Skua

We were very excited to check this place out with a Bib Gourmand distinction. It’s tucked away in a basement space. I liked how intimate it was, there’s probably only about 7 tables total. The menu is small but has a lot of delicious options. We picked a few plates to share and it got better and better with each course. My favorite was the market fish. All the flavors were perfect! Our waiter was very friendly and attentive as well. I would love to come back when the menu rotates again!

In a tiny cubby hole on St. Stephen Street in Edinburgh is this mind blowing dining adventure. The space is so tiny but it gives the diner such an intimate experience. Dark and candlelit. The food was spectacular. Everything I tried was so delicious. And the wine was phenomenal. The service was above and beyond. So personal right as I entered. Friendly and engaging. One of the servers even took a moment to sit and visit as I was from Canada. I cannot say enough. Wow! 5 x 🍲🍲🍲🍲🍲

Service is outstanding - waiters are so friendly and attentive! For food, the aged cheddar panisse was a standout. It was our first dish to come out, and after our remaining dishes came out, we were still thinking about the panisse and ordered a second serving. The pink fir potato dish was creative and paired many delightfully unexpected flavors (walnut cream, balsamic vinegar, prosciutto, not to mention the earthiness of the pink fir potatoes themselves). However, some of the potato cubes were slightly undercooked, while others were perfect. That was probably the only dish that wasn't executed at the caliber I would've expected. The chanterelles with coddled egg were perfect in texture: an abundance of autumnal comfort. The garlicky and cheesy take on beef tartare also suited the could and rainy weather well. Overall, worth the price for a night of fine dining.

Small but perfectly executed menu, cooked with skill and imagination. The staff are super freindly and knowledgeable. Cocktails are great too. Highly recommend.

Skua in Stockbridge is a refined neighbourhood favourite that shines with creative small plates, seasonal Scottish ingredients, and a relaxed yet polished vibe. With a Michelin Bib Gourmand under its belt, this isn’t your average local haunt, it’s where you go to treat yourself, not fill up fast. Dishes are beautifully crafted and ideal for sharing, but portions are petite and thoughtful rather than hearty. If you're feeling famished or on a tighter budget, it's worth knowing that a meal here can easily tip over £100 for two without drinks. Skua leans into experience, flavour, and finesse, so come when you’re ready to savour, not scoff. A perfect pick for birthdays, date nights, or when you're craving elevated dining with a side of Stockbridge charm. We had a most enjoyable evening and dined on Sourdough & Coppa - Soft, chewy, buttery perfection with melt-in-the-mouth cured meat. A dreamy start. Panisse + Cheddar + Pickled Walnut - Delectable little rectangles of savoury heaven. Comfort food, but make it posh. Beef Tartare Brilliance - Delicate, precise, and packed with flavour. A minimalist beauty. Lamb - Pink, juicy, wild garlic-kissed. Dish of the night. No contest. Two Desserts, No Regrets - Sweet: light and floral. Savoury: big on flavour, could do with a visual glow-up. Service? Utterly charming. There’s a laid-back, attentive vibe that suits the setting knowledgeable without being stiff, chatty without overstaying the welcome. Dishes arrive as and when they’re ready, keeping the flow relaxed and the pacing refreshingly unfussy. My top tip? Share everything. Order a few dishes to kick things off, maybe a snack or two and one of the larger plates then take stock, chat, sip something delightful (the cocktails are properly impressive, by the way), and order more if you fancy. It keeps things flexible and avoids that awkward “do we all eat or wait?” shuffle.

If a restaurant has a Michelin "Bib" it's always a useful hint, and Skua more than deserves it. It is a very small basement restaurant, very cosy. The staff is hilarious and the food absolutely delicious. Many chefs aim for a Michelin plate or star, that's why I always look for the Bibs. They're not over the top but always have that little something that makes it special. Skua has that. You just want to order everything again and again and again....

I really wanted to like this place due to reviews. The reality was a bit underwhelming. The main menu is so small, it's hard to order 4-5 plates to share with something that matches. The options for main food (if you take out the snacks) are 6 and one of them was not available on the day. The wine and cocktails list was 2x bigger than the food menu. For a bar it would be ok, but for a restaurant i don't think it is. The food was tasty, but nothing special that would justify the price. I would have preferred my wine to be served in a wine glass rather than a vermouth glass and for the cutlery to be clean. Restaurant is extremely small and the toilets are outside under a staircase. They were really tight and smelly. The staff is really great, and big thanks to Fraser, our waiter who was so knowledgeable and funny. Overall, we had a good night but i wouldn't come back. There are much better places in Edinburgh for that price.

My partner booked this as a surprise meal for me as he knew it had been on my list for a while. It was cosy, lovely and intimate. The cocktails were amazing, the wine was delicious and the food we had was incredible. I drop one star because as a vegetarian there was only two things on the menu I could eat the evening we went and one was bread. So it was an expensive and not very filling meal for me. If you like your meat and seafood though, I’m sure you’d love this place as much as my partner did.