Private dining venues for hire in Edinburgh
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Private dining in Edinburgh spans from Howies' Scottish fare at £35-£55 per head to The Kitchin's Michelin-starred tasting menus reaching £200 before wine pairings. The sweet spot sits around £75-£125 per person for venues like Hawksmoor or the National Museum's Rooftops. Most venues operate minimum spends rather than room hire fees, typically £1,500-£3,000 for intimate spaces, jumping to £6,000-£12,000 for exclusive use of destination venues like Mansfield Traquair or Timberyard.
Madison and Chaophraya's Glass Box deliver panoramic castle vistas from their elevated positions, while Cannonball sits practically in the castle's shadow on Castlehill. One Square's private dining room frames Edinburgh Castle across Festival Square, particularly magical during winter illuminations. For something different, the National Museum's Board and Bute Rooms combine castle views with a private rooftop terrace, letting guests step outside between courses for photos against the skyline.
Edinburgh offers three distinct Michelin-level private experiences: Number One at The Balmoral seats 10 in refined surroundings, The Kitchin in Leith accommodates 20 in their dedicated PDR, and Timberyard's 'Shed' creates an intimate 10-seat experience complete with wood-burning stove. Each chef brings their philosophy to private groups - Tom Kitchin's 'Nature to Plate', Timberyard's Nordic-influenced seasonality, or Number One's classical French techniques with Scottish produce.
For grand-scale dining, The Signet Library's Upper Library seats 220 beneath soaring neoclassical columns, while Dynamic Earth's Stratosphere pushes capacity to 550 in its dramatic atrium. The Royal Yacht Britannia creates maritime elegance for 196 across multiple state rooms, and Mansfield Traquair's painted nave accommodates 350 for atmospheric candlelit banquets. Each venue includes dedicated events teams who handle production, AV, and entertainment alongside catering.
New Town dominates with options along George Street and St Andrew Square - The Dome, InterContinental Edinburgh, Hawksmoor, and Gleneagles Townhouse all within a 10-minute walk. The Old Town clusters around the Royal Mile with The Signet Library, Amber Restaurant, and Angels with Bagpipes. Leith offers waterfront character at The Royal Yacht Britannia, Fingal, and The Kitchin, while emerging St James Quarter brings contemporary options like Duck & Waffle's Nest room.
Beyond traditional restaurants, Edinburgh excels at theatrical settings. The Royal Yacht Britannia lets you dine where the Queen entertained heads of state, while Fingal's floating ballroom features a retractable skylight over a former lighthouse tender. The Scotch Whisky Experience's Collection vault seats 10 surrounded by 3,300 whiskies, and Dynamic Earth offers pre-dinner journeys through their immersive exhibitions before settling into the Stratosphere for dinner.
Edinburgh caters brilliantly to intimate gatherings - Prestonfield House's Salon Privée seats just two for the ultimate romantic dinner, while Duck & Waffle's Whisky Room and Timberyard's Shed each accommodate 10. Most dedicated PDRs start at 12-16 capacity, like those at Gleneagles Townhouse or Chaophraya. These smaller spaces often waive room hire fees with minimum spends from £1,000-£2,500, making them surprisingly accessible for special occasions.
For Edinburgh Festival season (August) and December, secure bookings 3-4 months ahead for premium venues like The Balmoral or The Royal Yacht Britannia. Spring and autumn offer more flexibility, typically requiring 4-6 weeks' notice. Michelin-starred venues like The Kitchin book their private rooms months ahead year-round. January-March represents the golden window for negotiation, when venues offer their most flexible terms and chefs have bandwidth for creative menu development.
Several Edinburgh venues combine private dining with outdoor access: The National Museum's Board and Bute Rooms include an exclusive rooftop terrace, Prestonfield House's Garden Room opens to private grounds, and Kimpton Charlotte Square offers their leafy Garden space. Seasonal options include Royal Botanic Garden's Terrace Café and Timberyard's courtyard for summer canapé receptions. Most outdoor spaces operate April-September, though some offer heated winter terraces.
Waverley Station puts you within 10 minutes' walk of most Old and New Town venues, while the tram network serves St Andrew Square (Hawksmoor, Gleneagles Townhouse) and Ocean Terminal (The Royal Yacht Britannia). For Leith venues like The Kitchin or Fingal, budget £8-12 for taxis from city centre, or use the excellent tram connection. Many venues offer discounted parking at nearby NCP facilities, though December and Festival periods make public transport more reliable than driving.