Cozy and Classy: Dining at The Bon Vivant Edinburgh

There’s no denying the natural magic and charm of Edinburgh at Christmastime. Whilst planning a recent date night, I wanted to find a restaurant that is authentic to that true romantic, Scottish vibe; something upscale, yet intimate, The Bon Vivant, located down a cobbled side street right in the heart of Edinburgh, captured my vision. Hide away in this candlelit eatery and forget about the outside world…

Greeted by friendly staff and an immediately noticeable ambiance, the restaurant was buzzing despite it only being around 5PM (the only time I was able to get a reservation - advise to book well ahead). Although the menu is somewhat fancy and high-end, The Bon Vivant maintained a laid-back feel, something I really enjoyed about our visit. This atmosphere seems to work really well and is intentional. According to their ethos on their website, the venue was opened ‘to create a similar environment to those found on the continent; where dining is often informal and casual yet of a very high standard.'

The small menu is uniquely crafted to incorporate seasonal produce into beautifully executed dishes. For starters, we opted for the pigeon breast with mushroom ragu - this intrigued me as it’s something I’ve never seen on a menu before - and pan fried scallops with apple salad. Both dishes were equally delicious and the scallops were cooked to perfection, melting in your mouth. The apple salad added a needed sweetness to the dish, complimenting it perfectly. Just enough to leave us wanting more, we couldn’t wait to try the main event. 

For mains we opted for duck breast and roast hake with a side of fennel glazed carrots. There were certainly no regrets - the duck was tender and tasty and served with brussel sprouts and red wine jus. Paired with a carafe of Cabernet Sauvignon, this was my favourite dish of the night. The hake was light and delectable and certainly a close runner up.

After how blown away we were by the first two courses, we couldn’t leave without trying something on their innovative dessert menu. Picking a pudding was a tricky choice, but eventually we decided on the ginger poached pear. This pear had all the works - dark chocolate ganache, hazelnut crunch, cinnamon ice cream and tonka bean sauce. With just enough to satisfy the sweet tooth, the bitterness of the dark chocolate and tonka bean balanced the dessert and ultimately was a match made in heaven.

There’s no doubt I would return to The Bon Vivant upon my next visit to Edinburgh, but I’d be sure to book well ahead to secure a later table. If I could try everything on the menu I would have, so I’d be sure to taste their other dishes upon my return. The wine was delicious, however they boast a famous cocktail menu which I would have also loved to have tried. Reasonably priced against its competitors and paired with impeccable high standards, The Bon Vivant is a must try for foodies visiting the Scottish capital.