The Cottage at Royal Terrace Named Among UK’s Top 100 — One of Just Three Restaurants in Scotland
National recognition comes just six months after the Edinburgh restaurant opened its doors.
The Cottage at Royal Terrace has been named in OpenTable’s Top 100 Restaurants in the UK for 2026, earning a place as one of only three Scottish restaurants featured on the list.
The recognition marks a significant milestone for the independent Edinburgh restaurant, which welcomed its first guests in May 2026 and has just celebrated six months in business.
OpenTable compiled the list using more than 860,000 verified diner reviews alongside dining data, including guest ratings, the proportion of five-star reviews and reservation demand. The accolade reflects the direct reactions of diners to the exceptional experience of their visit to The Cottage, the superb cuisine and the warmth of the hospitality.
Tucked away in the greenery of Royal Terrace Gardens, The Cottage was originally designed by William Playfair in 1836. The Cottage is a few minutes’ walk from the East End of Princes Street and the Edinburgh Playhouse, making it a natural choice for a pre-theatre supper, a long celebratory lunch, or simply an evening that calls for somewhere out of the ordinary.
The restaurant offers seasonal menus, using the best local ingredients. Guests arrive through a working kitchen garden, passing the herbs and produce that will feature in their meal - menus are shaped by the garden and sourced alongside local foragers and suppliers of fresh fish, meat and produce.
Director Peter Adshead said:
“To be named among OpenTable’s Top 100 restaurants in the UK just six months after opening is an incredible moment for our small team. To be one of only three restaurants in Scotland makes it even more special.
“We set out to create somewhere people could settle in, feel looked after and enjoy wonderful food in a setting that feels a little removed from everyday life. Knowing that this recognition comes from our guests makes it particularly meaningful.
“We’re so grateful to everyone who has joined us, recommended us to friends or taken the time to leave a review. And I couldn’t be prouder of my team who put so much care into every service.”
Find out more at: www.thecottageedinburgh.com
