An Edinburgh trailblazer when it opened back in the noughties, Rick’s comprises a small, chic boutique hotel with a stylish bar and restaurant. Other young contenders in the neighbourhood are
making their bid for the glamorous limelight these days, but this place still has a deserved reputation for decent cocktails and friendly staff. The restaurant itself offers an eclectic hotchpotch
of dishes, although simpler ideas tend to be the best bets – think smoked haddock fishcakes with lime and caper mayo, followed by a steak, burger or confit pork belly, with caramelised lemon tart
to finish. If you’re tempted to go off-piste, you might consider corn-fed chicken and chorizo terrine, Thai green curry or carrot and walnut ravioli with pea shoots and pickled walnuts. Fish,
cheese and charcuterie sharing boards are also a popular call.