97
Edinburgh 2021/22
FRENCH
French
38-40 Grassmarket
Edinburgh, EH1 2JU
Tel: 0131 226 2442
Petit Paris
Petit Paris is a renowned restaurant on
Edinburgh’s famous Grassmarket, serving up a
small slice of Parisian cuisine, just as its name
would suggest. Its prominent location makes
the restaurant a favourite with the city’s many
tourists and indeed anyone else who chances
upon it while passing through. The menu may
be staunchly French but the cuisine is served up
without airs or graces. Space is at a premium
in this bijou restaurant, but if you don’t mind
occasionally bumping elbows with fellow diners,
the food makes it all worthwhile. Slowly braised
lamb shanks, rich casseroles and lovingly-
prepared terrines take care of the food side of
things, accompanied by a finely selected wine
list. The staff who run this busy little eatery go
out of their way to welcome guests from near and
far. Petit Paris brings an authentic taste of the
continent to the heart of old Edinburgh.
MAISON BLEUE
36/38 Victoria Street, Edinburgh, EH1 2JW
0131 226 1900
Maison Bleue is a restaurant which peppers its
cuisine with an interesting blend of influences
and styles including French, North African and
Scottish. Once inside, the decor strikes you as
every bit as eclectic as the menu, with quirky light
fittings and mismatched chairs coming together
to create a uniquely charming venue on Victoria
Street. The building retains many original features
which date back to the 15th century, including
a stone archway with room enough to nestle
a couple of tables for two. Dean Gassabi is the
man behind Maison Bleue and dubs the cooking
‘French colonial’, incorporating various elements
from North Africa and Asia. Gassabi seems to take
his menu where fancy leads him, serving haggis
balls, boeuf à la bourguignonne and bedouin
méchoui as well as more exotic dishes such as
South Vietnamese coconut chicken. Bon appetit!
PETIT PARIS
