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A window table at the Outsider, the castle filling the glass.
Edinburgh

The Outsider

A relaxed restaurant on George IV Bridge, cooking fresh seasonal food, with windows at the back that look straight out to the castle.

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Welcome

On George IV Bridge, between the Royal Mile and Greyfriars, a plain dark front gives little away.

Behind it the Outsider opens into a long, split-level room, and at the far end the big back windows look straight out across the rooftops of the Old Town to the castle on its rock.

The room is relaxed and lively, with dark grey walls, stripped floors, wooden tables of every size, cushioned benches and candles flickering in the evening. The cooking is fresh and seasonal and comes in generous plates, and seafood is a strength: mussels, lobster and fish, alongside steaks and plenty for vegetarians.

The Outsider opens every day from noon until ten, and until eleven on Fridays and Saturdays. Tables can be booked, and a seat by the window is the one to ask for.

Close byHowies Victoria StreetSeasonal Scottish cooking on curving Victoria Street.2 min by roadSee itRestaurant dining room with laid tables, wrought-iron balustrade and stocked bar behind
Before you go

Open every day from noon until ten, eleven on Fridays and Saturdays.

Ask for a window table when booking.

Where
15-16 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EE.
Telephone
0131 226 3131.

Opening hours

Their website
Monday
noon–10pm
Tuesday
noon–10pm
Wednesday
noon–10pm
Thursday
noon–10pm
Friday
noon–11pm
Saturday
noon–11pm
Sunday
noon–10pm
Where it is

On George IV Bridge, between the Royal Mile and Greyfriars.

Close byGeorge IV Bridge and Greyfriars.
  1. The long pale stone front of the National Library of Scotland on George IV Bridge.National Library of ScotlandScotland's national library on George IV Bridge, free to enter, with exhibitions from its collections, a cafe and a shop.Under a mile1 min by road
  2. Taxidermy sheep displayed in a glass museum caseDolly the SheepThe first mammal ever cloned from an adult cell, born at the Roslin Institute in 1996 and now on show in the National Museum of Scotland.Under a mile1 min by road
  3. Carved walrus-ivory Lewis chessmen, king seated among bishops and wardersThe Lewis Chess PiecesUnder a mile1 min by road
  4. Greyfriars BobbyGreyfriars BobbyA bronze of the Skye terrier said to have kept watch over his master's grave.Under a mile2 min by road
  5. Greyfriars KirkGreyfriars KirkThe first church built in Edinburgh after the Reformation.Under a mile2 min by road
Directions
A round table and chairs stand before tall curtained windows looking onto stone buildings, a sofa and mounted television to the right.EdinburghMoment George IV BridgeSleeps 2 · A step away
Museum panel titled "Arthur's Seat Coffins" with text and William Burke execution illustrationAttractionsThe Arthur's Seat CoffinsA step away
Stone archway close, with a "Rare Whiskies" sign listing Ardbeg, Laphroaig and MacallanAttractionsRiddle’s CourtA step away
Empty tables and murals fill The Deacon's House tearoom, shelves lined with china aboveCafeDeacon's House CafeA step away
Deacon Brodie's Tavern sign on the Royal Mile, hanging baskets in bloom belowRestaurantsDeacon Brodie's TavernA step away
Heart of Midlothian mosaic set into cobblestones, with pedestrian shadows falling across itAttractionsThe Heart of MidlothianA step away
Green banquette seating and wooden tables inside a bar with large sash windowsRestaurantsCheckpointA step away
Antique bureau with candlestick and quill pen beside a stone windowAttractionsGladstone’s LandA step away
Golden bird sculpture above a hanging sign for Gladstone's Land, offering tours, ice creams, coffees and cakesAttractionsGolden Hawk Sculpture at Gladstone's LandA step away
Stay nearby

Places to stay near the Outsider, and when each is next free.

A round table and chairs stand before tall curtained windows looking onto stone buildings, a sofa and mounted television to the right.Moment George IV Bridge
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Edinburgh
  • Under a mile from the Outsider
Check datesA man walks past Bucken Booths entrance flanked by black lamp postsOld Town Chambers
  • To stay
  • In Edinburgh
  • Under a mile from the Outsider
Check datesWest End Muse
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Edinburgh
  • Under a mile from the Outsider
Check datesA turreted sandstone building with conical spires catches the evening light above rooftops, a large pine tree standing beside it.The Scott Hotel
  • A hotel
  • In Edinburgh
  • A mile from the Outsider
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in EdinburghAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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