The Pompadour

One of Edinburgh’s prettiest dining rooms, the Pompadour is decked out in the softest sugar-almond shades of blues and greys, with hand-painted birds and flowers adorning the walls. Tables are set with snowy-white linen, weighty crystal glasses and polished silverware, while the food is more than a match for this lavish room, with every dish a serious contender in the looks department. Veteran restaurateurs the Galvin brothers are the culinary maestros behind this grand hotel restaurant, where French-inspired dishes such as venison tartare, Kombu and confit egg yolk and loin of Ayrshire hogget with wild garlic are executed to perfection.

Chef Dean Banks has taken the ‘pomp’ out of the Pompadour with a coastal themed setting for his carefully sourced, traditional Scottish ingredients given a brush with exotic climes. From the moment you spot the boat beached in the middle of the dining room you know stuffiness is a ghost of the past, as further evidenced by oysters in tongue-tingling yuzu served with with the flourish of coastal haar. You may find perfectly cooked Orkney scallops enlivened by kaffir lime leaf and kimchi, North Sea cod with lemongrass and coconut and barbecued duck breast with tamarind, asparagus and cured egg.

Long story short: massive investment in distinguished old hotel, rebranding, accomplished London restaurateurs the Galvin brothers take over the dining rooms in 2012. The flagship restaurant at what was once called, simply, the Caledonian is the rococo-styled Pompadour, dating to the 1920s. It now looks fresher than ever and although the Galvins may have their name on the website, the top man behind the kitchen door day to day is the highly talented Craig Sandle.

To paraphrase Julia Roberts in Notting Hill: dinner isn't dinner if it's not being done beside a boat. Upstairs at the Waldorf Astoria you can eat some of the most interesting food in Edinburgh, cooked up by Masterchef finalist Dean Banks, where a small sea vessel greets you as you walk through the doors. Everything only gets more fantastical from there, including oysters served in veils of fog and a curried butter that tastes like a Pot Noodle.The gochujang beef is a particular highlight, coming with black garlic puree, a black sesame dressing and wild garlic a half dozen ways for a deliciously grassy, umami-heavy plate.

Were our reporters just unlucky this year at this famous dining room in one of the city’s most imposing hotels?. Named for King Louis XV of France’s favourite mistress, its muralled ceiling and opulent decor are in contrast to the cutting-edge style of star chef Dean Banks’s eight-course tasting menu for £105 per person. But whereas there’s a host of enthusiastic reviews of the experience to be found online, our feedback this year was limited and downbeat: “was expecting great things from DB at the Pompadour but ended up really disappointed”.

The 2018 finalist of MasterChef: The Professionals, took over the five-star Waldorf Astoria’s famed restaurant (originally named after Madame Pompadour, Louis XV’s mistress), in 2021. Its intricate period dining room and sought-after castle views have long made The Pompadour a city fine dining favourite, but under Dean Banks’ relatively recent leadership, it’s further flourished. Tasting menus come in the form of lunch, classic, chef’s signature and vegan options, with paired wine flights available.

The Pompadou offers one of Edinburgh’s prettiest dining rooms|Courtesy of The Pompadour. One of Edinburgh’s prettiest dining rooms, the Pompadour is decked out in the softest sugar-almond shades of blues and greys, with hand-painted birds and flowers adorning the walls. Tables are set with snowy-white linen, weighty crystal glasses and polished silverware, while the food is more than a match for this lavish room, with every dish a serious contender in the looks department.

You want your proposal to be special, so forget about following your regular dinner date night routine and choose a more upscale eatery for the event. The Pompadour by Galvin is a Michelin star restaurant that won’t disappoint; it’s got an absolutely gorgeous interior, offers amazing castle views and is equipped with a drool-worthy menu. If you’re down to splurge even more, book a private room to make it a touch more intimate.

Edinburgh’s swankiest restaurant, operated by the reliable Galvin brothers, serves classic French dishes with a mainly Old World wine list that fields an unusually plentiful choice of half bottles. Expect serious prices for its fine wines and older vintages, but a Coravin allows you to sample delights by the glass, from regions such as Puligny-Montrachet, Tuscany, Priorat and the Dão.

Boasting a range of delectable dishes in a fine dining atmosphere, treat your loved one to a meal like no other at The Pompadour. This upscale restaurant with views of Edinburgh Castle offers unique fare that showcases the best of land and sea in a sensory experience. Pop the bubbly before popping the question during a sensational meal like no other.

Emily Campbell Johnston, senior manager of marketing & communications at Essential Edinburgh, said: “With so many exciting new venues opening in the city centre, this year’s Eat Out Edinburgh is set to be our most diverse and engaging yet. The addition of supper clubs will bring a whole new level of exclusivity and experience for diners.

Dean Banks’ latest fine dining restaurant has landed in Edinburgh. Dean and his team have taken over the historic Pompadour restaurant at Waldorf Astoria, The Caledonian Hotel on Princes Street. The restaurant embraces the same ethos as Haar Restaurant, St Andrews and showcases the best of land and sea.

Dubbed Edinburgh's ‘finest French restaurant’, it is located in the grand Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh. Chris and Jeff Galvin are the brothers behind the restaurant that offers a number of sample menus. Enjoy the seasonal menus while you admire the views of the iconic Edinburgh Castle.

After his appearance on MasterChef: The Professionals, Dean Banks made something of a name for himself, but food lovers already knew how great his food was. He now runs The Pompadour restaurant at The Waldorf Astoria Hotel on Princes Street. This is most definitely fine dining.

I had an amazing dinner at The Pompadour by Galvin, which you can see in this video. The combination of delicious, locally-sourced, seasonal food, warm, personal service from the staff and unbeatable views of the castle on the hill, really made it a spectacular experience.