Blossom Trees And Contemporary Twists: We Visited Edinburgh's Prettiest Chinese Restaurant

Nestled in the heart of Edinburgh, tucked away in a charming alley off Princess Street, is Tattu. A contemporary form of your usual Chinese restaurant, this venue from Permanently Unique group has much the same features as its Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham and London locations - but that doesn't make it any less beautiful. Think blossom trees and lively music, conjuring up the perfect atmosphere for a memorable dining experience.

Tattu Edinburgh Reviews | DesignMyNight

We know this restaurant is a looker but when the Tattu Edinburgh reviews come in, how does the rest of the experience fare?

Given the Tattu Edinburgh drinks menu's stellar reputation for creative, one-of-a-kind cocktails, it would be impolite to begin our culinary adventure without trying them. As promised, the Eastern Dragon (£15.50) was served in a theatrical fashion. Gin, raspberry, and Cointreau were the ingredients in a delicate cocktail that was unveiled behind a smoke-filled glass dome. On the other hand, my friend chose the Dragon's Breath (£13.50); a tall glass of gin, hibiscus, and lemongrass, which was part of the specials menu for the Year of the Dragon. These drinks were refreshing and zesty, and they set the stage for the powerful flavours that were to follow for our food.

Chinese is my favourite cuisine, so I couldn't wait to dig into a selection of treats from the Tattu Edinburgh menu. Their fusion of traditional and modern Chinese dishes, a rare gem in the Scottish capital, give surprise takes at every turn. Our small plates included pulled pork gyoza (£12.50), which were little clouds of succulent meaty perfection, soy-chilli sticky beef short rib (£17.90) with crispy shallots, chicken truffle shumai (£11.60), and succulent red belly pork (£15.90). The champion of our feast? The shumai dumplings - classic dim sum that varies all across China, but here is stuffed full of tender poultry and balanced out by rich, earthy truffle.

Tattu Edinburgh Menu | DesignMyNight

Show-stopping presentation is also on the cards here.

Next up? The regal caramel soy-aged beef fillet (£38.90 for 7oz), a prime cut that was cooked perfectly – the accompanying caramel soy dip was so incredible that we just had to order an encore. Meanwhile, the green pepper lobster half (£36) was our biggest surprise of the night. Lobster isn't usually my thing, but this dish was out of this world thanks to its delicate batter and light, fresh appeal, with jalapenos to round it all off. Last but not least, the duck egg and Chinese sausage fried rice (£7) could have been the show-stopping main dish if it wasn't just a side - yes, it's that good - and made the ideal accompaniment to our Angry Bird chicken (£24.80); a wok-fried number with roasted chilli pepper, cashews and sesame honey soy for flavour. These plates were paired perfectly with our wonderful server Ollie's white wine recommendation: the Babich Family Reserve sauvignon blanc (£57) from Marlborough in New Zealand.

Miraculously leaving room for dessert, we delved into Tattu's sweet creations. The Asian pear sticky toffee pudding (£12) offered a delightful twist on the gooey classic, while the Phoenix Nest (£13.90) was just wow – a white chocolate masterpiece enveloping a gooey pot of melted marshmallow, fudge, and edible flowers. It's fair to say we fought over this one.

Tattu Edinburgh Menu Review | DesignMyNight

Flavours hit the mark at Tattu as well.

The DigestMyNight Digest

In summary, Tattu is a sensory delight; a captivating venue, rich and surprising dishes, and impeccable service. The knowledgeable staff and proud chefs make this a truly fantastic restaurant for special occasions. When seeking the perfect date venue in Edinburgh, Tattu is unequivocally the one – an absolute must on your list thanks to a new take on Chinese flavours, cocktails with a theatrical twist and the Instagrammable interiors to match.

  💰 The damage: Around £200 for two, plus service charge.

  📍  The location: 18 W Register Street, EH2 2AA.

  👌 Perfect for: Date nights or nights out with friends.

 ⭐ Need to know: Ask for a booth seat if you can - they're super cosy and comfortable.

 

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