18 Fun Edinburgh Restaurants & Dining Experiences for Teens

Looking for a restaurant, cafe or pub in Edinburgh to eat with  teenagers? 

You’re in luck! There are tons of fun and unforgettable places to eat in this brilliant city. In fact, we’ve only touched the surface in this article. 

Whether you’re looking Instagrammable cafes, quick food on the go or restaurants for special occasions like a teenage birthday – we’ve got you covered.

With two teenage boys myself I know how picky they can be so we’ve included something for all tastes. Enjoy burgers, pizzas and ice cream to curries and gourmet cuisine. 

Read on to explore 18 of the best restaurants, cafes and eateries in Edinburgh that teenagers will love.

The Witchery near Edinburgh Castle is a beautiful historic restaurant that teens will love.

With medieval décor, candlelit rooms, amazing food and exceptional service – it’s perfect for a special occasion.

The restaurant serves up luxurious Scottish food which can be pricey. However, if you’re looking for somewhere special and unique for a teenage birthday, it’s ideal!

Teens who love burgers and rock ‘n’ roll, must visit the Hard Rock Cafe in Edinburgh’s George Street.

Packed with memorabilia from iconic musicians, enjoy American favourites like burgers, ribs, and milkshakes in a lively atmosphere. The burgers are second to none, the portions are big and the desserts are amazing too.

There is a good selection on the menu even for gluten free food!

Perfect for teens who want to combine comfort food with a bit of musical history.

Laila Restaurant in Edinburgh has two colourful venues:

Choose between a cosy cafe on Cockburn Street in the Old Town that serves all day brunch and a restaurant, located on Antigua Street in the New Town that serves brunch and dinner. The dinner menu includes flat iron steak, chicken legs, beef burgers, fish and vegetarian food,

The stand out features of both restaurants is their playful décor and Instagrammable interiors. The food can be very instagrammable too! 

Laila’s is very welcoming. And the beautiful flower-adorned decor makes it a hit with teens.

Holy Cow is a  vegan café located on Elder Street, near the city centre. It’s tucked out of the way (easy to miss if you’re not from the area). It’s a small but friendly place, just below street level.

Known for its plant-based menu, featuring sandwiches, vegan burgers, veggie bowls, soups, vegan cakes, vegan breakfasts and pancakes, vegans and vegetarians will be spoiled for choice!

There’s also the option of afternoon tea!

The cosy cafe is great for teens and their families looking for a healthy, eco-friendly meal.

For dessert-loving teens, a visit to Mary’s Milk Bar , a retro ice-cream parlour is a must.

Enjoy unique ice cream flavours.  The only problem is there are so many flavours of ice cream to choose from – that it can become very hard to choose just one. 

It’s perfect for an ice cream after a day of exploring Edinburgh’s Old Town. Plus, enjoy the views of Edinburgh Castle while you eat your gelato on Granny Green Steps.

If you don’t fancy ice cream, they serve indulgent hot chocolates too! 

For an elegant yet teen-friendly dining experience, The Ivy on the Square in St. Andrew Square is perfect.

Teens will love snapping Instagram-worthy pics of the beautiful interior (even the pink bathroom)

The menu has plenty to choose from including truffle arancini, crispy duck salad, vegetarian food, seafood, steak or their own take on shepherd’s pie!

The afternoon tea here is a hit, too!

Sometimes Italian food with pizzas and pasta options is a great choice for a meal out with teens. Gusto in Edinburgh ticks that box. It’s a very popular Italian restaurant located on George Street. It’s also a good option if you’re eating with a large group.

Diners often talk about Gusto’s welcoming atmosphere and of course the tasty food!

It serves all the classic Italian dishes which are all made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. The menu includes pasta, pizzas, seafood, and meat dishes, with highlights such as truffle mac and cheese, stone-baked pizzas, and tiramisu for dessert. There’s also vegan options.

Gusto also offers a range of mocktails and desserts.

It’s a brilliant choice for special occasions if you want somewhere with excellent food which won’t break the bank. Perfect for birthday celebrations as well as casual meals.

Tattu is a Chinese restaurant with a stunning interior, perfect for those Instagram snaps.

Teens will love items from the menu like pan seared pork dumplings followed by Asian pear sticky toffee pudding. Or what about short ribs with a caramel flavoured sauce followed by cherry, chocolate and candy floss? 

The food is beautifully presented and delicious!

Coro the Chocolate Café in Edinburgh is ideal for chocolate lovers. 

Located in the city centre on Frederick Street, there’s a whole lot of delicious chocolate treats on the menu! 

Choose from chocolate fondue, waffles, pancakes, and crepes, all drizzled with rich chocolate sauces and topped with fresh fruits and extras like marshmallows and whipped cream. 

Portions are generous – you may need a takeaway box if you can’t finish what you’ve ordered. The only downside is that the cafe can get busy. 

Teens with a sweet tooth will love this cafe which also serves drinks like chocolate milkshakes and hot chocolates.

Cosmo – All You Can Eat World Buffet in Edinburgh is a brilliant place to try global cuisines and the ideal restaurant to refuel after exploring the city. 

The restaurant has a buffet – if you have picky teenagers this makes it a great choice. They can choose exactly what they want to eat. No wasted food. The great thing is they can try things they know as well as new dishes. The buffet has food from around the world, including Asian, English, traditional Scottish and Mediterranean cuisine. 

Enjoy everything from sushi and stir-fries to pizza, pasta, and grilled meats. There’s also live cooking stations so you can see food being prepared. 

The dessert section could be your teen’s favourite part. It’s filled with cakes, ice cream, and the overall highlight – chocolate fountain.

Hula Juice Bar and Café in Edinburgh is a trendy café and a favourite with teens who want to eat healthy food. It’s also a fab place to get vegan food near the Castle. 

The menu features fresh juices, smoothie bowls, avocado toast, colourful salads, and wraps, all made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Their signature smoothies, like the “Pink Lady” or “Mango and Goji Berry,” are perfect for a pick me up snack.

It’s a particularly good place to grab a healthy breakfast too. There’s also gluten free options.  

With tropical-themed décor and emphasis on nutritious, delicious food, Hula is the go-to café for a healthy dining experience in Edinburgh.

Scran & Scallie  is a family-friendly, gastro-pub based in Stockbridge which is a more residential area but easy to walk to from the city centre.

Enjoy fish and chips, burgers, or even traditional haggis (if you’re feeling adventurous!). Plus show me a teen who won’t like sticky toffee pudding  for dessert.

Located on George Street, Baba is part of a hotel and offers Middle Eastern-inspired cuisine. There’s a modern dining area and a bar which lead to beautiful antique rooms with cool decor.

The food is to die for – it’s worth reading some reviews to see how highly people rate the food. 

The mezze-style dining is great for teens who enjoy sharing plates and trying new flavours.

Dishes like lamb kebabs, grilled halloumi, and smoky hummus are bound to be a hit.

For pizza lovers, Pizza Geeks in Haymarket is a top choice.
Enjoy hand-stretched pizzas with playful names like “Return of the Mac” and “Cheesezilla.”

It’s a relaxed place. Don’t expect table cloths – it’s just the ideal way to get a quick pizza before heading out.  It’s casual and face-paced. Watch your pizza being made in front of you! 

Teens will relax in the chilled out atmosphere and appreciate the quirky décor, along with the delicious pizzas and garlic bread. 

Dishoom is a Bombay-style café on St. Andrew Square.

Step inside for cool, retro  decor. Enjoy flavorful Indian dishes. There’s a wide range of choice on the menu. Teens will love dishes like the chicken tikka, house-made naan, and milkshakes. Definitely try the orka fries!

it’s a little bit more on the expensive side but the food is excellent!

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If you’re looking for something extra special why not try the Dome, known for its architecture and stunning interior.

It was originally a bank but today it’s been transformed into a beautiful venue with chandeliers, marble columns, and a glass-domed ceiling.

The Dome offers British and European cuisine and afternoon tea which is served in the Georgian Tea Room.

The venue is particularly popular during Christmas and always has beautiful decorations.

The Dome is ideal for special occasions like birthdays and school graduation celebrations.

The Union of Genius. Scotland’s first soup café, located in the Old Town. It prides itself on fresh, locally sourced ingredients and sustainability. 

Tuck into delicious soups, stews, and sandwiches. The soup is perfect to warm up in the cold Edinburgh climate! Plus the flavours are amazing. The homemade pastries are also well worth trying.

It’s a great place for a quick lunch. 

For quick, street food, Oink is worth checking out. Specialising in slow-cooked hog roast, they serve pulled pork sandwiches topped with haggis, apple sauce, chilli jam or sage and onion stuffing.

It can get busy, so go early to avoid the crowds.

Located on Victoria Street, it’s a great food on the go option to keep you going until dinnertime.

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