East Lothian Restaurants Reviews, Hotels, Dining Recommendations, Location, Contact, Address

East Lothian Eating Out Guide

Dining Reviews South East Scotland Information

post updated 26 December 2021

Restaurants + Cafes + Hotels + Inns
This East Lothian restaurant guide lists restaurants & cafes with the best ones featured in detail. Most restaurants are reviewed for surroundings, food & service.

East Lothian restaurant changes
Waterside Bistro Haddington – reopened Aug 2010, reviews online
– Goblin Ha’, Gifford – New ownership in 2008, back to normal, friendly service, a fairly substantial and interesting menu

East Lothian Restaurants

Latest East Lothian Restaurant Review:

Rock’s, Dunbar

view from Rocks Dunbar Restaurant
Driving along the Dunbar coastal road in the dark The Rocks stands out as a welcoming beacon. The warm glow pulls you in.
The friendly staff have all been at The Rocks for the past six and a half years, quite unusual in the fast-moving world of catering.
Rock’s restaurant review – 15 Oct 2010

East Lothian restaurant recommendations or revisions are welcome.d: info(at)edinburgharchitecture.co.uk

Restaurant recommendations: service + interior + food & wine
* fair
** good
*** excellent
^ unreviewed

East Lothian Restaurants List

Key East Lothian restaurants listed alphabetically:

*	The Avenue restaurant, 9 Court Street, Haddington +44 (0)1620 823332 Good food & attentive service when we visited Dec 2009, cosy bar and fireplace downstairs but decor upstairs a bit dowdy. Run by award-winning chef, Craig Hunter (formerly of The Rocks) and his wife Kirsty.
**	Donald’s at Aberlady, East Lothian – Review Malcolm Duck’s sprawling whitewashed Inn located on Aberlady High Street is as charming and welcoming as Malcolm himself. Never a dull moment in neither building nor personality, never any doubt about whose guest you are. A great place to either while away the hours on a rainy afternoon or a dark wintery night – either in the well stocked bar or sampling some of the tasty offerings on the menu.Donald’s Aberlady restaurant review – 9 Oct 2010
***	Ducks at Aberlady, Main St, Aberlady +44 (0)1875 870682 Formerly in Edinburgh, Ducks Restaurant has relocated to the peaceful village of Aberlady in East Lothian, 25 mins down the coast from Edinburgh. It remains much the same but operates together with Kilspindie House (26 rooms) and Donalds an excellent Bar/Bistro all under the ownership of Malcolm Duck. The charming building dates from 1638 and is located on the south side of the high street roughly in the middle.Ducks at Aberlady restaurant review – 29 Mar 2010
**	Goblin Ha Hotel, Main Street, Gifford +44 (0)1620 810244 New ownership in 2008, friendly service, a fairly substantial and interesting menu. We’ve eaten here many times and keep going back, the food is fairly traditional and service variable but the setting is great – choice of bar or conservatory in a pleasant East Lothian village. Goblin Ha’ hotel
^	Greywalls Hotel, Duncur Road, Muirfield, Gullane +44 (0)1620 842144 Seasonal opening : Open 1 May 2010 closes end of December 2010East Lothian restaurant & hotel open again to non-residents. Greywalls hotel & restaurant has returned to being a hotel & restaurant after a brief change : Grey Walls restaurant
*	The Linton Hotel, 3 Bridgend, East Linton +44 (0)1620 860202 A Traditional Inn in the Heart of East Lothian The owners previously owned and operated Haldanes in Edinburgh for the last 13 years and took over The Linton Hotel in Jan 2009. The restaurant and bar have been refurbished to maintain a really cosy traditional feel. “A Cosy Country Treat” – 3 star Visit Scotland.The Linton Hotel restaurant review – online 20 Mar 2010
*	Tweedale Arms Hotel, High Street, Gifford +44 (0)1620 810240 Mar 2007: service & food poor when we visited, though many locals speak highly of this place Gifford restaurants
^	The Waterloo Bistro & Courtyard Bar, Haddington +44 (0)1620 822100 Waterloo Bistro HaddingtonDining review welcome
**	The Waterside Bistro , 1-5 Waterside, Haddington +44 (0)1620 825674 Reopened Aug 2010 Well-known bar and restaurant on banks of the Tyne, popular on summer weekends: Waterside Bistro.

East Lothian Restaurant Reviews

Bass Rock Bistro, North Berwick – Restaurant Review 20 Apr 2006
“A hidden gem for good sea food. This bistro, on the way to the beach at North Berwick excels for sea food, and good food in general. It emphasises the Slow Food philosophy of high quality local ingredients, simply and expertly prepared. The chef (mine host) has a knack of making the simple taste divine. We especially recommend anything and everything in the fish and seafood line, and the lamb wellington is also exceptional. The wine list is smallish, but absolutely great, and it is one of the few places in Scotland where we have enjoyed a glass or two of Prosecco. Well recommended – you’ll great a great welcome and plenty of good craic too!”
B and ME EH22
Bass Rock Bistro, 37 Quality Street, North Berwick, +44 (0)1620 890875

Castle Inn, Dirleton – Restaurant Review 26 Jan 2006
“Since our last visit the owner and manager have changed. Once pleasurable the food was dreadful and service lousy, thank god we didn’t take anyone with us or recommend it from past experience!”

The Rocks Restaurant, Dunbar, East Lothian – Restaurant Review Jul 2005
“Stumbled across this place whilst watching rugby and needed to get out of the cold in February! Warming, friendly and decent food.
5 months later on, a beautiful evening, pleasing interior, very friendly staff and again decent food, worth a drive, we now regard this our favourite romantic restaurant (bar seating area our favourite).”
E.L., Edinburgh
Rocks Restaurant, Marine Road, Dunbar +44 (0)1368 862287
Rocks Restaurant Dunbar

These Lothian restaurants are listed alphabetically:

East Lothian Restaurants – Also Recommended

Eastern Eye – Bangladeshi cuisine
6 Hardgate, Haddington +44 (0)1620 823020
Recommended, always good food & service

La Potiniere Restaurant
Main Street, Gullane +44 (0)1620 843214
We’ve read about this place for years but have yet to try it: the poky exterior is a little off putting but we understand the new owners have retained the fantastic pedigree.

Edinburgh Restaurant Reviews