Best Edinburgh restaurants according to renowned chefs Jimmy Lee and Kaori Simpson
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Finding the right spot to grab a bite to eat in the capital is never easy with so many options littered throughout the city.
With that in mind, two renowned Scottish chefs have covered all the bases, giving their professional opinion on which eateries they would dine in for specific occasions.
First up is Japanese entrepreneur and chef Kaori Simpson. She is the culinary heart behind Edinburgh's award-winning Harajuku Kitchen (Golden Chopsticks Best Restaurant in Scotland 2019 & 2021).
Raised in a family deeply connected to Japanese cuisine and with experience at Michelin-starred The Kitchin, Kaori masterfully blends her heritage with a passion for seasonal Scottish ingredients to create authentic and celebrated Japanese comfort food.
Harajuku Kitchen's quality and authenticity have earned it a loyal following and the distinction of being the official caterer for the Consulate General of Japan and other key organisations.
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Kaori's picks for EDINBURGH
1. Best restaurant for a first date?
"Little Capo opened not too long ago but has been an exciting addition to the Edinburgh dining scene.
"It serves Italian style small and large plates and has a fabulous cocktail list. The atmosphere is electric and there is a real buzz no matter what day or time you go!"
2. Best place to get authentic food?
"Nixo's Greek Street Food in Portobello. It serves the best gyros outside of Greece - brings me back to Mykonos Island!"
3. Best place to grab Sunday brunch?
"Margot in Bruntsfield. It only opened last year and is part of the team behind the restaurant, leftfield.
"It's a cool little neighbourhood hangout with stunning dishes and pastries on offer. It's the best brunch you can get in the Southside! Order the Turkish eggs. They are incredible."
4. Best late night/guilty pleasure?
"Edinburgh Street Food for sure. I'm not being biased as we are a vendor there, but it has so many options with a fantastic bar and the food and drinks are brought to the tables. I love a late night Razzo Pizza!"
5. What the must-go place you recommend to everyone to try that no one really knows about?
"Konj Persian Cafe at the Lyceum Theatre. Farah the chef and owner uses her family recipes to create hearty Iranian dishes."
Next is Jimmy Lee, who is the dynamic chef proprietor behind Glasgow's popular Lychee Oriental and a familiar face on ITV's 'This Morning' and previously as co-host of 'Julie and Jimmy's Hot Woks'. With over 40 million views on TikTok, his culinary expertise reaches a wide audience.
Jimmy has also showcased his skills on BBC's 'Great British Menu', judged on 'Kirstie's Handmade Christmas', and on Channel 4's 'My Kitchen Rules' alongside Prue Leith and Michael Caine. His debut cookbook, "Jimmy's Smoking Wok," offers readers his signature fast and flavourful recipes, from takeaway favourites to authentic Chinese dishes, charting his journey from his father's takeaway to becoming a celebrated chef and online sensation.
Jimmy's picks for EDINBURGH
1. Best restaurant for a first date?
"You're in Edinburgh you need to impress - go to Sushi Samba: great sushi and stunning views."
2. Best place to get authentic food?
"Sichuan House - Authentic Sichuan cuisine. It's always busy with students which is a good sign!
"Mao's Braised Pork is a must and if you're feeling adventurous try the Sliced Beef in Hot Chilli Oil."
3. Best place to grab Sunday brunch?
"Singapore Coffee House - Experience Singapore Coffee culture in Edinburgh! It serves Delicious Coffee, and you need to try the Kaya Toast with Soft Eggs"
4. Best late night/guilty pleasure?
"Bar Napoli - After a late night out you must come here for a pizza! specifically for the Pizza Norcina!"
5. What must-visit place do you recommend to everyone to try that no one really knows about?
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"Imperial Palace - Authentic Dim Sum in outside the City Centre. You won't get better than this place. The roast duck is melt-in-your-mouth amazing."
Both restaurateurs are set to appear at the Ideal Home Show Scotland which is set to take place from May 23 to the 26, from 10 am to 5 pm, at the SEC, with the popular event bringing together hundreds of brands to shop from, live talks from top celebrities, the latest technology, and fresh ideas from our team of experts. Tickets also include free entry to The Eat & Drink Festival.
Tickets are available now from the Ideal Home Show Scotland website.
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