I would say that there are three particularly iconic buildings in Edinburgh that you won’t be able to miss: Edinburgh Castle, the Scott Monument – and The Balmoral Hotel. I remember walking up into the city centre on my first Edinburgh trip as I moved here over ten years ago and spotting the recognizable clock tower at the top of the hotel decorating the east end of Princes Street. Little did I know then that I would eventually have the opportunity to write a book for the in-house whisky bar SCOTCH and that the restaurant inside would have my absolute favourite dish in all of Scotland. The Balmoral Hotel is home to two different restaurants and I want to introduce you to Bar & Brasserie Prince, which is the elegant all-day restaurant serving french style cuisine and fantastic cocktails. The Brasserie Prince menu consists of classics such as french onion soup, escargot, bouillabaisse and fruit de mer in a gorgeous setting in central Edinburgh where I would happily spend hours.
♥ Read my full review of The Balmoral Hotel here including its restaurants, bars, afternoon tea and spa! (writing this now! 👩🏼💻)
Brasserie Prince: French cuisine and elegant cocktails at The Balmoral Hotel
Brasserie Prince is one of those restaurants that you enjoy to visit in any season. Go for a glass of champagne and a lovely salad in the warmer months of the year. Or enjoy a hearty french onion soup in the cold and dark of winter. I love the atmosphere inside and am always happy to return. It’s so easy to forget what is on your doorstep as a local, but this is a gem that does not disappoint.
♥ Are you looking for more things to see and do in Edinburgh? You can find my big guide here!
Lunch at Brasserie Prince
Brasserie Prince certainly is not the most affordable spot for lunch in Edinburgh. But in my opinion they are well worth it as both the service and food is something special. The Balmoral Hotel is really good at carrying their identity and atmosphere throughout their restaurants and bars and Brasserie Prince is no exception. Brasserie Prince has a fairly big menu ranging from starters and seafood to steak, salads and mains. On Sundays there is the Sunday Roast menu for £30/pp. And throughout Monday to Friday there is a set lunch menu where you get 2 dishes for £35 or 3 dishes for £45. I got a bit of a fear of missing out for our visit, but thankfully my husband was happy to share our dishes. I also have a particularly soft spot for French cuisine and Brasserie Prince does it very well.
My Recommendations
- Bloody Mary
- Steak tartare
- Dauphiné Ravioli
- Creme brulee
Highlight dish: Brasserie Prince steak tartare
I will dedicate a whole section to the steak tartare at Brasserie Prince – it was just that good! The dish is served table-side and they go through all the ingredients as you get to choose if you’re happy with it all, before mixing it together. You can also sample a small bite to see if you’re happy with the result before it’s served to you. I went for the recommended serve with the addition of mild tabasco sauce.
Finlay, who was serving the dish, did such a good job at both presenting and putting the dish together. Both him and all of his colleagues provided such brilliant service. They are friendly and welcoming but so professional through the whole experience. I would describe myself as a steak tartare enthusiast and will order it every time I see it on the menu. And this dish right here will be incredibly hard to beat.
Dare I say it? In my opinion it is the best steak tartare in Edinburgh (perhaps even in Scotland).
♥ I would recommend enjoying the steak tartare along with a glass of Piper Heidsieck champagne.
Bar Prince
Bar Prince is located right around the corner from Brasserie Prince in the same space at the east end of the ground floor corner of the hotel. It’s a great space for cocktails and small sharing dishes. Just like Brasserie Prince, Bar Prince has a refined menu with many lovely options suitable for different people.
There is often live music on certain days of the week, check their website to see when and who is performing.
Since I really like Bar Prince it has also gotten a spot on my guide to the best cocktail bars in Edinburgh!
Cocktail menu – inspired by locations, people and the hotel itself
The cocktail menu Connected Icons features different chapters with cocktail inspired by famous past hotel guests, features of the building and places around Scotland. I really enjoyed the 1902 – named after the year when the hotel opened – and would highly recommend it.
SCOTCH at The Balmoral
If you’re looking to enjoy a dram or two then head over to the second bar on the ground floor which is SCOTCH. The bar is completely dedicated to whisky and the staff is incredibly knowledgable about Scotland’s national drink so if you have any questions, they are the ones to ask.
If you are looking for whisky tastings in Edinburgh – I’ve written more about it my guide here.
FAQ – Brasserie Prince at The Balmoral Hotel
I recommend reserving a table for Brasserie Prince and Bar Prince as it can be a busy spot for both lunch, dinner and drinks.
There is not a strict dress code at Brasserie Prince, but smart casual is recommended and I would perhaps stay away from sportswear, shorts and flip flops.
Brasserie Prince serves french-style cuisine in Edinburgh, whilst incorporating local and Scottish produce and ingredients in its menu.
No, Brasserie Prince is not fine dining, but there is also the Number One which is a 4 AA Rosette restaurant inside The Balmoral Hotel as well which is more of a fine dining experience.
Dogs under 20lbs (includes emotional support dogs) are only allowed in the library section of Bar Prince. Assistance dogs are permitted with prior approval into certain areas of the restaurants. Dogs heavier than 20lbs may be permitted, but would need prior consent from The Balmoral hotel management. Owners are responsibly for keeping their dogs well-behaved and for any potential mess or damage.
Need more inspiration for your trip?
- Edinburgh: A local’s guide and recommendations to things to do and see
- The best hotels in Edinburgh: 19 luxurious recommendations from a local
- Lannan Bakery: a local’s recommendations and review of the most popular bakery in Edinburgh
- Where to go for a whisky tasting in Edinburgh: Scotch whisky tours & distilleries
- The Edinburgh Fringe Festival: the world’s largest arts festival
- The best time to visit Edinburgh: A seasonal travel guide
- Edinburgh and Harry Potter: a guide to magical locations, shops and details
Meet Moa, our multi-talented writer from Sweden who now calls Edinburgh, Scotland home. With over a decade exploring Europe’s hidden corners—from Nordic landscapes to alpine villages—Moa brings a unique perspective shaped by her years as a travel guide in the Swiss and Austrian Alps. As a whisky book author and freelance drinks writer, she has an eye for exceptional food and beverage experiences, while her background as a photographer ensures she never misses a scenic moment. Whether she’s discovering old European cities or chasing golden hour in mountain villages, Moa’s stories blend cultural insight with a dash of adventure and plenty of authenticity.
