Timberyard

Timberyard is a family-run restaurant on Lady Lawson Street, a short walk from the Grassmarket in the Old Town. It won a Michelin star in 2023 and has since been recognised with a Michelin Green Star, awarded for sustainable practice. It is a good choice for anyone who wants to see what modern Scottish cooking looks like when it is driven by ingredients.

The cooking is ingredient-led and seasonal, with menus that change weekly. Wild meat is a particular focus, including deer, game birds, wild boar, hare and rabbit, alongside ethically sourced fish and shellfish. Vegetarian and vegan menus are available. There is no à la carte or children's menu, so expect a set menu format; a tasting menu is also offered at lunch. Because the menu changes so often, two visits a few weeks apart can feel quite different.

The restaurant opens for dinner from Wednesday and adds lunch service later in the week, but published times vary, so check the website before planning your visit. Bookings are taken online, and larger groups of ten or more receive a reduced choice menu. When Timberyard is fully booked, the restaurant points diners towards its sister restaurant, Montrose. Allow plenty of time: a set menu dinner here is a relaxed affair of two hours or more.

Timberyard suits adventurous eaters, couples and food-focused travellers who want something more contemporary than a classic fine-dining room. It is less suited to families with young children because of the menu format. Dietary requirements are best raised when booking.

The location is convenient for both the Old Town and the West End, and the Grassmarket's pubs are a few minutes' walk away. After dinner, the Grassmarket and Victoria Street are close for a drink, and the walk back to Princes Street takes around 15 minutes. If you prefer an earlier evening, book the first sitting and take a sunset walk around the castle's southern slopes beforehand. Combine Timberyard with a daytime visit to the National Museum of Scotland or Greyfriars Kirkyard, both a short walk east. For a first visit, the lunch sitting at the end of the week is a good way to try the kitchen's style in daylight.