The Table — Restaurant in City of Edinburgh

A totally under the radar restaurant. My son booked this three years plus ago, and in the meantime, they'd updated their booking system and lost his. The chef sorted it personally and phoned him to confirm everything was OK. It's an auspicious start.

We turned up outside the door with very discretion signage and were surprised to find it shut. Not to worry, it opened up on time, and we were invited in by the chef, Sean. It is a long, breakfast bar style eatery with only 10 customers per night, and the food is cooked right in front of you. Sean and his co-worker Keith got us in and settled down, then explained what would be happening, offering us drinks menus to choose from

Once we had our drinks, the magic began.

They started making the meal before us, Sean speaking with the customers and Keith quietly getting on, doning a white glove to set the cutlery and keeping everything running smoothly. They play a wide selection of music from the 50's through to the nineties while cooking as well.

Sean explained what each course was as it was served and some background details about the food. Which is sublime.

A very quick summary of our menu, it's highly likely yours will not be the same, but the quality will be.

1  canopes, minin madelime whisky cheese

Deep fried olive hw

2 Starter frogs leg,pear garlic

3 biased ox cheek and polenta.  Melt in mouth

4 Haddock

5 guinea fowl

6 chicken liver cherry parfait and french toast/brioche cream

7  powdered caram1  canopes, minin madelime whisky cheese

Canapés. Deep fried olive with haggis was my favourite.

2 Starter frogs legs with pear and garlic

3 Braised ox cheek and polenta.  Melt in mouth

4 Haddock, it's not octopus in the photo but creamed Haddock. Sublime.

5 Guinea fowl

6 chicken liver cherry pate and french toast/brioche cream

7  Powdered caramel - a total Willy Wonka experience.

8  Eastern med.  Cinnamon cream,  pistachio coconut Turkish delight, filo pastry and sorbet

Borghetti coffee liqueur, lovely.

9  Madeline, marshmallow raspberry,  gran mariner truffle

8  Eastern med.  Cinnamon cream,  pistachio coconut Turkish delight filo pastry and sorbet

Borghetti coffee liqueur

9  Madeline, marshmallow raspberry,  grans mariner truffle.

Once the meal is finished, the two guys are happy to chat while tidying up. Overall, it was an absolutely incredible eating experience. If you are in the happy position of being able to afford it, this is an absolute must if you are visiting Edinburgh. If, like me, you live here, then this is a bucket list restaurant for food lovers. They also have a new bistro just opened called "Under the table," which is directly underneath.

Bookings open on the first of each month for the...

There are not enough stars...

What a fabulous dining experience! I love the concept, and the execution. Sean and Keith have created something which feels unique and special - a fine dining experience which is relaxed and unpretentious, and fun!

The concept: one long table which seats up to 10, in front of the kitchen, where you can watch and interact with the two chefs as they go about their business.

The execution: ... And what business! Michelin star level food, all freshly prepared and dished out in front of you. It's fun - lots of fun - to watch how they efficiently and masterfully run their kitchen, dovetailing and complementing each other. They have perfected the timing of the evening - 7+ dishes over 4 hours, and it all just... Flows. Not rushed, not slow, just perfect.

The food: next level. A riot of flavour, colour, and presentation. Every dish is distinctly different from the last, and the flavours... I don't have the words. Absolutely delicious from start to finish. (Note: there are no allowances for allergies / dislikes, so if you can't eat what is put in front of you this is not the restaurant for you.)

I wanted to wipe every plate with my finger, it was hard letting even a sliver of the fabulous flavours return to the kitchen.

I had the standard wine pairing, and it's a delight as Sean introduces you to each: the region, the grape, the vineyard, and the notes and tastes to expect. I'm not a seasoned expert, but each seemed perfectly paired with the dish it was matched to, and every wine was delicious. Excellent value for money.

Sincere compliments and thanks to Sean and Keith, not just for the food but the entire experience. They are wonderful hosts, and create a real down-to-earth, relaxed atmosphere which enhances the evening. And they genuinely seem to be having fun while they do it!

Embarrassing end note: I had the wine pairing, wifey did not. Yet somehow she left me to pay. No problem: take machine, enter tip, tap card.

Only... Tip enters as pence, not pounds. Shambles. Sean, lovely bloke that he is, had the good grace not to react and acted like nothing had happened.

Hopefully the 5 star review is small recompense - I'll make it up the next time I'm in town!

Cannot recommend The Table highly enough. Everyone should try to experience it at least once. Might become an annual...

As Americans visiting Edinburgh, we can confidently say this restaurant alone made the journey across the pond worthwhile! From the moment we stepped in, we were captivated by its truly unique atmosphere--not pretentious, but just an intimate gathering of 10 guests around an open kitchen. There was an immediate sense of camaraderie and conversation.

One of the highlights was undoubtedly the company. We were delighted to find ourselves dining with locals – a rare and wonderful experience. Swapping stories and hearing their perspectives, especially on their travels to the States, added an unexpected layer to our evening.

The wine pairing is an absolute must. Sean's knowledge and passion for wine shine through, as he curates pairings that don't just complement, but elevate each dish. While we opted for the standard pairing, the option for an upgraded package is tempting, and we'd certainly consider it for a future visit with friends, just to explore more of his selections.

And then, of course, there's the food – the undeniable star of the show. Having dined at many acclaimed restaurants, we can absolutely say this was next-level. Every single bite was a testament to meticulous curation and culinary artistry. The flavor combinations were genuinely unique, unlike anything we'd ever encountered. We left feeling perfectly satisfied, pleasantly full without any hint of being overstuffed – a testament to the ideal portioning. From the first bite to the last, we were utterly enamored.

Be prepared for a four-hour culinary adventure, but trust us, the time will fly by. We haven't stopped raving about this meal since, and it remains a cherished memory of our trip...