Greenwoods Edinburgh — Restaurant in City of Edinburgh

When our private complaint on Instagram was dismissed as “impatience” and unfairly labeled as “disrespect toward staff,” we felt it necessary to share our experience publicly. Service Timing & Order Accuracy We are certain about the timeline: it took over 15 minutes to place our order, followed by 45 minutes of waiting before receiving the wrong dish—not once, but twice. Unless you were present and can provide evidence to the contrary, dismissing this as inaccurate is unprofessional. And if you were present, it was your responsibility as the owner to personally acknowledge and apologize. Respect in hospitality is a two-way street, and we never raised our voices or acted disrespectfully toward your staff. Suggesting otherwise shifts blame instead of addressing the actual issue. Seating Misrepresentation We did not insist on a particular table. Upon arrival, we simply asked about the window table, and your staff confirmed it was the one intended for us. When we were asked not to sit on the stairs while waiting, we complied immediately and waited outside until called in. This was never a case of “insistence” as you implied. Customer Communication It is not “inappropriate” for customers to reach out via Instagram, especially when this is one of the main channels businesses use to engage with their audience. As the owner, being accessible and receptive to feedback—even critical feedback—is part of building trust and loyalty. Dismissing complaints instead of listening creates the opposite effect.

Final Lesson for the Owner Hospitality is not just about serving food; it’s about creating an experience of respect, responsiveness, and accountability. A customer complaint—whether in person or online—is not an attack, but an opportunity to improve. Dismissing or deflecting concerns only guarantees that the issue will become public. Successful owners don’t silence feedback; they welcome it, learn from it, and use it to strengthen...

Up in Edinburgh to visit family and taken to Greenwood’s as a treat My daughter booked a table for 8.30 a.m and we arranged to meet at the restaurant but it got off to a REALLY poor start!!! My Welcome REALLY left a lot to be desired!!!!!

I arrived at 8.26 (YES 4 MINUTES EARLY) the lights were on and door was unlocked so I entered to be told by the chef from the kitchen ‘we are not open yet’ I said we had a table booked at 8.30 (in 4 minutes) and asked if I could sit and wait on the bench near the door as it was cold outside ( I had walked from my hotel) He told me to wait outside then called the waitress and said to her ‘Can you go and speak to ‘THAT WOMAN by the door and tell her we are not open !!!!’ The waitress came over by which time it must’ve been 8.28 and she asked me to wait outside as they had final things to prepare for opening! Why unlock your door if you’re not open? Why not have an Open and Closed sign on the door Why be rude to your customers?

Because the family had enjoyed eating here before and we had a hungry 3 year old in tow, I declined their offer to go somewhere else to eat even though I wanted to. My honest findings - Nice interior. The nut allergy was taken seriously! The juice was really good

The breakfast of pancake stack was disappointing and mediocre -pancakes over cooked-poached eggs perfect. Not hot enough!

The coffee not great. The atmosphere was very good. The service was really good. The waitress was really lovely and not phased by our many requests. Location good -just off Queen Street.

I will definitely not be going back because my Saturday was spoiled.

Had I arrived 5 minutes later I’m sure things would have been different but…… I feel very disappointed and still angry some 5 hours later.

I would like an apology!

Won’t give more stars because of this!

Won’t go back again as there are so many more places in Edinburgh where I’m sure I’d get a...

Horrific dining experience. When I was finally seated by the first server, 4 others passed back and forth and ignored me for over 15 minutes, speaking to other tables and asking if they were ok until I eventually shouted EXCUSE ME to one of them.

Our coffee came and I specifically asked which was which. She got them the wrong way around and we ended up drinking each other’s coffee until realising.

I ordered vegetarian breakfast with vegan bacon and they brought meat bacon. I told this third server I ordered VEGETARIAN breakfast with PLANT BASED bacon. His response was “yeah, it’s bacon,” with an “and what?” attitude and no common sense to comprehend that a vegetarian would clearly never want freaking meat based bacon on the plate! He came back a few minutes later with vegan bacon slapped on the same plate, which meat had already been on. ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING.

Then, we had to ask for salt because they left two pepper shakers on our table.

The food was bland/flavourless, partially cremated, lukewarm, and we both left half of it.

For the bill, we said the service charge of 15% is obviously being removed, and a fourth different server asked why and probed us about it, which we did not wish to discuss at that point. The sheer audacity of this establishment expecting to receive a service charge (let’s call it what it is—a TIP) from us after such appalling service is LAUGHABLE.

Also a tiny and cramped space where the tables are up each other’s backsides.

On top of that, they booked a table for 4 when I booked it for 2, and made me wait outside in the freezing cold because the table for 4 wasn’t ready on my early arrival. Had they done their job properly and booked it for 2, I could have been seated earlier and avoided freezing my jewels off!

Would not return if...