Cardinal is an intimate 20 seat restaurant at 14 Eyre Place in Edinburgh's New Town, led by chef patron Tomás Gormley. Its calm setting away from the busiest city centre streets supports a considered dining experience built around warm hospitality and carefully paced menus.
The kitchen serves seasonal tasting menus that place Scottish produce at the centre of the meal. Orkney scallops, game when in season and vegetables grown for the restaurant illustrate the close relationship between local ingredients, the time of year and the progression of each menu.
Diners can choose among several formats, including a concise market lunch, a three course set menu, the main seasonal tasting menu and an extended Cardinal experience. Dishes change regularly, while wine pairings and selections by the glass allow the drinks to follow the rhythm of the food.
A growing share of the fresh produce comes from Cardinal's regenerative kitchen garden at Bramblewood Farm in Pathhead, where tomatoes, courgettes, beetroot, salad leaves, herbs and flowers are cultivated. This direct connection to the garden gives the cooking a clear sense of place and makes the restaurant particularly well suited to a special lunch or an unhurried evening meal.
Address: 14 Eyre Place, Edinburgh EH3 5EP, Scotland