Angels with Bagpipes

Romantic Royal Mile restaurant dishing up quality Scottish cooking.

The 2017 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).

A prime spot on the Royal Mile might suggest ‘tourist trap’ and an over-reliance on passing trade, but fear not – Angels with Bagpipes is something else entirely. The ambience is plush, relatively dark and cosy, and there’s a serious chef in the background. A compact, well-conceived menu leans towards dark meats, but there's nothing heavy about a succulent main course of venison, carrot, tonka bean, chicory and sprouts. Or the rabbit loin, wrapped in bacon with black pudding in the creamiest pearl barley sauce. Depending on the season, you could start with a small, beautifully presented haggis, neeps and tatties or possibly the city’s lightest crab and avocado mousse. After that, pudding may seem indulgent, but if tempted, try the apple compote with puff pastry, crème pattissière and vanilla ice-cream.

• High point: Food that more than matches its classy presentation
• Low point: Limited choice for vegetarians
• Notable dish: Venison with carrot, tonka bean, chicory and sprouts