Dogstar Edinburgh
Leith, Edinburgh
Restaurant in Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Chef James Murray's modern European bistro in Leith delivers Michelin-level technique in a neighbourhood setting, with a seafood-led menu and curtained booths that work well for couples and small groups. Easier to book and less formal than The Kitchin two streets away, but the compact layout and limited hours (Thursday to Sunday only) make it better suited to intimate dinners than large gatherings.
About Dogstar Edinburgh
Dogstar Edinburgh is a smart-casual Edinburgh restaurant open later in the week, with service listed from Thursday dinner through Sunday lunch and dinner. It is a modern European bistro by Michelin-starred chef James Murray, with a warm room that includes cute curtains and cosy booths. If you are comparing it with other Edinburgh dining, it can sit on an itinerary alongside The Kitchin or Alby's Leith, but the specific menu, prices, seating capacity and private-dining arrangements should be confirmed directly.
The Room and the Format
Dogstar Edinburgh is described as warm, with cute curtains and cosy booths. That may suggest a bistro feel, but specific claims about table sizes, seat counts, bar seating, private rooms or large-party capacity should be confirmed. The venue is a smart-casual Edinburgh booking where the atmosphere is part of the appeal; confirm any seating preference directly when reserving.
What Murray's Background Delivers
Dogstar Edinburgh is a modern European bistro by Michelin-starred chef James Murray. Beyond that, the exact dishes, sourcing, menu format, pricing and service style are not detailed, so it is better not to assume a seafood-led menu, tasting-menu structure or particular price tier. Dogstar Edinburgh is a smart-casual bistro in Edinburgh with limited weekly opening days.
When to Book
Dogstar Edinburgh is closed Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. It opens Thursday from 5:30–9 PM; Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12–2:30 PM and 5:30–9 PM. Those hours make it a later-week option when planning a multi-day Edinburgh dining itinerary. Specific booking lead times, walk-in availability and which services fill first should be checked directly before making plans.
How the Private Dining Option Works
Information on a dedicated private-dining programme, buyout policy or group capacity is not available. The room is described as having cosy booths and curtains, which may create a more tucked-away feel, but that should not be treated as confirmation of private dining or acoustic privacy. If you need a specific setup for a celebration, business meal or larger group, contact Dogstar Edinburgh directly before booking. For comparison shopping, you can also look at other allowed Edinburgh options such as The Kitchin, while keeping Dogstar Edinburgh's smart-casual profile and limited opening schedule in mind.
Planning details
- Location
- 17 Portland Pl, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6LA, United Kingdom
- Website
- dogstarleith.com
- Phone
- 041315632776
Venue details
Ambiance
Intimate and softly lit bistro atmosphere with a modern yet relaxed feel, where a compact dining room, chalkboard menus, and polished but unstuffy service create a special-occasion vibe without formality.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Sourcing
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Leisurely
- Capacity
- Small
Signature Dishes
- Smoked eel omelette with celeriac
- Half lobster with whipped lobster roe, pink fir potatoes and samphire
- Lamb rump with maple bacon, green beans and miso neeps
- Sea bream with lobster butter sauce and potatoes
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- Alby's Leith, Notable alternative
- The Kitchin, Modern British, Modern Cuisine, ££££
- Dùthchas, Notable alternative
- Aurora, Notable alternative
- Domenico's, Notable alternative
Restaurant context
Against Leith's Michelin anchor The Kitchin, Dogstar offers a similar pedigree, both kitchens are led by Michelin-starred chefs, but trades tablecloth formality and tasting-menu structure for à la carte flexibility and lower price points. The Kitchin requires six weeks' lead time and runs ££££; Dogstar books two to three weeks out and sits a tier below on cost. If you want Murray's precision without the occasion-dining commitment, Dogstar is the clearer pick. Alby's Leith offers a more casual, lower-priced alternative in the same neighbourhood, with easier walk-in availability and a menu that skews bistro-simple rather than technique-driven. For pure value, Alby's wins; for execution and refinement, Dogstar edges ahead.
Aurora and Domenico's serve different audiences, Aurora leans contemporary and lighter, Domenico's runs Italian, so direct comparisons hinge on cuisine preference. Dogstar's seafood focus and modern European framing place it closer to The Kitchin's ethos than either of those two, making it the natural step-down for diners who want Murray's approach without Kitchin's six-week wait or ££££ spend. If you're choosing between Leith bistros for a weekend dinner, Dogstar is the strongest midpoint: better execution than Alby's, easier booking than The Kitchin, a cosy room that rewards small groups over large parties.
Explore Edinburgh
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Dogstar Edinburgh guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Dogstar Edinburgh
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dogstar Edinburgh | Edinburgh | ; | SquareMeal UK Top 100 Restaurants 2026 · #282026 National Restaurant Awards Top 100 · #512026 Michelin Guide New RestaurantsMichelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 20262026 Michelin Plate | ; |
| Alby's Leith | Edinburgh | No published awards | ; | ; |
| The Kitchin | Edinburgh | Modern British, Modern Cuisine | 2026 National Restaurant Awards Top 100 · #492026 Harden's Top 100 UK Restaurants · #69Star Wine Lists 20262026 AA 5-Rosette Restaurants2026 OAD Top Restaurants in Europe Recommended2026 Michelin 1 Star2026 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 OAD Top Restaurants in Europe Ranked · #475The Good Food Guide 2025 | ££££ |
| Dùthchas | Leith | Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2026 | ; | ; |
| Aurora | Edinburgh | 2026 Forbes 5-Star2026 Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence2025 Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence2025 Forbes 5-Star | ; | ; |
| Domenico's | Edinburgh | No published awards | ; | ; |
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How Dogstar Edinburgh compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Dogstar Edinburgh handle dietary restrictions?
Dietary accommodation details are not available. If you have allergies or specific dietary requirements, confirm directly with Dogstar Edinburgh before booking, especially because the restaurant is open only Thursday through Sunday.
Is Dogstar Edinburgh good for a special occasion?
It may suit a smart-casual occasion in Edinburgh, particularly if you like a warm bistro setting with cosy booths and curtains. Specific private-dining options, group capacity and celebration packages should be confirmed directly if the occasion requires particular seating or arrangements.
What should a first-timer know about Dogstar Edinburgh?
Dogstar Edinburgh is a smart-casual Edinburgh restaurant described as a modern European bistro by Michelin-starred chef James Murray. It is closed Monday to Wednesday, opens Thursday evening, opens for both lunch and dinner Friday to Sunday.
Is lunch or dinner better at Dogstar Edinburgh?
The hours show lunch on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12–2:30 PM, dinner Thursday through Sunday from 5:30–9 PM. There is no information on differences in menu, pace, pricing or availability between lunch and dinner.
What are alternatives to Dogstar Edinburgh in Edinburgh?
comparisons venues include The Kitchin, Alby's Leith, Aurora, Domenico's and Dùthchas. Use them as reference points for other Edinburgh dining options, but check each venue directly for current hours, format, menu and booking details.
