Hawksmoor Edinburgh is a steak house in Grassmarket, Edinburgh. Rated 4.5 stars from 1966 Google reviews. Known for steak cooked correctly and service that's actually attentive. Best for date night and group dinner. Ranked #8 of 15 in Grassmarket. Price range: €€€.
Rankings updated April 2026
Hawksmoor Edinburgh
Zone Ranking
Ranked weekly from live Google review data
in Grassmarket
↑ Up 1 this week
Quick Verdict
Yes. Reviewers who've eaten steak across the UK say this is the best they've had, and they're not exaggerating—the consistency across 1966 reviews is unusual for a place this busy.
You want the best steak in Edinburgh and don't mind paying £40–50 per head for meat that justifies it.
About Hawksmoor Edinburgh
Hawksmoor Edinburgh is a proper steakhouse in a beautiful historic building on West Register Street, near Grassmarket. You're paying for three things here: meat cooked properly, a room that doesn't feel like a chain, and staff who actually notice when your glass is empty. Reviewers consistently mention the porterhouse and ribeye as standouts—cooked to temperature, not guesswork. The early evening menu (until 3pm) is the move if you want value; one diner called it "fantastic value" and ordered the set menu. The room has a hum, but it's not noisy, so you can hear your date and the place feels full without feeling cramped. Solo diners are welcome—one reviewer arrived alone for a 5:30 sitting and had oysters and bone marrow at the bar. Sides matter here: chips get specific praise ("crunchy outside, fluffy inside"), and the Caesar salad with anchovy hollandaise is mentioned by name. Service is attentive without hovering. The sticky toffee pudding is the dessert to order.
What Stands Out
Steak cooked correctly
Multiple reviewers cite the porterhouse, sirloin, and ribeye as 'outstanding and cooked perfectly.' One diner: 'The best restaurant for steak I have been to in my life, period.' Another: 'I personally had the best steak I've had in my life.'
Service that's actually attentive
Reviewers name staff members (Archie, Johanna, Matilda) and describe them as 'superstar,' 'extremely attentive,' and 'catering for every request.' One group noted: 'Service is well above. Attentive, but not intrusive.'
Value on the early evening menu
One reviewer called the early evening 2-course deal 'exceptional' and noted they'd have paid twice as much. The menu runs until 3pm and is explicitly mentioned as 'fantastic value.'
What Customers Say
The only negative aspect was the waiting time, as it took more than 45 minutes for our food to arrive.
Came out for dinner, absolutely lovely service straight from the door to the table.
Delicious aperitifs, great menu, lovely wine and the service was great too.
Real quotes from Google Reviews
Practical Information
Contact
Frequently Asked Questions about Hawksmoor Edinburgh
Yes. Reservations are required, and brunch, lunch, and dinner all need booking. One reviewer noted the place was 'nearly full by 6pm on a Wednesday night,' so don't turn up without one.
One reviewer waited 45 minutes, which they flagged as the only negative. Most others say food 'came out quickly,' so timing varies—arrive hungry.
It runs until 3pm and is 2 courses. Reviewers specifically called it 'fantastic value,' and one group had steak and other mains on it before heading to the theatre.
Yes. One solo diner arrived at 5:30pm, sat at the bar with oysters and bone marrow, had the Sunday roast with a glass of Barolo, and called the experience 'impeccable.' Staff made them feel 'welcome and looked after.'
The porterhouse or ribeye—reviewers name these specifically as 'outstanding.' Get the chips ('crunchy outside, fluffy inside') and the Caesar salad with anchovy hollandaise. Finish with sticky toffee pudding, which one reviewer called 'probably the best in town.'
Also in Grassmarket
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Rankings are recalculated weekly from live Google Business Profile data. Our Hot Score weighs review velocity (new text reviews in 90 days), recency (how fresh), baseline rating, and Google Business Profile completeness. No editorial picks, no paid placements — just what the data says this week.
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