A spectacular-view, destination-style fusion restaurant that can feel special when it’s on form, but the expensive, small-portion experience and uneven service make it more of a splurge than a safe bet.
SUSHISAMBA Edinburgh delivers strong food quality anchored by excellent sashimi and set menus, elevated by a spectacular rooftop setting with commanding skyline views. Inconsistent execution across visits and variable service attentiveness prevent a higher grade, though when the kitchen and team align, the fusion concept shines. The dramatic setting alone makes it a destination, but reliability keeps it just short of the very top tier.
SUSHISAMBA Edinburgh is the kind of place people book for the view before they even start talking about the menu. The room itself is a showpiece: skyline panoramas, polished interiors, and a rooftop feel that makes birthdays, anniversaries, and “let’s make this a night” dinners feel easy. When it’s working, guests describe it as warm, dramatic, and memorable; when it’s not, the same setting can feel like a very expensive waiting room with excellent scenery. Culinarily, this is a creative fusion house rather than a classic sushi bar. The menu mixes Japanese staples with Peruvian and Brazilian cues, so expect tiradito, anticuchos, robata, nigiri, and rolls with miso, yuzu, chimichurri, ají amarillo, and other cross-cultural touches. That creative approach pays off on the stronger dishes — especially sashimi, taquitos, and some robata items — but several reviews note uneven execution, small portions, and a few dishes that land as merely fine for the money. For families, this is not the easiest pick. The menu does include some simpler options like edamame, rolls, rice, fruit, eggs at breakfast, and even a vegetarian omakase, but the overall vibe is upscale and adventurous rather than kid-first comfort food. If your children are happy with sushi, rice, or grilled items, it can work; if they need familiar crowd-pleasers, this is probably a hard sell.
Area vibe: Georgian, tourist-friendly central district known for shopping and historic squares.
Safety: Generally safe and well-lit with steady foot traffic in evenings around hotels and restaurants.
What's nearby: Close to Princes Street, St. Andrew Square, hotels, offices, and high-end restaurants near St. James Quarter.