The Ivy on the Square
Greenside, Edinburgh
Restaurant in Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
The Ivy on the Square is a practical first-timer pick for central Edinburgh when convenience, group flexibility and drinks-to-dinner ease matter more than a chef-led destination meal. It makes sense for St Andrew Square plans, especially earlier in the day; cross-shop Dishoom Edinburgh or The Spence if the meal itself needs to carry more weight.
About The Ivy on the Square
The Ivy on the Square in Edinburgh keeps long daily hours and has a smart-casual dress code, making it straightforward to plan around for daytime or evening bookings.
The main reason to consider it is scheduling flexibility. It opens from 8:30 AM daily, closes at 11:30 PM from Sunday to Thursday, closes at 12 AM on Friday and Saturday. If you are comparing other Edinburgh options, you might also look at Gaucho Edinburgh, wagamama edinburgh st andrew square, Dishoom Edinburgh, Sàigòn Mémoire, or The Spence, depending on what kind of booking you want to make.
Book it for flexible Edinburgh timing
The clearest use case is convenience. The hours give diners a wide window across the day and evening, the smart-casual dress code is useful to know before booking.
With the booking case resting on practical ease, readers looking for a more detailed shortlist can widen the search through our full Edinburgh restaurants guide, readers planning an evening out can also check our full Edinburgh bars guide.
Who should choose it, who should cross-shop
Choose this for an Edinburgh booking where long opening hours and a smart-casual setting matter. For a booking driven by a particular menu style, service format, price point, or accolades, compare other Edinburgh dining options such as Dishoom Edinburgh, Gaucho Edinburgh, Sàigòn Mémoire, The Spence, or wagamama edinburgh st andrew square.
The practical verdict: The Ivy on the Square is easiest to justify when timing and simplicity are the priority. Keep expectations focused on convenience and planning ease. Visitors building a broader Edinburgh itinerary can pair the restaurant search with our full Edinburgh hotels guide, our full Edinburgh experiences guide and our full Edinburgh wineries guide.
Planning details
- Location
- 6 St Andrew Sq, Edinburgh EH2 2BD, United Kingdom
- Reservations
- Book on OpenTable
- Website
- ivycollection.com
- Phone
- +441315264777
The take
The Take
The Vibe
The Ivy on the Square presents a polished brasserie sensibility in Edinburgh’s measured Georgian New Town. Interiors follow the Ivy Collection’s consistent design code—jewel-toned upholstery, botanical illustration and warm, flattering lighting—so the room reads as celebratory without feeling fussy. It occupies a heritage ground-floor context that nods to the city’s formality while inviting everyday visits; the overall effect is a classic, warm dining room that aims to make most occasions feel a little more special.
Best For
This is an all-day brasserie that easily handles a range of occasions: midday corporate lunches, weekend brunches and relaxed evening dates all sit comfortably here. The description frames the venue as accessible rather than ultra-ambitious, so it suits business meals that want a presentable setting, social after-work drinks that veer toward dinner, and celebratory outings that prefer atmosphere over formality. Its New Town location also makes it a convenient pick for nearby meetings and downtown plans.
Ordering Tips
Order from the menu's signature classics to get a clear sense of the house style—highlights include Chicken Milanese, Twice-baked Cheese Soufflé and the Whiskey Barrel Wood Smoked Salmon. The copy positions the restaurant as trading on atmosphere and reliably executed brasserie dishes rather than avant-garde tasting menus, so expect well-made, familiar plates that align with the room’s celebratory, all-day programme.
Venue details
Ambiance
Vibrant yet refined atmosphere with stylish décor in a striking space featuring a mezzanine and terrace.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
View
Accessibility
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Medium
Signature Dishes
- Chicken Milanese
- Twice-baked Cheese Soufflé
- Whiskey Barrel Wood Smoked Salmon
Planning details
Location
6 St Andrew Sq, Edinburgh EH2 2BD, United Kingdom · Directions
Also consider
Also Consider
- Gaucho Edinburgh, Notable alternative
- wagamama edinburgh st andrew square, Notable alternative
- Dishoom Edinburgh, Notable alternative
- Sàigòn Mémoire, Notable alternative
- The Spence, Modern British, £££
Restaurant context
Gaucho Edinburgh is the clearer choice for a steak-led dinner, while The Ivy on the Square is better when the group wants a broader, more flexible central booking. For a faster nearby meal with less ceremony, wagamama edinburgh st andrew square is the lower-commitment option.
Dishoom Edinburgh is the stronger pick when atmosphere and a more defined food identity matter. The Ivy on the Square wins on all-day usefulness and drinks-led flexibility, especially for first-timers using St Andrew Square as a meeting point.
The Spence is the more formal Modern British cross-shop at £££, so choose it when the meal is the occasion. Sàigòn Mémoire is the better alternative if the priority is a smaller-feeling, more specific restaurant choice rather than a broad central crowd-pleaser.
Explore Edinburgh
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full The Ivy on the Square guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare The Ivy on the Square
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Price | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Ivy on the Square | Edinburgh | ; | ; | No published awards |
| Gaucho Edinburgh | Edinburgh | ; | ; | No published awards |
| wagamama edinburgh st andrew square | Edinburgh | ; | ; | No published awards |
| Dishoom Edinburgh | Edinburgh | ; | ; | No published awards |
| Sàigòn Mémoire | Edinburgh | ; | ; | No published awards |
| The Spence | Edinburgh | Modern British | £££ | 2026 Michelin Plate2025 Michelin Plate2024 Michelin Plate |
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How The Ivy on the Square Edinburgh compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Can The Ivy on the Square accommodate groups?
The Ivy on the Square in Edinburgh has long daily opening hours, which may make planning easier. For larger parties, confirm directly with the restaurant before booking.
What should a first-timer know about The Ivy on the Square?
Treat it as a flexible Edinburgh option with long opening hours and a smart-casual dress code. It opens from 8:30 AM daily, closes at 11:30 PM from Sunday to Thursday, closes at 12 AM on Friday and Saturday.
Can I eat at the bar at The Ivy on the Square?
If bar seating matters to your plans, check directly with The Ivy on the Square before you go. wagamama edinburgh st andrew square is another Edinburgh option to compare when planning.
What are alternatives to The Ivy on the Square in Edinburgh?
Other Edinburgh options to compare include Gaucho Edinburgh, The Spence, wagamama edinburgh st andrew square, Dishoom Edinburgh and Sàigòn Mémoire. Choose based on the kind of booking you need; The Ivy on the Square is strongest as a flexible option with long hours and a smart-casual dress code.
Is lunch or dinner better at The Ivy on the Square?
The Ivy on the Square opens from 8:30 AM daily, closes at 11:30 PM from Sunday to Thursday, closes at 12 AM on Friday and Saturday, so choose a time that fits your schedule and confirm any meal-specific details directly.
