Make zero *pour* decisions thanks to the 7 best wine-tasting spots in Edinburgh
I once attended a fancy dinner with a friend and was blown away by how diverse wines can be and how pairing them with cheese, meats, and nibbles transforms the flavours.
The thought and care that go into crafting the perfect wine pairing inspired me to take classes myself. Before long, I was wowing friends and family with my wine choices.
If you’re looking to impress your dinner guests or deepen your love for wine, here are the top wine-tasting spots in Edinburgh you need to check out!
Whighams Wine Cellars
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Address: 13 Hope St
Contact Details: +44 131 225 8674
Operating Hours:
Monday to Wednesday, 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Thursday to Saturday, 12:00 pm to 12:00 am
Sunday, 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Fees: About £32 for two persons (5 wine flights)
For over 40 years, Whighams Wine Cellars has paired the charm of a classic wine cellar with refined elegance. Known for its gourmet dining, live jazz, and curated wine tastings, it’s a must-visit in the heart of Edinburgh.
Their tastings feature five flights of white, red, rosé, and sparkling wines, with each flight offering four bottles of diverse notes and flavours. Perfect for both connoisseurs and casual sippers alike to get together and say, “Slàinte!”
Tips:
- The cellar’s jazz sessions showcase household names in the city and sometimes abroad. These sessions have specific times and dates, and early booking is highly recommended.
Just note that there is a door charge for attending these jazz sessions as a way to support their performances on a weekly basis. Check out this page to learn more about them and their schedule.
- This palace is also a popular choice for private dinners and parties. You can reserve tables via phone, but if you’re in a group of more than 12 people, you’ll need to send them an email. They can accommodate groups of up to 30 people!
Pickles
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Address: 60 Broughton St
Contact Details: +44 131 237 3018
Operating Hours:
Monday to Thursday, 4:00 pm to 12:00 am
Friday, 4:00 pm to 12:00 am
Saturday, 12:00 pm to 12:00 am
Sunday, 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Fees: About £20 to 30 per person
The name might be modest, but Pickles delivers a delightful mix of charm and indulgence. True to its name, this cosy wine cellar serves both wine and pickles, but it’s their charcuterie boards—piled high with Scottish cheeses—that truly steal the show.
With an extensive wine list and a warm, intimate atmosphere, Pickles shines brightest on Valentine’s Day. It’s the perfect spot to treat your special someone to a romantic evening of delicious food, artisanal cheese, tangy pickles, and flowing glasses of wine.
Tips:
- The wine bar is unique in the sense that they don’t make reservations or make early bookings, except for their Valentine’s Day event every year.
If you want to drop by when there are fewer crowds, I recommend coming in on a weekday evening.
- If you want to make the most out of your dining experience here, I recommend ordering their Food & Pickles platters instead of a la carte. They offer a wide range of platters that are already good for sharing with up to two people. Learn more about them here.
The Green Room Wine Bar
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Address: The Green Room, 19-25 William St
Contact Details: +44 131 225 1358
Operating Hours:
Monday to Wednesday, 2:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Thursday, 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Friday to Saturday, 12:00 pm to 12:00 am
Fees: About £20 to 30 per person
If you’re looking for a wine bar that supports small wineries, then The Green Room Wine Bar should be on your radar.
Their carefully curated list celebrates discovery, featuring everything from bold bottles by quirky small-scale producers to classics from renowned vineyards.
Everyone on the staff is an expert in choosing the best wine parking for your meals and budget. Since they focus on exploration, don’t hesitate to ask them about their wine recommendations based on your preferred notes (they’ll even teach you about it!).
Tips:
- If you really want to learn the ropes of becoming a wine sommelier, you can take up and sign up for the bar’s private online masterclasses on wine tasting and pairings.
They also operate as a wine consultancy for events, parties, and even people in the food and beverage business.
You can learn a lot from their staff, so if you want to take it up full-time, sign up for the masterclasses. Learn more about it here.
- You can actually purchase the wines you like from their tasting menus if you want to take a bottle or two home. There’s a merchant shop in the same venue or you can pre-order wines via phone call.
Spry Wines
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Address: 1 Haddington Pl
Contact Details: +44 131 557 0005
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 1:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Fees: About £80 to £90 per person
Naturally crafted wines are taking the city by storm, and much of the buzz can be credited to Spry Wines. This charming wine bar specialises in organic and naturally made wines, thoughtfully curated to highlight distinctive flavour profiles.
You’ll discover bottles that stand apart from those offered by larger producers and mainstream wineries. For an unforgettable experience, indulge in their exquisite 5-course tasting menu, perfectly paired with their finest selections.
Tips:
- The best time to visit this wine bar is during weekday afternoons. Evenings are usually packed with people looking to get a breather after work, so if you have the time to spare for a late lunch or afternoon break, head over there before 7:00 pm to avoid the crowds.
- By the way, if you have strict dietary preferences, don’t hesitate to tell the staff to adjust their menu offerings. They offer vegan options and even vegan wine if you prefer that.
Just let them know ahead of your visit via phone or when you make a booking here. If you need to customise your tasting menu, they can do that!
Decanter Winery and Dinery
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Address: 183 Bruntsfield Pl
Contact Details: +44 131 466 5359
Operating Hours:
Tuesday to Thursday, 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Friday to Saturday, 12:00 pm to 12:00 am
Sunday, 12:00 pm to 10:30 pm
Fees: About £30 to £50 per person
Decanter Winery and Dinery hosts some of the most fascinating events related to wine in the city. Their calendar is pretty much filled with international and local wine events and tasting sessions that you really shouldn’t miss out on if you truly love wine.
For example, they have events wherein they invite famous wineries from all over the world to curate a 3-course dinner and wine-tasting menu for the lucky people who sign up for them quickly.
Slots run out fast, but if you prefer to taste wine on your own, you can also do that with their regular menu!
Tips:
- Sometimes, the wine bar hosts live music events. You can check out their Instagram to learn about any upcoming events to attend. This is a great way to enjoy the full extent of their menu offerings without having to reserve or wait for a wine-tasting menu to pop up in their event calendar!
- You can’t go wrong with a gift card for your friends and family to enjoy when they want to try out wine tasting sometime. You can check out this page to get gift vouchers of up to £200 a piece.
You also have the option to get gift vouchers for yourself. Just fill out the form here!
The Wine House 1821
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Address: 4 Picardy Pl, The Wine House Hotel 1821
Contact Details: +44 131 466 5359
Operating Hours:
Monday to Thursday, 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Friday to Saturday, 12:00 pm to 1:00 am
Sunday, 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Fees: About £90 to £120 per person
If you’re all about capturing Instagram-worthy moments, a wine-tasting session at The Wine House 1821 is a must. Set in a stunning Georgian-era hotel adorned with intricate details and elegant furnishings, this wine bar offers a truly enchanting experience.
Their tastings feature a diverse selection of wines from around the globe, with flights of up to 10 bottles paired perfectly with small bites like cheeses, meats, and more. You can even host a dinner here and let their in-house sommelier recommend wines for you.
Tips:
- The wine bar hosts a lot of fun events for guests, especially on Fridays when they offer discounts on select drinks.
Note that not all of the drinks they put up for discounts are wines, but in case you want to get booze for cheap (because this place isn’t), help yourself with a cocktail or two!
Just always stay tuned to their social media pages like Facebook and Instagram for updates!
- For a truly luxurious experience, why not book a room at the Wine House Hotel 1821? You could surprise your date with a night inside a charming hotel after a romantic dinner.
Even better, why not order a bottle of wine in your room? You’re welcome, in advance!
Edinburgh Local Wine School
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Address: Novotel Hotel, 80 Lauriston Pl
Contact Details: +44 131 202 9117
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Fees: About £35 to £60 per person
For an immersive journey into the art of winemaking and tasting, a session or masterclass at the Edinburgh Local Wine School is a must-try. This wine school and bar offers a variety of classes tailored for budding sommeliers and casual enthusiasts alike.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned wine lover, their courses cater to all skill levels. They even feature region-specific classes, so if you have a penchant for wines from Europe or South America, you’re sure to find a class that suits your palate.
Tips:
- Looking to bring friends along for the experience? Gift cards from the wine school are a great way to share the fun. You can pick one for a specific class or load it with a set amount for them to choose their own.
These cards are valid for two years and can be used at any of the wine school’s locations across the UK. Learn more and claim your cards here.
- If you’re serious about levelling up your wine game, don’t miss the tasting sessions that include cheese and food pairings. They’re a real treat!
Not all classes have this feature, so keep an eye out for anything with “Food” in the title. Trust me, it’s the perfect way to hone your pairing skills. Check out the available options here!