The Ivy on the Square is a sophisticated British brasserie located in the heart of Edinburgh's New Town. Situated at 6 St Andrew Square, the restaurant offers a vibrant yet refined atmosphere, featuring a bar, mezzanine, and terrace overlooking the historic square. Open seven days a week, it serves an all-day menu that includes breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner, with a focus on modern British and international dishes. The menu incorporates a mix of British ingredients, Ivy classics, and international dishes, including the brand's iconic shepherd's pie and chocolate bomb with hot, salted caramel sauce. The restaurant also offers an extensive cocktail list and hosts various events throughout the year, such as live music and seasonal celebrations. Whether you're looking for a leisurely brunch, a celebratory dinner, or a casual drink, The Ivy on the Square provides a stylish and welcoming setting for all occasions.
What each source says
- Open Table 4.3 12,388
- Google Places 4.4 3,817
- Tripadvisor 4.0 2,100
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
- Beautiful Decor and Atmosphere The restaurant's interior is frequently described as beautiful, elegant, and well-decorated, contributing to a pleasant ambiance. Many patrons find the atmosphere suitable for special occasions.
- Delicious Food The food consistently receives praise, with many reviewers highlighting the quality, flavors, and presentation. The menu offers varied and tempting choices suitable for different meals.
- Excellent Service Many diners highlight the exceptional service, noting attentiveness, friendliness, and knowledge from the staff. Servers go the extra mile to ensure a memorable dining experience.
- Good Value Two-Course Meal The availability of a reasonably priced two-course meal option is appreciated by diners. This fixed-price menu offers a great way to experience the restaurant without breaking the bank.
- Great Location Situated in a prime location in Edinburgh's New Town, The Ivy on the Square is easily accessible. Its location offers nice views, especially from the upstairs dining area.
Criticised
- Food Quality Can Be Inconsistent While generally praised, some reviews mention that the food quality can be inconsistent. Some dishes were described as average, lukewarm, or not meeting expectations for the price.
- Inconsistent Service Despite many positive comments, some diners experienced slow or disjointed service. Issues include long waits for drinks, rushed service, and inattentive staff.
- Restaurant Can Be Noisy Several reviewers noted that the restaurant can be exceptionally noisy, particularly when full. This can make it difficult to have conversations.
- Rushed or Short Table Times Some diners felt rushed to finish their meals, especially when the restaurant is busy. This can detract from the overall dining experience.
- Temperature Issues A few reviewers have mentioned that the restaurant can be cold. This issue has been noted to detract from the dining experience.
The longer read
The Ivy on the Square in Edinburgh receives generally positive reviews, with many customers praising the beautiful decor, great atmosphere, and attentive service. The restaurant is noted for its elegant ambiance and well-designed interior, making it suitable for special occasions and memorable dining experiences.
Many reviewers highlight the excellent and friendly service, with specific mentions of staff members like Marta, Dimitris, Mimi, Beata, Alissa, Marie, Jason, Katie, Connor and Shauna, who went above and beyond to ensure a pleasant dining experience. Staff are generally described as attentive, knowledgeable, and professional.
The food quality receives mixed feedback. Many customers praise the delicious food, with specific dishes like the Chicken Milanese, squid tempura, fish pie, and shepherd's pie being mentioned positively. The presentation of dishes is frequently noted as being beautiful and well-executed. The breakfast and brunch selections are also popular. However, some reviewers found the food to be average or not up to the usual standards of the Ivy chain. Some mentioned issues with the food quality not matching the high price point. A few customers reported issues such as burnt toast, undercooked scallops, or dry chicken. Desserts receive mixed feedback, with some finding them too sweet or heavy.
The restaurant can be quite busy, and some reviewers felt rushed during their meal, while others experienced delays in service, particularly with drinks. Some reviewers found the noise level to be high, making conversation difficult. A few customers had issues with specific seating arrangements, such as being seated in a less desirable area or finding the tables too small.
Value for money seems to be a point of contention, with some reviewers considering it excellent, especially when taking advantage of set menu offers, while others found it expensive for the quality of food received. The location in New Town is considered convenient, and the views of St Andrew's Square from the upstairs tables are highly appreciated.
Some reviewers recommend booking in advance, especially for a good table. While walk-ins are accepted, availability may vary. A service charge is typically included in the bill, which customers should be aware of.
A synthesis of third-party reviews supplied by Mindtrip travel index. Not written by Breaks.
Getting there
- Phone
- 0131 526 4777
- Website
- theivyedinburgh.com
| Mon | 8:30 - 23:30 |
|---|---|
| Tue | 8:30 - 23:30 |
| Wed | 8:30 - 23:30 |
| Thu | 8:30 - 23:30 |
| Fri | 8:30 - 0:00 |
| Sat | 8:30 - 0:00 |
| Sun | 8:30 - 23:30 |
Against the neighbourhood
Rated 4.3 against a median of 4.5 across the 144 places to eat we hold for Edinburgh, where the most-reviewed is Dishoom Edinburgh.
Booking
Still deciding?
- What types of dishes and cuisines are served at The Ivy on the Square in Edinburgh?
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- What is the dining atmosphere and decor like at The Ivy on the Square?
- Do you recommend making a reservation at The Ivy on the Square, and how busy does it get?
- What signature dishes or drinks should visitors try at The Ivy on the Square?
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.