Barry Fish — Restaurant in City of Edinburgh

Earlier this week, a friend and I had the great pleasure of dining at‘ Barry Fish’ – the new restaurant on the block - at the Shore, Leith. Barry Bryson is a renowned, award-winning private chef (and, going way back, once owner of The Circle Cafe at Canonmills, which I used to frequent – frequently! The food – and baking – was sublime.) He was also a guest cook at the New Town Cookery School – a fav. place of mine for taking short courses). So, I knew the food would be incredible.

First, the restaurant is beautiful inside – designed entirely by Robin, Barry’s husband - the décor in soft greens and creams is immediately calming, and softens any street noise outside – relaxing without the ambiance being remotely stilted or stuffy. As we entered, it was pleasantly busy with much chatter and laughter… and yet the sound did not carry to adjoining tables – it was cosy, atmospheric and enticing. Our coats were taken on entering, and water was offered within seconds of us being shown to our table.

We were there for lunch – and so chose from the LOW TIDE Menu. We decided to share mains and chose: Kedgeree: House-Smoked Haddock, Marsala Rice, Organic Eggs and Barry Fishcakes: Crowdie, Lemon and Endive Salad. We included two ‘Wee Bowls’ of Leith Lyonnaise Potatoes deep fried with Parsley and Onion, and Endive Salad, with Capers and Fennel. All – every single morsel - was mouth-wateringly good. The mains were all tempting – and I could have drowned in having a share of each dish – gladly. But, the friend I was with has way more control! Our Pudding was the ‘special’: Salted Dark Chocolate Orange with Chantilly Cream and Raspberries - melt-in-the-mouth wonderful. I had a glass of the Rosé wine – which was excellent - if I hadn’t been driving back to Anstruther would have indulged in another glass or two... or three!

Oh – and thank you Barry for the little smoked trout treat as an appetiser before we even got started.

The service was unobtrusive throughout our meal and exemplary – it was obvious that all the staff were operating as a great team, and were well trained (and knowledgeable about the menu and wines). It is worth mentioning that the background music does not drown out conversation – my bête noire. I loved Robin’s attention to small details throughout the elegant, understated restaurant aesthetic... especially the stunning custom-made bar top with scallop design, and different coloured wire artwork dotted around the walls – created for the restaurant by a local artist and sculptor, Sheila Jardine (Newhaven) - as well as the fish skeleton motif etched in the windows.

Accessibility is easy peasy – jump on the tram from the centre of town and disembark at The Shore stop – Barry Fish is a couple of minutes around the corner.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this restaurant and will be returning – and the food is lip-smackin, ace tasting, ever...

Update (May 2025) - been several times now. It's all (food, staff, setting etc) still utterly brilliant. We had the special (hot smoked salmon with asparagus and radish), which was stunning, and shared sides of endive, caper & fennel salad, and the Leith Lyonnaise potatoes. And we got to try the marmalade ice cream too...well worth the wait.

(Feb 2025) In four words...outstanding in every way. In more than four words...this is a really special restaurant and you should really go. Soon. Now even. I visited on Sunday for lunch with a friend. I'd been excited for Barry Fish to open since hearing about its arrival a few months ago so expectations were running quite high. These expectations were not only met, but exceeded which is especially impressive given it was only their 5th day of opening. The restaurant interiors have been beautifully created by Barry's husband and co-owner Robin, and are cosy, classy, inviting and stylish without being over the top. The front of house team are genuinely warm and service was attentive but not intrusive throughout. And so to the food...quite simply the best meal out I have had in a long time. Barry kindly sent out an amuse bouche of smoked aubergine tartlet with goat curd with our drinks and we then feasted on three dishes from the Low Tide menu (just the right amount for two people) which is served until 3pm and comprises around 8 items, mostly fish but meat and vegetarian options are catered for across the entire menu). We had a tough time choosing but eventually went with fishcakes, crab focaccia and sea trout pastrami. Every single dish was executed perfectly...utterly mouth watering, superbly flavoured and beautifully presented. I'd elaborate further but you could be using the time to book a table! Sadly the marmalade ice cream wasn't available but I'll definitely be back so there's plenty of time to try that. Huge congratulations to Barry and all of the team. Book now, or just run down there now and see if they have any tables free! The price indicated on my review was for 3 dishes between two, drinks, tea and a very well...

Wonderful. Simply wonderful. From the moment we stepped in, all was correct, proper and in its right plaice. Sorry, couldn't resist it. But groan-worthy puns aside, Barry Fish is - as the Edinburgh slang of its name intends - absolutely 'barry', meaning excellent. Food, service, ambience - all on point. From a focused lunch menu of lighter dishes (bigger plates in the evenings), we had fishcakes with Crowdie and salad, and a crab focaccia. Oh, and some of Barry's famed Lyonnaise potatoes on the side; so good they deserve their own Insta account. Nothing showy though. Just quality ingredients in beautifully considered, executed and presented dishes - proof that, with the right talent in the kitchen, you can work wonders. On which note, Barry also happens to be the name of the owner and Head Chef; an absolutely lovely chap who took time to stop by our table on a hot sunny Saturday lunchtime to have a chat. Such is the friendly, chilled-out vibe in Barry Fish (shout-out for the decor too; a masterclass in tasteful, arty understatement). As we finished off a bottle of crisp chilled white - decent wine list too - the Edinburgh haar rolled in across the Shore. No matter. This gem - unlike that infamous sea mist - is a clear winner. If you're down Leith, catch...