These Edinburgh pre-theatre suppers will delight as much as the main event.
We love Edinburgh’s theatre scene, but no night at the theatre would be complete without a delicious pre-theatre supper. The ideal pre-theatre supper should be short, sweet, and stress free, leaving the performance for the stage. It’s also a good opportunity to treat yourself to a luxury meal for less, as restaurants compete to put bottoms on seats at this early stage of the evening.
Here are some of our favourite Edinburgh pre-theatre supper experiences.
Cafe St Honore
Tucked into a small corner of a cobbled lane just off George Street is this gem of a restaurant, overseen by Scottish Chef of the Year Neil Forbes. As the name suggests, the atmosphere is that of a Paris café, and the food more than lives up to the Gallic surroundings, as you can read in our full review. Theatre goers will love the ‘Café Classics’ menu at a very reasonable £18 for two courses or £23.50 for three courses.
Address: 34 Northwest Thistle Street Lane, Edinburgh EH2 1EA
Tel: 0131 226 2211
Website: Cafe St Honore
Near: The Assembly Rooms, New Town Theatre, Ross Open Air Theatre
Field (Southside)
Established in 2013, Field is still somewhat of a new kid on the block on the Edinburgh restaurant scene, but being recommended in the Michelin guide three years running doesn’t just happen. The pre-theatre menu is simple but full of finesse, with focus on Scottish ingredients like Mackerel Fillet, and is an utter steal at two courses for £13.95 and three Courses for £16.95.
Address: 41 West Nicolson Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9DB
Tel: 0131 667 7010
Website: Field (Southside)
Near: Festival Theatre, Pleasance Theatre
The Dining Room
For a touch of whisky-infused elegance, we can’t beat The Dining Room at 28 Queen Street – the New Town HQ of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. The Menu Du Jour makes an ideal pre-theatre supper option, with three courses at £21.95. Naturally the cask-strength whisky for which the Society is famed is very much on the agenda, but you’ll love this place even if Scotland’s national drink isn’t for you.
Address: The Scotch Malt Whisky Society 28 Queen Street Edinburgh EH2 1JX
Tel: 0131 220 2044
Website: The Dining Room
Near: Playhouse
One Square
As you’ll see from our full review, we were bowled over by One Square. This place couldn’t be more perfectly situated for a pre-theatre supper – it overlooks the Usher Hall and is a stone’s throw from the Lyceum and Traverse theatres. The atmosphere is one of modern luxury, and two courses are £15.50 and three courses are £19.95.
Address: 1 Festival Square Edinburgh EH3 9SR
Tel: 0131 221 6422
Website: One Square
Near: Lyceum, Traverse, Usher Hall, Filmhouse
Fishers in the City
Set in a converted warehouse on Thistle Street, Fisher’s in the City is a firm favourite of ours. Fish and shellfish obviously take centre stage, but there’s plenty of other choices. Set pre-theatre menu features Home-cured chargrilled Salmon Gravadlax and Scottish Crab, chilli & garlic linguine, and is a snip at £18 for three courses.
Address: 58 Thistle Street, Edinburgh, EH2 1EN
Tel: 0131 225 5109
Website: Fishers in the City
Near: The Assembly Rooms, New Town Theatre, Ross Open Air Theatre
Bia Bistrot
We would say that Bia Bistrot, run by husband and wife team Roisin & Matthias Llorente, is a hidden gem, but critical and public acclaim has meant their fame has spread far beyond the restaurant’s Morningside location. The atmosphere is comfortable but simple, letting the outstanding food do the talking. The only mystery to us is how (and why?) the delicious locally sourced daily set menu is still priced at a bonkers £11 for three courses.
Bia is some way out of town, but offers a very simple route to the King’s theatre or Cameo cinema if you don’t mind a walk.
Address: 19 Colinton Road, Edinburgh, EH10 5DP
Tel: 0131 452 8453
Website: Bia Bistrot
Convenient for: King’s Theatre, Cameo Cinema