5 New Edinburgh Restaurants to Try in 2026.

Ask anybody from Glasgow, and they’ll say that Edinburgh isn’t worth visiting and you should eat in Glasgow instead.

In the past may have been true, but not anymore. Edinburgh’s food scene has leapt to the challenge and utilised it’s canvas of dramatic contrasts to produce a culinary community just as captivating as it’s cityscape vistas.

If you think that sentence was poetic, wait until you see what we suggest as the best new restaurants to visit in Edinburgh in 2026.

Here we are.

The Cooper’s Rest

Opened: TBC 2026
Where: 295 Easter Road, Edinburgh, EH6 8LH.

Is there anything better than a traditional, local, cosy pub? Yes, I believe we’ve found it. An elevated modern twist on comfort food and fresh drinks.

The Cooper’s Rest is a joint venture to revive the old, long-closed Coopers Rest; the mission is taken on by co-owners Gordan Mckenzie, Emma McIntosh, Lloyd Morse and James Snowdon, and the teams behind The (local favourite) Palmerston and Newbarn’s Brewery.

While it appears there is some delay, the venue is greatly anticipated, and combines two of Edinburgh’s most successful – and delicious – food and drink superstars.

Uncle Tiger

Opened: Feb 2026
Where: 3 Bristo Place, EH1 1EY

Uncle Tiger is much. much more than flash branding. The restaurant has quickly risen to one of Edinburgh’s newest “must-try” asian venues. The menu is inspired by the small smoke-filled grilling joints in Tokyo, which offer up huge flavours and strong drinks.

The food is shareable, designed to dip in and dive out with a group of friends, for a superb start to a BNO. Think BBQ, delicious cocktails and a place you’ll not forget in a hurry… so, hurry and book a fest with friends.

The Whirlybrid.

Opened: TBC 2026
Where: 36-38 victoria street, The old Town.

The street needs no introduction, but we think its newest addition does.

For locals in Edinburgh, Victoria Street is avoided at all costs due to the throngs of tourists with the spatial awareness of the cruise ship they hopped off, Harry Potter shops, and rip-off prices. This does not describe the Whirlybird.

A joint venture between Ash Bairstow (The Herringbone) and chef Lucia Gregusova (formerly of Hawksmoor). The drinks are headed up by Jono McDowell (Panda & Sons) and GM is Matt Donaldson (The Kitchin Group).

The menu is modern, refined and Scottish. With a focus on quality, Scottish quality that elevates the very best essence of the character of Edinburgh. This is a place that Glasgow simply cannot produce.

Sotto

Opened: October 2024
Where? 28 Deanhaugh Street, EH4 1LY

Stockbridge is very popular, but is often sneered at as pretentious and “lacking of substance”. At least, compared to other parts of town, it’s true. However, that is until we came across Sotto.

Sotto’s head chef Francesco Ascrizzi (formerly of Divino Enoteca, Mono and Tipo) is propping up local Scottish produce with Italian passion. The food is certainly delicious – but what sets Sotto appart it the wine and the service. The Edinburgh-born sommelier James Clark has selected over 200 Italian wines to pair perfectly with the food on offer. We suggest the Order ‘Fai Tu’ (translating to ‘you do you’), where you can enjoy four courses chosen by the chef, an exciting experience indeed.

VINETTE

Opened: October 2025
Where? 36 Broughton Street, EH1 3SB

Edinburgh chef Stuart Ralston is expanding his new Aizle Hospitality Group this October with two venues on Broughton Street: Vinette and Vivien. Developed with co-owner Jade Johnston, the project marks a fresh chapter following Aizle’s closure.

Vinette, led by Calum Ralston, is a Parisian-style bistro offering seasonal European sharing plates like Iberico pork and pig’s head croquettes. Downstairs, Vivien—named after poet Renée Vivien—serves decadent cocktails and snacks in a late-night setting.

With Scott Ralston as Group Chef and Elle Mackay managing front-of-house, the expansion fosters internal growth while Stuart focuses on his Michelin-starred flagship, Lyla.