Picturesque Stockbridge is one of Edinburgh's most charming neighbourhoods, and also one of the city's most exciting places to eat and drink.
These cobbled streets and camera‑friendly crescents are home to everything from Michelin‑starred tasting menus and neighbourhood wine bars to queue‑worthy bakeries, brunch cafés and funky schiacciata sandwich shops.
So, whether you’re planning a special occasion or just fancy a top quality coffee and a pastry, here’s our foodie guide to the area.
Restaurants: Avery, Skua, Eòrna, Sotto and more
On just one stretch of St Stephen Street in Stockbridge, you’ll find some serious star power.
Starting strong with Avery, a restaurant relocated from San Francisco to Edinburgh in 2023, where chef Rodney Wages uses skills honed in American kitchens to make the best of Scottish produce.
Then there’s Skua, a Bib Gourmand small plates spot that’s all about “big flavours and balance”, with menu highlights including hogget croquettes with anchovy and damson or sika deer tartare. Avid home chefs should be sure to check out the team’s artisanal knives and kitchen tools shop, Messer, next door too.
Also sharing the same street is Moss, a restaurant from ex‑Noma chef Henry Dobson that takes local sourcing to the next level, with many of his ingredients sourced directly from his family’s organic farm in Angus.
A few doors away at Purslane, chef‑owner Paul Gunning promises a rustic take on casual fine dining with the choice of five‑ or seven‑course tasting menus, as well as a lunch offering costing just under £35 for two courses.
Moving on to Hamilton Place you’ll find seasonal tasting menus with a Scottish twist at Eòrna, where a small chef’s table creates an intimate dining experience unlike anywhere else in the city.
Consider Sotto, a relaxed enoteca and trattoria on Deanhaugh Street, for a taste of Italian fare. There are over 200 wines to choose from in a collection curated by sommelier‑owner James Clark, while in the kitchen Calabrian chef Francesco Ascrizzi celebrates the diversity of Italy’s culinary regions.
Or look beyond European cuisine at Nok’s Kitchen, a popular Thai restaurant in a Gloucester Street townhouse, and Kim’s Bulgogi for Korean comfort food back on, you guessed it, St Stephen Street.
Gastropubs and bars: Captain Darling, The Last Word, The Stockbridge Tap
The main contenders in the “gastropub” category are the Captain Darling on Hamilton Place, which serves a menu devised in collaboration with ex‑Fhior chef Scott Smith, and the long‑established Scran and Scallie on Comely Bank Road.
The Last Word Saloon on St Stephen Street is your best bet for an endlessly creative cocktail list that’s full of surprises, in a comfortable basement space that’s much larger than it appears from street level.
A winning combo of wine and cheese is served at the Scandi‑chic Smith & Gertrude on Hamilton Place, but for a more relaxed pub vibe consider the likes of The Stockbridge Tap, the Antiquary, Hector’s or The Bailie Bar.
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Cafes, coffee bars, and sandwich shops: Fortitude, Mootz General Store
Coffee geeks are sure to love Fortitude’s roastery shop on Hamilton Place, where expert baristas will talk you through an ever‑changing range of espressos and brewing methods from filters to pour‑overs.
Or they might be familiar with Artisan Roast’s Stockbridge branch, a local outpost of one of Edinburgh’s best‑known speciality coffee roasters with a similar reverence for all things caffeine.
Cowan and Sons is a café “where food, drink and art come together” on Raeburn Place. Their menu features plenty of local superstar producers like Abbeyhill Roastery, Company Bakery and Edward & Irwyn, and their walls are used to exhibit work from both home‑grown and international talent.
A funky hybrid of general store and sandwich shop, also on Raeburn Place, is Mootz, where the team favours freshly baked schiacciata for their huge lunchtime options. If you’re stuck on what to order, the mortadella and pistachio pesto is a superb choice.
Again on St Stephen Street, Kubo is a tiny, family‑run café where bacon rolls and toasties are listed alongside Filipino specials like chicken adobo with rice and papaya pickle or halo‑halo shaved‑ice desserts.
Bakeries: Lannan, Twelve Triangles, The Pastry Section, and Söderberg
One of Stockbridge’s most famous foodie hotspots is the world‑renowned Lannan on Hamilton Place. If you’re ready to brave the queues, it’s well worth finding out what all the fuss is about at this busy spot from baker and owner Darcie Maher. They’ve also recently opened The Pantry next door, serving as a one‑stop shop for deli‑counter and store‑cupboard goodies.
Elsewhere, The Pastry Section on Raeburn Place is a contemporary bakehouse where small‑batch treats like cinnamon buns, lemon meringue tarts and snickerdoodle cookies are made fresh daily by a “mighty little team”. On the same street, La Barantine are all about traditional French Pâtisserie.
Edinburgh favourites Twelve Triangles also operate a branch on Comely Bank Road, where they serve their signature slow‑fermented sourdoughs, open sandwiches and speciality coffee.
And there’s a Scandinavian twist on classic baked goods and brunch menus to be found at Söderberg , where the team uses authentic recipes for kladdkaka (rich chocolate cake), mazarins (almond tarts), pistachio horseshoes and chocolate balls.
Over to you:
If our list is missing any of your top Stockbridge picks, why not let us know in the comments?
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