86 Accessible Edinburgh: A Festival Guide Eating 87

Accessible Edinburgh: A Festival Guide

Eating

Eating out in Edinburgh has changed beyond all

recognition in the last 20 years. Two decades ago,

sophisticated dining meant a visit to the Aberdeen

Angus Steak House for a prawn cocktail, steak (well

done) and chips, and Black Forest gateau. Today

eating out has become a commonplace event and

the city has more restaurants per head of population

than any other city in the UK, including a handful of

Michelin stars.

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Leith

Leith is renowned for having a clutch of excellent restaurants,

including two with Michelin stars (Martin Wishart and Kitchin), as

well as lots of good-value bistros and pubs, many with outdoor

seating and river views in summer.

Kitchin

0131-555 1755; http://thekitchin.com/; 78 Commercial Quay;

3-course lunch/dinner £30/70; 12.15-2.30pm & 6.30-10pm Tue-

Sat, to 10.30pm Fri & Sat; buses 16, 22, 35, 36

Fresh, seasonal, locally sourced Scottish produce is the philos-

ophy that has won a Michelin star for this elegant but unpreten-

tious restaurant. The menu moves with the seasons, of course,

so expect fresh salads in summer and game in winter, and shell-

fish dishes such as baked scallops with white wine, vermouth

and herb sauce when there’s an ‘r’ in the month.

There is lots of parking available in the area with free Scottish

exec parking available at night. The entrance path is cobbled

which might prove difficult for some. Once inside, access is great

and if you inform them when booking if someone in the party is

a wheelchair user, they will arrange a table with plenty of room

around it. There’s a large accessible toilet with grab rails.

Leith Chop House

0131-629 1919; http://www.chophousesteak.co.uk; 102 Constitution St;

mains £10-26; noon-3pm & 5-10pm Mon-Fri, 10am-11pm Sat &

Sun; buses 12, 16

A modern take on the old-fashioned steakhouse, this ‘bar and

butchery’ combines slick designer decor with a meaty menu of

the best Scottish beef, dry-aged for at least 35 days and char-

grilled to perfection. Sauces include bone marrow gravy, and

Argentinian chimmichurri. Cool cocktails too. It’s wheelchair-

accessible and has an accessible toilet. Power wheelchair users

may find it a tight squeeze, so book ahead to ensure you get the

largest, most accessible table.

Loch Fyne

0131-559 3900; http://www.lochfyneseafoodandgrill.co.uk; 25 Pier Pl;

set lunch/dinner from £11/16; 11.30am-10pm Mon-Fri, 9am-11pm

Sat, 9am-10pm Sun; buses 7, 10 or 11

Housed in the old Victorian fish market building next to New-

haven harbour, this stylish restaurant and seafood deli serves