Food and drink in Leith

The length and breadth of Edinburgh’s food and drink scene is represented here. From Michelin-starred restaurants to cosy pubs and vegan eateries, there’s no chance you’ll leave Leith hungry.

Casual eats and coffee shops

Ideal for a long leisurely lunch, there’s a great selection of pub-style eateries in the area to quench both your thirst and appetite.

The Brass Monkey provides a relaxed welcome with a menu you’ll need to return to again and again, just to try everything on offer. With its beautiful stained-glass windows, Nobles Bar & Restaurant originally opened in 1896 as a Victorian café – today its brunch and evening menus focus on classic dishes with seasonal produce, while the beer garden at Teuchters Landing is a popular place for sun worshippers to enjoy their extensive drinks and food menu. Bodega specialise in tasty Mexican street-style tacos and refreshing margheritas, Dukes serve mouth-watering chicken and vegan wings that are perfect for sharing, while at The Lioness of Leith you can enjoy inventive cocktails while tucking into one of their gourmet burgers.

Serving classic cocktails alongside delicious tapas and mezze dishes, La Casa Edinburgh offer gloriously colourful dishes from their cosy bar on Leith Walk, while Down at the Hatch serve authentic Canadian food that is big on both flavours and portions. The décor of Pizza Geeks is inspired by comic books, games and movies, but the taste is truly unique – their handmade Neapolitan pizzas have to be tasted to be believed.

Both The Sly Fox and FacePlant Foods started selling their plant-based dishes from local street markets, but now have permanent homes in Leith. Pop along for a range of your favourite delicious dishes, all without meat or dairy. Vegan and dairy-free options also abound on the menu of Foodstory, a sustainable café where customers are encouraged to bring their own reusable cups and bowls as no single use containers are provided.

The cafe scene in Leith is lively, with artisan bakeries serving fresh pastries, coffee and delicious freshly baked bread everywhere you look.

There’s a string of excellent cafes and sandwich shops on Constitution Street, including Printworks Coffee, Shore Avocado and Rocksalt, all of which offer al-fresco dining in the summer months. For a delicious Portuguese pastéis de nata, be sure to visit Casa Amiga, head to Hobz Bakery for an exciting range of inventive pastry delights such as savoury Danish pastries, croissant cannoli and croissant dogs, or if you prefer a delicate and delicious patisserie, Café Praline at the bottom of Leith Walk should be at the top of your list.

Or relax down by the Shore – both Mimi’s Bakehouse and Toast offer an irresistible selection of cakes, pastries and light bites. On a sunny summers day, nothing beats bagging one of their outdoor tables, tucking into something tasty and watching the world go by.

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Restaurants

Leith’s dining scene is unparalleled, with innovative restaurants around every corner. 

If you’re after fine dining, Michelin-starred The Kitchin and Restaurant Martin Wishart cannot be missed – not just two of the finest restaurants in Edinburgh, they’re also renowned throughout the UK for serving inventive, creative and unique cuisine. One of the latest editions to the area is Heron. Using local, sustainable and seasonal ingredients, their menus change regularly and diners at this Michelin-starred restaurant can enjoy a variety of options, from bar snacks to à la carte and tasting menus. 

Seafood lovers are spoilt for choice, with a great selection of fine eateries. The Ship on the Shore originally opened in 1834 as a tavern and coffee house, while the centuries old King’s Wark has seen life as a royal residence, private armoury for James I and plague hospital. Today, they are both renowned for their satisfying plates of sustainable Scottish fish and seafood. Offering both an à la carte and standard menu, you can also be sure a warm welcome and great choice at Fishers Leith. A short distance away in nearby Newhaven (an area which between 1572 and 1890 was a major port for oyster fishing) tuck into mouth-watering portions of cod, lemon sole, monkfish, lobster at The Fishmarket.

A firm local favourite, Vittoria on the Walk has been feeding Leithers bowls of delicious Italian food for over 45 years. The cosy rustic-chic of Origano Cafe & Pizzeria is also a popular haunt, as is Cutting Chaii, which serve tapas style classic Indian food.

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Takeaway

If you’re looking to carry out or order in, there’s a long running debate about the best takeaway in Leith. So, use these recommendations as a starting point to branch out and find your own favourites!

For authentic Scottish fish & chips check out Pierinos or Dolphin Fish & Chip Shop. Cafe Domenico has amazing (and enormous) Italian sandwiches that you can pre-order online for easy pick up. For Asian cuisine you can grab a delicious curry from Desi Pakwan or order all your favourite Chinese dishes at Lee’s Kitchen.

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Pubs and bars

Traditional or trendy, Leith has a bar for all tastes.

For a post-work drink, why not try Victoria Bar, a venue filled with charm and frequent special events including pub quizzes and DJ nights, Bittersweet, where you can also share delicious bowls of Italian aperitivo, or the popular local hang-outs Bonnington Leith or The Bullfinch – the latter of which also has a fantastic beer garden.

Nauticus Bar’s drinks menu is inspired by Leith’s nautical heritage with aptly-named drinks such as Porridge Colada and Coastal Brew; The Three Marys Bar on Henderson Street serves cocktails inspired by Leith’s legendary history, as well as local beers and fine French wines, while Carriers Quarters is thought to be the neighbourhood’s oldest pub.

If you’re interested in the making, not just the supping of craft beer, Campervan Brewery Tap Room offer tours so you can see for yourself how the magic is created. Sustainable wines and local spirits, as well the full range of their own craft beers, can be enjoyed at Moonwake Taproom, which is dog-friendly and fully wheelchair accessible.

For something a bit less sophisticated, you’ll find cheeky décor and arcade games at The Mouse Trap, while Port O’ Leith is a lively Leithers landmark pub.

Like your cocktail served in a tea cup? Then you’ll love the quirky bar that is Roseleaf. Why not try The Barologist for a list of amazing cocktails all with a meteorology theme or check out the range of innovative cocktails on offer at The Black Fox.

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