19 lost Edinburgh restaurants and cafes locals would love to see return – including the legendary Mr Boni’s

These 19 lost eateries are gone but definitely not forgotten by Edinburgh locals

By Gary Flockhart

Published 20th Apr 2024, 04:55 BST

Right now, it seems like a new restaurant or cafe pops up in Edinburgh every other week, which is great for keeping the Capital’s dining scene fresh and exciting. Sadly, though, we’ve also had to bid farewell to plenty of old favourites in recent years.

Scroll through our photo gallery to see 19 Edinburgh eateries of days gone by, and please let us know your own favourites in the comments section before you go.

Located on the corner of Gilmore Place, Mr Boni’s (which started life as the Empress Cafe in 1910) remained popular with locals for generations. The family owned cafe was forced to close in 2002.

1. Mr Boni’s

Located on the corner of Gilmore Place, Mr Boni’s (which started life as the Empress Cafe in 1910) remained popular with locals for generations. The family owned cafe was forced to close in 2002. Photo: Alan Ledgerwood

Well worth the 'weight': The Three Tuns restaurant on Hanover Street in 1966.

2. The Three Tuns

Well worth the 'weight': The Three Tuns restaurant on Hanover Street in 1966. Photo: Photo: TSPL

An Edinburgh institution, Brattisani’s served up traditional chip shop fayre for over 100 years from their five shops across the city. Sadly they closed down in 2004.

3. Brattisani’s

An Edinburgh institution, Brattisani’s served up traditional chip shop fayre for over 100 years from their five shops across the city. Sadly they closed down in 2004. Photo: TSPL

A popular Shandwick Place eatery was The New Yorker Restaurant, an American-style diner that opened to a great deal of fanfare in the early 1960s.

4. The New Yorker

A popular Shandwick Place eatery was The New Yorker Restaurant, an American-style diner that opened to a great deal of fanfare in the early 1960s. Photo: Third Party

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