Howies Victoria Street is a family-owned Scottish restaurant situated in a historic building on one of Europe's most photographed streets. The restaurant features exposed stone walls, wooden floors, and eclectic art, creating a warm and relaxed atmosphere ideal for informal dining. Located just a 3-minute walk from Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile, it offers fresh, seasonal Scottish cuisine. The menu includes traditional dishes like haggis, Cullen Skink, and Aberdeen Angus steak, with options for vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free diets. Open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, Howies Victoria Street is a popular choice among both locals and visitors.
What each source says
- Google Places 4.4 3,682
- Tripadvisor 4.5 2,517
Bar length is review volume, so you can see how much weight sits behind each score. Captured 2026-08-21.
What visitors single out
Liked
- Accommodating Dietary Needs The restaurant is noted for its ability to accommodate dietary restrictions, including gluten-free and vegan options. Staff are willing to check ingredients and ensure a suitable meal for every guest.
- Attentive and Friendly Service The staff is consistently described as welcoming, friendly, and attentive. Servers are knowledgeable about the menu and happy to offer recommendations, enhancing the overall dining experience.
- Cozy and Charming Atmosphere Located on the photogenic Victoria Street, the restaurant provides a warm and inviting ambiance. The cozy interior and thoughtful decor contribute to a relaxing and enjoyable meal.
- Excellent Scottish Cuisine Howies offers a fantastic introduction to Scottish cuisine, particularly the haggis, which is highly recommended. The menu features fresh, flavorful dishes made with quality ingredients, providing an authentic taste of Scotland.
- Good Value, Especially with Set Menus Howies offers reasonable prices, particularly with its early dining and lunch set menus. These deals provide a cost-effective way to enjoy high-quality food.
Criticised
- Automatic Gratuity A discretionary service charge is automatically added to the bill. Some diners may prefer the option to choose the gratuity amount themselves based on the service received.
- Can Be Crowded and Noisy The restaurant's popularity can lead to a crowded and noisy environment, especially during peak hours. Space can be limited, and some reviewers have noted tables being placed close together.
- Inconsistent Food Quality While many praise the food, a few reviewers have noted inconsistencies in quality, such as overcooked meat or bland starters. This suggests the experience can vary.
- Service Can Feel Rushed Some diners have experienced rushed service, with dishes arriving quickly and plates being cleared promptly after finishing. This can make the dining experience feel less relaxed.
- Ventilation Issues There have been mentions of ventilation issues, with cooking smells and smoke from the kitchen entering the dining area. This can detract from the overall ambiance of the restaurant.
The longer read
Howies Victoria Street receives overwhelmingly positive reviews, particularly regarding its authentic Scottish cuisine and welcoming atmosphere. Many reviewers recommend it as a first stop for visitors seeking an introduction to Scottish food. Haggis is a standout dish, frequently described as delicious and a must-try, and often paired with scotch. The heritage tomato salad with whipped feta also receives exceptional praise for its fresh taste and unique flavor profile. Other popular dishes include the Cullen Skink, pesto salmon risotto, catch of the day (often salmon), and sticky toffee pudding. The restaurant is known for its cozy and charming ambiance, enhanced by low lighting that still allows diners to see their meals clearly. The location on Victoria Street is considered convenient and picturesque. Service is consistently lauded as friendly, attentive, and efficient. Staff members are often mentioned by name for their helpfulness in explaining the menu and providing recommendations. Many reviewers highlight the restaurant's ability to accommodate dietary restrictions, including gluten-free and vegan options. Reservations are highly recommended, especially during peak hours and the Edinburgh Festival, as the restaurant can be very busy. Some reviewers mention the availability of early dining deals offering good value. Whiskey flights are a popular choice for those looking to sample Scottish whiskies. Several reviewers specifically recommend Howies for special occasions, such as birthdays or graduation celebrations, noting the restaurant's attention to detail in making these events memorable. While the majority of reviews are positive, a few mention that the restaurant can be noisy or cramped, and some found certain dishes, like the venison stew, to be overly salty or the ribeye to be good but not exceptional. A small number of reviewers reported issues with rushed service or added tips to the bill. However, these negative comments are outweighed by the numerous positive experiences reported by other diners, who consistently praise the quality of the food, the attentive service, and the overall dining experience at Howies Victoria Street.
A synthesis of third-party reviews supplied by Mindtrip travel index. Not written by Breaks.
Getting there
- Phone
- +44 131 225 1721
- Website
- howies.uk.com
| Mon | 12:00 - 21:30 |
|---|---|
| Tue | 12:00 - 21:30 |
| Wed | 12:00 - 21:30 |
| Thu | 12:00 - 21:30 |
| Fri | 12:00 - 21:30 |
| Sat | 12:00 - 21:30 |
| Sun | 12:00 - 21:30 |
Against the neighbourhood
Rated 4.4 against a median of 4.5 across the 144 places to eat we hold for Edinburgh, where the most-reviewed is Dishoom Edinburgh.
Still deciding?
- What types of dishes and local specialties can I find on the menu at Howies Victoria Street?
- Is it recommended to book a table in advance at Howies Victoria Street, especially during peak hours?
- What is the overall dining atmosphere and style like at Howies Victoria Street?
- Is Howies Victoria Street suitable for larger groups or special occasions?
- Does Howies Victoria Street offer vegetarian or vegan menu options?
Where this comes from
Venue records are drawn from the Mindtrip travel index, which aggregates place data and review signals from Google Places, Tripadvisor and booking providers. Ratings are reproduced per source rather than merged into a single number. Distances to nearby venues are computed here as great-circle distances between the published coordinates, not walking or driving routes. Comparison figures are medians computed across the venues we hold for the same neighbourhood or city.
Source: Mindtrip travel index, captured 2026-08-21.
What this page cannot tell you
- Descriptions and review summaries are supplied by the source index and are reproduced as published; they are not independently verified by Breaks.
- Ratings and review counts are point-in-time snapshots and drift constantly. Check the venue's own site or the rating provider for the current figure.
- Opening hours change seasonally and at short notice. Confirm with the venue before travelling.
- Category labels come from the source index and are occasionally wrong — a venue may be filed under a type that does not match how it trades.
- Straight-line distances understate real walking distance, especially where a river or railway sits between two points.