White Horse Oyster and Seafood Bar review

Jo Morris devours the freshest fish and fruits de mer at White Horse Oyster and Seafood Bar on the Royal Mile

So, you know when you discover a restaurant you love then go back and it’s just a teeny bit disappointing? Well I’m pleased to report that the White Horse is NOT that restaurant. In fact, some 18 months after it opened its doors to in-the know locals and lucky visitors stumbling across it, this seafood gem on the Canongate has raised its already high bar even further.

We arrive on a sunny Saturday lunchtime and as we are led through to our table, we spot the most fabulous iced glasses of Oyster Stout. Decision one made - oysters and stout to start please. Aficionados of oysters will have their favourites, Loch Fyne are mine and these ones are delicious; creamy and full of flavour.

The menu has evolved from starters and mains to sharing plates and is all the better for it. I’m a default habit eater so sharing plates extend my repertoire which is definitely a good thing. Today I am pushed even more as we learn that the crab legs we had been craving before arrival were off the menu- a reminder that excellent food relies on fresh fish so if the fishermen didn’t catch any crabs that morning, you won’t be having any crab for lunch. Oh well. 

We crack on bravely with a spectacular monkfish satay, £9.50, bonnet cured salmon, £10.50, the “best octopus I’ve ever eaten” (charred with smoked mayo and sea herbs), £11.50, burrata and heritage tomato, £9.50, and sea trout with charred corn, £11.50. And fries. I love chips but they can sometimes be a little heavy with the seafood stealing the headlines. These ones are perfect: string thin and delicious. We choose the house Champagne which is crisp and well-priced to complement a very lovely lunch. Leisurely, great ambience and overall a perfect way to spend an afternoon.

White Horse Oyster & Seafood Bar, 266 Canongate,  EH8 8AA, 0131 629 5300, whitehorseoysterbar.co.uk July 2019