The top Scottish eateries of the year have been crowned.
Skua has been named among Scotland’s best restaurants(Image: Callum Moffat / Daily Record)
Scotland’s best restaurants for 2025 have been named by food experts. A total of seven eateries have been singled out, with one city dominating.
On Wednesday, November 19, OpenTable unveiled its list of the top 100 restaurants in the UK for 2025. The online restaurant-reservation service company’s roundup was chosen based on insights and reviews from diners.
Five of the seven Scottish restaurants to appear on OpenTable’s list of the best restaurants in the UK are based in Edinburgh. Little Capo, Paz Taqueria, Skua, The Broughton, and The Spanish Butcher in the Scottish capital were all singled out.
Little Capo is a small restaurant located in Edinburgh’s New Town, centred around an aperitivo bar and dining counter. The eatery specialises in “Italian-ish” dishes such as calamari fritti with salsa verde, risotto with asparagus and scamorza, and pappardelle with ox cheek ragù and celeriac.
Elsewhere, Skua is a small and intimate restaurant found in the lower levels of Stockbridge’s St Stephen Street. The venue, which has been awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand, serves up elegant dishes such as sika deer tartare, cured sea trout, and hogget croquette.
Paz Taqueria is a bustling Mexican restaurant situated in the heart of the city. It is known for its authentic street food, hand-pressed tacos, and expertly crafted cocktails.
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Meanwhile, The Broughton on Broughton Street is a gastropub that has been recognised in the 2025 Michelin Guide. Its lunch and dinner menu includes Highland venison loin, fish and chips, and braised globe artichoke.
Finally, the last Edinburgh restaurant to be included on OpenTable’s list is The Spanish Butcher. The steakhouse, situated on North Castle Street, offers Galician beef, Jamón Ibérico, fresh-caught Scottish seafood, and more.
Another restaurant to be singled out by OpenTable is Dé Buddha Authentic Nepalese Restaurant and Bar in Johnstone. The Renfrewshire eatery specialises in dishes that showcase the culture, flavours, and hospitality of Nepal.
The last Scottish restaurant featured on the UK-wide roundup is The Rustic Grill in the Aberdeenshire town of Turriff. The family-run business serves modern small plates, as well as brunch dishes, smoked ribs, and pulled pork.
Elsewhere, London dominates OpenTable’s list of the 100 best restaurants in the UK. Around half of all the eateries featured on the prestigious list are located in the English capital.
Senior director at OpenTable in the UK and Ireland Sasha Shaker commented: “Dining has become about far more than what’s on the plate this year. It’s about connection and creating unforgettable moments together, with new research showing that 79 per cent of Brits say eating out helps them feel more connected to others.
“With Brits set to dine out six times a month on average in 2026, we’re confident that restaurants will remain at the heart of the UK’s social scene in the year ahead.”
See below for all of the Scottish restaurants named among the best in the UK for 2025. The full list can be found on the OpenTable website.
Scotland’s best restaurants for 2025
- The Rustic Grill, Turriff
- Little Capo, Edinburgh
- Paz Taqueria, Edinburgh
- Skua, Edinburgh
- The Broughton, Edinburgh
- The Spanish Butcher, Edinburgh
- Dé Buddha Authentic Nepalese Restaurant and Bar, Johnstone