When heading into Edinburgh’s city centre, avoiding busy commuters and crowds of tourists to find a suitable place to dine can sometimes prove a near-impossible task, especially at the weekend and during the busy summer months, in a city as bustling as Edinburgh.
And in an area populated by incredible eateries specialising in Scottish menus, it takes something truly special to stand out in the crowd. Luckily, something about this cosy restaurant located in the Southern section of The Royal Mile does just that.
Wedgwood, conveniently situated on the historic Royal Mile, in the heart of Edinburgh’s most famous sights and attractions, has built a reputation among those dropping in to try some of the restaurant’s famous Scottish dishes with a twist after a day of sightseeing or locals booking in for a special occasion.
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Behind the modest façade reveals a spacious, air-conditioned dining room with seating for 44 people. The bright and stylish décor, pendant lighting, and well-spaced tables present a smart but informal environment, whilst paying homage to the heritage of the Royal Mile by combining original features with modern design and comfort with a Scottish twist. The staff at Wedgwood are not only warm and friendly but are happy to recommend dishes to those that are on the indecisive or fussy side. A real highlight of Wedgwood is that tables are never “turned” as the owners firmly believe dining is a time to be enjoyed and to relax and whilst the service at Wedgwood is efficient, no one is ever rushed, with diners welcome to stay for as long as they wish.
Paul and Lisa Wedgwood are the proud owners of Wedgwood, with Paul having worked in a variety of settings, including Michelin-starred restaurants and it is evident to see as this award-winning restaurant was included in The Sunday Times Top 100 Restaurants in the UK in 2015 based solely on customer feedback and has now perfected its produce-driven cuisine since its inception in 2007, from the Douglas fir cured salmon to the Roe deer loin, the Wedgwood specialises in modern Scottish food with Asian undertones and is absolutely a must-visit when in Edinburgh.
My traditional eating companion (my husband and KeiKei Travels photographer, who shares my love for all things food) and I settled into a cosy table for two beside the restaurant’s open gally and trusted the knowledgeable wait staff to help us choose our starters and mains.
Pretending that I hadn’t read the entire menu through twice that very morning, with the assistance of our friendly waitress, I selected the Shetland Scallops to begin. I was greeted with the most beautifully plated scallops, served with cauliflower korma, pineapple, caper, peanut and pistachio dust. Flavourful and the kind of texture that melts like butter in one’s mouth, I found it difficult to imagine a better beginning to a meal. My husband’s Confit pork belly was a close second; so delicious that I never even got a bite before he wiped the plate clean. Served with sweetcorn, black pudding and chorizo oil, I’m told that it was one of the best starters he has ever had.
For the main course, I continued down the seafood route and opted for the Monkfish, served with potato, ‘peas a la francaise’, gem lettuce and bacon – a dish of subtle, comforting flavours, perfectly executed and plentiful in portion. My husband moved on to the Roe deer loin, venison haggis, served with celeriac, potato terrine, carrot and cabbage jus. I believe his second completely-cleared plate spoke for itself.
For a picture-perfect dessert, opt for the Rhubarb and custard, vanilla panna cotta and rhubarb sorbet, which arrived styled in the most stunning way with plenty of bright colours and was a deliciously cleansing end to a deliciously rich meal. Hubby – a chocolate addict – went for the chocolate delice, nutmeg, hazelnut and salted ice cream. This time I managed to steal myself a bite and I can confirm that it would be every chocolate lover’s dream dessert.
It’s easy to fall into the habit of rushing through meals in order to hurry to the next activity, especially in a city as busy as Edinburgh. A restaurant like Wedgwood, on the other hand, serves as a reminder that dinner is more than just a necessary activity between 7 and 9 p.m.; when done well, it’s a social and gastronomic event that will leave you smiling long after the last mouthful has been eaten.
https://www.wedgwoodtherestaurant.co.uk/
Wedgwood the Restaurant,
267 Canongate, Royal Mile,
Edinburgh, Midlothian,
EH8 8BQ, United Kingdom
KeiKei is a London-based award-winning journalist and videographer with a degree in Broadcast Media and Journalism from the University of the West of Scotland and an extensive reporting background in news, entertainment, travel, and lifestyle.
KeiKei has travelled the globe interviewing, reporting and reviewing. Her work has been published in worldwide media outlets including, The New York Post, The Guardian, The Mirror, The Daily Mail, National Geographic and Conde Nast publications.
