Skua, Stockbridge – A Michelin-Recognised Small Plates Restaurant in Edinburgh
Tucked away in Edinburgh’s hottest culinary neighbourhood of Stockbridge, Skua is a modern Edinburgh restaurant that's big on flavour and bold in concept. With a recent Michelin Bib Gourmand, it’s the perfect place to celebrate birthdays, share a plate or three, and treat yourself to some of the finest seasonal small plates in the city. From its creative cocktails to its curated dishes, this neighbourhood gem is one worth bookmarking for your next special occasion or indulgent night out.
If you're searching for a special occasion restaurant in Edinburgh that delivers elevated dining, Skua in Stockbridge deserves a top spot on your list. Tucked just a stone's throw from our front door, this Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded gem is ideal for birthday dinners, date nights, or a refined foodie treat, especially when time and distance matter.
Why Skua is Perfect for a Special Occasion in Edinburgh
With our birthdays landing just two weeks apart, my partner and I love to mark the moment with a local culinary escape. This year, we stayed close to home and booked a table at Skua Restaurant Edinburgh, a small plates destination that's bringing big-city polish to the leafy lanes of Stockbridge.
Skua is helmed by powerhouse pair Katie Mess and James Aitken, the creative forces behind both Skua and its sister bar Cardinal, and guided by renowned chef Tomas Gormley. Just across the road you'll find Messer, Scotland’s first artisanal kitchen and knife shop—also run by the same talented crew. Talk about a foodie triangle of excellence.
Skua's recent Michelin Bib Gourmand accolade is a testament to its ethos: refined, high-quality food that reflects Scotland’s local produce and modern culinary identity—without the white-tablecloth fuss. The menu is tight and intentional, split into:
7 inventive snacks (£5–£10) designed to tease the palate.
6 larger plates (£15–£30) that marry technique with comfort.
2 desserts, one savoury (cheese) and one sweet, each at £8.
The dark, cosy, boutique vibe is all part of the charm. Think a black box with warm lighting, crisp flavours, and elegant plates that celebrate Scottish seasonal ingredients with creativity and care.
Elevated Dining in a Cosy, Quirky Setting
Skua is the sort of place where you go to savour, not scoff. It’s ideal for a special occasion in Edinburgh, a low-key celebration, or even a chic first date spot in Stockbridge but if you're absolutely starving and counting pennies, this isn’t the place to make your entrance. With the bill often floating above the £100 mark for two, Skua leans into the “treat yourself” category rather than “cheap eats.”
The space itself is small, and unapologetically so. You step past the open kitchen, a peek behind the culinary curtain (say hello to Head Chef James) before settling into a dining room that feels curated, not cramped. The small plates concept really sings in a setting like this, where each dish is crafted with care and the kitchen keeps things ticking without rushing.
Service? Utterly charming. There’s a laid-back, attentive vibe that suits the setting knowledgeable without being stiff, chatty without overstaying the welcome. Dishes arrive as and when they’re ready, keeping the flow relaxed and the pacing refreshingly unfussy.
My top tip? Share everything. Order a few dishes to kick things off, maybe a snack or two and one of the larger plates then take stock, chat, sip something delightful (the cocktails are properly impressive, by the way), and order more if you fancy. It keeps things flexible and avoids that awkward “do we all eat or wait?” shuffle.
What We Ordered – A Look at the Dishes
We kicked things off with the Company Sourdough and cultured butter (£6) and a plate of Coppa (£10) a duo that set the tone beautifully. The sourdough struck that perfect balance: chewy yet airy, with just the right amount of tang to carry the richness of the cultured butter. Paired with delicate, melt-in-your-mouth slices of Coppa, it was the kind of bite that makes you pause, smile, and nod appreciatively.
Next to land on the table was the Panisse with St Andrews Cheddar and pickled walnut (£8). Golden, crisp-edged rectangles laced with cheddar and a tangy pop from the walnut. Comfort food done with finesse, and outrageously moreish.
For the larger plates, we moved on to the Beef Tartare with Pommary mustard, alliums, and dittander leaf (£17). It’s a minimalist plate with maximum impact. Beautifully balanced, finely chopped and seasoned with real precision. The kind of dish that doesn’t shout for attention but wins you over with quiet confidence.
Then came the showstopper: the Lamb with wild garlic and courgette (£30). This was hands down my favourite dish of the night. Expertly cooked, tender and perfectly pink, nestled amongst a garden-fresh medley of green, it was succulent, seasonal, and just divine; a plate that whispers of summer and lingers long after the last bite.
We rounded off our meal by going for both desserts because when you're already indulging, why hold back?
The savoury option, Gorgonzola with malt biscuit and apricot (£8), had all the right ingredients on paper: bold, creamy cheese, a crunchy base, and a sweet pop of fruit. But while the flavours were sound, it lacked a touch of finesse in the presentation. With ingredients that naturally sing, we felt it could’ve been elevated to match the polish of the earlier courses. A smidge more theatre and balance would’ve brought it to life.
The sweet dessert, a light finale of chocolate, fig leaf, and vanilla (£8), it was delicate and rounded off the evening gently, like a soft curtain close.
Skua knows its strengths—and while there’s always room for a little extra flair, it’s clear this Michelin-recognised Stockbridge gem is carving out its space as one of the best small plate restaurants in Edinburgh for good reason.
THINGS TO NOTE ABOUT SKUA
Booking is essential. The space is small and intimate, seating approx 20 people
The WC is outside
They are not disabled friendly as there are many steps down into the restaurant
They are closed Sundays and Mondays
Skua, 49 St Stephen Street, Stockbridge, Edinburgh, EH3 5AH www.skua.scot
My Spoon Award : Silver Spoon 8/10
TartanSpoon is an Award-winning blog that brings you reviews and recommendations on the very best places to eat, drink and stay in Edinburgh, Scotland and beyond.
Adele is a writer, reviewer and judge living in Edinburgh. She sits on the Committee for the Guild of Food Writers (Scottish Events), is a Great Taste Judge for the Guild of Fine Food, Scottish Bakers, Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards and a Judge for the Gin Co-operative awards. Should you wish to work with, invite or collaborate with TartanSpoon, please email tartanspoon@yahoo.co.uk
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