Best Restaurants Open On Christmas Day In Edinburgh 2026

• Location: 11-14a West Maitland Street, EH12 5DS
• Price: £83 for four courses
• Why we recommend: there's nowhere better than a classic Scottish boozer on Christmas Day, and this place is always filled with festive cheer. It's one of our more affordable picks too, especially if you're dining with kids

If a cosy boozer is your preferred choice for festive celebrations, then be sure to check out The Haymarket, found in the area of the same name. Take a seat on comfy leather booths in the traditional pub, or book their private dining room for up to 45 guests.

This is the perfect place to pop in for a pint before your meal, but if you're planning on staying for dinner then you're in for a treat. They're offering four courses for £83 per head, featuring walnut and almond nut roasts, pan-roasted salmon fillet and, of course, a hand-carved turkey breast with all the trimmings. Plus, there's a kids' menu for £32 too.

• Location: 18 Corstorphine Road, EH12 6HN
• Price: £95 for four courses
• Why we recommend: this swish hotel restaurant adds a touch of class to your Christmas Day, particularly if you're after something a little more exclusive for your meal

Murrayfield Bothy is found within the swish Murrayfield Hotel in the West End of Edinburgh. The stylish restaurant offers both communal and private dining spaces, featuring opulent velvet curtains, plush suede seating and a well-stocked bar.

Dine here on Christmas Day for £95 per person, including three festive courses. You'll find the traditional turkey dinner on the menu, as well as alternatives like salmon en croute, butternut squash ravioli and fillet of beef, with a brandy-coated sticky toffee pudding for dessert.

• Location: 2 Rutland Place, EH1 2AD
• Price: £92 for three courses
• Why we recommend: this is certainly one of the most Instagrammable destinations for Christmas dinner this year, thanks to its bold, gothic interiors, and there are unique options on the menu, while still maintaining traditional flavours

A striking Scottish restaurant that features some truly gorgeous interiors, Ghillie Dhu is cooking up an indulgent three-course feast on the 25th. This stylish spot is full of opulent chandeliers, gothic decor and round tables, where you can tuck into Christmas dinner with family or friends.

With seatings available throughout the afternoon and early evening, you can get your fix of prosciutto-wrapped turkey roulade, braised pumpkin strudel and roast Angus beef sirloin. Don't miss out on the glazed banana sticky toffee pudding either.

• Location: 20 North Bridge, EH1 1TR
• Price: £115 for three courses
• Why we recommend: this is one of the most refined options on our list, promising high-end eats and a swanky setting. Plus, we love the added bonus of live entertainment to set the festive mood

A renowned hotel in the heart of the city, the Scotsman Hotel & Grand Café is going all-out with their festive celebrations on the 25th. This decadent venue features marble walls, elegant chandeliers and lots of luscious foliage, creating a sophisticated setting for your Christmas meal.

They offer both adults and kids menus for £110 and £55 respectively, complete with a welcome glass of prosecco and live entertainment until 8pm. Tuck into the likes of game and pistachio terrine, salt-baked celeriac and truffle pithivier or baked monkfish wrapped in parma ham, or opt for their £95 luxury buffet option instead.

• Location: 71-73 York Place, EH1 3JD
• Price: £89 for four courses
• Why we recommend: their indulgent four-course menu features equally delicious meat and plant-based options, and we particularly love this one for a family Christmas Day in Edinburgh, thanks to the great kids menu

When it comes to Christmas Day dinner in Edinburgh city centre, you can't go wrong with The Conan Doyle on York Place - named after the famous Sherlock Holmes author who was born close by. This place is full of cosy corners, bookshelves and comfy leather seats, perfect for a Christmas morning tipple and hearty dinners alike.

Their four-course feast costs £89 per person, or £34 for kids. Start with a king prawn and smoked salmon cocktail or chicken liver pate, before diving into plates of roast turkey or a walnut and almond nut roast, served with all the trimmings.

• Location: 30-34 Candlemaker Row, EH1 2QE
• Price: £89 for four courses
• Why we recommend: we always feel at home in this cosy pub, and their festive menu is bound to leave you satisfied - be sure to save room for mince pies afterwards

Perched on the doorstep of may of Edinburgh's most iconic landmarks, The Greyfriars Bobby is a friendly, homely boozer. It's filled with traditional wooden furniture and patterned carpets, as well as quirky paintings on the walls - and you can expect lots of festive decorations too.

Their indulgent four-course feast begins with a king prawn and smoked salmon cocktail or shallot and camembert tart tatin, before you dive into plates of hand-carved turkey breast and nut roasts. Plus, they're offering mini mince pies and coffee after dessert.

• Location: 47-49 Deanhaugh Street, Stockbridge, EH4 1LR
• Price: £89 for four courses
• Why we recommend: if you're looking for a festive meal in the Stockbridge area, this is a great choice - we love the cosiness and classic pub atmosphere, and always feel welcome here

Located in the friendly suburb of Stockbridge, Hector's is a classic Scottish boozer for all your drinking and dining needs on the 25th. Expect traditional interiors and cosy vibes here, thanks to comfy sofas and a roaring fireplace.

You can nab four festive courses for £89 per person here, with a kids option costing only £34. We're talking hand-carved turkey breast with bacon and chestnut stuffing, shallot and camembert tarts or chargrilled sirloin steak - with a rich dark chocolate truffle torte or classic Christmas pudding to finish.

• Location: 131-133 High Street, EH1 1SG
• Price: £94 for four courses
• Why we recommend: this is a charming, historic pub that's always filled with festive decorations, and we love the versatility of their set menu

Located close to Waverly Station, The Mitre is a charming pub on the famous Royal Mile. There's a rich history to this venue, as the site has been around for more than 200 years, and supposedly the Bishop of St Andrews' throne is buried under the bar.

Their Christmas Day menu features four courses for £94 each, or £37 for children, promising everything from pan-roasted salmon fillets to turkey with all the trimmings, finishing off with classic Christmas puddings or a cheese board. Plus, there'll be coffee and mini mince pies for dessert.

Oozing style and sophistication, Browns Brasserie & Bar is a great choice for an elegant Christmas Day lunch in Edinburgh for 2026. Head over to the New Town to find this one, promising colourful interiors filled with plants and a five-course menu for £115 per person.

They'll welcome you with hors d'oeuvres, before serving a sumptuous choice of plates like Scottish smoked salmon, turkey with cranberry stuffing or portobello mushroom and lentil Wellington. They even offer a trio of festive desserts if you're struggling to choose, with the option to add on a cheese board for only £6 extra.

• Location: 4a St Andrews Square, EH2 2BD
• Price: £95 for five courses
• Why we recommend: this is definitely one of our most luxurious choices for Christmas dinner, but it's still a pretty reasonable price, and the selection of wines and cocktails to go with it is second to none

If you're after restaurants open on Christmas Day in Edinburgh city centre, you can't go wrong with Gaucho on St Andrews Square. The Argentinian steakhouse is known for its sustainable cuts of beef, brilliant wines and cocktails, but they sure know how to cook up a festive feast as well.

Their luxury five-course menu will set you back £95 per person, kicking off with cheese and truffle croquettes for the table. Then, choose between beef carpaccio, caramelised red onion tarte tatin, roast ballotine of turkey and so much more, finishing with Christmas puddings and cheese boards.

• Location: 435 Lawnmarket, EH1 2NT
• Price: £94 for four courses
• Why we recommend: this is a truly great choice for meat lovers, with multiple different indulgent main courses - they they do a cracking nut roast too. Plus, we always feel very welcomed by the team here

Close to many of Edinburgh's most iconic attractions, The Deacon Brodies Tavern is a welcoming boozer that offers a cracking range of cask ales and spirits, perfect for a pre-dinner drink on Christmas Day - or to accompany your meal.

They're offering four sumptuous courses for £94 per person, including traditional hand-carved turkey with all the trimmings. If you fancy something different though, you can also delve into plates of succulent nut roast, 21 day-aged sirloin steak, slow-cooked pork belly and more.