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    The Grain Store

    4.3 (54 reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 2:00 PM, 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM

    The Grain Store Photos

    THE GRAIN STORE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Intimate
    Classy
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - The Grain Store

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    Pork Belly main at The Grain Store
    Amy G.

    The Grain Store has to be one of my all time favourite Edinburgh restaurants. Sometimes I wish I could pick it up and move it to Glasgow so I could go more often! I discovered this little gem nestled on Victoria Street a few years ago when I went for dinner with my family. At this point I was still a bit of a fussy eater, so I ordered the chicken dish and instantly regretted it when I saw the beautiful plates being placed around me. I tried venison for the first time that night, and it is now one of my favourite meats because of the beautiful plate of venison my mum ordered. She had to fight to keep her plate most of the evening! From then on, it became a regular go-to restaurant when I was through in Edinburgh visiting friends or family, especially given their extremely good value lunch menu. In the evening, most main courses are priced between £18 and £25, which is a lot, so the fact that they offer a lunch menu where you can get three courses for £15 is, to me, insane value for money. On my most recent visit, I went with my mum and my gran for Mothers Day lunch, where we each had a starter and a main course for £12.50 each. For starter I ordered Stornaway Black Pudding with Apple Puree, which I have had their before, and it was stunning. The black pudding was crumbly, perfectly complimented with the apple. For main I chose the Duck Confit with Haricot Bean Cassoulet. Again, this was fab and really filling. The duck skin was crisp, the meat tender and flavoursome, and the cassoulet really rich and warming. We were also given some lovely freshly baked bread which had a perfectly crunchy crust, with a soft, yummy dough. The manager of the restaurant is incredibly friendly and loves to check in making sure you have everything you need and that you are enjoying your meal, so the service is always impeccable. On this occasion, for three people, our bill came to £66 - two courses each and a bottle of red wine. The food is such a high quality and the staff are so friendly and attentive that The Grain Store is always a big hit with me, and I'll continue raving about it to anyone visiting Edinburgh!

    Fiona H.

    Move over the Witchery, this place is definitely one of the best restaurants in Edinburgh. And unlike the Witchery, it a) actually deserves that title and b) hasn't awarded it to itself. I'd walked past it for years, before I ever worked out where it was - the only thing you see from Victoria Street is a tiny little painted sign on the wall and a small menu by the door. That sums this place up all over - it's amazing without needing to shout about it. It's always busy because of word-of-mouth, but it's never absolutely packed like the 'it' restaurants where people book a table just to be able to say they've eaten there. The food is loosely-speaking Scottish and French, but it's a bit quirkier than the sorts of dishes you'd expect to find - they serve things like Hare, Wild Boar and Ox Tongue. I have to say, their evening menu is more than a little bit pricey. Main courses are £15-£25 each, so by the time you have 3 courses and factor in wine and coffee you're looking at quite a hefty bill. The lunch menu, on the other hand, is an absolute steal. No matter what people say, you've got to love the Recession for all the high quality yet affordable set-price menus that the restaurants have had to introduce as a result. The Grain Store is no exception - you can get 3 courses for £14.95, or if you're not feeling that peckish then 2 courses are only £12.95, and the dishes are pretty much exactly the same things you can get from their á la carte selection. I'm going back here for dinner in a few weeks, and I can't wait.

    http://www.grainstore-restaurant.co.uk
    Emma C.

    The Grain Store sits on the first floor of a building on the colourfully curved Victoria Street. Inside, it is tastefully decorated in a rustic style and the ambience is intimate and romantic. The menu aims to showcase Scottish produce (local wherever possible) and it does this superbly, everything is freshly prepared and served up to you simply and stylishly. The menu changes regularly, when I was last there I had mackerel done three ways (smoked, pickled and cured with capers and lemon) - a classically Scottish dish with a twist, done very very well. The staff are knowledgeable, professional and friendly - the wine that was recommended went well with my meal and the price of the bottle wasn't too much of a shock. The Grain Store represents all that is good with Scottish cuisine today and obviously this comes at a price, but it is a price worth paying.

    Polenta

    I was referred to eat here by a client who's husband is Scottish, we only had one full day and two nights so our time was valuable. And we were SO happy we were lead in the grain stores direction and impressed with this restaurant! The food was incredible, the ambiance is so classic warm and homey, and the staff was helpful, kind and able to give honest opinions about their favorite dishes. And it's right in the middle of beautiful old Edinburgh! If I ever make it back again, the grain store will be one of my first stops. Thanks again for making our trip memorable!

    Pan fried scallops with crispy bacon
    Brad G.

    Firstly, there is no disputing that the food is good. A great and wide variety of game, seafood, poultry and red meat, beautifully cooked and presented. On the night my wife and I went totally seafood, enjoying pan fried scallops with crispy bacon, poached lobster with tagliatelle and lobster bisque, crispy skinned halibut with spinach and broccoli and sea bass with a creamy mussel sauce...utterly delicious and in it's own right worthy of 5 stars. However... We are disappointed with the service. When you're experiencing such beautifully prepared and cooked meals, there is an expectation that the front of house experience will not be anything less in comparison, therefore ensuring the perfect dining experience. The staff at The Grainstore were very friendly, no doubt, but their attention to detail is greatly lacking and perhaps a sign that the front of house staff are on the whole very inexperienced. Firstly, after ordering the wine, we were presented with the wrong bottle. Secondly, both my wife and I had to repeat our selections when orders were taken due to the French waitress having a poor grasp of English. Thirdly, again due to English comprehension issues, my requested flat white came out as an espresso. Lastly, on presentation of the bill we had to wait 25 mins before one of the staff came over to process our card payment...and this was with us trying to get their attention for the last 10 minutes of that 25. When you're paying well over 3 bills for a dinner for 2 (and more than happy to do so), there is an expectation that the experience, all of it, will be married and aligned. As said, the meals themselves are worthy of 5 stars (and have received ad much from other reviewers), but the service I'm afraid a lowly 1.

    Grain Store

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    6 years ago

    Beautiful interior and absolutely amazing food. Fois gras 'bun' is a must try. Favorite spot in Edinburgh so far!

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    7 years ago

    Great food. Great service. Wonderful atmosphere. Paul is fun and attentive. I sent many people there even locals.

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    9 years ago

    Pretty delicious, great wine, but the real charm of this restaurant is the location. Very dark and romantic, would definitely go back!

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    The Grain Store Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - The Grain Store

    I discovered this little gem nestled on Victoria Street a few years ago when I went for dinner with my family.

    Mentioned in 7 reviews

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    Howies - Ribeye

    Howies

    4.2(225 reviews)
    0.0 miOld Town
    £££

    Such a friendly and beautifully set restaurant. The food is picturesque and top notch. Everything…read morewe had, from the large portions of bread paired with roasted red pepper humus to the flaky and flavorful cod, was exceptional. The wait staff is helpful as well as friendly. They prepared a table for us even amidst a packed house. Know that this is not just a restaurant, it's a date night restaurant. We brought the kids, which was perfectly okay, but the setting and price is more date night worthy. This place is terrific! Enjoy!

    Howie's was our first dinner stop on our first day in Scotland. I wanted a nice restaurant that had…read morea vegetarian version of haggis (so I could dive right in...), and we had made a reservation weeks in advance of our trip. All good! This Howie's location is on Victoria Street (one of the most photographed streets in the world and the visual influence for Harry Potter's Diagon Alley...it's a few minutes' walk from the center of the Royal Mile, so the location is fantastic. Our reservation was on the early side, and the host made a point of telling us a couple of times that they'd need the table back after a certain period of time. We don't really dwell for hours in restaurants, so that note is not something we really needed, and after seeing it in the reservation confirmation, as well as being told twice by the host, there was a little bit of a feeling that the entire purpose of us being at Howie's was to get out as soon as possible so they can have the table back. Besides that tone-setter, the service and food were fantastic. Our server took a lot of time going through the options with us...she gave me a good perspective on the vegetarian haggis I was getting to help me contextualize its flavor and texture with the real thing, and was very nice! The asparagus and pea risotto I had was also beautiful and had good flavor. As a vegetarian, I appreciated that the menu had everything labeled with dietary restrictions. (which seems to be more of a standard in the U.K. than in the U.S., but this was our first dinner stop in the country, so it's worth noting.) Howie's gave us a good introduction to Scottish cuisine. Its location couldn't have been better, and our server was aces. I hope we gave the table back in time to not cause a panic. ;)

    Photos
    Howies - Beautiful bar

    Beautiful bar

    Howies - Lobster 1/2

    Lobster 1/2

    Howies - Mussels appetizer

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    Mussels appetizer

    Makars Gourmet Mash Bar - Crown Of Slow Cooked Beef Shoulder With A Rich Horseradish Infused Gravy

    Makars Gourmet Mash Bar

    4.8(541 reviews)
    0.1 miOld Town, Royal Mile
    ££

    When you think Scottish food, you don't think "gourmet."…read more In fact, if you're the average person you probably don't have have even a conceptual idea of what the food is like other than similar to English food. You wouldn't be wrong, but also not the greatest of reputations. Then a place like Makars stands up and says "We can be Scottish and delicious" and the result is a humble restaurant in old town dishing out quality comfort food. I wish I had come here hungover. It's one of those places where everything on the menu seems to be aimed at reviving a wounded tourist. For most people the people will consist of a meat of your choice on top of a mash potatoes of your choice. All of the options looked awesome. I was just coming from an 11 hour flight, so I didn't get too crazy. I pulled trigger on a pork over bacon mash and it did not miss. The meat was exceptionally fall off the bone tender and the mash potatoes were flavorful and complimented the meat perfectly. One bit of advice - the portions are big so either come hungry or consider splitting an entree. I'd feel confident recommending this place to anyone who thinks that the Scots can't cook. It'll prove them wrong.

    Having tried unsuccessfully to make a reservation before arriving in Edinburgh, we instead used the…read morewalk-in line, where they take your phone number, give you a wait time and text when your table is ready. Very convenient. The decor is somewhat industrial, probably because of the AC ductwork. Much appreciated during a warm spell in July! Staff were all welcoming and friendly. Service was great! Food came out of the kitchen quickly. It's all about the mash, but the meats stole the show! The lamb shank was large, meaty and complimented by the cheddar potatoes. We thoroughly enjoyed the juicy pork shank with applewood smoked cheddar mash. In addition we sampled the savory beef shoulder with horseradish mash as well as the Lions Mane mushrooms topped with rocket (arugula.) Each was satisfying and full of delicious flavors. Definitely worth the wait!

    Photos
    Makars Gourmet Mash Bar - Downstairs inside the restaurant

    Downstairs inside the restaurant

    Makars Gourmet Mash Bar - Homemade Free Range Gourmet Scotch Egg

    Homemade Free Range Gourmet Scotch Egg

    Makars Gourmet Mash Bar - Makars Wild Boar Sausage With Beef Dripping Gravy

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    Makars Wild Boar Sausage With Beef Dripping Gravy

    Queens Arms

    Queens Arms

    4.4(116 reviews)
    0.4 miNew Town
    ££

    Came here on our first night in town on the strength of the Yelp reviews and were not disappointed…read more We enjoyed a fantastic Sunday roast including a delicious pavlova for dessert. The kids meal of mac and cheese and fries was perfect for our picky little eater, though big enough for at least two!

    Out of all the places I've been to in Scotland, I think Queens Arms was one of my favorites…read more We had reservations for this place recently and when I took one step inside, I was already in love. I mean who doesn't love a good pub? You get great drinks and great food at an affordable price. As I write it makes me think of think of when Zidane reunites with Freya in FF9. Sometimes we don't wanna eat at fancy Michelin restaurant that has small plates but charges a premium. Sometimes we just wanna cut all the BS and just get a nice hearty meal. And thats what we got. When we sat down we found out that they were doing a Trivia night. Normally I would have told my girl to pick another spot to eat but for some reason I was cool with it. There was even a table nearby with kids(yuck). And you know what? It was fine. That's because we had been sipping on some amazing cocktails. If you also partake, Gin and Mezcal enjoyers will love the Bramble and Hibiscus Crush. What color are Luigi's overalls from Super Mario? That's such an easy question. Wait...what do you mean Luigi's overalls are blue? They are green. Look at this picture onli...Oh... One of the stars of our meal was the Haggis. This was the first time I had ever tried it and after trying it at multiple places Scotland, Queens Arms I feel has done it the best. I love the complexity of the flavors of the meat with the creamy and pepper flavors of the peppercorn sauce. If you've never had Haggis, you definitely have to try it here. The best part is that it comes with mashed potatoes too! Shoutouts to the Fish and Chips if you are also into that. One of my friends ordered that and I definitely had to go back in for multiple bites. Finally the roast. The Sunday Roast should just be an automatic order if you happen to come here on a Sunday. You get so much food and it's all so damn tasty. They'll cook a roast to whatever doneness your heart desires. We went with Medium Rare and it came out perfectly. If you didn't have enough flavors with all the extra sides it comes with, they also give you gravy to pour on anything you want. Thanksgiving basically came early this night. But as I looked around and admired all the bookshelf's and all the families have a nice dinner with their loved ones, I just thought about how happy I was. I was finally here! This was the start of my trip. Queens Arms has set a high ceiling on great experiences in Scotland. We even went back there a couple of days ago just because we knew we would be able to end the night on a good drink. But in the end I think if you are Edinburgh, you have to come to this place. It is one of my favorite experiences I've had in Scotland so far and I dream about when I can come back again.

    Photos
    Queens Arms
    Queens Arms
    Queens Arms - Wellington upfront and Mac and Cheese in the back

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    Wellington upfront and Mac and Cheese in the back

    Pibroch Scottish Restaurant

    Pibroch Scottish Restaurant

    4.2(16 reviews)
    0.5 miOld Town

    The partner-in-dine and I were staying close to Pibroch and decided to book a table for dinner on a…read moreSunday evening. We made our booking the night before and were pleased that we could be accommodated. We were seated promptly next to a window where we could pass the time waiting for our food by looking at the passers-by and cars. But we didn't have to wait long. The appetizers came out quickly. I got the Cullen Skink, a Scottish soup of smoked haddock, potatoes and leeks in a creamy broth. My partner-in-dine chose the Pibroch Haggis Parcels with Red Wine Plum Sauce. We were both happy with our appetizers. For our mains, I had the Haggis, Neeps and Tatties while my partner-in-dine went for the Roast Duck. We were again elated with our choices. Every dish was wonderfully presented and tantalizingly delish. Definitely recommendation-worthy!

    I told myself I wasn't going to try the haggis, but what did I do? I tried the haggis. I'm glad I…read moredid. The wait staff there are extremely attentive, friendly, and willing to answer any questions. Our party started off with the haggis parcels in a red wine plum sauce as an appetizer. The haggis was encased in filo dough. It was delicious. I went with the salmon, because Scotland has the best salmon in the world, so I've been told. This salmon was exceptional. I enjoyed the crispiness on the top of the salmon and the potatoes and broccoli accompanied the dish perfectly. I didn't care for the tomato sauce, and just ate around that. If you want authentic Scottish food, and friendly service, try this place out. They are also wheelchair accessible, as they have a ramp to guide you in the door.

    Photos
    Pibroch Scottish Restaurant
    Pibroch Scottish Restaurant
    Pibroch Scottish Restaurant

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    The Grain Store - modern_european - Updated August 2026

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