In a land far-far away, near the old docks of Leith, stands an enchanting place where one can find Scotland’s freshest meals. The secret place attracts crowds of hungry diners and is said to have magical powers of granting guests eternal happiness. If eternal happiness was ever possible, one could find it in the food made by the talented chefs at The Kitchin Edinburgh.

The Kitchin Edinburgh is an award-winning Michelin-star restaurant run by chef Tom Kitchin and his wife, Michaela. The establishment is located in a converted whisky bonded warehouse in Leith, that has been voted the fourth coolest neighbourhood to live in the world in 2021 by Time Out magazine. With a motto ‘from nature to plate’, the ingredients are exclusively sourced from Scotland. Therefore, guests are only served the freshest meals inspired by British and French cuisines.

Chef Tom Kitchin has an impressive resume, having been coached by Pierre Koffman, Guy Savoy, and Alain Ducasse in their Three Michelin-Star restaurants. Now, Tom frequents on television, having made appearances as a panel judge on UK’s Masterchef Final Chef’s Table, as well as BBC’s Saturday Kitchen and BBC2’s programmes, such as The Great British Menu and Remarkable Places to Eat. Therefore, Tom and his team continue to strive for perfection in The Kitchin Edinburgh with the freshest produce, a friendly service, and an overall exceptional dining experience.

As soon as you walk into the restaurant, you are welcomed with friendly smiles and the chatter of happy diners echoing through the room. It is lunchtime on a Wednesday; however, it is a full house. The anticipation is in the air and people are keenly watching the chefs through a glass window as they rush around the kitchen in the speed of light showing off their skills. It’s almost like an action movie: with ceiling high flames and steam coming out with a sense of urgency as if something is about to explode. On the other side of the safety of the glass, the buzzing atmosphere is contagiously anticipative.

With only the freshest Scottish ingredients, the menus at The Kitchin Edinburgh can change on a short notice, meaning guests may be able to try something new with every visit. Visitors can choose between an a la carte menu and a chef’s special surprise tasting menus for dinner and a three or four course lunch menu. Each option has a vegetarian version, as well as wine pairings available to complete the fine dining experience.

To start off with a three-course lunch, a cod and chive tart pre-starter got the tastebuds fired up. And to finally get the show on the road with Michelin-star meals, a West Coast shellfish tortellini topped with blood orange, salsify and shellfish sauce offered a perfect balance of warmth and freshness, (and a hint of love). Next up was braised Aberdeen Angus, accompanied with sprouting broccoli, handmade potato gnocchi, and green peppercorn. The tenderness of the meat, the texture of the gnocchi, and the beautiful sauce will make you wish you had it every day. And, finally, the dessert was freshened up with a baked Tomlinson’s farm rhubarb puff pastry tart topped with Ed’s bees honey with some rhubarb sorbet. It is the perfect choice for guests who prefer a sour taste over sweet and is a wholesome way to finish off the lunch.

As Chef Thomas Keller once said, “A recipe has no soul. You, as the cook, must bring soul to the recipe.”

The staff at The Kitchin Edinburgh do just that: with the commitment to the best local produce, skill, and true passion for what they do, the team is able to convey it into the dishes. Not only does chef Tom Kitchin and his wife Michaela put their all into the restaurant, but the couple also gives back to the local community. With a passion for uplifting the next generation, The Kitchins support multiple causes related to young people and highlighting the importance of food in the community. As well as partnering with multiple charities, The Kitchin aids in the delivery of food packages to those in need, hosts cooking masterclasses and events and offers work placements, education, and employability opportunities to the younger generation. What is more, on March 4^th, the restaurant has kindly donated 100% of their takings to Red Cross Ukraine to aid people in need during the war in Ukraine.

Thus, the scrumptious Michelin-star meals are not the only reason why you should visit The Kitchin in the far-away land of Leith. The morals, the ethics and the philanthropic endeavours of the owners makes the restaurant an easy choice, where one can enjoy themselves with a clean conscience, knowing they are supporting not only a local business, but also the community.