When it comes to celebrating a special event in Edinburgh, you're truly spoiled for choice! The city offers an impressive selection of top-notch special occasion restaurants, each with its own unique charm. Picture dining along the Royal Mile, where you can enjoy a delightful mix of Scottish and international cuisines in historic surroundings. Or imagine taking in stunning views of Edinburgh Castle from a stylish venue in New Town, or exploring the dynamic atmosphere of Leith’s waterfront. Whether you’re after Michelin-starred excellence or a charming bistro experience, Edinburgh provides a fantastic setting for an extraordinary dining experience. Book your venue with Tagvenue and ensure your celebration is one to remember!
In Edinburgh, prices of special occasion restaurants average £30 per person. Costs vary depending on guest capacity, popularity, location, and amenities like sound systems or bar services. Extra charges may apply for custom catering, decor, or event planning services. Packages with add-ons, such as DJs, photo booths, or other entertainment services, can also increase the overall cost. Check out the typical price ranges in Edinburgh, based on Tagvenue data from November 2025:
| From £20 | to £40 | per person |
| From £300 | to £1500 | minimum spend per event |
| From £250 | to £500 | hire fee per event |
Based on the popularity and user ratings on Tagvenue (updated November 2025), the best options include:
Whisky Lounge at Hot Toddy
in Old Town - rated 4.9/5
Our user said: ‘Room is exactly what we expected and the food was fab.’
Boudoir at Brewhemia
in Old Town - rated 4.9/5
Our user said: ‘Food choices for catering were good and the food was excellent Drinks packages offered had a good variety...’
The Loft at McLarens on the Corner
in Merchiston - rated 4.9/5
Our user said: ‘Great venue and helpful lovely staff. They made my birthday special.’
You'll find special occasion restaurants in various sizes, from smaller spots to larger venues; keep in mind that the type of space and your chosen layout will affect the capacity! Below you can see the typical venue sizes in Edinburgh, together with the standard prices in each size range, based on Tagvenue data (November 2025):
| Small special occasion restaurants | up to 30 guests | prices average £275 minimum spend per event |
| Medium special occasion restaurants | between 50 and 75 guests | prices average £500 minimum spend per event |
| Large special occasion restaurants | over 90 guests | prices average £1500 minimum spend per event |
These are the venues within 0.2 mi from central Edinburgh, available to book on Tagvenue:
Edinburgh offers a variety of prime locations for hosting special occasions. In New Town, you’ll find elegant venues like Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh and Harvey Nichols Edinburgh, Forth Floor, providing sophisticated settings in a central location. Old Town features venues such as Brewhemia and Hawksmoor Edinburgh, which reflect the area’s historic charm. For a more relaxed and intimate atmosphere, Haymarket includes restaurants like The Roseate Edinburgh, well-suited for smaller gatherings. Whatever the style or size of your event, Edinburgh’s diverse neighborhoods offer excellent options to make your special occasion truly memorable.
It's crucial to book your special occasion restaurant well in advance to secure your preferred venue and date. For smaller gatherings, booking a few months ahead may be adequate. However, for larger events or popular restaurants, it’s wise to book at least 6 months to a year in advance. Peak times, such as holidays, weekends, and special dates, can see high demand, making early reservation essential to ensure availability and allow time for planning and coordination with the venue.