously delicious. It came in a large mug style pottery ramekin, all warm and toasty, with a little mound of ice cream on the side to pair it with. I am still dreaming about this. I see they have a few different flavors of this soufflé style of dessert, and I would say if you see it on the daily menu - get it! My friend got the Pear dessert which was so interesting. It was a poached pear in caramel, with a vanilla ice cream on the side. It was tasty on top of luxurious, on top of indulgent. From start to finish, our experience at The Kitchin was fabulous. The service was fantastic, the ambiance was definitely upscale yet welcoming, and of course the food was heavenly. It's no wonder they have held their Michelin star for 19 years! If you'll be in the Leith area (or anywhere in Edinburgh), definitely make a stop (or a special trip) to visit The Kitchin! I can promise you will NOT be disappointed.

    Photos
    The Kitchin
    The Kitchin - Sea Bass

    Sea Bass

    The Kitchin

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    Monteiths - The salmon, the he monkfish and the broccoli. We also had other sides that were brought later

    Monteiths

    4.0(89 reviews)
    0.6 mi•Royal Mile, Old Town
    •£££

    Had a nice dinner tonight at Monteith's and it was magical walking in from the busy street through…read morean archway and passage with twinkling lights. Food was terrific and am only downgrading to 4 stars because of the slow (but very friendly) service and how loud it got by the time we left. Our dinner reservation was at 7pm and we didn't get served any food (all four dishes came out at the same time) until an hour later at 8pm. We also never got the sourdough bread we ordered but maybe server couldn't hear us? Also by 7:30 we were finally asked about our drink orders - my husband ordered a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon, they came back and said they were out and how about a Syrah? Then they came back and said they were also out of Syrah and offered a mysterious red in its place. Curious how a wine bar runs out of wine by 7:30pm! I also timed getting the check to 20 minutes from asking for it to signing the check. We were not in a hurry at all so it was fine but did want others to know this. Now onto the delicious food: - venison with blackberry sauce - 5/5 and it made us wonder when the server said it was "wild caught venison" as we were unfamiliar with this term thinking "aren't all deer wild caught" but now we know better. The venison was perfectly prepared and very tender - sea trout with samphire (learned this is a sea vegetable) , pink grapefruit and fingerling potatoes in a light butter sauce - 5/5 really outstanding filet with delicate flavors balanced by the slight saltiness of the samphire, yum! - radicchio salad with pink grapefruit and pickled fennel - 4/5 only because my husband picked this salad and I don't prefer radicchio or fennel - but the gem salad was super anchovy forward (grateful the server told me this) and I don't prefer anchovies either - foraged mushroom side - 5*/5 what a lovely dish! A large variety of mushrooms with a very light tarragon cream sauce - wouldn't even call it cream sauce because it was so light - chocolate miso caramel dessert with vanilla bean ice cream - 4/5 mostly because the dessert was more like a thick layer of fudge on a thick layer of caramel - which were too dense and too much caramel for my taste, I did however very much enjoy the thin cookie that came with it! Overall a lovely leisurely dinner at Monteith's

    Wandered into Monteiths in search of libation and oysters and was immediately treated to an…read moreelevated offering of both; but it was the kindness of the bartender and his suggestions on what to do that night that really made our visit special. First of all, I had the best nonalcoholic mojito I've ever had in my life. Then I had some ridiculously dressed oysters--horseradish cream and caviar and dill oil. Was the lily guilded? Maybe but still so tasty. Upon recommendation from the bartender, we ended our night at a club set in an old church and enjoyed so much great music; the Chicano band were my favorite. I would come back definitely the next time I'm in town.

    Photos
    Monteiths
    Monteiths - Lemon Crème brûlée and tea

    Lemon Crème brûlée and tea

    Monteiths - Wine

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    Wine

    Angels with Bagpipes - Chicken with artichoke and garlic

    Angels with Bagpipes

    4.4(136 reviews)
    0.7 mi•Old Town, Royal Mile
    •£££

    We are here tonight on our first night in Edinburgh and loved it. I actually messed up a…read morereservation somewhere else (Not used to seeing two times on a reservation.) and we came upon Angels with Bagpipes. After the other restaurant (named for the Devil, oddly enough) was ridiculously rude, but the staff at Angels with Bagpipes was wonderful! The drinks were great, the food was incredible and probably the best meal we've had the entire time in the UK. We had a crab appetizer and bread. Then for the main course the kids both had the filet, I had the chicken dish and my husband had a carrot risotto. I almost never eat chicken out at a restaurant but this was so tender! Everything on the plate went together very well. My husband loved his risotto too and I agree it was delicious. I hope you can make a trip to this restaurant when visiting Edinburgh. Truly angels in the kitchen and with the staff.

    Given that this place is in an extremely touristy part of town, surrounded by souvenir shops and…read morefamous landmarks, you kind of have to appreciate the effort they put into their food presentation and service. Most places survive on knowing they can serve terrible food and still bring in the tourist crowd. These guys are serving up some healthy and hearty cuisine with a nod to their Scottish roots, but with a more sophisticated take. Everything packs amazing flavour. I came in just a few minutes after they opened for lunch, so snagging a seat was easy; however it filled up in record time, so reservations are highly recommended. The menu offers everything from light seafood salads to hearty steak dishes, to a few veggies options that leave nothing to be desired. Yes, they serve haggis, too, and I have to say, it wasn't bad, even for my first-timer's palate. They fry it up and serve it in ball form, so the taste is mild and appealing. My BBQ Lentils and Vegetables dish was beautifully presented and so tasty, I didn't miss the meat. Cocktails, wine, and beer are also available, so pick your poison.

    Photos
    Angels with Bagpipes - Their sign is adorable.

    Their sign is adorable.

    Angels with Bagpipes - Haggis with whisky gravy - SO good!

    Haggis with whisky gravy - SO good!

    Angels with Bagpipes - Battered cod was fresh and not oily at all. Scottish crab, lemon and crumpet was super fresh and delish.

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    Battered cod was fresh and not oily at all. Scottish crab, lemon and crumpet was super fresh and delish.

    Blonde Restaurants - british - Updated October 2026

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