Howies Waterloo Place is a renowned restaurant situated in a historic Georgian building at the foot of Calton Hill in Edinburgh. Established in 1990, it offers a relaxed dining experience with a focus on fresh, seasonal Scottish produce. The menu features traditional dishes such as haggis, Cullen skink, and venison, all prepared with locally sourced ingredients. The main dining room accommodates up to 90 guests, while a private dining room is available for up to 30 people, making it suitable for both intimate gatherings and larger events. The restaurant is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, with booking recommended.
What each source says
- Tripadvisor 4.5 4,059
- Google Places 4.5 3,721
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 Howies provides an extensive gluten-free menu and caters well to other dietary requirements, including vegan and dairy-free options, ensuring that everyone can find something to enjoy.
- Excellent Scottish Cuisine Howies offers a superb taste of Scottish cuisine, including dishes like haggis, Cullen Skink, and venison casserole, prepared with authentic flavors and high-quality ingredients. This provides a great culinary experience for visitors seeking local fare.
- Friendly and Attentive Service Many diners highlight the welcoming and efficient staff, with servers often going above and beyond to accommodate dietary needs and preferences, creating a pleasant and memorable dining atmosphere.
- Good Value for Money With set lunch and early dinner menus, Howies provides reasonably priced options, especially considering the quality of the food and the dining experience. BYOB is available Sunday to Thursday with a corkage fee.
- Great Atmosphere and Location Located conveniently in central Edinburgh, Howies offers a lively yet comfortable atmosphere, making it suitable for various occasions, including family meals, dates, and celebrations.
Criticised
- Inconsistent Food Quality While many rave about the food, a few reviewers found certain dishes bland or overpriced, suggesting that the quality can vary.
- Inconsistent Service Quality While many praise the service, some reviewers experienced slow or inattentive service, particularly when the restaurant is busy, or encountered staff who seemed overwhelmed or impatient.
- Noise Levels The restaurant can be quite noisy, especially when crowded, which might not be ideal for those seeking a quiet or intimate dining experience.
- Portion Sizes Some diners found the portion sizes to be small, especially considering the price, leaving them feeling that the meals emphasize quality over quantity.
- Reservation Highly Recommended The restaurant is often fully booked, making it essential to book in advance. This can be inconvenient for those seeking a spontaneous dining experience.
The longer read
Howies Waterloo Place is a popular Edinburgh restaurant known for its Scottish cuisine, reasonable prices, and friendly service. Many reviewers highlight the restaurant's consistent quality and recommend it to visitors seeking an authentic taste of Scotland. A significant number of reviews mention the restaurant's value, particularly the set lunch and early dining menus. The option to BYOB (bring your own bottle) from Sunday to Thursday, with a corkage fee, is frequently mentioned as a plus. The restaurant is often described as busy, so reservations are highly recommended, especially for the main dining area or window seats. Several reviewers specifically praise the staff's attentiveness, friendliness, and efficiency, with some names like "Sue", "Lize" and "Frazer" mentioned. Dietary needs, including gluten-free and vegan options, are well-catered. Many reviewers comment on the excellent Cullen Skink (a traditional Scottish soup), haggis and venison casserole. The banoffee pie is frequently recommended for dessert. A few reviewers noted inconsistencies in food quality, with some dishes like steak and cod being described as dry or bland, while others found the food phenomenal. Portion sizes are described as adequate, focusing on quality rather than quantity. Some reviewers found the restaurant noisy, especially when seated near large groups. A few reviewers reported slow service at times. While most reviewers praised the service, a few found it less friendly or attentive. Several reviewers mentioned returning to Howies on subsequent visits to Edinburgh, indicating a high level of satisfaction and loyalty. Many reviewers consider Howies a must-visit restaurant for experiencing Scottish cuisine in a welcoming atmosphere. The restaurant's location near Waverley Station and other central Edinburgh attractions is convenient for tourists. Positive experiences often include celebrations like birthdays and anniversaries, with staff going the extra mile to make the occasions special. The restaurant's ambiance is generally described as lively and comfortable, resembling a classic bistro. A few reviewers appreciated the restaurant's ability to handle large groups efficiently. Several reviewers specifically recommended Howies to friends, family, and visitors to Edinburgh, highlighting its reliability and consistent positive experience.
A synthesis of third-party reviews supplied by Mindtrip travel index. Not written by Breaks.
Getting there
- Phone
- +44 131 556 5766
- Website
- howies.uk.com
| Mon | 11:30 - 14:30, 17:15 - 21:30 |
|---|---|
| Tue | 11:30 - 14:30, 17:15 - 21:30 |
| Wed | 11:30 - 14:30, 17:15 - 21:30 |
| Thu | 11:30 - 14:30, 17:15 - 21:30 |
| Fri | 11:30 - 15:00, 17:15 - 21:30 |
| Sat | 11:30 - 15:00, 17:15 - 21:30 |
| Sun | 11:30 - 15:00, 17:15 - 21:30 |
Against the neighbourhood
Rated 4.5 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 are the signature dishes and seasonal specialties on Howies Waterloo Place’s menu?
- How would you describe the atmosphere and interior design of the historic Georgian building at Howies Waterloo Place?
- Does Howies Waterloo Place offer private rooms for events and what are the capacity and booking details?
- What is the exact location of Howies Waterloo Place and does it provide views of Calton Hill or nearby landmarks?
- What is the typical price range for a main course at Howies Waterloo Place and how does it compare to other Edinburgh restaurants?
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.