Skua

4.7

18 Reviews

£26 to £40

Scottish

Make a reservation

2 people

Jan 21, 2025

9:30 PM

Booked 13 times today

Experiences are available.

Neighborhood gem
Good for special occasions
Great for creative cocktails

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

Dining style
Fine Dining
Price
£26 to £40
Cuisines
Scottish, Contemporary British, Modern European
Hours of operation
Dinner Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
0131 202 7834
Website
http://www.skua.scot/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress

Location
49 St Stephen St, Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH3 5AH
Neighborhood
Edinburgh
Parking details
None
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Vegan, Wine

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.

I.O.W Tomatoes | Gooseberries | Sorrel (V)£14.00
Braised Shallot | Plum | Pancetta | Spruce£14.00
Free Co Beef Tartar | Anchovy | Spelt | Fermented Leek£15.00
Scallop | Delica Pumpkin | Blackcurrant Leaf£15.00
Pink Fir | Walnut | Cheddar | Fermented Ramson (V)£15.00
Sea Trout | Sweet Potato | Cucumber | Aji Amarillo£14.00
Skua Fried Chicken 2.0 | Scotch Bonnet | Hung Yoghurt£22.00
Market Fish | Taramasalata | Sea Plantain£28.00
Sirloin | Girolle | Variegated Kale | Pedro Ximenez£30.00

Dessert

Woodruff Set Cream | Green Pine | Fig£8.00

House Cocktails

Stockbridge Sour£10.00
Single Malt | Symphony 6 | Douglas Fir | Red Wine
Paulie Walnuts£10.00
Toasted Walnut Brandy | Maraschino | House Vermouth
Not Another Gin Fizz£11.00
Purple Carrot Vodka | Kwai Feh | Rose Vermouth | Ginger
Sour Grapes£10.00
Midori | Suze | Verjus | Tequila
Kim’s Chi£10.00
Mezcal | Ancho Reyes | Sherry | Kimchi
Red Hackle£9.00
Lind & Lime Gin | Tawny Port | Campari
Creme Brulee£11.00
White Chocolate | Licor 43 | Olorosso
Blood Orange Fizz 0%£7.00
Lyres Italian Blood Orange | Ginger | Soda

Uncategorised

Bread | Butter
Oyster | Blackcurrant Leaf | Olive Oil
Beetroot Tart | Apple
Smoked Cheese Donut | Guanciale | Chive
Toasted Oat | Leek | Balck Pepper
Grilled Seabass | Cauliflower | Leek | Jersey Royals
Free Co Lamb | Tenderstem | Yoghurt | Bordelaise
Hen of the Woods | Alexanders | Spruce
Ricotta | Blood Orange

What 18 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.6Food
4.8Service
4.7Ambience
4.5Value

Noise • Energetic

Loved For

Edinburgh/Midlothian
Innovative
Edinburgh/Midlothian
Great for creative cocktails
Edinburgh/Midlothian
Neighborhood gem
Edinburgh/Midlothian
Scottish
Edinburgh
Innovative
Edinburgh
Great for creative cocktails
Edinburgh
Neighborhood gem
Edinburgh
Scottish

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Skua is a hidden gem offering "outstanding" cocktails and a cozy atmosphere perfect for any occasion. Guests rave about the "great food and service," with "exciting tasty" dishes and a "stylish environment." The staff is "super friendly" and knowledgeable, enhancing the "lovely" dining experience.

18 Reviews

G
Gill
London
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined 3 days ago
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!
Is this helpful?
L
Leo
Edinburgh
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 4 days ago
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.
Is this helpful?
A
Amanda
Edinburgh
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 4 days ago
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.
Is this helpful?
A
Annette
San Francisco
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
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!
Is this helpful?
D
David
Greater Boston
10 reviews
5.0
10 reviews
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 !
Is this helpful?
j
janis
VIP
Toronto
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on December 27, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Booked this last minute, but enjoyed the ambience and the food immensely. Would highly recommend for anyone looking for a cozy location with great small plates.
Is this helpful?
B
Brian
Edinburgh
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 20, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Lovely & intimate, food interesting & full of outstanding flavours
Is this helpful?
V
Vici
Manchester
3 reviews
3.0
3 reviews
Dined on December 19, 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food was hit and miss. An appetizer came out cold in the middle was replaced but still cold. Fish dish still raw and cold in the middle. Other dishes were lovely…..
Is this helpful?
N
Nicola
Edinburgh
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 14, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Amazing food and the staff were lovely! We will definitely be back.
Is this helpful?
D
Diana
Orlando
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on December 13, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great as always! Dinner was delicious and the staff is super friendly.
Is this helpful?

FAQs

Skua is rated 4.7 stars by 18 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Jan 21, 2025

9:30 PM

Booked 13 times today

Experiences are available.

49 St Stephen St, Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH3 5AH

Additional information

Neighborhood
Edinburgh
Hours of operation
Dinner Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Price
£26 to £40
Cuisines
Scottish, Contemporary British, Modern European
Dining style
Fine Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
None
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Vegan, Wine

Website
http://www.skua.scot/
Phone number
0131 202 7834

Skua

Make a reservation

Additional information

Drinks and Bar Snacks Only

Snacks

Bread | Katy Rodger's Cultured Butter (V)£2.50

Nocellara | Guindilla (V)£4.00

Coppa£10.00

Oyster | Beach Rose | Green Strawberry£4.50

Chickpea Panisse | Fennel | Summer Herbs (V)£5.00

Kimchi (V)£3.00

Skua Fried Chicken 1.0 | Hot Sauce£5.00

Plates

I.O.W Tomatoes | Gooseberries | Sorrel (V)£14.00

Braised Shallot | Plum | Pancetta | Spruce£14.00

Free Co Beef Tartar | Anchovy | Spelt | Fermented Leek£15.00

Scallop | Delica Pumpkin | Blackcurrant Leaf£15.00

Pink Fir | Walnut | Cheddar | Fermented Ramson (V)£15.00

Sea Trout | Sweet Potato | Cucumber | Aji Amarillo£14.00

Skua Fried Chicken 2.0 | Scotch Bonnet | Hung Yoghurt£22.00

Market Fish | Taramasalata | Sea Plantain£28.00

Sirloin | Girolle | Variegated Kale | Pedro Ximenez£30.00

Dessert

Woodruff Set Cream | Green Pine | Fig£8.00

House Cocktails

Stockbridge Sour£10.00

Paulie Walnuts£10.00

Not Another Gin Fizz£11.00

Sour Grapes£10.00

Kim’s Chi£10.00

Red Hackle£9.00

Creme Brulee£11.00

Blood Orange Fizz 0%£7.00

Uncategorised

Bread | Butter

Oyster | Blackcurrant Leaf | Olive Oil

Beetroot Tart | Apple

Smoked Cheese Donut | Guanciale | Chive

Toasted Oat | Leek | Balck Pepper

Grilled Seabass | Cauliflower | Leek | Jersey Royals

Free Co Lamb | Tenderstem | Yoghurt | Bordelaise

Hen of the Woods | Alexanders | Spruce

Ricotta | Blood Orange

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

How is Skua restaurant rated?

Is Skua currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information