The Edinburgh food scene is more than deep-fried Mars bars and haggis. It is, for instance, brimming with some amazing Chinese restaurants, serving beautiful dim sum, noodle dishes and dumplings. Check out our list of the best Chinese restaurants in Edinburgh below.
Chop Chop
Why: Fronting its tagline of ‘Can a billion people be wrong?’ on both its restaurant window and menus, Chop Chop prides itself on being dubbed Edinburgh’s best Chinese restaurant. This combined with lots of praise being received in the national press means Chop Chop has grown in popularity, and we can see why. Noodles and (especially) dumplings are at the forefront of their best dishes and delivered with real panache – we'd say you simply must go.
Where: 248 Morrison Street, EH3 8DT
Why: If it’s westernised Chinese food you’re after, keep scrolling. Authenticity is the order of the day at Wing Sing Inn, which is probably why its regulars mainly consist of Chinese expats – always a good sign in our eyes. Another couple of pluses are its reasonable prices and generous portions – expect fresh seafood and norther Chinese hotpots. What it lacks in décor, it sure makes up for in flavour and exciting ingredients. Pork lung, jellyfish or preserved eggs, anyone?
Where: 147 Dundee Street, EH11 1BP
B&D’s Kitchen
Why: B&D’s Kitchen has been serving up traditional Cantonese food to the hungry people of Edinburgh since 2012, and has since then climbed to the upper tiers of the best Chinese restaurants in town. Limited seating, phone-booking only and its no-corkage BYOB policy mean this is a popular spot. Turning out all the usual suspects from the Cantonese kitchen, dishes such as the Peking duck and lobster with ginger and spring onion should be on your hit-list.
Where: 214 Dalry Road, EH11 2ES
Karen’s Unicorn
Why: Don’t be alarmed by the blue and purple neon lighting and heavy black velvet curtains at Karen’s Unicorn – the food is as fun and inviting as its name. The subtle Cantonese cooking is evident in house specialities such as salt and spice squid, and steamed seabass in a black bean sauce. Right in the centre of town, it’s also good for lunch when sightseeing or a hearty meal before painting the town red.
Where: 8B Abercromby Place, EH3 6LB
Cool Jade
Why: Complete with white tablecloths and origami napkins, Cool Jade is one of Edinburgh’s finest Chinese restaurants. This family-friendly spot is elevated by enthusiastic staff and authentic Chinese cooking. Opt for signature dishes such as the Sizzling Chui Chui or Spicy Morning Glory to get an inkling as to why the restaurant has become so popular among locals. There’s also a handsome Chef’s Banquet that showcases the top dishes on the menu. Be aware of summer holiday closures.
Where: 3-4 Downie Terrace, EH12 7AU
Why: Operating since 1984, this can almost be considered an old-school Chinese in Edinburgh – we guess the Georgian design details play their part, too. The fare is Scottish Cantonese, using proud local ingredients (largely seafood) with Chinese cooking techniques. The spiced and salted monkfish with chilli is a winner, and so are the scallops with cashew nuts served in a nest. There are also some delicious tasting menus, such as an ‘Executive Dinner’ and ‘Crispy Duck Dinner’.
Where: 19-21 Dundas Street, EH3 6QG
China Red
Why: Often, Chinese food is associated with buffets, and although buffets are – in our not so humble opinion – one of life’s little wonders, they sometime get a negative (and unfair) reputation. Not at China Red’s two Edinburgh sites, though. The buffets are loved by the locals and we can understand why with a regularly changing menu and neatly presented desserts. For £10.99 (£14.50 on Sundays and bank holidays), you get to stuff your face with more than 40 different dishes – let’s get stuck in! PS: there’s karaoke at the New Market site. You’re welcome.
Where: 6 New Market Road, EH14 1RJ and 30 Grindlay Street, EH3 9AP
Chinese Manor House
Why: Located close to Edinburgh Airport, the purple-galore Chinese Manor House is a popular choice with tourists, but the locals love it, too. With a dedicated children’s menu, it’s also an ideal spot for a family meal. It’s the first restaurant to bring the dish of Hong Kong lime duck to Edinburgh, so we recommend you give that a go. If not, the salt and haggis chilli is a must-try dish that fuses Scottish and Chinese cuisines.
Where: 2 Glasgow Rd, EH12 8HL
Beijing Banquet Danderhall
Why: The seasonally-changing menu at Beijing Banquet Danderhall comes in the shape of a buffet, which means you should arrive hungry. Stack up on a rich array of seafood, dim sum and noodle dishes in the handsome dining room, which is all dark oak and brick with smart-looking tables with white cloths. The family-run restaurant is a local favourite and also has sites in Glenrothes, Sighthill and Renfrew.
Where: 17 Maulsford Avenue, EH22 1PJ
The Rendezvous Restaurant
Why: Turning out authentic Chinese cuisine to the punters of Edinburgh since 1956, Rendezvous is one of the city’s original Chinese restaurants. We would go for the Peking-style banquet, which features all your favourite Chinese specialities, such as crispy aromatic duck, lemon chicken, special fried rice and toffee apple for pud. The extensive a la carte menu showcases all you would ever want from a Chinese restaurant, though, so you’re guaranteed to find your favourite knocking about if you don't fancy a full set menu.
Where: 10a Queensferry Street, EH2 4PG
Loon Fung Restaurant
Why: Having operated since 1972, Loon Fung has been making friends with locals for nearly 45 years, and it’s the restaurant's classic Chinese cooking that keeps people returning again and again. Going as a group? The ‘Special Banquet’ showcases the best of the best on the menu, with dishes such as aromatic crispy duck, sizzling prawns with spicy Malay sauce and shredded chilli beef. A range of set menus for two people or more means easy decision-making – as does the ‘Our recommendations’ page on the a la carte.
Where: 2 Warriston Place, EH3 5LE
The Golden Dragon
Why: Another long-standing Chinese that still impresses the locals (this one has been open since 1964), The Golden Dragon serves traditional Cantonese food in a smart dining room. Using locally-sourced Scottish ingredients to turn out authentic Chinese dim sum, head chef Mr Chan puts emphasis on texture and balance of flavour and colour. The most popular dish on the menu has for a long time been the deep-fried shredded beef – you should give it a go!
Where: 21 Castle St, EH2 3DN
On the hunt for a breakfast spot, too? Here are our top picks of where to go for breakfast in Edinburgh