The Palmerston
15 people recommend, 6 warn against itvia r/Edinburgh22 comments cited below
What people say, in short
Many commenters praise the food, and several praise its lively, cosy atmosphere. One commenter suggests it for date nights, and another notes its back room can accommodate a large group. Caveats include a couple of commenters calling it overrated, one calling it average, and one finding it inconsistent. One diner reports lukewarm soup and an okay main, another feels it falls short, and one says the food may not suit everyone.
Address
The Palmerston, 1 Palmerston Pl, Edinburgh EH12 5AF, United Kingdom
At a glance
- Signature dishes
- Pain au raisin
- Best for
- Dates, Groups, Solo
- Opinions divided
- Yes
The evidence
Every point below is paraphrased from a real public comment, ordered by how much the community engaged with it. Caveats and negatives are kept in — follow any link to read the original for yourself.
- Caveatu/Scozzese9 in r/Edinburgh · Feb 2025
Describes Palmerston as average.
- Recommendsu/Effective-Peanut3635 in r/Edinburgh · Sep 2026service
Rates The Palmerston highly for its lively atmosphere and delicious food.
- Recommendsu/RiskyBiscuits150 in r/Edinburgh · Feb 2024taste
Is still fond of a pain au raisin eaten here and intends to return for the dinner menu.
- Recommendsu/lisa_kyle in r/Edinburgh · Feb 2024taste
Still thinks fondly of a fish main eaten at The Palmerston months earlier.
- Recommendsu/Potato_WI in r/Edinburgh · Apr 2026
Rates The Palmerston as excellent and recommends it for upscale bistro dining.
- Caveatu/weedrinkawater in r/Edinburgh · Feb 2025
Thinks Palmerston falls short and doesn't see the hype.
- Recommendsu/lilandy in r/Edinburgh · Apr 2026
Recalls a past French-bistro-style set menu here as a good option.
- Recommendsu/NORUSHNOPARTY in r/Edinburgh · Feb 2026
Post says their partner really enjoys this finer restaurant.
Show all 22 cited comments
- Recommendsu/Naive-Gur6227 in r/Edinburgh · Sep 2025price
Says its midday set menu is far cheaper than ordering from the full menu.
- Recommendsu/Bitter_Trick_5644 in r/Edinburgh · Feb 2024taste
Found The Palmerston great with good value; the cooking is fantastic though it isn't fine dining.
- Caveatu/Wide_Spring9105 in r/Edinburgh · Sep 2026taste
Reports lukewarm soup and only an okay main, despite seeing good reviews elsewhere.
- Caveatu/tecknoh in r/Edinburgh · Feb 2025
Firmly believes Palmerston is the most overrated place in town.
- Mixedu/Appropriate-Series80 in r/Edinburgh · Jan 2024taste
Calls it a great place, but says the food may not suit everyone.
- Recommendsu/evanu94 in r/Edinburgh · Nov 2023
Calls Palmerston very good.
- Caveatu/_underaglassbell in r/Edinburgh · Nov 2023consistency
Finds it inconsistent and would pick Eleanore instead.
- Recommendsu/Dunesgirl in r/Edinburgh · Sep 2026
Describes a meal here as one of the most enjoyable during a trip, praising the food and atmosphere.
- Recommendsu/princessmim in r/Edinburgh · Sep 2026
Suggests it as fancy but not extreme, with delicious food and great atmosphere.
- Recommendsu/More_Detective_308 in r/Edinburgh · Sep 2026
Says they love it.
- Caveatu/Possible_Fortune_291 in r/Edinburgh · Jul 2025
Echoes the view that Palmerston is overrated in town.
- Recommendsu/l_sch in r/Edinburgh · Jan 2024
Says the back room fits a large group with no extra room charge and praises the food.
- Recommendsu/Revolutionary_West56 in r/Edinburgh · Nov 2025ambience
Praises its lovely, cosy atmosphere and says it suits the request even though it isn't French.
- Recommendsu/PinthonyHeadtano in r/Edinburgh · Oct 2026
Says The Palmerston is a very pleasant choice.
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Freshness
Details last checked 4 Nov 2026. Recommendations reflect what people said at the time; confirm current details before you go.