Categories > Dining
Edinburgh’s Top 6 Restaurants the Entire Family Will Love!
There’s nothing like having the whole family around the table–nephews flinging pasta, nieces counting their vegetables, and uncles bickering about the latest football match. Last Sunday’s brunch at a charming little spot reminded us just how special dining together can be.
That’s also the beauty of dining out together in Edinburgh: there’s always, and I mean always, going to be great food, whether it be fancy tasting menus or no-fuss hearty roasts. That, along with probably a spilt drink and crumbs all over the place.
If you’re on the hunt for your next family-friendly spot in Edinburgh, you’re in luck. We’ve done the delicious work for you and ate our way through relaxed, baby-friendly brunches to dinners even the moodiest teens approve of. Read on as we dive into the spots that’ll keep everyone at the table happy.
1. Chaskaa Indian Restaurant

Address: 30-32 Leven St, Edinburgh EH3 9LJ, United Kingdom
Operating Hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday – Thursday: 02:00 PM–10:00 PM
- Friday – Saturday: 01:00 PM–10:30 PM
- Sunday: 02:00PM–10:00PM
Contact Information: 0131 228 3838
| Google reviews score | 4.8/5 |
| TripAdvisor reviews score | 4.8/5 |
| Yelp reviews score | 4.3/5 |
| Open Table reviews score | N/A |
| Total reviews | 5/5 |
| Score consistency | 5/5 |
| Atmosphere | 5/5 |
| Accessibility and Convenience | 5/5 |
| Friendly and Attentive Staff | 5/5 |
| Ambiance | 5/5 |
| Diverse Menu Options | 5/5 |
| Variety | 5/5 |
| Quality | 5/5 |
| Value for Money | 5/5 |
| Amenities | 5/5 |
Chaskaa Indian Restaurant in Edinburgh offers a welcoming family dining experience centered on the authentic flavors of India. The restaurant is dedicated to sharing traditional Indian cuisine in a warm and inviting setting suitable for all ages.
Founded with a passion for celebrating India’s rich culinary heritage, Chaskaa is more than just a place to eat. It serves as a family-friendly space where guests can enjoy time-honored recipes passed down through generations.
As a family restaurant, Chaskaa provides a comfortable and contemporary ambience ideal for group meals and special family occasions. The relaxed atmosphere allows families to dine together while enjoying a sense of hospitality and care.
The menu is designed to appeal to a wide range of tastes, making it suitable for families with varied preferences. From classic Indian favorites to regional specialties and vegetarian dishes, there is something for everyone at the table.
Chaskaa places strong emphasis on freshness and authenticity, preparing each dish with quality ingredients and aromatic spices. This commitment ensures families receive flavorful meals that reflect traditional Indian cooking.
Service at Chaskaa is friendly and personalized, helping create a pleasant dining experience for families. Staff members aim to make every visit memorable by being attentive and accommodating.
By blending tradition with subtle innovation, Chaskaa Indian Restaurant delivers a dining experience that balances comfort and excitement. It remains a strong choice for families seeking authentic Indian cuisine in Edinburgh.
The service was great
“Highly recommended for the vibe and lovely service, the best authentic Indian food i’ve had recently. The service was great and he also made changes according to our taste. We were also offered a very delicious complementary tomato soup the moment we sat down on our reserved table.
I have stayed in the UK for 3 years and had food at lots of Indian restaurants but this is the first place to offer any welcome soup/food.”
Samrudhi Tidke, Google Review
I would absolutely recommend this restaurant
“I stopped here for lunch at a friend’s recommendation. It happened to be Diwali and so I had the holiday special. The food and mocktail that came with it were phenomenal. In particular, the special came with biryani and it was the best I’ve ever had, though the gobi was also great. The atmosphere was extremely relaxing and my server Raj really went above and beyond to make the meal extra enjoyable. Overall, I would absolutely recommend this restaurant.”
Gregory Auld, Google Review
2. Makars Mash Bar

Address: 9-12 Bank St, Edinburgh EH1 2LN
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 12 PM – 9 PM
- Friday to Saturday: 12 PM – 9 PM
- Sunday: 12 PM – 7:30 PM
Contact Information: +44 131 392 8390
| Google reviews score | 4.8/5 |
| TripAdvisor reviews score | 4.8/5 |
| Yelp reviews score | 4.8/5 |
| Open Table reviews score | 4.7/5 |
| Total reviews | 4/5 |
| Score consistency | 4/5 |
| Atmosphere | 4.3/5 |
| Accessibility and Convenience | 4/5 |
| Friendly and Attentive Staff | 5/5 |
| Ambiance | 4/5 |
| Diverse Menu Options | 4.5/5 |
| Variety | 4/5 |
| Quality | 5/5 |
| Value for Money | 4/5 |
| Amenities | 3/5 |
If your family’s craving hearty, comforting Scottish classics, then head over to Makars Mash Bar. It’s hugely popular and walk-ins face a bit of a wait, so it’s best to book a table in advance.
Nevertheless, what makes dining here fun is the build-your-own-meal concept. You start by choosing a main, either meat or plant-based, then from 9 mashed potato options, from creamy Scottish cheddar to punchy chilli-smoked medley.
This playful twist is a winning set-up for families that’ll keep both kids and grown-ups happy. And if you’re not in the mood for mash, their menu also boasts a wide variety of vegetarian, gluten-free, and nut-free options.
The portions are generous and the quality is excellent, but the prices may not be ideal for larger families or those dining on a budget.
Accessibility-wise, Makars Mash Bar is located on the ground floor, though there’s a little step by the entrance that may be tricky without help. On the bright side, it’s conveniently near the Mound and the Royal Mile, making it the perfect spot to refuel after a busy day of sightseeing.
Food is top-notch
“Makars is my favourite place to eat when we visit Edinburgh! The food is top notch. We didn’t reserve, just showed up. The wait was circa 30 mins but they take your details and text when the table is available.
The restaurant feels cosy with seating over two floors. The food is quality ingredients cooked to the highest standard. The haggis is made fresh onsite and you can taste it.
The price reflects fairness and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to anyone.
If you are not eating haggis, neeps and tatties with an iron bru in Edinburgh then what you doing!”
Alex Curry, Google Reviews
Food is remarkably fantastic
“A bit of a wait to get in because it’s so popular, but is easy to ignore because you can just put your name in and wander around the Royal Mile window shopping or grabbing a drink elsewhere until they text you that your table is ready. The food is remarkably fantastic. There are many choices and the staff are very helpful in suggestions of both food and drinks. We shared the salad with scotch egg and then my husband had the lamb shank and I had the beef shoulder. They were both very tender and delicious. The Thistly Cross cider was bright, refreshing, and paired well.”
Tuff Witch, Google Reviews
3. Dishroom

Address: 3a St Andrew Sq, Edinburgh EH2 2BD
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Wednesday: 8 AM to 11 PM
- Thursday to Saturday: 8 AM to 12 AM
Contact Information: +44 131 202 6406
Website
| Google reviews score | 4.8/5 |
| TripAdvisor reviews score | 4.6/5 |
| Yelp reviews score | 4.8/5 |
| Total reviews | 3/5 |
| Score consistency | 4/5 |
| Atmosphere | 4.6/5 |
| Accessibility and Convenience | 5/5 |
| Friendly and Attentive Staff | 5/5 |
| Ambiance | 4/5 |
| Diverse Menu Options | 4.5/5 |
| Variety | 4/5 |
| Quality | 5/5 |
| Value for Money | 4/5 |
| Amenities | 3/5 |
Dishroom’s generous opening hours make it a reliable go-to for whenever hunger strikes. You can get your morning chai fix by 8 AM and snack on some naan by midday.
Another plus is its dedicated children’s menu that features smaller portions and toned-down spices that capture the vibrant taste of Bombay.
We also appreciate the Dishroom’s thoughtful design, going the extra mile for those with mobility needs. By the entrance, there’s step-free access. Inside, you’ll find wheelchair-friendly seating and loos on the same level as the dining area, including a fully accessible disabled toilet.
As for the prices, they’re fair, given the quality and location. However, the bill can add up quickly, making it a spot best saved for special family occasions rather than weekly go-tos.
Just note that Dishroom gets busy fast, and wait times can be long during peak times. This is especially tough when you’ve got little ones or elderly family members in tow, so book a table ahead for a seamless visit.
Exceptional experience all around
“We’ve been waiting to come to this renowned restaurant for years. There was a short wait today. The 30 minutes they told us ended up about 10. Everyone was charming, knowledgeable and excellent in every respect. I especially appreciated the allergen menu together with a confirmation from the back of the house that there were no allergen issues with our meal. An exceptional experience all around.”
David Stejkowski, Google Reviews
Really delicious food
“Read about Dishoom on a travel site and booked a table, best meal yet! Service was excellent and helpful determining what to order. A good selection of alcohol free drinks made for a nice change. Really delicious food, the line was down the block by the time we left. If you can’t book in try stopping by earlier, when we arrived they couldn’t find our booking but we were able to walk in ( 4 pm) online it showed nothing available. Highly recommend a meal here”
Westcoast Wanderer, Google Reviews
4. The Edinburgh Larder

Address: 15 Blackfriars St, Edinburgh EH1 1NB
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 7:30 AM to 3 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: 8 AM to 3 PM
Contact Information: +44 131 556 6922; [email protected]
| Google reviews score | 4.6/5 |
| Trip Advisor reviews score | 4.6/5 |
| Facebook reviews score | 4.7/5 |
| Yelp reviews score | 4.5/5 |
| Table Agent reviews score | 4.8/5 |
| Open Table reviews score | 4.3/5 |
| Total reviews | 5/5 |
| Score consistency | 4/5 |
| Atmosphere | 4.7/5 |
| Accessibility and Convenience | 4/5 |
| Friendly and Attentive Staff | 5/5 |
| Ambiance | 5/5 |
| Diverse Menu Options | 5/5 |
| Variety | 5/5 |
| Quality | 5/5 |
| Value for Money | 4/5 |
| Amenities | 3/5 |
The Edinburgh Larder first opened its doors back at 15 Blackfriars in 2009, and has since grown to open two more spots–one just next door at number 11 and another further afield on Morningside Road.
Today, it’s among Edinburgh’s most well-loved family restaurants, with its relaxed cafe-style atmosphere, serving up hearty comfort food and soothing cups of coffee.
It’s easy to see why families love it here—their menu caters to everyone, from classics like their mighty full Scottish breakfast (which is what they’re best-known for by the way), to plenty of vegan and vegetarian options.
As for little diners? They’ve got their own menu, featuring everything from all-day breakfasts to mini soup with bread, which is a good touch, especially if you’ve got a fussy one.
But here’s the hitch: the wait can be a tad long during busy hours. Even then, you’ve got a cosy spot to catch up while waiting. Just note that they only operate during the day, so having breakfast for dinner isn’t an option here.
Fresh, tasty, and beautifully served
“The breakfast was really lovely — fresh, tasty, and beautifully served. Everything was full of flavour, and the atmosphere was very nice and cozy. We had to wait around 30 minutes, but it was totally worth it in the end. Highly recommend this place for a proper breakfast in Edinburgh”
Akriche Abdelmalek, Google Reviews
Fresh and high-quality ingredients.
“Really good breakfast with fresh and high-quality ingredients. What I liked about this cafe is that they have an open kitchen, so you get to see the chefs preparing the dishes.
The coffee was excellent, in my opinion. It was made of really good quality beans!
My breakfast was outstanding. The poached eggs were cooked to perfection, so gooey! The bread was so tasty and crunchy, and so was the Cumberland sausage!
The service was really good and extremely attentive.
I would recommend booking in advance as it’s a small place with limited seating, and it gets quite busy.”
Perla B, Google Reviews
5. Mamma Roma

Address: 4-7 Antigua St, Edinburgh EH1 3NH
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday: 12 PM to 9:30 PM
- Friday to Saturday: 12 PM to 10:30 PM
Contact Information: +44 131 558 1628
| Google reviews score | 4.6/5 |
| TripAdvisor reviews score | 4.6/5 |
| Facebook reviews score | 4.8/5 |
| Open Table reviews score | 4.7/5 |
| Total reviews | 4/5 |
| Score consistency | 4/5 |
| Atmosphere | 4.3/5 |
| Accessibility and Convenience | 3/5 |
| Friendly and Attentive Staff | 5/5 |
| Ambiance | 5/5 |
| Diverse Menu Options | 4/5 |
| Variety | 4/5 |
| Quality | 5/5 |
| Value for Money | 5/5 |
| Amenities | 3/5 |
Father-and-son duo Mennato and Giovanni Mastrocinque started Mamma Roma in 1996, and since then, this family-run gem has become a local favourite for its authentic, traditional Italian food.
They’ve been winning the hearts and tummies of adults and kids alike with comforting pastas, wood-fired pizzas, and decadent desserts that you don’t have to fly to Italy for. While their kids’ menu skips the overly basic, their main menu is mainly safe picks that are easy hits even with fussy eaters.
We also like how accommodating their staff are, happy to tailor dishes to suit your dietary requirements, which makes dining here a tad more thoughtful. The best part? Mama Roma is good value for money, especially considering the hearty portions, fresh ingredients, and truly Italian flavours.
However, it’s worth noting that their multi-floor layout could make it tricky to navigate with a wheelchair or buggy. Hence, you may want to give them a ring to ensure you’re booked a table on the ground floor.
Food was divine
“Today my family and I had dinner here to celebrate my dad’s birthday, and because of that, I had several special requests for the restaurant in advance. I was a bit nervous, but the staffs were absolutely amazing and professionals — everything went perfectly and brought joy to the whole family. The food was divine, even though my brother and my reaaal hungarian dad have quite particular tastes.☺️🙌🏾The service and the atmosphere were also 10/10. I can wholeheartedly recommend this place to everyone, and I’ll definitely be coming back, too! A special thank to Sofia (and of course to the rest of the waiters as well) for all the help and kindness!🩷”
m Rebekaa, Google Reviews
Comforting and feels very authentic
“Possibly the best pasta I’ve ever had! Piping hot when it came out and was so delicious.
The restaurant is comforting and feels very authentic, with plenty space between each tables
Staff were amazing, very quick, friendly service and accommodated extra requests.”
Alyssa Davies, Google Reviews
6. The Scran and Scallie

Address: 1 Comely Bank Rd, Edinburgh EH4 1DR
Operating Hours: Daily: 12 PM to 9 PM
Contact Information: +44 131 332 6281
| Google reviews score | 4.5/5 |
| Yelp reviews score | 4.5/5 |
| Facebook reviews score | 4.8/5 |
| TripAdvisor reviews score | 4.2/5 |
| Total reviews | 4/5 |
| Score consistency | 4/5 |
| Atmosphere | |
| Accessibility and Convenience | |
| Friendly and Attentive Staff | |
| Ambiance | |
| Diverse Menu Options | |
| Variety | |
| Quality | |
| Value for Money | |
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If your family enjoys Scottish pub classics, then you’ll enjoy The Scran and Scallie. A Bib Gourmand-awarded restaurant, it’s safe to say that dishes are crafted with care and full of flavour.
Our favourites? You can’t go wrong with the comforting steak pie, hearty haggis, and rich cullen skink. For the little diners, there’s a dedicated menu that features crowd favourites like sausage and chips, and macaroni and cheese.
What keeps us (or the kids, rather) coming back is their children’s play area, letting the little ones pass the time while the grown-ups catch up. Don’t worry, the area has soundproofing that helps keep the noise in. For extra convenience, high chairs and pram spaces are available upon request.
While Scran and Scallie lean more on the relaxed, pub-style atmosphere, the Michelin-recognised quality of their food speaks for itself. For that reason, it’s recommended to book a table well in advance rather than to try your luck simply walking in, even if they’re open daily.
Food was best yet
“Great options for families. Kids menu and playroom right off the main dining room for kiddos. Food was best yet of our two weeks in the UK. We had the steak pie, lamb shank special, kids mac cheese, and sticky pudding. 9/10. Only hard part was getting wait staff attention a few times since the place was packed.”
Chelsi Brown, Google Reviews
Super kid friendly
“Very fun restaurant – excellent selection of drinks, including seasonal cocktails, local beers on tap, and non-alcoholic options. Food menu features local specialties (highly recommend the cullen skink, haggis and fish pie), executed well. Super kid friendly – kids menu and high chairs available. Overall, highly recommended for family dining.”
Yao Wong, Google Reviews