Howies Victoria Street

Howies on Victoria Street was excellent from start to finish. The award-winning traditional haggis was full of flavor, the Scottish beef cheeks were perfectly cooked and delicious, and the dessert (I can’t remember the name, but it was amazing) was a great way to finish the meal. Portions of the main course might feel a bit small, but that’s probably just the gourmet style. Overall, a fantastic experience and I’d definitely recommend it.

Fantastic introduction to Edinburgh and local Scottish cuisine. This was our first meal in town. Haggis was delicious, highly recommended with the scotch pairing. I do not say this often, especially about salads, but the heritage tomato salad was absolutely to die for. Incredible taste profile, super fresh and the lemon dressing a perfect contrast to the velvety smooth whipped feta. Would come here again just for that salad. Mains were solid: the spinach risotto with crispy basil was great. The ribeye was good but not great - this can be forgiven, considering how good everything else was. (We are from Texas the bar is pretty high on steak.) Classy but not stuffy ambience, attentive service (thanks Alex!), and of course you're dining on one of the most photogenic streets in the world. The early dining 2-course pricing is quite reasonable considering the quality of the food. We will be back!

Lovely venue - booked & had a great table by the window. Wonderful food, prompt service & nice environment. Both had the venison stew, had a couple of cocktails & shared a pud. Would definitely recommend. Best to book as very busy.

Howies is my favorite resturant in Edinburgh! It’s a modern take on traditional Scottish gastronomy. Each dish is a culinary masterpiece highlighting seasonal game and vegetables. The service is impeccable, with attention to detail and very friendly and knowledgeable. It’s easy to my a reservation and I’d highly recommend doing so, as the popularity of Howies means unless you reserve a table, you’re unlikely to find a seat.

We went here 2 days in a row, food is delicious, the type that warms your soul in cold and rainy days. Service is really fast (although the place was packed the first day we were there and the waiters are attentive. Really recommend the place.

We visited Edinburgh for a theatre trip and booked online. The staff are accommodating and professional. We ordered main and dessert. The staff explained as we had not ordered starters there may be a 25 minute wait as all meals are cooked freshly. The food arrived within time and was delicious. They offer a soup of the day and a fresh catch of the day which varies on the menu. Staff also happy to discuss popular dishes on the menu and recommendations of favourites of theirs. Low lighting is used in the restaurant for a cosy atmosphere but unlike most restaurants who use this lighting you can actually see and it brings a peaceful feel to the meal.

Delicious food. Lovely staff. Was a great recommendation from a friend who lives just outside the city. Next time we visit, we would be more than happy to return.

Great Scottish food, excellent service, good vibe. Haggis, pigeon, soup of the day were all great. House lager was good too. Our only regret is that we were not hungry enough to have the full meal with main courses. We did order desert though, the Banofee pie totally lived up to it's reputation.

We visited the restaurant without making a reservation, and the receptionist was still able to accommodate our table. She was very friendly and attentive. The food was delicious, and we tried the ‘Award-winning traditional Haggis’ and ‘Slow-cooked beef cheek’, which were both very good!

Good was good, staff looked after us well. The ribeye steak was medium-rare and just right! They cook it to your preference. I asked for mayo to go with the chips, and it was good! Smoked salmon was good. Banoffe pie and Irish coffee to finish. Perfect!

Outstanding food and service! What a very luxurious meal this was. The staff made us feel special when we walked in. We had reservations for dinner and had a nice table, great ambiance. My husband and friend ordered the seasonal cocktails the elderflower and cucumber spirits. We were served complimentary bread and dips, so good. We started with the heritage tomato salad which had this delicious whipped vegan feta cheese, radishes and onions. My friend and I had the catch of the day which was Scottish salmon that was pan seared, a potato and some beans. We also had vegan haggis as a starter, very tasty. Husband enjoyed the artisan hot chocolate. A very flavorful, decadent meal.

Food was delicious and service very attentive even though the place was super busy. There was a wee mix up with a burger sauce and they rectified it so promptly and politely it was impressive. Definitely recommend the Cullen skink - amazing 🤩.

We had such a wonderful experience! I came with my siblings and toddler niece, and from the moment we walked in, we felt welcomed. Our server, Chloe, was absolutely fantastic—so kind, patient, and incredibly accommodating, especially with a little one at the table. The food was delicious, the atmosphere was relaxed and family-friendly, and the service truly made the evening special. Thank you, Chloe, for taking such good care of us. We’ll definitely be back!

We had a wonderful meal at Howies on Victoria Street! I tried haggis for the first time and it was absolutely delicious — definitely something I’d have again. The staff were friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. Highly recommend!

I had the best meal yet in Scotland. The salmon was perfectly cooked and the sides were original and tasty. Dylan’s service was wonderful. 100% recommend!

We had our farewell dinner in Howies on our last evening in Edinburgh and really enjoyed it. The dishes were all tasty made from high quality ingredients, our waiter was attentive and friendly and we had a great evening. The restaurant is located in the heart of Edinburgh on Victoria street and has a cozy interior. It can get quite crowded so I would definitely recommend reserving a table. The only slight issue was with ventilation as the smells and smoke form the kitchen entered the restaurant, however it wasn’t too distracting.

I booked a dinner reservation at Howies 6 months ago to have a plan before opening night of the Tattoo. We arrived and our table by the window was ready. Our waiter was helpful in selecting our dishes and the food was ready quickly everything was delicious, the soup of the day, catching the day and a beef dish. We finished with dessert.

Fabulous food. Something for everyone on the set lunch menu. Service was spot on. Bring your own bottle for a corkage charge on certain days is an excellent move too.

If u want local food with great experience! We wanted to eat something more local, but also quality. Howies have both with a charming atmosphere. Service was excellent, polite and kind. Food was very tasty. We had an amazing time. Definitely recommend!

Had a wonderful dining experience at Howies Restaurant in Edinburgh. The service was excellent, warm, and attentive throughout our visit. We chose the lunch set menu, which was not only great value for money but also delivered on quality and flavour. The food was beautifully presented and packed with taste. The highlight was without a doubt the traditional Scottish haggis – rich, perfectly spiced, and absolutely to die for. A must-try if you're looking for an authentic Scottish food experience in Edinburgh.

Amazing food, but space is tight, and when it gets busy, it looks like everyone is sitting next to each other.

Fantastic experience, lovely food, great venue, reasonably priced and a big shout out to Chloe for looking after us (allergies, food preferences and all )

The food was good and flavourful, not too many options for vegans but I was happy with what I selected. I had the soup then the sweet potato and seitan dish. Both were very nice! The bread came out way earlier than the soup which was a little strange, but quite minor. The staff were friendly and happy to answer questions etc.

What a cute little place! The entrance is a vibe and the inside is cozy and small. They utilize the small space very well and manages to fit in plenty of tables. It feels a bit tight but it is worth it for the elegance and the food! We got the soup of the day, it was a broccoli, cucumber, dill and miso soup. A surprising combo of flavors but delicious and my favorite part of the meal! I'm sad it's not a staple soup, I hope they rotate it to this often. The vegan haggis was interesting, it was vegan meat on a bed of mash potato's and mashed sweet potato. The sweet potato was lacking in flavor and the dish had an overall light flavor. The vegan cream sauce that is on it really pulls all the flavors together. The pea and asparagus risotto was so rich with flavor and was the perfect amount of cheesiness. The asparagus was a bit fibery but over all cooked well with a little bit of a crunch still. We got chicken on the side, and when added to the risotto elevated the flavor perfectly. Then there was dessert, omg amazing. The chocolate mouse was rich but not too sweet, and paired with the raspberry sorbet, fantastic. Not only is the food great but the service was unmatched! Our server Duncan was the most considerate server I have ever had! I am a vegetarian and my significant other is gluten free so we are a handful as customers, but Duncan was patient and visited the kitchen multiple times to double check ingredients for us. He was so sweet and so kind. The location of this restaurant is perfect too, just at the top of Victoria street. So you get to see all the pretty colored buildings. But make sure you reserve ahead of time or go early to get a reservation. We walked in and they gave us a reservation an hour and a half from the time we walked in. We were able to leave and explore then come back at our reservation time.

Absolutely fantastic experience at Howie Restaurant in Edinburgh! I started with the wild Scottish venison and haggis for my starter—each bite was a perfect balance of rich, traditional flavors, prepared to absolute perfection. For dessert, the sticky toffee pudding was a delightful finale: warm, indulgent, and not overly sweet. Every dish was deliciously satisfying. The service was equally impressive—friendly, attentive, and genuinely made the evening feel special. Highly recommend Howie for anyone craving exceptional Scottish cuisine in a welcoming atmosphere. I’ll definitely be returning!

Good deal for lunch. Ordered award winning haggies, cullen sink, salmon and cod. Tasted great!! Good service too

Very busy so a reservation is a must. Parties bigger than 4 will have a hard time with space/availability. If you can make it in, the early dinner combo is a great deal - appetizer or dessert + main for 24 quids. The pigeon was surprisingly delicious and not gamey. I had the salmon for main and it was perfectly cooked. They have some nice scotch whiskey flights that you can try too. We had an hour to eat and pay so it was stressful from that perspective but it was good regardless.

This restaurant was my favorite to dine during the weekend in Edinburgh. I had booked dinner for my partner’s birthday. The moment we walked in, we felt warm and welcomed. We tried the soup of the day, which was puréed kale and potatoes. Absolutely delicious. For the mains, I had the mushroom risotto and roasted salmon. Very tasty. We shared a toffee pudding for dessert, and the restaurant had remembered that I stated it was my partner‘s birthday in the reservation, so they wrote „Happy Birthday“ on the plate. Lovely. The staff were extremely attentive and explained the dishes very well. I loved this restaurant and was happy with the experience overall.

I went to this restaurant in 2020 by chance and after that I’ve recommended this twice this year to my friends visiting Edinburgh as a great place to visit and to try haggis! Would go again next time I visit.

What amazing food! Very good! And very welcoming and friendly staff. They even did an extra effort for my wife’s birthday. I would not hesitate to come again! One tip: just know that if you like to spend a nice evening eating you have to announce it to staff. Otherwise you will be served starters, main and desserts in 45 minutes flat.

Took my mum to Howies Victoria St. The staff are very attentive, and efficient. The food was excellent, and main dishes piping hot. It was quite noisy, but to be expected as it was very busy. Having the 2 course offer + being able to take your own wine (Sun - Thurs) makes the price very reasonable. Would definately go back

The restaurant is centrally located and can get quite busy during peak hours (booking in advance is recommended). We ate well: the portions were generous and the starters were especially good. We were served by Maddie, who pleasantly surprised me with her energy and smile! She is truly great with customers, Thanks !

We came to this restaurant because it was recommended to us, and we absolutely loved it. Very good and affordable traditional Scottish dishes. And for the service, we were served by Maddie 😊 and she couldn’t have been nicer!! She treated us wonderfully and made us want to come back to the restaurant! 💯

Had a day out in Edinburgh with my daughter and granddaughter on the 8th of January, it was a birthday meal for my granddaughter. She searched online and liked the look of your menu, so we booked for 1 o clock, we were not disappointed, the food was delicious, the service was excellent served by attentive smiley staff. As a birthday treat for my granddaughter we could not have asked for anything better. When visiting Edinburgh in the future I will certainly visit you again, and will also recommend you to anyone visiting your beautiful capital city.

Good food. Reasonable lunch specials, we got the Chargrilled chicken breast and hamburger. The lunch special included dessert, enjoyed the Affogato with an additional shot of Amaretto very much!

I was able to walk in for a table for 1 person during dinner rush hour which seemed like its normally not easily obtained, would recommend reservations. The service was very good, the staff was quick and attentive and the food came out quick. The haggis appetizer was a pretty big portion, bigger than I had initially imagined it to be. Definitely shareable, would probably had it as my entree as I initially wanted dessert, but was too full for dessert after my venison stew! The haggis was delicious is was served with a very clean presentation and came with both turnip and potato mash which was delicious which a spattering of a gravy on top. The venison stew was a little too salty for me and a few of the stew meat was dry and chewy, but overall flavor profile was rich and tasty. They gave me a little shortbread cookie with my check and that was dinner!

Everything was perfect, Staff was so lovely and nice atmosphere was great, I had a great soup and steak so delicious, also we ordered a beaf burger, the taste was new for me it has ginger in the souse which i didn’t like but everything else was great 👍

Had a lovely lunch at Howies on Victoria Street. The soup was absolutely delicious, and the catch-of-the-day salmon with its sauce was a real highlight. The panna cotta was good too, though the soup and fish really stood out. Service was polite and attentive. Just to note, water is served by the bottle and added to the bill. Overall, a cozy spot in the Old Town with great food, definitely worth a visit.

The ambiance and atmosphere were nostalgic and beautiful, the welcome and service were very good, and the traditional dishes were quite successful. However, we really regretted paying around 30 pounds for a half portion of lobster, as it only consisted of two small pieces of meat. The portion definitely didn’t justify the price. If we had known this beforehand, we would have ordered something else.

We were really looking forward to dining here but were very disappointed. We ordered ribeye medium rare, haggis, venison, lamb, and a few other dishes. Ribeye was extremely hard to chew and definitely not medium rare. Haggis and lamb were not as good as a bar restaurant we randomly walked in the other day. We also waited 30min + to get water. If you mostly only allow reservations and charge ppl for cancellations, you need to at least put in good efforts on service and food quality. Otherwise, be less stuck up so ppl don’t have high expectations. This feels like a tourist trap.