A whisper from Edinburgh’s Old Town, Montrose Edinburgh pairs a serious wine cellar with soulful, produce-driven cooking in a 19th-century former inn near the Palace of Holyroodhouse. From the team behind Timberyard, this intimate address distills the city’s fine dining spirit into a warmly lit upstairs dining room and a convivial ground-floor wine bar—an elegant, quietly exclusive refuge where bold flavors, precise technique, and thoughtful hospitality meet.

The Story & Heritage
Opened by the family behind Timberyard, Montrose honors Scottish seasonality with a grounded, ingredient-first philosophy. Housed in a carefully revived historic inn, it channels the team’s well-honed craft—focused sourcing, restrained presentation, and deep respect for terroir. While the owners’ flagship has long shaped Edinburgh fine dining, Montrose advances the narrative with a more intimate lens: fewer seats, softer light, and a laser focus on flavor clarity. Recognized by Michelin for its confident, characterful cooking and well-chosen wines, the restaurant carries forward an ethos of integrity and place, refined without pretension.

The Cuisine & Menu
Montrose offers a set menu that changes with the market, rooted in modern British cuisine and guided by the Scottish larder. Expect generous, impactful dishes—game tortellini with brodo kissed by woodland aromatics; piquant green tomatoes brightening rich seafood or aged meats; grilled shellfish dressed simply to spotlight provenance. Menus follow the seasons and prioritize small-scale growers, foragers, and day-boat catch. The approach is fine dining in tone, ultra-considered in sourcing, with an à la minute precision that reads as effortless. Dietary accommodations are thoughtfully arranged with notice, while the kitchen’s signature is a boldness of seasoning and texture that lingers without shouting.

Experience & Atmosphere
Upstairs, soft lighting, rustic textures, and a handful of tables create a hushed, close-knit ambiance—ideal for couples and devoted gastronomes. Service is attentive yet understated, informed by a sommelier team that curates an excellent cellar emphasizing lesser-known regions and artisanal producers, with refined pairings available by the glass. Downstairs, the wine bar hums with oysters, charcuterie, and small plates—an elegant prelude or a casual, first-come option. Expect polished pacing, polished linens, and an ear for detail rather than pomp. Smart casual dress suits the room; reservations for the dining room are recommended, with prime weekend slots booking quickly.

Closing & Call-to-Action
Choose Montrose for a quietly luxurious expression of Edinburgh’s best fine dining, where the cellar leads and the kitchen answers with conviction. Reserve several weeks ahead for the upstairs set menu, especially for Friday and Saturday evenings. For a more spontaneous indulgence, slip into the bar for oysters, charcuterie, and a glass from the sommelier’s favorite under-the-radar grower—then plan your next visit for the full experience.