A scenic Old Town Scottish restaurant with strong breakfast, haggis, and dessert appeal, but service and value are uneven enough that a few visits feel distinctly better than others.
Scotts Kitchen delivers strong food quality anchored by standout Scottish dishes like haggis, venison casserole, and sticky toffee pudding, elevated by a memorable scenic setting that draws diners back. Inconsistency across non-core items and variable service execution prevent a higher grade, though the core breakfast and lunch experience remains reliably appealing.
Scotts Kitchen feels like one of those Edinburgh places people remember as much for the view as for the meal. The terrace and balcony overlooking Victoria Street come up again and again, and when the room is on form it sounds charming, buzzy, and very easy to linger in. One diner summed up the mood as a place where the view, the welcome, and the atmosphere all hit at once; that’s the promise here, and on good days it absolutely delivers. Culinarily, this is firmly about Scottish comfort food rather than chef-y theatrics. Haggis, venison casserole, Cullen skink, breakfast plates, scones, and sticky toffee pudding are the heart of the story, with a few burgers, salads, and vegan options to keep the menu broadly usable. The best reports are from diners who want a proper Scottish meal in a scenic setting; the weaker reports tend to focus on burgers, sandwiches, or portions that feel a bit light for the price. In other words: come for the classics, not for culinary acrobatics. For families, it can work well enough thanks to familiar items like fries, mac and cheese, burgers, breakfast plates, ice cream, and scones. That said, the menu leans Scottish and some dishes are more adult than kid-focused, so picky eaters may need steering. If your children like eggs, chips, cheese, sweets, or simple breakfast food, you should be fine; if they need ultra-basic comfort food every time, this is more “manageable” than “made for kids.”
Area vibe: Georgian-era, commercial and tourist-focused district with elegant streets and boutiques.
Safety: Generally safe and well-lit with steady foot traffic in evenings, though quieter late at night.
What's nearby: Close to Princes Street gardens, Edinburgh Castle views, shops on Princes Street, and tram/bus links to Waverley Station.