Ask an Edinburgh cook where they eat and half the answers are errands. Roberta Hall-McCarron cooked nine years with Tom Kitchin before she opened The Little Chartroom, and she eats a fried chicken kiev on focaccia at Alby's, small plates at Spry Wines a few doors up Leith Walk, and a peanut butter croissant at Twelve Triangles. Alby's rewrites its fillings every week, so order the kiev only when it is on the board. Mark Donald comes in from two MICHELIN stars at Glenturret Lalique to eat at Argile, ten seats in Marchmont where Jack Montgomery cooks, plates, serves and pours the wine himself. Donald orders the game at Hall-McCarron's, and says she is very good with it. Stuart Ralston, who runs LYLA, tipo, Noto and Aizle, stops at Ardfern when he wants to eat fast, and for a celebration he books eòrna, where Brian Grigor cooks every course for twelve people and game is the part of the larder he knows best, his father having been a gamekeeper. Michele Mariotti runs the bars at Gleneagles, drinks his Negroni at Hey Palu, and goes out to Nauticus in Leith for a beer and a whisky when the crowds get to be too much. Scott Campbell cooks at Badger & Co and takes his own kids to Cold Town House for the salt and pepper wings. No Edinburgh piece I have read records which shift any of these visits follows, so if your question is where the trade drinks after a Sunday service, nobody has answered it and I am not filling it in with a guess.
Where the trade eats.
how it is eaten · Leith mostly, and the closes off the Royal Mile
On the list
the trade eats here
Alby's LeithRoberta Hall-McCarron orders the fried chicken kiev here and has done more than once. The fillings change every week, so read the board before you go looking for it.
“The menu changes all the time and they serve all their sandwiches on great focaccia, I've had the fried chicken kiev a couple of times which is so good – so definitely order that if it's on the menu.”
easyJet Traveller, Tom Howells, 'Where chefs eat: Roberta Hall-McCarron on Edinburgh' [1]
the trade eats here
Spry WinesHall-McCarron's local, a wine shop and bar a short walk up Leith Walk from The Little Chartroom, and she eats the small plates and the charcuterie with the wine.
“It's a wine bar and shop just up the road from my restaurant. They do the most fantastic small plates and charcuterie to enjoy alongside a great wine selection.”
easyJet Traveller, Tom Howells, 'Where chefs eat: Roberta Hall-McCarron on Edinburgh' [1]
the trade eats here
Twelve Triangles (Brunswick Street)The bakery trades on sourdough and Hall-McCarron walks past it for a peanut butter croissant at breakfast.
“This is such a great bakery. They specialise in sourdough bread but it's hard to look past a peanut butter croissant at breakfast time.”
easyJet Traveller, Tom Howells, 'Where chefs eat: Roberta Hall-McCarron on Edinburgh' [1]
the trade eats here
Hey PaluMichele Mariotti, who runs the bars at Gleneagles, drinks his Negroni in Alex and Rachel Palumbo's Bread Street room, which is central and still far enough out to stay calm when the city fills up.
“Hey Palu is one of my favourite places. It's still central but just far enough from the chaos. Perfect for a Negroni (or two)”
The Scotsman, 'The 22 best Edinburgh bars to enjoy during the festivals, according to bartenders', 13 August 2025 [2]
the trade eats here
NauticusWhen the crowds get to be too much Mariotti takes the short run out to Leith for a beer and a whisky, and he rates the service here above anywhere else he named.
“if the crowds start to feel a bit much, Nauticus is my go-to for a beer and a whisky. It's near Leith, so just a short journey away, but well worth it. The drinks are great, and the service is genuinely some of the best in the city.”
The Scotsman, 'The 22 best Edinburgh bars to enjoy during the festivals, according to bartenders', 13 August 2025 [2]
the trade eats here
The Devil's AdvocateMariotti's pick for a drink a few steps off the Royal Mile. Drink here and eat somewhere else: City of Edinburgh rated the premises Improvement Required on 18 March 2026 and no re-rating was pending on 3 August 2026.
“The Devil's Advocate is a great spot right in the heart of the action. A stone's throw from the Royal Mile, with a fantastic drinks' selection and a fun atmosphere.”
The Scotsman, 'The 22 best Edinburgh bars to enjoy during the festivals, according to bartenders', 13 August 2025 [2]
the trade eats here
ArgileMark Donald, who holds two MICHELIN stars at Glenturret Lalique, eats at Jack Montgomery's ten-seat counter in Marchmont, where one man cooks, plates, serves and pours.
“This is a small counter-seat restaurant by Jack Montgomery. It's described as an independent chef's table, that he opened about a year and a half ago and it's just him behind the counter. Jack does all the cooking, plating, serving and pouring wine.”
Conde Nast Traveller, Cass Farrar, 'Where the Chefs Eat: Mark Donald', 17 October 2024 [3]
the trade eats here
LYLADonald ate here in 2024 and called the star a year early. What he picked out of ten courses was the snack run upstairs at the start.
“The food was immaculate when I went; it was so tasty. I went with a friend and we had a lovely time. I'd be surprised if Stuart didn't get a star soon.”
Conde Nast Traveller, Cass Farrar, 'Where the Chefs Eat: Mark Donald', 17 October 2024 [3]
the trade eats here
The Little ChartroomDonald's ordering instruction for Hall-McCarron's own dining room runs to one line, and it is the game.
“Roberta is very good with game, so I'd go for the game.”
Conde Nast Traveller, Cass Farrar, 'Where the Chefs Eat: Mark Donald', 17 October 2024 [3]
the trade eats here
Cold Town HouseScott Campbell cooks at Badger & Co and brings his own children to this Grassmarket room for the salt and pepper wings and the Grange pizza.
“Cold Town House is more for family time, with a great range of pizzas and finger food. It allows my kids to really go wild. Our family favourites are salt and pepper wings and the Grange pizza.”
The Scotsman, 'The 22 best Edinburgh bars to enjoy during the festivals, according to bartenders', 13 August 2025 [2]
the trade eats here
ArdfernStuart Ralston, who runs LYLA, tipo, Noto and Aizle, stops at Hall-McCarron's second room when he wants to eat fast and still eat properly.
“is a top choice when I want something fast but thoughtful. It's the kind of place where you can grab a bite that's comforting but still has personality. Solid cooking, relaxed setting. They get it just right.”
MICHELIN Guide, Andrew Young, 'Stuart Ralston's Edinburgh: Where to Eat in the Scottish Capital', 1 August 2025 [4]
the trade eats here
eòrna restaurantRalston's answer for a night that has to be a celebration: Brian Grigor cooking every course for twelve people at a Stockbridge counter, Glen Montgomery pouring every glass.
“What Brian and Glen are doing there feels really personal and you can tell every plate has intention behind it.”
MICHELIN Guide, Andrew Young, 'Stuart Ralston's Edinburgh: Where to Eat in the Scottish Capital', 1 August 2025 [4]
the trade eats here
TIMBERYARDRalston, who cooks at a starred room of his own across town, books this one for date night, and he rates its wine list as much as its cooking.
“is a brilliant shout for date night. The space is stunning”
MICHELIN Guide, Andrew Young, 'Stuart Ralston's Edinburgh: Where to Eat in the Scottish Capital', 1 August 2025 [4]
the trade eats here
The PalmerstonLloyd Morse buys whole animals, breaks them down in his own butchery and bakes the bread in house, and Ralston names the room when he is asked what this city does well.
“Then we'd head for some incredible food. Somewhere like The Palmerston or Heron.”
MICHELIN Guide, Andrew Young, 'Stuart Ralston's Edinburgh: Where to Eat in the Scottish Capital', 1 August 2025 [4]
the trade eats here
HeronThe other half of that answer, on the Water of Leith. Ralston reads both rooms the same way, as local ingredients cooked properly.
“both brilliant examples of what Edinburgh does so well: local ingredients, proper cooking and a strong sense of place.”
MICHELIN Guide, Andrew Young, 'Stuart Ralston's Edinburgh: Where to Eat in the Scottish Capital', 1 August 2025 [4]
Sources & mentions
- [1]
- [2]
- [3]
- [4]