Shish Edinburgh is a stylish, share-plate Turkish grill spot with genuinely strong food and hospitality, but the bill can climb fast and service/value complaints are real enough to watch closely.
Shish Edinburgh delivers very good food quality anchored by praised grills and mezze platters, supported by attentive service and polished design that create a special-occasion feel. Inconsistent execution, particularly dryness and reheating issues, prevents a stronger grade, while unusual review patterns create modest uncertainty in the overall assessment.
Shish Edinburgh feels like a polished, high-energy Turkish grill house that knows exactly what it wants to be: warm lighting, shareable platters, mocktails that get attention, and a dining room that fills up with birthdays and group tables. The best reviews sound genuinely delighted — one guest said the evening felt “relaxed but still special,” while others praised the service for being attentive without hovering. That said, there’s enough noise in the feedback to keep expectations realistic: some diners rave about flawless hospitality, while others had to chase simple things like drinks, bills, or even basic order timing. On the food side, the kitchen is strongest when it sticks to the obvious winners: Adana, lamb chops, mixed grills, hummus, and mezze. The style is traditional Turkish at heart, but the menu leans toward crowd-pleasing grill-house comfort rather than avant-garde cooking. When it hits, it really hits — juicy grilled meat, fresh mezze, and generous sharing portions. When it misses, the complaints are usually about dryness, uneven seasoning, or a platter that looks bigger than it eats, so this is a better bet for people who want a social, meat-forward meal than for anyone chasing delicate, minimalist cooking. Families can do well here, especially if everyone is happy with grilled meat, rice, chips, hummus, bread, and mezze. The menu has plenty of familiar options for kids or picky eaters, including chicken skewers, plain chips, rice, bread, and simple grilled items, so this is not a hard sell for children. The only caveat is that it is a lively, sometimes busy space with sharing platters and a bit of buzz, so it suits families who are comfortable in a full restaurant rather than those wanting a quiet, slow-paced meal.
Area vibe: Historic, tourist-heavy central district with cultural institutions and student life.
Safety: Generally busy and well-lit in the evening though pockets can be noisy and crowded during festivals.
What's nearby: Close to University of Edinburgh buildings, George Square, National Museum, and frequent buses; theatre and festival hubs nearby.