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exterior - Skua, Edinburgh, Edinburgh

Skua

4.8
4.8
23 Reviews
£26 to £40
Scottish

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 7 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Neighborhood gem
  • Good for special occasions
  • Innovative
Skua is a small basement restaurant and bar located on St Stephen street in Stockbridge. The food menu, led by Head Chef James Aikman, is seasonal, refined, well balanced and innovative. Drawing from a large library of pickled and fermented produce year round the kitchen team offers dishes that punch well above their weight and are produced in an exceptionally small space, visible to guests as they enter the restaurant. The cocktail programme, spearheaded by Jacob Thunder is equally innovative and playful with a regularly rotating selection of house favourites as well as the classics available on request. Skua has been listed in the Michelin Guide and The Good Food Guide since its opening year in 2023.

Additional information

Experiences

  • Drinks and Bar Snacks Only

    Multiple dates available
    After 10pm we remain open as a bar, with a small selection of snacks available until we close. The main kitchen will not be able to prepare dishes from the main menu during tis time.
    Drinks and Bar Snacks Only Photo

What 23 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseEnergetic

Loved For

  • Edinburgh/Midlothian

    Best Ambiance

  • Edinburgh/Midlothian

    Innovative

  • Edinburgh/Midlothian

    Neighborhood gem

  • Edinburgh/Midlothian

    Scottish

  • Edinburgh

    Best Ambiance

  • Edinburgh

    Innovative

  • Edinburgh

    Neighborhood gem

  • Edinburgh

    Great for fine wines

  • Edinburgh

    Scottish

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Skua offers a "dark, intimate, atmospheric" dining experience with "exotic sharing plates" and "amazing cocktails." Guests rave about the "fantastic food" and "super friendly staff." The restaurant is praised as a "hidden gem" with "creative food" that "stretches the imagination." While some dishes received mixed feedback, overall, Skua is highly recommended for its "exciting, tasty food" and "cozy environment."

23 Reviews
  1. OpenTable Diner VIP

    Washington DC3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 1, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Very nice place for dinner and drinks! The flavor combinations were interesting and different but tasty. The staff were all very knowledgable and the cocktails were innovative. Love the vibe of the place.

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  2. Justice VIP

    Los Angeles22 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on February 21, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Outstanding food and incredible atmosphere. Chef whipped up a veggie dish for our vegetarian friend on the fly and we loved it! Staff were friendly.

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  3. Jill VIP

    New York City2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on February 8, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had a great evening with amazing cocktails, interesting wine list, fantastic food and really good service

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  4. Tony

    London12 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on February 8, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Dark, intimate, atmospheric dining room with exotic sharing plates, super friendly staff in an interesting part of the City. A very enjoyable experience.

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  5. Lindsay

    New York City3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on February 5, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Truly one of the most incredible meals we’ve ever had

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  6. Gill

    London1 review

    2.0

    Dined on January 18, 2025

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 4
    We were so looking forward to our dinner at Skua but were really disappointed. We found the focaccia bland and stale, the celeriac served with the beef shin undercooked and the beef shin itself over salted. We ordered venison which was very tough and we found to be very overpriced at £30 for 2 very small pieces of venison and no carbs. We enjoyed the leek dish and found the wine by the glass interesting and delicious. Service was a little too informal, with nobody checking on us, an ordered dish forgotten about and no offer of additional wine or mentioning that we’d booked for a special occasion The reviews are great so potentially just an off night but we won’t be rushing back!

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  7. Leo

    Edinburgh1 review

    5.0

    Dined on January 17, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The atmosphere was excellent, with limited and intentional lighting and good music, the food was so tasty and the wine selection was brilliant, it was truly a feast for the tastebuds as well as the eyes. The staff were really accommodating, friendly and helpful. It is amazing what the people at Skua have managed to accomplish in that tiny space, would love to go again and recommend Skua strongly.

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  8. Amanda

    Edinburgh1 review

    5.0

    Dined on January 17, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Delicious, creative food. We tried a whole selection of small plates and every one was delicious. Service attentive and helpful. Delightful place.

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  9. Annette

    San Francisco2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on December 31, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We have been there for drinks on New Years Eve and the Cocktails were outstanding. The restaurant is Souterrain and offers a cozy environment- just right to end the year. The staff was super nice and we got offered a drink as well to welcome the new year. As we did not have food it is difficult to rate that, so this is why I only gave 3 stars. I bet it is delicious as well. We definitely want to come again- but this time for a proper dinner!

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  10. David

    Greater Boston10 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on December 29, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Third time we've been, thrilled by the consistency of great food and service. Really enjoyable meal again, thanks !

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FAQs

Skua is rated 4.8 stars by 23 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 7 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for Skua

49 St Stephen St, Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH3 5AH

Additional information

  • Phone number
  • Price
    £26 to £40
  • Cuisines
    Scottish, Contemporary British, Modern European
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    None
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Privacy Policy
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