Amber Restaurant — Restaurant in City of Edinburgh

Horrible experience. 1 star because the food (without the hair) was good!

TLDR: We were treated very unprofessionally after we found a hair on salmon. They said it wasn't the cook's hair and brought the plate back to the table.

Long Version: My sister and I went to have lunch with our daughters after completing the Scotch Whiskey Experience. My sister ordered the sea bass and I ordered the beef stew. However, the chef kindly let us know that sea bass was not available and offered to substitute it for salmon. My sister agreed.

When we received our food my sister (short dark blonde hair in a pony tail) took her first bite and found a very long light blonde hair in her salmon. She flagged down the waitress and the waitress respectfully apologized and took the plate away. However, shortly thereafter, the waitress brings back the plate with the hair and tells us that "no one in the kitchen has this type of long hair" basically accusing us of putting the hair ourselves We stare in disbelief and asked what she expected us to do (eat it????)? The waitress asked what we wanted. So, we tell her for it to be re-done because my sister wasn't going to eat fish with a foreign hair. The waitress leaves and takes the plate away for a second time.

Meanwhile, the rest of the us are enjoying our meal and my sister is sitting down at our table with visibility of the kitchen area. The cook kept on staring at her and making weird facial expressions. So, when we all finish our food, we call the waitress and explain to her that we will not be waiting for the new plate as 1. The rest of the group has finished eating and 2. The employees are being extremely unprofessional. The waitress insists on us waiting for the new plate since it's been entered into the system. We decline. The waitress then goes off and calls her manager.

The manager shows up. He apologizes and says his employees are not trained to handle this type of situations which is ridiculous if you're in the restaurant business. He then tells us (in a weird way... Kind of like doing us a favor) that he will not charge us the plate of fish with the hair. We were baffled. I cannot believe he actually for a moment thought that we would pay for a plate of food we didn't consume given the circumstances.

Lots of food options on the Royal Mile. Stay away...

Amber Restaurant, Edinburgh – A Dream You’ll Want to Stay In

Have you ever had a dream you wished you’d never wake from? Or woken only to realize you were still dreaming? Or stepped into a museum that swept you into the past, as though you were living a life beyond your own? It may sound like fantasy, but for whisky lovers, Amber is where dreams manifest.

You might need a few pinches to believe it: one of Edinburgh’s finest whisky experiences sits modestly tucked beneath the whisky shop façade of Amber Restaurant. To the casual passerby, it’s just a storefront. But descend into the basement, and you’ll uncover a treasure trove—a library of liquid gold telling Scotland’s stories one dram at a time.

With over 500 expressions laid out to tempt the curious and the connoisseur alike, Amber’s collection feels infinite. The digital catalogue is a whisky-lover’s delight, letting you search by label, region, tasting notes—whatever suits your inquiry. It's brilliantly accessible, whether you’re new to the dram or deep into your journey.

And whisky is only the beginning. The culinary offerings are every bit as phantasmagorical as the libations they accompany. I highly recommend the Taste of Scotland menu—a worry-free, expertly paired exploration that caters to both the curious and the open-minded. There’s also an à la carte menu that allows you to shape your own experience and craft a truly memorable meal.

What elevates Amber beyond its exceptional food and drink is its people. The staff are warm, attentive, and genuinely eager to share their passion and stories. We arrived 30 minutes early and were welcomed without hesitation. Every interaction felt personal, and the ambiance they created—through kindness and knowledge—was something I hadn’t felt anywhere else in Edinburgh.

Whether it’s your first visit to the city or your final evening on the town, I wholeheartedly encourage you to surrender to the enchantment of Amber. It’s not just a restaurant—it’s a dream...

Food was decent- good quality ingredients well prepared, cooked and put together. Lacked punch or any sort of bold flavour though. A bit of seasoning would go a long way. I started with a fish broth with saffron and ginger which was nice- fish poached perfectly in the creamy broth but really lacking any kick of ginger or earthiness of saffron. The venison for main course was tender and cooked perfectly but again the sauce, while having a near perfect consistency and shine lacked any sort of deep flavour which would go so well. Even a little bit of salt would have perked these dishes up, so I did add some myself. The place itself lacked atmosphere- the spacing for Covid no doubt contributing to that but the restaurant feels a little like a gift shop/cafeteria. The furniture is a major cause of this with varnished pine tabletops devoid of any decoration or dinner settings. The little paper pockets that contain your cutlery (another Covid measure probably) and the salt and pepper sachets (which you will need for your food) add to the cafeteria feel. Service was ok- everyone was helpful, well presented and courteous. Overall the staff seemed a little bit green in terms of knowledge and experience and could be a bit more on top of clearing menus, glasses, etc to provide more space on the table. Overall it was ok, but the menu and prices suggest a fine dining experience that didn't quite materialise. A few small tweaks and...