Some hits, some weird misses. The goats cheese and fig jam was a lovely starter. The gyoza with bbq sauce was....odd, as was the teriyaki risotto. There was meant to be coconut in that dish, but it was not there. The homemade focaccia was not like any homemade focaccia I've ever seen - where was the crisp top and airy texture? It was served cold, which I think was a miss that could easily be fixed. Puddings were nice. Staff were lovely. Wine was expensive. read more

See all

Most excellent breakfast, and I say breakfast as that's what we all had, even though it was almost lunchtime. Good quality, delicious ingredients and plenty of them. The only slight improvement needed was that there was so much toast, tatty scone and other drier items (haggis, black pudding) that it really needed more beans / tomato to balance it out. Attentive service, helping us with extra drinks, clearing the table quickly and pointing out the service charge was already included. Clean bathrooms. read more

Currently ranked #25 best restaurant in the world according to me. During my second trip to Edinburgh, I finally took the plunge and stopped in for dinner, even though no one had ever specifically recommended Olive Branch. But I had stood outside perusing the menu posted near the entryway several times before and eventually had a reckoning. Inside, Olive Branch is modern and carefully designed with high ceilings, a full bar, exposed, and has the menu written in chalk on one of the walls. It's cozy inside with relatively few tables, maybe 10 or fewer. The menu looked inspired and, best of all, it was simplified down to only a handful of dishes - a good sign. We went with the grilled asparagus appetizer [A+], which was super fresh and delicious with a novel flavor mix of micro greens, pea puree, and pickled fennel. For the main course, I ordered the roasted lamb rump. This was served with pea puree again, parsnip crisps, and lentils. Everything about this dish was exquisite. The lamb was soft and well seasoned with incredible sauce. The lentils were nicely seasoned and cooked perfectly. (Usually, this is where restaurants really cut corners.) My dad ordered the ribeye, which tried and scored as an [A]. For dessert, I did the marshmallow and dark chocolate cheesecake, which was to die for [A+]. Overall, they did everything exceptionally well. Our server was upbeat, truly knowledgeable about the food, and on-point with our food and drink. Each dish showed me that both the quality of the food was superior as was the detail and thought put into its preparation. I was stunned. Wow... read more

See all

3.30pmish Another truly lovely visit. After a 1 hour stompin' walk with a friend. Had the Soup. It was morish! Sweet potato, orange and coriander with a kick. Truly brilliant!! With no trouble the did the pasta dish vegan for me. Great waiter. Sincere. Lovely smile. Comes to check all is well after dish is set down. Indicative of the stellar treatment here. The music very groovy and perfect volume. I am now have a dead gorgeous brandy. Hine I think. In a warm class. I am beyond happy. They have a antique one here too. A wee unplanned joy of the day!y read more

Olive Branch Bistro - This soup was morish! Sweet potato, orange and coriander with a kick. Truly brilliant!! - Mediterranean Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

See all

Let me just get this out the way first - I'm not a fan of olives. But I soon learned that you don't have to be to dine at the Olive Branch Bistro - they have a varied enough menu to suit all palates! For a bistro it's very fancy, as the girls have mentioned. But you are in an area that would attract people who appreciate fine food and who am I to argue with how awesome their options are? With tasteful, neutral surroundings that are comfy as well as being high class, it really is more like a restaurant, although feels more like a bistro at breakfast time. They do everything from crispy, warm croissants at reasonable prices to massive fry ups (which are actually healthier than most I've pumped into my body in my lifetime), not to mention an abundance of veggie options! For lunch, they do a variety of dishes that range from meats to seafood. They are on the pricier side but you are paying for quality and the food tastes like it's good for you. With that in mind, it's the kind of place you can eat in style. With well cooked food that is brimming with nutrients, you shouldn't feel bad for spoiling yourself with a meal from here once in a while. read more

Olive Branch Bistro - Mediterranean Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

Stumbled upon this place tonight walking back to or accommodations. Cozy decor inside, with candles ensconced into the brick wall. Comfy couch/sofa lining by said wall. I got a glass of the 175mL Chenin blanc from South Africa which was passable. A semi-sweet, the flavor was lacking. The halloumi and aubergine moussaka with spiced chickpea and carrot on the side though made up for it. While not amazing, the rich gravy with the salty/firm halloumi taste and texture was still solid. My husband got rabbit rilette and said it was fine. However, his eyes rolled back in joy at the Eton mess. The berries and whipped cream with the merengue blended wonderfully together (I had a spoonful). Nice servers as well which rounded out the pleasant experience. read more

Too expensive for what you get. Just putting that out there before I do the rest of the review because, really, it's a bistro and should be priced accordingly but perhaps that's the get a certain middle aged-with cash client in, who knows. Everything salady or wrappy is really tasty, going for things like the burgers or fish n' chips only leads to disappointment. I had some lovely hallumi and chorizo kebabs which I still dream about - things like that are boss but main meals are really just a bit bland. I've always found the service a wee bit slow and like the staff couldn't care whether you're there or not. Dare ask for a tap water and you're basically one word away from being belted in the face. However, they're always friendly when you walk in. Great location for shopping folk and people who live on this side of town. read more

Olive Branch Bistro - Mediterranean Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

I used to walk past here all the time and glare in the window at the people eating. Very rude, I know but the food always looked so good. So when my Dad came through for one of those visits where parents come to make sure their student children are actually still alive and are living somewhere half decent, I suggested he take me here as a treat. Such a delightful child. The service was good, the waitress was quite friendly and quick with the old order and food. She brought us this huge jug of water filled with various green bits, which I very much appreciated as we didn't have to ask. Note to other restaurants- bring water to the table! I had a Burger which was juicy and meaty and went down a treat. My Dad munched away on some fish which we was very happy with. The menu is pretty varied but comes across quite fresh and light, I kept spying dishes going to neighbours and feeling a little jealous. But my meal was great and reasonably priced too. Definitely be back. read more

Olive Branch Bistro - Courtesy of Olive Branch Website - Mediterranean Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

See all

Really great food and staff. Great environment inside with perfect lighting and huge beautiful windows. I really liked this place.

This is our 'stand by' place to eat. I love trying new places and different types of food, especially things I don't know how to cook myself but every once in a while you don't feel like cooking and just want a good, solid meal at a decent price. Olive Branch has always come through for us whether for Breakfast/Brunch, Lunch and Dinner. They do the basics very well. Really nice fish and chips - well cooked chunky chips, a big fillet of cod (not the whole fish like in a chippie but still a good thick portion) and great tartar sauce. For lunch, their club sandwich is always satisfying as is their full breakfast. Friendly service, cosy atmosphore and a jug of water (with mint and lemon) for every table adds a nice touch. You may not be wowed with the next foodie trend but you won't be disappointed either. read more

Olive Branch Bistro - Great spot for Sunday Brunch. Comfy, cosy and friendly - Mediterranean Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

A fun little neighborhood restaurant with an engaging staff. We weren't sure what to expdct and were pleasantly pleased with the entire meal. The nightly special pasta dish was delicious and the ssa bream (a first for me) was quite good, too. It is not a large menu but there should be something for each diner. read more

This is a charming restaurant that has a great bistro feel and is always very busy. They have a good selection of specials everyday and are always running some kind of special menu that includes a free glass of bubbly etc. check out http://www.theolivebranchscotland.co.uk/ It's also worth signing up to their newsletter as they let you know what events they are hosting. It's great to sit in the window adn watch the world go by. Drop into the Cocktail Emporium across the road for a '10% off your bill voucher' before popping in! read more

Olive Branch Bistro - Mediterranean Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

I've been coming here since 2017 and have never had anything less than a stand out meal and experience. I was most recently there during the last semi-lockdown and even though the restaurant had to close at 6 and couldn't serve alcohol, I had a great time and meal. I went for the special pasta, a linguine with mushrooms, spinach and Stilton cream, and couldn't have been more pleased. The service is impeccable and the atmosphere is great - cozy and cute. Remains one of my go-to places for a delicious dinner. read more

Another open sandwich. What's going on - has Edinburgh moved to Scandinavia? Would it break the cafe cost structure to give me the other half of the bun? Though I have to admit my half-a-sandwich was one of the best things I've eaten in ages, so I shouldn't really moan - a smoked mackerel, pickled cucumber and lime mayo delight, with the freshest chips and a bright little salad. And coleslaw, because it's Scotland, and coleslaw is seemingly a legal requirement. We only ended up in the Olive Branch because Treacle was closed for refurbishment (open again tonight, I think) but it was a really good choice and I'd definitely go back. The decor is lovely, all browns and greens, with big windows for people-watching on Broughton Street. I could have stayed all afternoon - wish I was still there! read more

This is an excellent bistro located on Broughton Place and whether it's a drink or food that you're after, you're in good company here. The oak styled bar is fresh, bright and airy and it's a good size so even when it's busy, you don't feel like you're sitting on top of the people next to you as in some popular bistros. Prices are very reasonable, the menu is extensive and the staff are very friendly too. I've only ever been here twice and each time I've just had a drink as I've eaten beforehand. When I came in last week to catch up with a friend I couldn't help but eye up the delicious looking club sandwich that the guy next to me had, it looks amazing and was served with the crispest, freshest looking side salad I've ever seen. Very well presented and it looked so good that I was tempted to snatch a triangular shaped piece for myself! Next time I'm definitely getting food! read more

Three of us rocked up at 9:10pm, looking for a relatively quick dinner before a 10pm meeting. It didn't take us too long to order, but unfortunately the entree dish initially got missed. The staff were helpful enough, brought it out as quickly as possible, and made it clear we wouldn't be charged for it, which was a nice touch. The rest of the dishes appeared in good time. Most importantly, everything was delicious - the lamb, the rabbit, the chicken saltimbocca, and the wood pidgeon. Nice environment, friendly staff. It's just a shame we couldn't stay to try the desserts. read more

Nice dinner. Parking was a wee bit tricky. Good menu. Clean & friendly-- great area Will return. read more

The Olive Branch Bistro is an impressive looking restaurant on a corner plot on Broughton Street. Lots of big windows on the outside to let the evening sun filter through the windows as you relax and watch the world go by. A busy bustling restaurant, which was almost full when we arrived; I'm glad we had booked, as the last few tables went within half an hour. Our table was right in the centre of the restaurant adjacent to the small but well-stocked bar. The person serving us was apparently only on his second day at the Bistro, but you couldn't tell, he was a natural, helpful and friendly, with the appropriate amount of banter. Menu wise, we went straight for the main courses, a couple of us had the fish and chips, the fish was beer battered, so fresh and tasty, with hand cut chips and pea purée. I resisted my urge to immediately try the burger in any restaurant that has one, and went for the special of fettuccine with courgettes, leeks and toasted pine nuts in a cream sauce, not the biggest portion but full of flavour. My wife had the Lamb Goulash with lemon and chilli infused rice, and sour cream. The last dish of Sea Bream, with Provençal potatoes, French beans and anchovy butter, was probably the pick of a very impressive set of mains, a perfectly cooked piece of fish, with great accompanying sides. Obviously it would be rude not to have a dessert, the Mixed Berry Eton Mess was very tasty, but a little light on meringue and heavy on the cream. The trio of Ice Creams also was a good dessert, because of the level of choice on offer. Good food, great service, candles set into the back wall to give atmosphere and inventive paintings of figures of popular culture, which kept me guessing for the whole meal about the identity of the last picture, it was a young Mick Jagger apparently. read more

The staff, unpleasant when they weren't ignoring us, must have been having a bad night. The burger was truly great but the trout was just a slab of fish slapped on to some beans- not interesting in any way. The website states that there is a 10% discount for those making a reservation but if they don't respond to your on-line reservation request they won't honor the discount either. Fair enough. I would advise that you reserve on-line and then call them if you don't receive a response. Once you are there, even if you can describe every step of their own reservation process, the waitress will give you her best snotty smirk and shake her head no. The impression we are left with is quite negative. read more

Tasty, decent, and not too expensive would sum this place up in a sentence. But seeing as I'm not limited to a sentence, I'll go on. A Bistro type atmosphere and food menu is great when you just want something chilled, and maybe spur of the moment, but you're not feeling quite as laidback as pub food or a cafe. You basically feel like you've gone for dinner, but without a lot of the fuss that can entail, such as having to make a slight effort to look in the mirror and check you're looking acceptable to human eyes. Sometimes quite an effort, I'm sure you'd agree. Anyway, this is a relaxed environment to dine in, with an all round pleasing breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner menu. I had the sea bream and polenta last time I was in, which was really good, followed by some cheese cake, my favourite dessert of them all. Afterwards, there's the bonus of having some Broughton St bars to go to if you fancy. read more

I went here on Friday evening with my mum and absolutely loved it. The staff were lovely and friendly and we were sat in a lovely little table by the window. The décor is really nice and subtle and overall a very relaxing environment. I had a starter of black pudding and scallops and it was absolutely delicious, couldn't fault it in the slightest. We both had the same main course of pappardelle with mushrooms and it was also delicious! Overall a great night and i will definitely be going back! The only thing was that i had booked online but never received any confirmation so i phoned them up and their system had been broken so they had no record, but they did have space for us so it was all fine :) read more

Still only managed to get in here for breakfast so far, but it's been so full of awesomeness each time, I felt I had to give it some feedback. I've plumped for the big super duper epic full breakfast they do, and it's never disappointed. You get a great selection (potato cakes, plus both haggis and black pudding is always a winner), and all the items are sourced from great local suppliers, so great quality. They even put your beans on a little ramekin so they're away from your eggs, which is heroic in my book! read more

Currently operating a 2 for £10.95/3 for £13.95 (both incl. glass of house wine) deal this was a busy establishment, with a good selection of well priced wines. Service was good and the food (farmhouse veg soup, black pudding, bacon & beetroot salad followed by chicken with mash)well cooked and tasty. read more

A really great place to sit outside on a summers night. They are open quite late and the staff are extremely friendly. It is a bistro and you will be paying slightly higher prices, but the food is great anyways. If anyone knows whats in the salad dressing please let me know, the waitress wouldn't tell me! read more

Olive Branch Bistro - Mediterranean Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

I absolutely love this little Bistro, and rather unusually for me, my favourite meal to have in here is breakfast, because they do a range of food that I would love to have a chef cook up for me every morning. If I could have my own little Olive Branch Bistro in my shed then I would! It is very nice and really classy inside. This ain't no greasy spoon, although each and every time I have went (usually early morning when I have looked better, I have to admit) I have been greeted in a really friendly manner by waitresses who are familiar and chatty without appearing aloof. I have the same thing every time I come, smoked salmon with scrambled eggs and toast, which is simply delicious and beats some soggy cold toast on the run any day. It isn't the cheapest brekkie at almost £6, but that coupled with a lovely hot cup of English breakfast tea will be amongst the best £8 meals you have ever had. I've seen the weekend breakfast menu which is twice the size with twice the choice, and I'm just waiting until a Sunday comes where I am not hungover to give it a try. read more

Olive Branch Bistro - Mediterranean Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

It was raining and I was so cold the night I had dinner at the Olive Branch Bistro. Ordered a tomato soup as a starter and it was delicious and warmed me right up. For an entree I had Lamb with Kale. I would never order any of the items above because I'm really picky about tomato soup and lamb. It has to be perfect, which they were. And the KALE! The best kale I've ever had. read more

Rainy Sunday January mornings! Do I stay under the duvet or venture out. Well I decided the latter and I wasn't disappointed...grabbing the Sunday papers I stumbled into this little place. Steamy windows from the rain and cold, chilled music, chit chatter of Sunday brunchers....just fabulous! The eggs benedict absolute heaven, oozing eggs, creamy hollandaise and just the right crisp on the bacon and muffins! My only slight 'well ok' was the coffee...it's good but could be better...love this little place and exactly the right choice to venture out! read more

Olive Branch Bistro - Fabulous eggs benedict! - Mediterranean Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

Nice little meeting spot - I have been here a few times now and always been enjoyable. I would agree with other comments - you don't really come here for fabulous food - it's fine, always plentiful and well cooked but not amazing. I just really like the location and the atmosphere. It's always busy, the tables are all closely packed together which sometimes I don't like but works well here. Brunch is best meal here - good for staving off hangovers and relaxing over a paper and a pot of tea. read more

Great setting; good food; very pleasant service... and the Eagles best hits CD playing softly, perfect for this rainy evening. read more

Olive Branch Bistro - Menu, 1 June 2015 - Mediterranean Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

Nice place for a quick lunch on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. The food is tasty and simple, the wine is lovely and the atmosphere was pleasant. Perfect for a "what it says on the tin", efficient lunch in a small group. The place is quite cramped so larger groups are perhaps better suited somewhere else. Overall, tasty food, easy on the wallet too. read more

Thoroughly enjoyed dinner. I had the ribeye and my wife had the scallops. Both were delicious. The peppercorn sauce was very good; used bread to get the plate clean. Reasonable prices. Too full for dessert. The Claro carmenere was a great red wine. They gave me card telling where to buy it in town. If I lived in the area (from California) I would come back. read more

Had a scrumptious lunch in Olive Branch Bistro. Shared breads with pesto and oils as a starter with my two dining companions. For mains we had halloumi, chilli jam and rocket salads, stuffed aubergines and chips plus a delicious bottle of Trebbiano wine. Our food was amazing and the service was friendly, relaxed and helpful. Our waiter kindly advised us that one portion of breads would be enough between three people as a starter. This saved us from ordering two, which would indeed have been a waste as the bread starter is massive and easily serves three. It's a beautifully decorated little bistro in shades of olive green and white with wooden tables and some outdoor seating. We had a delightful, relaxed lunch here and would have stayed much longer if we hadn't flights to catch. read more

The early supper deal is very good. The fish was excellent and the service good. For dinner, a reservation is recommended. There are tables outside where you can be seated if the restaurant is full. read more

Stopped in for a bite of dinner after working late. Ordered off a 3 course set menu. D had roast veg & honey soup & I had ham hough terrine to start. Soup was very just the right amount of sweetness, terrine was flavourful and moist. We both had the boar for main, it was done as a stew, hearty & warm, perfect for a wet & cold Edinburgh night! Sticky toffee pudding & vanilla & cointreau cheesecake for desert were both delicious. Service was friendly and attentive without being overbearing. Not sure why it's taken me 3 years to venture in here, but would definitely head back anytime! read more

Having looked into these big windows a thousand times, we finally gave this place a go (Treacle was closed ... sob!). But I had always wanted to try it, if only to sit in the window with the great views across Broughton St from the floor to ceiling glass. I had my tummy set on a Treacle burger so I went for that here and it was quite good. Homemade burger patties, which is nice, and it had some good flavour but I did have to spit out at least five bits of knobbly gristle ... charming. I think they need to trim their beef a bit more before putting it through the mincer, or just reduce the amount of ears and noses in the burger mix. But it tasted good and came on a lovely brown roll with nice chunky chips and a salad garnish. I normally prefer skinny fries with a burger but these were cooked beautifully and hit the spot nicely. I was particularly impressed that the burger came on a brown roll and I wish more places at least gave you that option. More flavour, texture and character than most white burger buns which run the gamut from limp wispy efforts to chalky doughy monsters. So the burger was quite nice all round but not up to Treacle's standards and possibly a wee bit expensive at over ten pounds. Their Bloody Mary sounded interesting, made with Absolut pepper vodka and a dash of Tio Pepe sherry, but unfortunately it wasn't really to my taste. That's a personal thing so fair enough, but I also feel it should be served in a nicer glass than your standard tall water glass. If they're extracting six quid out of you for what is basically a glass of juice and a shot of booze then at least make it look worth the price. So. Nice staff, great location, especially if you can snag a window seat and they have a generally good menu. Gillian loved her food, so even though mine wasn't quite top drawer, I would happily go back. I was thinking of the food as solid 3.5 stars so wasn't sure which way to go, but I bumped them up to 4 stars purely for the brown roll. read more

The Olive Branch is my local, friendly and consistently lovely neighbourhood bistro, I feel quite spoilt (and smug) about the fact that it's practically on my doorstep. The large windows flood the place with light, if I'm not dining I enviously glance in whilst I'm passing by. Inside it's not a very large space and the tables are pretty close together, I don't really mind this so much as meals here tend to be intimate tete a tete kind of affairs - I'm not sure I would come here with a large group of people. The exposed brick work gives the place a modern feel, without seeming like they've tried too hard. The food is simple and unfussy, always tasty and good. This is one of the few places I can eat out at and feel relatively healthy afterwards. read more

Not great coffee or tea - i thought this was surprising. the breakfast was decent -- service was hipster indifferent

Very friendly waiter that was helpful with food allergies/preferences. He was also very willing to give us advice about where to go while visiting Edinburgh. The food is good! I wouldn't say it is something I'll be craving later but if you want a nice lunch in a cute bistro this is the place to go. Free wifi's password is written on the wall but it didn't work for me! read more

Still great food at reasonable prices, but the service is nothing compared to the Bruntsfield branch. Service wise, they seemed to manage to make us feel both rushed and ignored at the same time- a feat I wasn't even sure was possible until this meal. read more

After hearing rave reviews, a friend and I visited the Olive Branch last Saturday for brunch. It was a lovely restaurant with the perfect Saturday-morning-atmosphere. It was busy, but not too crowded and the staff were very attentive. I had the Eggs Florentine (delish) and my friend devoured his big cooked breakfast. My meal (breakfast plus fruit juice plus coffee) came to about £12 which I thought was reasonable for such a good meal. read more