Heron

I did a little research before heading to Edinburgh to meet friends staging a production for Fringe and found this little gem. Since it was a last minute trip and wasn't able to plan dinner reservations with more time, I was destined to dine alone. But being the first to arrive for dinner, i was shown to a table front and center looking at Water of Leith. Since i dined there over two months ago August 02, 2023, following are my notes from dinner. Strawberry cocktail, tart and light. Lots of empty foam though. So instead of the block of ice we get half glass of foam. First snack, jalapeño granite with cucumbers. Light and refreshing good palette cleanser. The jalapeños add a little kick that was nice. Bread and butter. Butter looks like a meringue. Lobster dumpling with caviar and crab tarlet with tomatoes gelée. The lobster tasted like a wonton with lobster. The crab tart was interesting. Mackerel, cured in soy. I am not sure what else is in it, but is very good. The fishiness is removed somehow and there is a sweetness to the sauce . It had ponzu gelée. Potato in cream fresh and a whole bunch is other stuff topped by an oyster leave. Not sure I've had that before but it tastes like the ocean. The cream was yummy. And the ocean tasting leave interesting. Fish course. Amazingly cooked. Extra crispy skin and buttery almost creamy flesh. With the tiniest of croutons that add a layer or crunchiness. Bathed in a chicken and olive stock. Yummy. Saltiness of the olive washed off somehow, you taste a little of olive salt when bitten but otherwise well balanced, tricky to achieve with the amount of olives in the sauce. Quail course. Not sure what it has. Let's see...the au jus delicious. Quail was OK. The cherry was a surprise and the BBQ mushrooms were good. Deer loin, celeriac puree and grilled with summer truffle. Mushrooms and candied walnuts. Tender loin, delicious sauce and can't go wrong with celeriac puree. Didn't taste much of the summer truffle. But still quite good. First dessert. Berries and caviar made of the berries. Mille feuille, gelato and mascarpone espuma. The gelato sitting on fine pine nuts and white chocolate. Espuma delicious. Mascarpone mille feuille was OK Petit four. I'd definitely recommend the place. Staff and service was cordial and welcoming. I'd go back

An amazing experience from start to finish. Beautiful dining space, the most warm and welcoming staff, attentive without being intrusive. As for the food, I cannot speak highly enough - beautifully balanced, highlighting local produce, stunning presentation. This was our first Michelin experience and there was nothing we could criticise - simply wonderful

Honestly can’t say enough good things about my experience at heron. The service was warm and friendly - never stuffy - you can tell the love for the dishes, ingredients, and spirits they have. The food simply put was phenomenal. Each course was a delight and most has lovely surprises (in a good way). Be sure to get the tasting menu (a phenomenal value) and come ready to indulge fully (I found the portions generous!). Will be making a point to always make time for Heron when in Edinburgh. This place is special.

My friend and I thoroughly enjoyed our evening at Heron. It was a fantastic experience from start to finish. We both opted for the Tasting Menu and were delighted with our choice. Where to start... the quality of the ingredients, the flavours (and the way the courses complemented each other), the presentation, the service - the whole experience was of an exceptionally high standard.

Completely exceeded my expectations, we had the tasting menu and just wow! Wonderfully calm, spacious and tranquil. The food was simply exceptional. The selection of wines available were exquisite and perfectly matched the dishes served which as you can see looked incredible. Service was attentive and personable. It’s clear how heron have earned their star! Thank you for a wonderful, unforgettable evening.

We visited for a special occasion, and the staff at Heron really went above and beyond to make us feel special. We opted for the tasting menu and were absolutely astonished by the incredible flavours and presentation of each dish. The restaurant itself is located in a stunning traditional building with high ceilings and a beautiful interior design. The atmosphere is tidy and uncluttered, mirroring the presentation of their dishes. Their recent Michelin star award is further evidence of their outstanding work.

Interesting tasting menu, had the pescatarian version, some excellent dishes notably the scallop, monkfish courses. Lovely langoustine dish and fine deserts. All dishes well explained by friendly and attentive staff. Overall a real pleasure to dine here. Music perhaps not in keeping with the refined dining experience.

We had the nine course tasting menu, which we thought might be too much food but it turned out to be the perfect amount. Every course was spectacular, with the scallop and pheasant courses both being particular highlights. To top it off, the service was really great and the cocktails were delicious.

Thank you for the most incredible tasting menu experience for our anniversary! Can't recommend it enough. We went for Sunday lunch and even from the moment we sat down we knew we were in for something special, from the beautiful setting and dried flowers pressed into the menus. We selected half a dozen oysters, served with peach and chilli, and two Heron Negronis to begin with which was an absolutely delicious start as we thought about what to order next from the menu. We opted for the tasting menu and wine pairing and had a great time enjoying the delicious wine and food pairing courses. The food was fresh, delicious, beautifully presented and clearly meticulously put together - the staff were incredibly knowledgeable and friendly, chatting with us and answering questions with the presentation of each course, and we really appreciated how attentive they were, catering around a nut allergy. Fresh bread and brown crab butter, stunning oysters served uniquely on pebbles and stones... Each course was a delight and a surprise. I couldn't pick a favourite. Absolutely recommend. And thank you, Heron. We hope to come back!

I felt like royalty coming to Heron, part of the bourgeoise elite without all the pretentiousness that comes with it. The food was exceptional: familiar flavours whipped up in a way that can only be described as ‘fine dining’ as well as new flavours which I wish would frequent my everyday. The service was also brilliant – I wish I could tell you who our waiter was but, to be honest, we were taken care of by every person the moment we walked through the door. We were so happy with the place that we have already gifted a voucher to our friends for their anniversary. Really exceptional experience. Thank you!!