Starting with a classic, The Fishmarket in Edinburgh has been in business since the 18th century, hand-in-hand with the Newhaven fishing industry. They serve sustainable, boat-to-table fish ‘n’ chips and other seafood meals to locals and tourists alike.

This family-run business has worked directly with local skippers and an established network of traders beyond Scotland for over 500 years, so customers are assured that the catch is always fresh. 

The Fishmarket’s menu is a collaboration between Welch Fishmongers and the team behind the acclaimed seafood restaurant Ondine, but with a simpler, less-is-more philosophy. This allows the freshness of the seafood to shine through, which we love.

This philosophy is echoed in the restaurant’s simple interiors and exteriors, and the bright windows with a view of the sea and fishmongers outside are impressive and add to the ambiance. 

However, they have notably sluggish service, especially during their peak hours. We recommend visiting during off hours, ordering in advance and picking up your takeaway to eat at home, or ordering a takeaway to eat outside, which lets you enjoy the view.

Their menu is also quite fixed, meaning you don’t have many options to mix and match side dishes or to ask for different dipping sauces. The additional sauce would also have to be paid for, which is a bit of a letdown.

Still, The Fishmarket is one of the most famous and well-loved seafood restaurants in Edinburgh. Food is very affordable and tasty – if you’re lucky enough to be served during idle hours, you’re guaranteed some of the best fish and chips in town.

Located on Rose Street just off Princes Street is the Mussel Inn Seafood Restaurant Edinburgh. It’s a lively, informal seafood bistro with a quick lunch menu, perfect for on-the-go individuals in the heart of the buzzing city centre.

Here, you’ll find mouth-watering seafood dishes made with top-quality Scottish ingredients such as oysters, mussels, scallops, and various seasonal ingredients. All are prepared to the highest standards by their chefs.

Their specialty, of course, is their mussels, 75% of which are sourced from Scotland, and the rest from Ireland and South West England to ensure customers a fresh supply all year round.

If not everyone in the group is a seafood lover, rest assured because Mussel Inn Seafood Restaurant also serves a variety of non-seafood dishes such as fresh salads, soups, pasta, and even vegetarian dishes and sweets.

The ambiance is also quite welcoming, with a combination of brick-and-mortar exteriors and white and blue, almost nautical-themed interiors. Servers are also often quick on their feet, and food is served quite fast.

However, they are open for two time periods within a day, so it’s best to book a table especially if you’re visiting on a holiday or a busy weekend. They also don’t serve fish and chips, and dishes other than their mussel selections can be hit-or-miss.

Overall, it’s a great place to catch a bite if you’re in the city centre. You’re sure to find something you’ll like in Mussel Inn Seafood Restaurant, as it even serves kids’ meals and desserts – something you won’t often find at other options on our list.

If you’re looking for something more on the upscale side, the Loch Fyne Restaurant and Bar is a great pick. This restaurant serves sustainably sourced British fish and seafood, a number of meat dishes, a children’s menu, and even non-gluten choices as well.

They have multiple locations across the country, but their Edinburgh branch has been established in Newhaven harbour since the 1890s. Its well-maintained, bright and airy interior features artwork depicting scenes from Loch Fyne and maritime images.

The principle of their cuisine is to ‘let the ingredients sing’. Much like The Fishmarket, they specialise in maintaining the quality and flavour of seafood, all of which are derived from sustainable sources; either farmed responsibly or wild.

They have quite an extensive selection of dishes, but they specialise in oysters and mussels. Their golden shell mussels are supplied by Loch Fyne Oysters Ltd, which recently received the certification against the ASC bivalve standard.

However, a few meals advertised online and in front of the store itself are not actually available for ordering, which is quite misleading. Given that this restaurant is a bit upscale, their menu is also on the more expensive side.

But the Loch Fyne Restaurant and Bar’s menu and view of the marina are well worth its prices, in our opinion. We also applaud how seriously they take environmental and quality guidelines, implementing sustainable methods concerning animals.

Another shore-front establishment is The Ship on The Shore Champagne Bar and Seafood Restaurant. If you’re in search of a restaurant that serves drinks to sip alongside your seafood, The Ship on The Shore will have something for you.

They’re essentially an informal, outdoor restaurant located beside the Water of Leith. You can choose to be seated between their refreshing outdoor terrace and their indoor atmospheric bar and restaurant – we highly recommend trying out both.

The Ship on The Shore bar serves champagne, wines, and cocktails alongside passionately prepared dishes. Crowd favourites include their Smoked-House Platter, Fruits de Mer ‘Royale’, and Hot Shellfish Platter, all made from the freshest ingredients.

Their seafood arrives fresh on a daily from sustainable stock. Rope-reared mussels from the waters of Shetland Isles, oysters from Loch Creran, hand-dived scallops from the waters of Isle of Mull, and locally-sourced organic products.

In terms of prices, their food isn’t the cheapest – but we do think that the serving sizes are quite big, which make up for it. We’re also impressed by their extensive drinks menu, and their white wines go swimmingly with fresh seafood.

We do think that there’s room for improvement, especially for the serving staff, who can be a bit high-strung during busy hours. We recommend visiting The Ship on The Shore on weekdays, and days other than holidays for the best service. 

Lastly, we have Fishers In The City – a spacious and stylish eatery located on Thistle Street in the centre of Edinburgh. You’d never know it was set in an old converted warehouse, with its classic-meets-contemporary setting.

For over 20 years, it’s been a firm favourite with locals and tourists for a casual lunch or an intimate night out. It was also chosen as one of the Travelers’ Choice 2020 awardees as one of the best seafood restaurants in the area.

Customers have loved their Fishers Fish Soup, Chilled Scottish Seafood platter, and their Fishers Fish & Chips with Belhaven Beer batter. They also offer ribeye steak and fillet steak, as well as matured prime Scotch Beef – which is quite impressive.

They also have a lovely bar that serves a number of drinks like scotches, wines, whiskeys, and local beers that are great for an afternoon visit. With the holiday season coming up, we also recommend trying out their Christmas Menu and their desserts.

The place is a bit hard to find due to it being on an unbeaten path – but this Fishers branch is so popular that it’s still full on weekends, and the restaurant area is on the smaller side as well. Make sure to put in a reservation in advance.

Other than those cons, it’s an award-winning place that’s deserving of its praises. They certainly deliver their ethos; honest food, great service, and a relaxing dining experience in the heart of Edinburgh.