"As its name suggests, Edinburgh Food Studio, located on a nondescript road a short cab ride from central Edinburgh, is the city's apex for gastronomes. Although it's a bona fide restaurant, EFS has the hum, chatter, and excitement of a pop-up. James Murray, the chef, and Ben Reade and Sashana Souza Zanella, the young, supremely knowledgable founders, sometimes appear to chat about ingredients and dishes. The space hosts chefs from all over the world, as well as other events like poetry readings. The dishes, part of a seven-course set menu, aren't wacky or pretentious; rather, they're borne from hard-earned research and experimentation. The plates sound simple but they whir with all manner of exciting things: pickled turnips, whey, and brill; sea aster, golden chanterelles, and lemon-thyme oil. If you only have the option to eat in one Edinburgh restaurant, make this it." - Caroline Eden
