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Forage and Chatter

4.7 (43 reviews)
ModerateScottish
Closed 12:00 pm - 2:30 PM, 6:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Forage and Chatter Photos

FORAGE AND CHATTER ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Romantic
Good for groups

Recommended Reviews - Forage and Chatter

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Kathleen L.

From beginning to end, Forage & Chatter was the best dining experience during my four days in Edinburgh. As a solo traveler, you never know how you will be received, but I never felt more at home and comfortable as I did when I walked through the doors of the restaurant. I spent over two hours dining here. Daniel, if you are reading this I will be forever grateful because you taught me so many new things about wine and whisky & were probably the best waitstaff I've ever had. Food: I ordered A LOT! The beef tartare was like an explosion in your mouth and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. I also got the Cod and the pasta, both delicious, but the flavors in the Cod won me over. I also did the cheese tasting plate paired with whisky for dessert. I was fortunate to hate nearly the entire place to myself for a little bit of time since I booked an early reservation and I am so glad I did. The ambiance and decor was picturesque - calming garden/farm house vibes almost. The entire staff worked together to make sure everyone was well taken care of, they all worked as a team which I always appreciate. Just make a reservation and try it for yourself, you won't be disappointed.

Jay G.

Food was beautifully presented and delicious. The only drawback was the booth that we sat at was very uncomfortable and actually distracting from the quality of the restaurant. The restaurant is overly casual for the quality of the food.

Beef Tartare
Taylor W.

If you are in Edinburgh, this place is a MUST. It is a charming, quiet escape from the busy city streets with a farm-to-table vibe. The staff and service were wonderful and welcoming, and very attentive (especially traveling solo, this is an important element for me!) I had the beef tartare and mushroom tagliatelle, and they were SUPERB. Can't recommend this little gem enough, and definitely make a reservation to avoid any disappointment.

Butternut squash
Sarah A.

Found d this place on yelp and it was 3 min walking distance from my hotel. We did made reservations just in case. IT's tucked away on the bottom floor so not very visible if you are a US visitor. Stuff was professionals and friendly. The food was probably the best I had in Edinburgh. And I had all kind of food in all places. The ambiance was also pleasant, even though it has no windows because it's on the bottom floor it didn't feel cramped. It's a small restaurant do not very ideal for big groups of over 6 We will be going back. The menu is small and it was perfect. If you are in the area you must stop by and try them.

Peterhead Cod, crab bisque, celeriac, peppers   £28

Wow, so glad we found this restaurant. It was our first meal during our trip to Edinburgh and it was one of the best I've ever had! The duck leg confit and tomato focaccia starters were amazing. I had the cod and crab bisque for my meal and drank all the drippings from the bowl. The service was perfect as was the setting. I absolutely loved my experience here. Well worth the money.

Emanuel G.

If you look for a cute restaurant in Edinburgh with great food and a friendly service, I can highly recommend this restaurant!

A tasty Arancini
Ben J.

A spectacular dinner, my absolute favorite in Edinburgh to date. From the charming tucked-away ambiance and little differently decorated rooms to the attentive and helpful waiters to the delicious food, this was all in all a true 5 star experiance. High class dining without pretension will always be my holy grail, and Forage and Chatter has done an excellent job of achieving just that. The appetizers, arancini and "mushroom 7 ways" showcased local ingredients, cooking finesse, and creativity. The mains, duck and leek pasta were hearty and satisfying. The dessert, especially the cheese board, was very thoughtfully selected and a great value. Overall it was awesome. Great service from the staff, who helped us pick wine, and comped a meal at the table behind us at the merest hint of dissatisfaction from the diner. Would, and likely will, return.

liana n.

This was the best meal I have probably ever had in my life. I tried TONGUE and it was incredible. Service was unmatched. This is on my must return list for when I am next in Edinburgh. Do not skip.

Monkfish

I can't say enough about my experience here. Hands down, the best meal I've had in the UK! I came in about 6:30 alone and was warmly greeted by all the staff. It is an adorable and quaint restaurant that's perfect for small groups or solo travelers (like me!). I had the baked beetroot, the monkfish, and chocolate mousse. The detail of presentation, flavor, and preparation was perfection. Upon leaving, I kept thanking the staff for my experience. If ever in Edinburgh, you HAVE to eat here. I strongly recommend a reservation, as people came in after me and they didn't have anymore available tables. The patio area looked adorable, but I was grateful for wherever they sat me. I will remember this meal from my trip!

Bread with pesto and butter
Naz C.

My husband and I decided to come here after seeing how close it was to our hotel (read: Edinburgh is so beautiful and after walking for several hours, we didn't want to take any extra steps) and reading the fantastic reviews. This cozy spot is the best food we have had in Edinburgh so far. Before you go, you will want to make a reservation, since even on a Tuesday night during the non peak season (for tourists) this place had to turn some folks away (very politely though, asking if tomorrow was suitable for them to get a reservation set up). You can call or set up a time online. We started with a bread course with pesto and butter. Nice bite size start and different from other restaurants in the area that serve sliced "sandwich" bread with your meal. We opted for two starts, the venison carpaccio and the scallop. Both were outstanding in their presentation, flavor, and attention to detail. We ordered the mushroom risotto and the lamb for entrees. Both were reasonable portions and again, some of the most creative and delicious food we have had. We finished off with a delicious praline custard and ice cream. Everything was beautiful and the service was fantastic. We really enjoyed the experience! We did not order any wines or spirits, but their list is extensive. There is a service charge automatically included (it was reasonable). We would love to come back to this spot should we have a chance in the future!

Alicia C.

Came in for lunch with a reservation, which I recommend just so you make sure you get a table. We sat in the back terrace area and it was really charming and cute. The wait staff was very friendly and welcoming. We had a fantastic meal that felt like we were eating the best of Scotland's wonders. The seafood, vegetables, and poultry were all stunning. I walked away with a smile on my face, fully content, full and wishing I could come back immediately. A winner in my book.

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Review Highlights - Forage and Chatter

The wait staff was very friendly and welcoming.

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A Room in the West End

A Room in the West End

4.3(11 reviews)
0.1 miWest End
£££

This is a Scottish themed restaurant, just downstairs from the pub, Teuchters…read more Vibrantly painted, yet still quite traditional - it's warm, comfortable and welcoming. 'Tables for two' tend to be placed in tiny little alcoves. Very intimate. But not so ideal if you're not particularly hoping for an 'intimate' dinner. I've felt rather uncomfortable when I've been put in an alcove with a 'date' that I didn't know very well at allI felt completely separated from the rest of the restaurant and wished I was sitting up at a normal table with the rest of the clientele! But it made for comedy value later anyway. The food is delicious. And even better is the fact that Vegetarian Haggis usually finds its way onto the menu in some form or anotherwhether as a starter or a main course. Definitely a favourite of mine! The restaurant is licensed, but feel free to take along a bottle of your own wine if you like. The corkage is rather reasonable too. Lunch deals are rather excellentbut expect to pay more if you go in the evening. Well worth it though. A lovely restaurant and one of my favourites in Edinburgh!

I brought two irish friends here for dinner for a Scottish experience and they certainly got one!…read moreThe restaurant is under Teuchters bar and you can get drinks from there to have with your meal. The bar has a very extensive drinks menu so we tried some different ales and whiskeys. The food was delicious, I had a really nice chowder to start and then pollock wrapped in parma ham, it was great. The winner at the table was the chorizo and pidgeon salad, very tasty. The desserts were good, not amazing, my friends were unsure what was in their creme brulee but it turned out to be cranachan, an odd combination! The table was split 50:50 on whether it was good or not so the verdict is still out! Overall we had a fantastic meal. Oh yea it is BYOB too which is always good ; )

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A Room in the West End
A Room in the West End
A Room in the West End

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The Devil's Advocate - Smoked fish plate

The Devil's Advocate

4.3(636 reviews)
0.7 miOld Town, Royal Mile
££

Walking in to The Devil's Advocate in Advocate Close, just above Market St, the large bar greets…read moreyou. We chose the Scottish Road trip whiskey flight. As someone who truly loved little about Scotch, it was a wonderful way to taste and compare smoky vs peaty whiskeys. Fun. Our table was upstairs and we sat next to an open door which allows for fresh cool air. It was a warm day in Edinburgh. Our server was wonderful, patient and really helpful. Our choices were truly delicious. We started with the fish board, olives, and mushroom skewer. We loved them all. I enjoyed the cod main dish, while my wife finished the starters. The side of asparagus was also excellent. The mouse dessert was delicious but very rich, it's enough for 4 people. The cost of dinner was also totally reasonable. I recommend this place highly.

Great drinks and a killer location. We got a cheeseboard that was actually quite nice and large,…read morewhich we were very pleased with. The one weird thing -- we were unsure when we arrived how hungry we would be, and the menu is a bit limited. We decided to order just the cheese board and see where we were after that. We were told that once we placed an order, we would not be permitted to put in any more food due to a "small kitchen." I have never heard this rule worded in quite this way. I have been to places that prefer you place everything at once, but not that you would absolutely not be allowed to order more food if you found yourself hungry. We witnessed another table leave because of this rule. The server communicated this rule quite gruffly. The restaurant was also not very busy at all, so couldn't have been crowding concerns. I would definetly recommend for drinks and apps, but, for dinner, perhaps elsewhere.

Photos
The Devil's Advocate - Whiskey flight tastings

Whiskey flight tastings

The Devil's Advocate - Fish Filet

Fish Filet

The Devil's Advocate - Double Shot with Dalmore 12, kahula, espresso shot, and Demerara.

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Double Shot with Dalmore 12, kahula, espresso shot, and Demerara.

Makars Gourmet Mash Bar - Vegetarian sausage with spicy sauce and Mash.

Makars Gourmet Mash Bar

4.5(28 reviews)
0.1 miWest End

The food was absolutely incredible. By far the best meal we had while in Edinburgh, and while there…read morewas a wait, it was worth it. The only minus is that people are packed in, so if you're lucky enough to be seated next to someone who has the typing noises on their phone set to 500 dB and is typing all throughout the meal, it's going to take some shine off the experience.

Thanks to something that went viral, the whole world knows about, and is seeking out, Makars Mash…read morein Edinburgh now. What does this mean for you? MAKE A RESERVATION. And make it sooooooooo, so, so much further in advance than you think you need to. Bookings open 90 days in advance; there's no bookings taken in August; and while they always "welcome walk-ins and do their best to accommodate folks on a first-come, first-serve basis", you should still expect an hour (or, let's be honest, more) wait no matter what time of day it is. Is it worth it though? Yes! I've sat inside and outside over the past decade, and have loved both experiences/atmospheres (the inside is very intimate, cozy, and bustling; the outside feels a little more relaxed, like you're sitting on a friend's patio). The staff (minus the host who - no matter who it is - is always super surly) is friendly and engaging. And the food? SO GOOD. You want that haggis, neeps, and tatties experience? Come here. There is literally something for everyone regardless of your dietary restrictions. The plant-based options are delish, and I can't recommend the Roasted Chestnut & Carrot Haggis with Whisky, Peppercorn, and Cream Sauce (make sure to ask for it vegan, I think it has something to do with the sauce). Also, just because it's a cute note from their menu: "For the haggis purists, the mixing of spices, tree nuts, seeds, lentils and pulses is something that has happened for centuries, meat was extremely rare in Scottish cooking." So there, stop saying veggie haggis isn't real haggis. LOADS of mash options: if you're vegan I'd go with the Wholegrain Mustard first, Olive Oil (if they have it) as a second option, or the Chilli Smoked Bean Medley as a third option (just because there's already a lot of other flavors going on). Now I just wish they had more vegan dessert options (sorbet is boring, give me a vegan sticky toffee pudding option please)!

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Makars Gourmet Mash Bar - Mushrooms with cheddar and chive mash

Mushrooms with cheddar and chive mash

Makars Gourmet Mash Bar - Salad with Scotch egg.

Salad with Scotch egg.

Makars Gourmet Mash Bar - Lamb shank with Mash

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Lamb shank with Mash

Usquabae - I'll just take it all.

Usquabae

4.7(41 reviews)
0.1 miNew Town
££

I'm going to swim against the current on this one, but Usquabae ([ooh-ska-bay], n. aqua vitae,…read morewater of life, whisky) just didn't do it for me. We came in around 3 or 4pm and asked if we could get a drink; the host asked us if we had made a reservation. We hadn't, and they made a bit of a fuss about "squeezing us in" (at this point there was only one other person in the entire place - a man drinking at the bar). As long as we "weren't there for food" they could accommodate us. For the record: we were here for an hour, and no one else came in during that time. The whisky options were impressive featuring something from all the regions of Scotland, and we also appreciated their cider and cocktail options. In the end we each had one drink, but genuinely felt a bit disinterested and disappointed by the place on the whole after the hype we had read/heard. We just didn't get what made it THE place to go to in Edinburgh according to so many. We found much more interesting, down to earth, genuine places elsewhere in the city. The cold reception didn't help, but -- really -- what are we missing about this place?

Love this place! Best service we have had in a restaurant anywhere with the most delightful server…read morewe have met. The food was very enjoyable especially an amazing mac n cheese and the haggis appetizer. This was our first night in Edinburgh so the relaxed atmosphere was perfect for two jet lagged travelers. Loved the sticky toffee pudding for dessert was a treat!

Photos
Usquabae - Veggie option--risotto! Very well presented.

Veggie option--risotto! Very well presented.

Usquabae - Veggie neeps and tatties--don't know what the sauce is, but it was delishhhh!

Veggie neeps and tatties--don't know what the sauce is, but it was delishhhh!

Usquabae - Bunker decor!

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Bunker decor!

Forage and Chatter - scottish - Updated June 2026

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