Howies Waterloo Place

You'll find this polished Scottish restaurant tucked into the stately Georgian terrace of Waterloo Place, just minutes from Princes Street but worlds away from the tourist chaos. The setting feels properly Edinburgh – all high ceilings and period features – but the kitchen's approach is thoroughly contemporary, building menus around the best of Scottish larder with real technical skill. The cooking here takes local ingredients seriously without being worthy about it. Expect dishes that showcase Scottish beef, game, and seafood alongside clever vegetarian options that don't feel like afterthoughts. Service strikes that sweet spot between professional and friendly, and the wine list knows its business. It's become the sort of place locals book for anniversaries and visiting parents – reliable, sophisticated, but never stuffy.