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Your Trusted French Restaurant in Edinburgh
At L'Escargot Bleu, we have dedicated ourselves to serving authentic French cuisine in Edinburgh since our establishment. Our commitment to quality ingredients sourced from Scotland and France, combined with traditional cooking techniques, ensures a dining experience that celebrates real food without compromise. Over the past decade, we have cultivated a reputation for excellence, reflected in our inclusion in the Michelin Guide and recognition as Best Restaurant in Scotland at the Slow Food UK Awards. Our blackboard bistro-style menu evolves with the seasons, offering dishes that highlight the finest local produce. The restaurant's ethos extends to our Monkton Garden, where we grow vegetables and herbs to enhance sustainability and deepen our connection to the land.

Under the leadership of Chef Fred Berkmiller, a multiple award-winning culinary innovator, we maintain rigorous standards of hospitality and craftsmanship. Our wine bar provides a warm setting for charcuterie, cheese, and carefully selected wines, while our secluded patio area offers additional ambiance. We adhere to strict policies on reservations and cancellations to ensure service quality, and our team remains dedicated to continuous improvement through feedback and innovation.
Services
French Restaurant Wine Bar Private Dining Garden Dining Gift Vouchers
Highlights and features
  • We have served French cuisine in Edinburgh for 14 years with seasonal menus.
  • Our sourcing combines Scottish produce with French culinary traditions.
  • Awarded Best Restaurant in Scotland at the Slow Food UK Awards.
  • We operate the first Pasture for Life-certified restaurant in the UK.
  • Our blackboard menu evolves based on customer feedback and seasonal availability.
Associations and certifications
  • Michelin Guide
  • Pasture for Life
  • AA Rosette
What people say
Exceptional cuisine Seasonal menus Charming ambiance Award-winning Sustainable practices
Services
French Restaurant
L'Escargot Bleu offers classic French bistro cuisine using seasonal Scottish and French ingredients. Our evolving blackboard menu features dishes crafted with produce from our Monkton Garden and Pasture for Life-certified meats. Chef Fred Berkmiller's expertise ensures authentic flavors and meticulous presentation.
Wine Bar
The wine bar provides a relaxed setting for charcuterie, cheese, and wines by the glass. Guests enjoy smoked fish, raclette boards, and desserts in a welcoming atmosphere with a Hogmanay special menu priced at 60 per person.
Private Dining
We host private Christmas parties and special events for groups of 25+ guests. The restaurant offers tailored three-course menus for festive occasions, including Hogmanay celebrations with options priced at 95 per person.
Garden Dining
Our Monkton Garden supplies fresh vegetables and herbs for the kitchen while offering guests a secluded patio area for wine and nibbles. This space reflects our commitment to sustainability and local food systems.
Gift Vouchers
Gift vouchers provide flexible dining options at L'Escargot Bleu. Recipients can enjoy lunch, dinner, or wine bar experiences, making them ideal for special occasions or culinary gifts.
People
Fred Berkmiller
Chef Patron
Award-winning chef Fred Berkmiller leads L'Escargot Bleu with expertise in French cuisine. Recognized as Chef of the Year at the CIS Excellence Awards 2019, he champions sustainable sourcing and seasonal menus.
Questions
What are L'Escargot Bleu's opening hours?
Dinner is served Wednesday-Saturday 5:30pm-8:30pm. Lunch available Friday & Saturday 12pm-2pm. Wine bar opens Wednesday+Thursday 4pm, Friday+Saturday 2pm.
Does L'Escargot Bleu offer private dining options?
Yes, we host private events for 25+ guests with tailored three-course menus. Contact us directly for availability and details.
What payment methods are accepted?
Reservations require credit/debit card payment. We accept major card types for dining and gift voucher purchases.
Is L'Escargot Bleu certified for sustainable practices?
We are the UK's first Pasture for Life-certified restaurant, using 100% pasture-fed meats and growing our own vegetables at Monkton Garden.
What awards has L'Escargot Bleu received?
We hold a Michelin Guide listing, AA Rosette, and have won Best Restaurant in Scotland at the Slow Food UK Awards twice.
Reviews (6)
Austen Malcolmson-Locke
Dec 21, 2021 Report
Best food we had in Scotland on our tour. So thankyou love the passion for what you do. And the change of menu is extremely refreshing.
Robin Priestley
Dec 17, 2021 Report
Go here before you die. As many times as you can! Lovingly nurtured (as in grown - veg and salads), sourced (from the best producers in Scotland), conceived (by Fred, French food genius), cooked (by magical unseen food elves) and served (by the lovely Betty, Matilde, Sophie and the rest of their wonderful team. Food to enrich the soul, sourced from all around Scotland. Cooked with French skill and style. The best of French wine, aperitifs, liqueurs. The most wonderful warm, welcoming, heart warming surroundings. Leave with a strong desire to come back, a full stomach and the feeling that you have
Sharon Melbourne
Dec 14, 2021 Report
Fantastic friendly staff, lovely food! Dined many times and never disappointed Would recommend 😊
Jonny Sandilands
Nov 24, 2021 Report
Heaven - great food, had to order an extra dessert, as they all sounded so good, didnt disappoint. If youre looking for a solid restaurant at a reasonable price, this is the place. Lovely staff, nice wine, great food freshly cooked.simply French and couldnt ask for more. I would eat here every week if I could.
Taz Choudhury
Oct 31, 2021 Report
PHENOMENAL FOOD
I came here on a Friday evening with a table booked for two people at 7:30pm. Service was welcoming and they did this cool thing where they brought the menu to us on a blackboard. It's written on a black board because it changes daily. Server came round to explain the specials and then take our order. I started off with the crab soup. I've never had it before but it was lovely. It had a nice sweet oceanic flavour throughout. I have to say that it had more of a brothy texture than a soupy one. One of the best things about the soup was the side of rouille! Amazing deep and strong
Charlotte Watson
Oct 28, 2021 Report
What a lovely experience. From the moment we walked in, the welcome was warm and inviting. The setting was equally inviting and comfortable. The menu had all my favourite typical French fare on it with some added interesting selections. I ordered the steak tartare which was the best I've ever tasted. (It would be as is was mixed to my liking!) I then ordered the Bouillabaisse which wasn't too heavy and tasted fresh and light. The fish was expertly cooked. We asked for advice about wine pairings and were given excellent partners to our dishes. We then shared a delicious cheese plate which was interesting