Posh lunch near Waverley Edinburgh?!

[Iamaf]

I have a rich foody friend and NO idea where to take them for Saturday lunch. Can anyone recommend anything interesting - ideally near Waverley?
many thanks indeed!

Millions of places! Fhior, Number One at the Balmoral, Lyla, Aizle, Cardinal, The Table doesn't do lunch afaik but they have a new bistro downstairs called Under The Table - it's less fancy though.

These are all high-end/foodie but not always the most relaxed - if you were looking for something more casual and relaxed, Little Capo, Tipo, Wedgwood, Cafe St Honore.

For Italian, try Amarone up on the corner of George Street. Very nice, but noisy and you'll need to book.

Amarone, though nice, is a bog standard Italian place, not remotely posh!

On/near the royal mile Wedgewoods, Angels with bagpipes,
The Outsider

The Colonnades at the Signet Library, it's afternoon tea but very fancy and a lovely ambience.

https://www.thesignetlibrary.co.uk/colonnades/afternoon-tea/

David Bann is excellent. It’s vegetarian only but worth a visit even if you normally eat meat

I had a lovely meal at Forage and Chatter, it's about a 15 minute walk form the station but the food was well worth it.

Witchery

Appreciate that, but OP didn't say posh. She said foodie.

The Balmoral hotel and the Scotsman are both very nice hotels with restaurants and both virtually in Waverley station if not moving is your priority.

Brasserie Prince at the Balmoral.

The Urban Angel down Hanover street is lovely . But small so you would need to book.
The Scran and Scallie in Stockbridge is fab. A bit more of a walk (15-20 mins) but it’s in Stockbridge which is lovely to wander round.
Dishoom is good in St Andrews Square is she likes Indian food

I'd recommend Wedgwood on Royal Mile, much better than the brasserie at the Balmoral, which I found disappointing in the summer.

At this time of year I'd look at the Grand Cafe at the Scotsman - very close to Waverley and incredibly pretty setting

Contini or the Dome on George Street, Balmoral or the Scotsman hotel

How about The Spence? Would be lovely this time of year. @HelloMyNameIsElderSmurf has made some great suggestions too.

Noto is also great and not too far. Would give Amarone a swerve, in my opinion it's ok but I'm not convinced it's not central kitchen type stuff. Nothing wrong with that but I think places should be transparent.

I normally have a moan about Scran & Scallie being part of the dodgy Kitchen empire - you can Google for the history.

I doubt the Dome will have availability and again don't think the food is meant to be special.

Witchery has been resting on its laurels for years now.

Ondine is nice, sadly and understandably they're moving as the scaffolding around it won't be removed until well after it was meant to.

Re-read the title of the OP….

Yeah, I spotted that, afterwards. Didn't think it was worth reposting just to say that, but seeing as you're hawkeyed/petty enough to point it out hours later.....I acknowledge my error and henceforth shall banish myself to lower class establishments. Shame on me.

The Dome. Cafe Andaluz.

The Scotsman hotel is very pretty for a drink but the food is appalling. I don't mean 'not posh or not for a foodie', I mean Brakes Brothers levels of bought in rubbish.

Thanks everyone! We are going to Lyla! It looks amazing. Everywhere is booked solid so we were lucky. Thank you for the gorgeous suggestions. Ill report back

Yes indeed

@Iamaf please do! It's on my list to try, I like Stuart Ralston's other places and love seafood. Enjoy your lunch!

Oooh poggis I can recommend Lyla. Beautiful food, really gorgeous. amazing tastes, lovely staff. I want to live there! Let me know when you go what you think.

Weird reaction, are you from Edinburgh?