Welcome to Forage & Chatter
Forage & Chatter, located at 1A Alva St in Edinburgh, is a culinary gem that offers a unique dining experience. With a focus on seasonal ingredients, the restaurant features a carefully curated menu with four starters, four mains, and a large shared platter, showcasing creativity and flavor harmony. Diners rave about exceptional dishes like whisky-cured salmon and monkfish with squid. The welcoming atmosphere is bolstered by attentive, friendly staff, adding a personal touch to each visit. Guests also enjoy delightful surprises, such as warmed coats and complimentary bubbly, making every meal truly memorable. It's a must-visit for food enthusiasts in Edinburgh.
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1A Alva St, Edinburgh EH2 4PH, United Kingdom1A Alva St, Edinburgh EH2 4PH, United Kingdom Hotline: +44 131 225 4599
Welcome to Forage & Chatter, a delightful culinary haven nestled in the heart of Edinburgh at 1A Alva St. This restaurant has fast become a cherished gem among locals and visitors alike, delivering an exceptional dining experience that marries creativity with high-quality seasonal produce. With a phone call away at +44 131 225 4599, you can reserve your seat in this inviting space designed to spark joy and conversation.
The essence of Forage & Chatter lies in its thoughtfully curated menu, featuring a succinct selection of four starters and four mains, along with a large shared platter that encourages communal dining. This intentional simplicity allows each dish to shine, as every ingredient is sourced with care and artistry. Diners rave about the initial taster of bread and Marmite butter, where the crunch of the crust harmonizes beautifully with the surprising punch of umami from the Marmite. It’s a perfect teaser for what’s to follow and sets an impressive tone for the meal.
As you delve deeper into the offerings, prepare to be captivated by standout dishes like the whisky-cured salmon and the beef bavette. Customers have lauded the careful attention to detail in both taste and presentation, declaring it some of the best food they’ve experienced in Edinburgh. The warmth and comfort of the restaurant are evident in not just the food but also the service—staff members embody a friendliness that enhances the overall atmosphere, treating guests with genuine care and attention.
Special occasions are made even more memorable at Forage & Chatter. From surprise bubbly to warming your coats as you leave, they go above and beyond to ensure each guest feels valued. Diners like Dániel Csigirinszkij have highlighted how the restaurant’s service surpasses expectations, turning engagements and birthdays into magical moments that linger in memory.
Moreover, the seasonal menu speaks volumes of their commitment to freshness, with plates that change in harmony with the availability of local ingredients. For instance, the squid on the monkfish main has emerged as a crowd favorite, showcasing not only technique but also a deep understanding of flavor pairing. Dessert, while occasionally noted as a point needing improvement, offers surprises like the plum dessert that has left customers enchanted.
In a city known for its rich culinary landscape, Forage & Chatter has carved out an identity that combines creativity, comfort, and a profound respect for food. Its thoughtful offerings and impeccable service make it impossible not to recommend. If you find yourself in Edinburgh, this restaurant not only warrants attention but is sure to elevate your dining experience into something truly special. Don’t miss out on this extraordinary destination for food lovers!
Great atmosphere, fantastic food prepared with creativity and presented with passion. Excellent staff that contributed with personality to an already great dinner. They were always present and cared for us. They exchanged a few comments and stories, approaching us with friendliness without ever becoming too much. Quite impressed considering how young they all were. I wish them the best in the careers. The restaurant has a small menu of 4 starters & 4 mains one large shared platter. Very inviting. I could have easily ordered every single item on the menu! I loved the initial taster of bread and Marmite butter (unfortunately I forgot to take a picture of it). The bread was one of the best I have had outside of Mediterranean countries, with a crunchy crust. The Marmite in the butter was a surprising addition that added that unexpected kick and made this opening snack super interesting. Food all tasted great, with a great balance of flavors. The warm and gently refined atmosphere of the place made it even more enjoyable. If I were to identify 1 improvement point: I didn't particularly enjoy the selection of desserts. As it often happens the chocolate option was not impressive (even if quite more interesting than the norm). The other 2 options available didn't capture my imagination but I was told at least one of them was very good.
From start to finish, it was an exceptional experience. The staff are so friendly and welcoming, from the moment we stepped through the door. As it was my partner's birthday, they surprised us with glasses of bubbly, which was a lovely surprise. Every single bite of food was delicious. It's wonderful to see a seasonal menu implemented so well. The squid on the monkfish main was perfection. The plum dessert was out of this world! Just fantastic food. As we left, they had even warmed our coats for us. Safe to say, we will definitely return whenever we next visit Edinburgh - and we'll advise everyone we know to visit, as well! Thank you, Forage & Chatter team
A real hidden gem! (Quite literally hidden haha, the restaurant is on the lower ground floor so make sure you look for the sign of the restaurant around the corner). Amazing food and attention to detail. Taste, presentation, and creativity are all top tier. Would recommend everything we had, including the lamb main (not pictured). Excellent service, staff were friendly and attentive, and the warm coat room is a very nice touch. We felt cozy and comfortable. Definitely the best meal I’ve had in Edinburgh!
Had the Whisky Cured Salmon along with Beef Bavette, Lamp Rump and ending with Chocolate Mousse. The food was extremely fresh and delicious. Service was great with Anna and Mathew, routinely asking if we had any requests or issues. The atmosphere perfect for an evening dinner. Worth coming back.
We ate at a lot of wonderful places on our trip to Edinburgh - Forage & Chatter was by very far the best. We had just gotten engaged, and despite my moving the reservation around a bunch, the restaurant was flexible and understanding. The service, throughout the experience, the nicest we have encountered throughout our travels. And the food! Amazing, local produce, in creative, but sizable portions. Without exaggeration, our jaws were dropped from everything - and then, they got us a taxi home AND they gave us coats they heated up! If 6 out of 5 stars were possible, I would - the city is magical, but this restaurant alone would make the trip worth it.
Dining experience was fantastic. We had a new server by her own admission, but truly one of the kindest, most friendly servers I’ve ever had. The food was amazing and when it came time for whisky tastings, the staff were very knowledgeable and helpful on recommendations.
An unforgettable evening at one of the coziest restaurants in Edinburgh! With friends, we enjoyed not only the exquisite dishes but also the atmosphere, which perfectly combined style and comfort. Every dish was a true work of art: fresh ingredients, refined flavors, and flawless execution. The staff was attentive, friendly, and made our dinner truly special. We highly recommend it to anyone looking for not just great food but also unforgettable experiences! We will definitely be back!
By far the best meal I had while in Edinburgh. Everything was stellar: the food, the drinks, the service, the atmosphere! Not only did we get warmed coats at the end of our meal, but our servers offered to order us a taxi home. Everything tasted so so fresh and delicious; a wonderful menu and amazing ingredients. I cannot recommend this spot enough!