A friend and I went to The Kitchin in Scotland while we were there, because I always like to try finding 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. read more

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Amazing experience! Definitely deserving of their Michelin star. The service was impeccable from star to end. Very attentive servers and sommelier. The wine pairing was perfect and the food was delicious. A great way to celebrate our anniversary. read more

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It was my first time going to a Michelin star restaurant but it was so fun! We got the surprise prestige menu and it was so fun trying to figure out what was coming next based off the cutlery! The drinks were amazing! The service was top notch it was rare I had to pour myself some water from the bottle at the table! The ambiance was comfortable but beautiful and elegant! The dessert and the meat course were the stars of the show but the cherry blossom drink was a close second! The chef also came out to all of the tables and was so nice! read more

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Was the food good? Yes. Could it have been better? Yes. We visited to experience their lunch menu on a Friday afternoon, and although there were dishes which obviously had that 'wow factor' to them, however, two out of nine of the dishes were not at the standard we expected. One party in our table ordered asked for a vegetarian alternative to the lunch menu options and we were unimpressed with what was served - it was effectively a plate of different cheeses and salad. The second disappointment was a beef dish which was tough, and not tender as it was supposed to be. Perhaps the full tasting menu provides a more 'out of this world' experience. read more

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I traveled to Edinburgh for my birthday and planned to eat at The Kitchin for my birthday dinner. From the moment we walked in, Tom Kitchin and his team were exceptional. The restaurant is beautiful and cozy. His service team is extremely nice and so proper. I sat down and had a birthday card from Tom Kitchin wishing me Happy Birthday which was the start of an incredible meal. Then they brought over a map that tells you where all the ingredients were sourced. The five-course tasting menu was amazing from start to finish. During the meal, Tom Kitchin came over to say hello and took us on a tour of his kitchen. To end my experience he brought over a special lemon poppy seed cheesecake with a candle. The Kitchin was awesome!!!! Thank you to everyone at The Kitchin! Oh yeah. the scallop dish was the wow of the tasting menu! How you bake the puff pastry around the shell is wild but such a nice touch. Scallops melted in your mouth! read more

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Delicious! Where to start? Everything was outstanding. The Smoke cocktail was perfectly balanced, showcasing the peaty flavor of the Ardbeg Whisky. The Scallops might have been our favorite course of the tasting menu - although everything was memorable. The small printed map of Scotland with the source of every ingredient reinforced the farm to table orientation. The service was attentive and helpful. read more

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This place was absolutely amazing. From the level of service, the quality of food, and the added fact that even the little details are treated like big ones. My wife and I took a wonderful vacation to Scotland and decided to dine here on our last night and we were not disappointed. The restaurant its self is beautiful and has a great atmosphere. I could not recommend this restaurant enough. My advice would be to just know you're gonna spend a lot of money. So save it for a special occasion. But I promise you won't be disappointed. read more

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A fantastic lunch from nature to table. The food and service were both wonderful. We started with champagne and light appetizers and then moved effortlessly through the meal. We enjoyed scallops, grouse and venison each dish was fantastic Ly prepared and cooked to perfection. We finished with a lovely soufflé. Definitely a place to savor and enjoy one's meal with friends wine and wonderful food! read more

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We came to the Kitchin on our second night in Edinburgh and it was nice to see a new part of town - Leith. The restaurant is beautiful and very big, especially for a Michelin restaurant. I got the classic tasting menu and my husband got the prestige. Our cocktails were delicious - the blood orange with egg whites was a standout. We got the same amuse bouches - the smoked mackerel bite was delicious and pea puréed soup was good but different. We also had sourdough bread and homemade butter which is always nice. We each got 6 courses (after the 2 amuse bouches) and the best courses on the classic menu were the first and last dish, but the middle 4 were definitely better on the prestige menu. Classic review - the scallop dish was a showstopper both in presentation and taste. The asparagus dish was good, but the gnocchi was an odd addition (though they were delicious). The monkfish was cooked perfectly but drowning in a butter sauce which ruined the dish for me (especially while I watched my husband eat his lobster dish) and they used the same gnocchi. I've never seen a Michelin restaurant repeat elements like that before. The lamb was also cooked perfectly and I enjoyed the sauces, but the spinach and tomato dollops weren't great. They also added some delicious shredded lamb on the plate but covered it up with lettuce when it was presented. Why?? Show that off! We both had the yogurt sea buckthorn dessert which was a showstopper - wow it was fresh and so delicious. I also loved my strawberry cheesecake dessert with fresh strawberries and mint. Prestige - razor clams were good but the scallop was better (classic menu). The asparagus course had the best sweetbreads my husband has ever had. He also said the lobster dish and the waygu filet/beef cannelloni dish were each delicious. He got the caramel apple soufflé for dessert which was cool to try something that's so hard to make but liked my strawberry dessert better. Overall the prestige menu is better but we would switch in the scallops dish and the strawberry dessert for a perfect meal. Service was good but not as attentive as some other Michelin restaurants we've been to. read more

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This Scottish Michelin star restaurant owned by Tom Kitchin of Edinburgh, did not disappoint! The service was impeccable, the food clean and delicious in a contemporary, relaxed ambiance. We arrived for our lunch reservation and were warmly welcomed and immediately seated. Our server greeted us with a daily menu, recommended favorite dishes complete with cocktails/wine pairings. The baked scallops were presented in a scalloped shell and served steaming hot in a creamy white wine sauce. The scallops were fresh, large and tender without a trace of sand/grit. That being said-- you were tempted to throw your head back, and drink the very last drop of gourmet cream sauce straight from the shell! The cheese tray offered an array of tasty morsels with a depth of flavor complimentary to our meals. Ahh-- and the desserts were lovely! They were pretty and delicate... leaving us with 'sweet' summer memories! I'm happy to share, the food and experience were both so good, I simply forgot to take photographs until dessert arrived! The expertise of the chefs, blended with the personable professionalism of the front of the house, made our dinning experience five star. When the chef visited our table to inquire if we enjoyed our courses... we knew we would visit again! Thank you... read more

The Kitchin - British Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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Absolutely fantastic. We were fortunate to get a table for 4 for lunch. From entry to the restaurant to the walk back along the water of Leith it was a great experience. The physical space was lovely with the natural wood elements on the walls and the tartan backed booths. The service was professional and kind. We ordered the fixed menu with wine pairing. I enjoyed the ravioli, beef and lemon soufflé while our party similarly enjoyed the mussels, venison and strawberry dessert. The wine pairings were delicious. Tom Kitchin was in the restaurant and made the rounds through the dining room. Which was the cherry on top of the experience. Highly recommend. read more

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Beautiful decor, wait staff right out of central casting. Lunch very very disappointing considering the cost. Oyster appetizer gooey. Trout undercooked, texture too soft. Leeks and scallions served with trout could not be cut even with serrated knife I requested. Pretty and that's about it. Lemon soufflé with crème fraiche ice cream divine. $300 for 2 for lunch. Will not return. read more

Make your reservation months in advance. Consider yourself fortunate, if you didn't have to. Tom Kitchin and his wife, Michaela, run this world famous, and generously awarded establishment. The staff is super friendly and not st all pretentious. The atmosphere is cozy and tastefully done. There was no way we could chose for ourselves so we chose the Chef's choice. A vegan and regular option. We also do the wine paring. Unbelievable, what a difference that makes. I will let the pictures speak for themselves. Everything was exquisitely done. You may feel like you can't eat any more, but you surely, can't leave it on your plate. read more

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This was a big splurge but I'm so glad we did it! I saw it on the show, Men in Kilts. We all had the Surprise tasting menu with wine pairing. My favorite dish was the scallops served in the shell sealed with delicious puff pastry. Everything else was delicious too! Service was excellent. Shout out to Zoey, Steve, Quentin and Evan! Be aware though. This is a very long dinner. It was 4 hours. We had 8pm reservations and left at 12am. I would have been ok with a 3 hr. Max. read more

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Food 5/5 Service 1/5 Ambiance 4/5 Let me just start by saying the food here is incredible! We ordered one prestige menu and one standard menu to try food from both. The prestige menu food was definitely worth the extra cost with things like caviar and wagyu beef in the courses. Both menus tasted completely different from each other but equally delicious. The food was Michelin star quality food but the service was not. The service is where our meal completely fell flat. I have eaten at many Michelin starred or bib gourmand rated restaurants and they all aim for around 3-3:30 hour service time. We had a table of 4 and it took us just a few minutes shy of 5 hours for our meal. We would be sitting at an empty table 30 minutes in between courses before our next course arrived. My glass of water was only filled twice and remained empty almost the entire night - I had to ask for it to be filled. We saw almost every other table the the restaurant get seated get their food and leave before we were done. I have never encountered such a slow service before, it was definitely not worthy of a Michelin star service level. We didn't know who our waiter was because we had 4 different people wait on us throughout the night as if we weren't assigned a waiter like every other table was. I loved the food but with such a terrible service experience I cannot recommend this restaurant as there is a certain level of service quality expected with a Michelin star that was not delivered on for our group. read more

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Best meal I've ever had ... Bar none!! Texture, fresh ingredients, presentation, creativity, taste, service, wine list... value for what you get. We ordered the Classic and Premium tasting menu. I actually think the Classic was better. I didn't think having the lobster and the wagyu beef made the difference, though they were delicious!! The sauces were ridiculously complex, beautiful, colorful and soooo good!! Bravo to the staff, Tom Kitchin and the fresh ingredients that Scotland provided... AMAZING meal. I can't find ANY faults... and I am picky. Food plus wine and gratuity was 500$ for 2. Quite worth the trip!! read more

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The sweat bread starter is inspired! Absolutely delicious and exciting. The venison was absolutely delicious....the lamb with its crispy bit was outstanding....but what holds me back from a 5 star rating was the desserts....wifey got an absolutely horrid raspberry and basil disaster which was inedible and I had a boring cheese plate which was as mundane as can be. So 4 stars is the best I can do read more

Had the chefs surprise tasting menu and it was amazing. Absolutely delicious. Service was great and we would definitely go back. read more

The Kitchin - British Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

Amazing-went for lunch while in Edinburgh for my bday. I opted not to go with the tasting menu which, for me, was a good choice given how many dishes I like to try. The attentive care was stellar, especially after two days of flying and I also recommend checking out the wine bar within the resto. Make it a stop with in Edinburgh. Comforting room by the water. read more

The Kitchin - British Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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I've been to Michelin starred meals, but this one really stands out from all the ones I've had to date! The flavors and quality of ingredients was bar none and the service and experience was welcoming and special. Veronika our server made the meal sensational. Our sommelier picked out the most incredible wines. And Chef Tom personally greeted us and added some special touches to our meal. Blown away! Get that reservation stat! I'm so glad that Christine, their reservations manager was able to find us a slot during our visit to Edinburgh. The surprise tasting was the best treat our taste buds could have asked for. The scallop dish I'm going to be dreaming about for years to come! And as a mushroom lover, Chef Tom played incredible homage to one of my most favorite ingredients. If you want to experience one of the most tantalizing, visually stimulating, and epic meals of your life, secure yourself a table! read more

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They don't use yelp in Scotland as much as we do in the US. I wanted to leave this review anyway because this was one of the 10 best meals I have had in my life. I also attempted to Yelp as we were planning our trip. I saw this place on Men in Kilts and I had to take my Mom. Reservations are required and they ask for a credit card hold. The chef here is very talented and has the art of balancing a meal mastered. If you have the opportunity to travel to Edinburgh you must not miss this place. If I had to name the ambiance of this place it would be Cozy Elegant. Let the wine pairing happen! You will not be disappointed. The scallop appetizer is a must! read more

This was a special anniversary dinner for me and my husband while we were visiting Edinburgh. The whole dining experience was exquisite from start to finish. It started off with us in the lounge with stater flat breads and my husband ordered a beer. Then about 15 minutes later we were escorted to the dining area. We both ordered the surprise tasting menu but really wanted the spoots and I really wanted the chocolate soufflé to finish. The waitress said she could make it happen and she did. Each dish was very flavourful but the spoots were my favourite. I ended up finding a shot (in my game dish) which I was quite appalled about but they said this is lucky and they called it "a shot for a shot" and gave us a shot of a rare whisky whicg my husband benefited from. We then got to go into the kitchen to meet Tom Kitchin. They probably felt bad for the shot thing. They sent us off with a sweet treat that we took home and had for a snack the next day. This was my first Michelin star event and it didn't disappointment. I found the courses all heavy so by the end of it I was uncomfortably full and had to walk a couple of miles just to let the food digest. read more

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Exceptional food as you would expect made even better by the amazingly knowledgeable and professional staff in particular Evan who has a great career ahead of him. Superb all round experience which I would encourage everyone to experience. read more

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Dining here was such a lovely experience. The food sadly didn't impress me as much as I was hoping, but it was a culinary journey I was happy go on for a few hours, especially for the reasonably priced pre-fixe lunch. The service is incredible and the dining room itself maybe one of the most elegant and detailed I've ever experienced. The mains sort of disappeared into the mix, but the grouse sausage appetizer and the blueberry tart were my two standouts. The grouse was gamey and the sauce reduction added some savoryness while the blood orange gave it some sweetness that was sometimes a little overpowering. The beef entree was good but unmemorable. A well-cooked piece of steak but an incredibly small portion that was surprisingly lackluster without the other components. The veggies and green sauce worked, but the texture and color of the oxtail was a little off putting as were the large bits in the sauce. Beautifully plated but not a dish I would look forward to again. read more

The Kitchin - Grouse - British Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

You have to start someplace -- and for me The Kitchin was my first Michelin starred restaurant. I've been to a lot of nice restaurants over the years but after visiting the Kitchin I realized that there is an even higher standard that a restaurant must reach for in order to attain those coveted stars. (BTW -- Subsequent to my meal at the Kitchin I've been to other starred establishments including a couple of 2 star and one 3 star restaurant. I've never been disappointed. You may not like everything and they won't be perfect, but Michelin starred restaurants are always among the elite of the industry.) When we dined at the Kitchin a while back they mostly served fish and seafood featuring North Sea delicacies from local fishermen and foragers. We ordered a'la carte. I don't recall all the details of each dish our party ordered, but for me I remember that I started with a ceviche type preparation of razor clams. For my main course I ordered lobster prepared thermidor style. The lobster, alive and kicking, was presented to me table-side before heading back to the kitchen to be transformed into dinner. Lobster thermidor is kind of an old-school recipe -- but it was exquisitely prepared and I enjoyed every bite. Prior to our arrival I perused the Kitchin's web site and looked over the sommelier's wine recommendations. I was a bit taken back when I got some push back from the som after asking for a wine that was recommended as a great pairing with our entrée selections. I'd hate to think he was trying to "up-sell" us to a more profitable wine -- because the one we asked for was certainly not at the bottom of the price range on their wine list. We did get what we asked for and in my opinion it paired perfectly well with our entrées. We finished up with desserts featuring local ingredients -- for me -- a quenelle of sea buckthorn sorbet with a chocolatey cake and kumquat confit. Every aspect of our experience at The Kitchin -- from the service, to the food, to the decor and comfort level of the dining room -- was exactly what you would expect of a Michelin starred establishment. They may never attain a two or three star rating, but one Michelin star clearly explains my five star Yelp rating -- which, if you look at the corpus of my reviews, are relatively rare from me . ;-) read more

The Kitchin - My nine pound (£) dessert. - British Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

Michelin one star? Me thinks not. Any star from the Michelin Guide denotes a restaurant that delivers an unparalleled dining experience. From the sophistication of the food, its presentation, setting and service. All should be near flawless and representative of the culture. The Kitchin prides itself on outstanding sourcing of ingredients but combined in a way that makes none stand out. Perhaps it is the intended goal, but having tried numerous "regular" eateries in Scotland prior to the Michelin meal, I never experienced blended flavors. Don't get me wrong, the food is plenty good just uncharacteristic of a restaurants so dedicated to ingredients. The meal opens with an assortment of crisp flat bread wafers with a creamy bleu cheese dip. Some with laver, others with squid ink. A fun opening act. The prestarter, a small serving of seafood veloute with raw root veg and bright acidity ready's the palate for more. To the starters. Gigas oysters prepared six ways. Raw, outstanding and showcasing the incredible clean flavor. Cooked as a Rockefeller, smoked, cut up and mixed with root veg, in a Asian sauce, etc were good on their own but the subtle goodness of the oyster is lost. A hand dived Orkney scallop baked in shell with white wine, vermouth and a wild herb, butter sauce, vibrant and sweet. Steaming keeps the scallop tender. Somewhat over seasoned. For mains, a very good monkfish tail wrapped in pancetta, served with barely cooked through squid, pan roasted potatoes, foraged mushrooms and scallion with a seaweed sauce. The Scottish affinity for pairing mushrooms with Seafood continues to impress in its ability to bring out the natural flavors. The only weakness, the pancetta overpowers the delicate fish. The lobster stuffed with squid, pancetta, assorted squash and braised fennel, and finished with an escargot butter, outstanding. Incredible sweetness harmonizes perfectly with the anise flavor of the fennel. The escargot butter's richness and slight earthiness adds incredible back flavors and surprising umame. Incredible. The only true mistake, the lobster "risotto". Sweet, perfectly cooked lobster claw and tail served in a "risotto" of potato in a VERY salty seafood broth. Impossible to eat. Dish sent back and a replacement, simple, off the menu lobster dish replaced it. A richly flavored pistachio soufflé with chocolate ganache and chocolate chip ice cream, whisky, and petit fours rounds out the meal. Service; German efficiency. Never slowing, never stopping. Friendly but not providing the relaxed atmosphere one expects for a 3 hour meal. The wine list is good but lacks in vintage depth. Prices are very fair with the average bottle price £100. Overall, reasonable, with dinner for three inclusive of drinks and service, £490. Three month advance booking required. Credit card to warranty reservation. Somewhat disappointed by the hype. Eclipsed by the chef's other Michelin eatery, Castle Terrace. read more

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The Kitchin is a one Michelin-starred restaurant in Edinburgh that I had the opportunity to try. They offer a variety of menu options, and lunch is an especially good time to come since you can get a two course meal for around 65 pounds. I decided to go all out - I had their Chef's Prestige tasting menu, which was 6 courses for 185 pounds. It was advertised as using the finest regional ingredients - and the meal even came with a little map of the UK indicating where different ingredients came from. Our meal started off in the bar with a little finger food - there were some crispy seaweed/rye cracker sticks that you dip into a creamy sauce before you are seated at your actual table. It started off with a tomato consomme, which was quite nice - a refreshing start and a nice reminder that we're eating seasonally, since tomatoes are harvested towards the end of summer. Then we had a salmon and caviar dish - this was quite exquisite, and the whole thing was served on a little jelly layer made of shellfish broth. The third course was when things really picked up for me - it was crisp veal sweetbreads that was creamy and luscious within, with mushrooms around it and a really savory sauce. The next lobster dish was a wonderful trompe l'oeil - a lobster tail was wrapped in an orange pasta layer, and another fish paste was wrapped in courgette blossom and it looked like carrots and zucchini. Quite the artful presentation. The savory courses ended with a slice of wagyu and some shredded short rib, which was tasty but nothing special. The pre-dessert was a meringue with blueberry sauce and a yogurt filling - a little too rich and sweet for a pre-dessert, in my opinion. I was expecting something more palate cleansing. Then the final dessert was a chocolate souffle that they dramatically pour whiskey chocolate sauce into for you. I was much too full at this point and didn't think much of this dish. Lastly, you're asked if you want tea or coffee - I forgot that it was part of the meal, and declined either, but this is included and they give you a round of millionaire's shortbread to finish off, which was really tasty and sweet, if a bit cloying. Service was quite expedient. I always appreciate being given a copy of the tasting menu after the fact, but I was mistakenly given a copy of the non-prestige menu - poor form! Our meal was twice as expensive as the regular tasting menu! The reason why I'm giving this experience four stars instead of five is because I feel like it's not completely worth the price. At this price point, I've dined at Geranium (which had way more innovative dishes) and L'Ambroisie (which had more premium ingredients). I think the savory mains were the best, but the desserts were not well balanced. My tip to you? Come here for lunch and order from one of their smaller set menus - you won't missing out if you miss a dessert or two. read more

First of all, the service was like a ballet! Beautifully choreographed and seamless. Everyone helped, it seemed like no one had "their table". Everyone from the sommelier to the wait staff helped to clear and serve our table. Second, the food, amazing!!!!! The scallops served in a scallop shell was a work of art and I wish I could have scooped up every molecule of the sauce. Smooth, buttery, deliciousness. The caramel dessert? BEST EVER. Third, immaculate restrooms. Fourth, Tom Kitchin came out to great all the tables. Charming and appreciative. Finally fifth. A map of Scotland designating where all of our food came from. Talk about locally sourced. A fabulous evening to celebrate being with my sisters. The only sad thing is that we live so far away and cannot eat at The Kitchin every week. Steven runs a well run restaurant and along with the culinary expertise of Tom Kitchin, it is an evening of flavors that will not be forgotten soon. read more

Fantastic food, top notch staff, superb chief! Well worth the trip. You will not be disappointed

The kitchin, a restaurant in Edinburgh, has a completely undeserved reputation as being a top restaurant in the city. Indeed the kitchin is anything but a top restaurant. Upon arriving at the restaurant for dinner, we were greeted by a pretentious hostess, who at first resort refused to seat us. After some discussion, we finally were able to obtain our reserved table and we were told that we could not enjoy a bottle of wine that we brought because the sommelier would not permit it insisting that he could deny us service, even with a pricey corkage fee. According to this gentleman he had all "the power and discretion to refuse us our wine" because he felt like it. The bottle we brought was far of a better quality than anything he had on his list. The food service began, and to say that it was underwhelming is an understatement. The menu was a massive disappointment, the food quality being extremely suspect, and the flavors were strange and off beat. Dish after dish was surprisingly bad. This is a place you definitely want to stay away from, particularly given the price point. This diner is as strange and offbeat as the spelling of its presumed namesake. There are much better restaurants in Edinburgh where you won't experience the nightmare we endured. read more

I'm going out on a limb to say there's nothing in Scotland as magical as the tasting menu at The Kitchin. Big call, I know! I've been lucky enough to dine at The Kitchin twice before, and this was our visit since it was renovated. The space is bigger and more spacious, and you can have a romantic dinner without feeling cramped or crowded. We booked months in advance (I believe they book up to 6 months in advance) and got a table for two on a Friday night. I think we needed to leave card details to secure the booking as well as confirm the day before. We arrived early for our booking intending to have a drink in the bar but were shown straight through to our table - no complaints from me as I was hungry! We started with a cocktail each - I had the apple crumble which is probably the only low point of the evening as it really didn't taste like much. No bother though as by that point they'd popped crisp breads in front of us which were totally delicious. I knew I was going to have a tasting menu and the waitress mentioned that we didn't need to have the same one, so we decided to have one classic tasting menu (Tom Kitchin's best dishes) and one seasonal, £80 each. And matching wines, £55 each. I won't go into a dish-by-dish breakdown but there really wasn't a low point for me. I really loved the mackerel tartare marinated in a seaweed and lemon dressing which was served in ice and deliciously refreshing, and the halibut was luscious. I tried most of Graeme's dishes as well, and it was nice to both try something different. The food here really is at a different level and really impressive - I love that feeling of being totally gobsmacked by the flavours when I dive into a dish. We also opted for the additional cheese course because I cannot resist a cheese trolley. The waitress looking after the cheese chose a beautiful selection for us and told us something interesting about each cheese. Service is friendly, professional and relaxed, there's really no pretense here. I think that's one of my favourite things about The Kitchin - no one wants to eat somewhere stuffy and formal. I have to say that for me, The Kitchin is my favourite restaurant in Scotland - I've always left feeling wowed and delighted by the food. They really do know how to hero Scottish produce and I love that they showcase the seasons at the same time. Tips: very reasonable lunch menu available at £29.50 for three courses. There's a bar area where you can sit and wait for your taxi at the end of your meal. We'd booked for 6.30pm and they didn't seem to expect to turn the table over which made for a relaxing experience for us. read more

The Kitchin - Map of Scotland - British Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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Really, just perfect. It's effortless - the staff are so pleasant, the food is wonderful, the entire experience is just fantastic. We had the set 3-course lunch (a bargain at £28 - this is a Michelin star restaurant for goodness sake!). You start with some crudites while perusing the menu. There are only 3 choices but even so, it's difficult to pick. Before your starter comes out, there's an amuse bouche to get you in the mood and some of the nicest sourdough bread I've ever tasted. They're very proud of their Scottish food and they gave us a little map of Scotland rolled up and tied with a ribbon which highlights where in the country they source their ingredients. We went for the matched wine package with our lunch and it's brilliant - you get a different glass of wine with each course and each wine is matched to your food. And it really works - even the dessert wine, which I'm not usually a fan of, was lovely with the right dessert. The food is brilliant - it's stylish but not fussy; beef, lamb, seafood - all cooked perfectly by somebody who is obviously passionate about good Scottish food. The reason I love the place so much though is that it's so relaxed and easy going - doesn't feel like a "posh" restaurant despite the impeccable service and faultless food. It's like they're so good, they don't need to be pretentious about it. The matched wine package will add another £25 to your lunch. We ended up around £57 each - that's crudites, bread, an amuse bouche, three fantastic courses of lunch, three matched glasses of wine (or two cocktails for the one who doesn't drink wine), then coffee and petit fours to finish. Not an everyday lunch, but definitely worth treating yourself now and again. read more

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Any place that gives my handbag its own seat at the table is going to get looove from me! Yes that actually happened. My £10 Accessorize satchel never had it so good :) We had a real delight of a meal at this Michelin-starred and recently refurbed resto (made even better by the fact I was being treated eek). We chose 3 courses a la carte and asked the sommelier to match wines for each of us for each course which was quite special and a first for me. The highlights for me were my scallops starter which arrived baked in the shell and revealed at the table. This was followed by food envy at my neighbour's stuffed lobster main course. I also liked the dramatics of the choc soufflé desserts which were also pierced and filled with steaming hot choc sauce right in front of us. The service was spot on (apart from a long gap before dessert arrived) and the evening topped off by spotting Mr Tom Kitchin himself through the window in the kitchen! It's great to know he really cooks here, and believes in the 'from nature to plate' sustainable philosophy - as evidenced by the cute food sourcing maps of Scotland they had rolled up as scrolls in front of each person. I would have liked the food to be more specifically memorable for the prices being paid but otherwise this was a top notch eve - would recommend for a special spendy meal as the setting itself is comfortably lush :) read more

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I come from NYC, one of the most heavily ladened Michelin starred cities in the world. I have eaten is many Michelin starred restaurants and this one just does not compare when it comes to taste. At first glance, this place is actually incredible. The staff are exceptionally professional, welcoming and attentive. They find a good balance of when to bother you and when to leave you alone. They make sure to refill your wine and your water. they are all well dressed and presentable. they know the menus and dishes well. The decor is phenomenal. It really offers a fine dining sort of feel. Though the stools with the (hopefully fake) cow fur that you can use to put your purse or jacket is a bit much. They offer an a-la carte menu as well as a tasting menu (though the a-la carte menu requires three coures...). The bathroom: SUPER FANCY The presentation of the dishes: OUTSTANDING! The chef and his crew and truly artists. The presentations were so impressive I couldn't complain about that Why did I give it two stars? Because it is truly not worth the money because the food is awful. Now, not everything was awful. Let go through them in order 1) Bread - at the bar they offered these bread crisps that each had their own individual flavor (ie. seawead, oat...I forget the rest). At the table, they offered this great sourdough bread, however, it only had a hint of sourdough flavor and tasted more like...bread. 2) Amouse Bouche: this delicious little sampling of tiny balled carrots and cucumbers in this dill and ginger sauce was intense and amazing. It set the stage for the failure to come 3) Scallops: Again, amazing presentation. They cook it in the shell and put a pastry around the opening which must be cracked open like you are opening up a present. The scallops stew in their own juices which seems like such a great idea. however, at first bite, the mind wonders: where is the taste? It tasted like...nothing. I felt the scallops on my tongue. I broke it down with my teeth and yet...nothing. Was this a mistake? i try another bite, again, nothing. It was literally the prettiest but blandest scallops I have ever eaten in my entire life. 4) Monkfish: Same problem as the scallops. The presentation was beautiful. It was like looking at something from the Museum of modern Art. There was color and texture and excitement from that dish but there was no flavor. I mean..I sort of tasted the saffron..I guess? But it seemed like the key ingredient missing was SALT! The chef did not seem afraid to use other herbs and spices but where was the salt? I need to search the thesaurus for synonyms for the word bland because how many times do I need to say it? It was such a disappointment. 5) Chocolate and coffee dessert with hazelnut praline. This was actually not bad. Super fancy dessert with rich chocolate and coffee and amazing textured offered by the hazelnut. It was nice to end the dinner with this. Overall, the bill totaled well over 300 dollars for two 3 course meals, a mocktail and a few glasses of wine. Am I glad to have done it? No Would I recommend this to my friends? No Would I come back? No In the world of food, you can have all the parts together but if you miss out on TASTE, that is a huge red flag in my book. I do not recommend. read more

The Kitchin has been on my to do list for a long time. 2 reasons for this : first it is difficult to get a table on popular days and secondly the prices. To circumvent point one you just visit in person And ask if anything is available. Their website states it is fully booked most if the time, but people will cancel! the secondary point is more a case of can you afford it. We had a table on a Friday evening 18:30. We were advised the table was booked again at 20:45. That should've been enough time allotted for a good meal. We opted for the 7 course tasting meal. I did advised the restaurant in advance about the allergies i have. They fully accommodated me! we added a Lobster course. The food was amazing, no complaints. The service was good, too good.. it seems there was no set table allocation structure, thus we got several times different waiters asking us the same questions. At least no waiting around for service! One thing is about the wine, a decent bottle is £60! no real cheaper options, as wine by the glass is around £11 each.. We noticed it was about 21:15 when we should get our coffees, we were asked if we wanted to take these in the bar. No problem. In all a very pleasant evening, but I'd suggest a lunch time appointment, as it will be cheaper and you get a taste of the atmosphere. we'll be back in August for that. read more

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We recently had the pleasure of dining at The Kitchin in Edinburgh. From the moment we stepped through the doors, we felt ensconced in the atmosphere and genuine hospitality the restaurant provided. It was apparent that great care had been taken to create a place that was pleasing and comfortable as the interior décor was cozy and intimate. The Surprise Tasting Menu was diverse and the dishes were crafted with the utmost skill and creativity. Each of the seven courses that we indulged in was a true masterpiece (including the vegetarian versions) because the favors were exquisite and the presentation of each dish was a work of art. The staff was very knowledgeable in describing each dish and you can taste the thoughtfulness and care in every delicious bite. We were very pleased that we decided to also include the wine pairing because we enjoyed learning about each and they complimented each dishes perfectly. The only glitch was that the optional cheese course took a lot longer to be served than the previous courses and then the rest of the courses took longer than usual, as well as receiving our bill at the end, and the dinner service ended up taking 5 hours. Regardless, we had an exceptional meal that we thoroughly enjoyed and will never forget. read more

We made a reservation here just to have dessert. And it was just as amazing as we imagined. I had an apple sorbet with apple slices that was just what I needed after a long day of sightseeing. The one comment I have is that they were almost appalled we were there just for dessert, and still had the wait staff go through setting the table for appetizers, then taking the plates away, setting for dinner, taking that away, and then finally for dessert. I would definitely stress to them that you're just there for dessert so they know. Other than that, it was very lovely, and well worth the $30 I spent on just dessert. Sometimes you just have to splurge. :) read more

The Kitchin - I love green apple flavored food, and this was perfect green apple sorbet. - British Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

One of the best meals I've ever had. Spent the evening with my wife and in-laws and each course was fantastic. The onion soup and chocolate bar were particularly great. read more

They take great care of you from the start. And by the start, I mean enquiring about seating by email. The hostess is prompt and complete with replies, letting me know which nights are fully booked and advising me about better days to come in. I came here for lunch since all the dinners were booked up and had the prix fixe 3-course lunch. Really a steal in my opinion.The waiting staff worked as a great team so we didn't feel ignored even when our server was helping someone else as there were many other friendly staff checking on each other's clientele. I loved having sweet potato chips at the table to crunch on when we entered and the selection of bread from a wheeled up bread cart with selections such as freshly baked sourdough and olive bread. My starter was the octopus carpaccio which was fabulously laid out and accompanied with colourful pickled vegetables. The main was the ox cheek which was so delicate that no knife was necessary. Dessert was a chocolate pistachio souffle which was very creative and interesting. Not too heavy but nice and warm with a great flavour. The hosts took care of calling our taxi as we exited to proceed with our day after, with hunger satisfied and tastebuds delighted. read more

Excellent restaurant and dining experience. The menu here changes seasonally (I had the summer menu) and Tom Kitchin really focuses on getting the best ingredients. The bone marrow with Devon snails, Perthshire girolles, and Bayonne ham is one of those dishes you remember for a long time. The service was attentive (without being intrusive), knowledgeable, and people were really warm. Chef Kitchin was actually in the kitchen cooking. You don't see many celebrity chefs cooking anymore - at least not in NYC. read more

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