--- title: "Palourde, Leith · Rampant Scotland" description: "The Location The ancient port of Leith, two miles from the centre of Edinburgh, has completely re-invented itself into an upmarket, cutting edge and stylish pla" canonical: "https://rampant-scotland.pages.dev/besteating/best_eating_dev_palourde.htm" last-updated: "2026-11-11" date-basis: "git-content-change" --- # Palourde, Leith · Rampant Scotland Great Places to Eat # Palourde, Leith [Original page](https://web.archive.org/web/20051106231441/http://www.rampantscotland.com:80/besteating/best_eating_dev_palourde.htm) Restored from the raw archived page capture: original scripts, advertisements and shared site navigation removed. Original wording, photographs and layout order preserved. > **The Location** Leith Commercial Quay The ancient port of Leith, two miles from the centre of Edinburgh, has completely re-invented itself into an upmarket, cutting edge and stylish place to live and work. The 21st century sees the Leith Waterfront area as a focus for new economic prosperity with modern penthouse apartments, renovated warehouses, media and advertising offices, artists and designers, are adding their stamp to the distinctive character that Leith has always enjoyed. Amongst the traditional harbour side pubs and restaurants, new bistros, cafes and cocktail bars have opened along the Shore, Dock Place and Commercial Quay which draws people from the city for a different dining experience. There is no better location to sample fresh fish and it is not surprising that Leith has its fair share of fine seafood restaurants. **The Restaurant** Palourde Palourde - French for clam - is the newest fish restaurant on the block (opened January 2004) and while not actually on the seafront is just a stone's-throw from the harbour at 78 Commercial Street. This is a most attractive row of restaurants and design shops beside a pedestrianised walkway and narrow canal, lined with pavement tables for al fresco drinks. The entrance leads straight into a bright and airy glass fronted conservatory with half a dozen tables, in the shop window as it were, as well as two sofas for pre- dinner drinks. Further back, a short corridor leads into a large square dining area, with the kitchen on one side - almost open to view through an open hatch. The interior décor is light and fresh with pale ochre walls juxtaposed with rough stonework, an understated contemporary look but with a quiet, assured sense of class. The tables are of pale polished cherry wood bare of tablecloths but with white linen napkins for a more casual French brasserie ambience. The restaurant also doubles as an art gallery, with paintings, prints and sculpture for sale with a seasonally changing exhibition by local artists. This is owner Joe Henery's first venture into the restaurant business but his passion for and knowledge of good food and a natural manner as a welcoming host is immediately apparent. **The Food** Head Chef Joe Taggart has arrived at Palourde with a first class CV, having previously worked at Amaryllis, Gordon Ramsay's Michelin starred Glasgow restaurant. Already he has received a Commendation award at the recent Scottish Chefs of the Year presentation. Scottish fish, French style is the name of the game here, with a modern fusion twist to add a bit of spice here and there. At around 12.30 one sunny Sunday afternoon my partner and I arrived for Brunch which is a new venture to entice couples, families and friends to enjoy a leisurely meal. The all day menu is more Lunch than Brunch (there is surprisingly no Eggs Benedict, scrambled egg and smoked salmon or Kedgeree for example), but offers a delightfully wide choice as well as portion size (standard and large) rather than set starter and main courses. Unable to choose between some appetising fish dishes, I selected two standard size dishes - first, three succulent, spicy Thai Fishcakes served with a tiny jug of chilli and lime salsa and on the side - most surprisingly - a handful of chunky hand cut chips. A kind of Asian /Scottish fusion dish. Fabulous. My partner meanwhile tucked into a plate of Smoked Haddock Risotto which was creamy, but a bit bland - the rice slightly too al dente. Then we both had a bowl of Crab Linguine - the fresh pasta simply dressed in garlic oil, chopped chilli and fresh-flaked crab. Utterly delicious. The two standard sized portions were ample so we then shared a pudding - Pear frangipane tart with cinnamon ice cream - a superb combination and so yummy we could have ordered a second helping! Double espresso, bottle of Sauvignon Blanc and altogether a superb Sunday brunch at a very reasonable price. Elsewhere the Sunday all day menu offers Seafood crepes, Whole baked Bream and Fish and Chips, or Roast rib of Beef with Yorkshire pudding.A separate vegetarian and vegan menu is available. From Tuesday to Saturday, the a la carte lunch and dinner menu aims for the more Classic French cuisine with Lobster bisque, Potted shrimps, Oysters or Tuna nicoise to start, then Roast Halibut, Steamed Sole with scallop mousse, Monkfish with creamed leeks and pommes boulangere, Ribeye of Scotch beef, or Palourde Seafood platter. Desserts include Tarte Tatin, or Chocolate and Raspberry Vacherin with raspberry sorbet. **The Bill** Brunch: £4.50 (standard size) or £6.50 (large size). Lunch or dinner: around £20 for two courses. House wine: £14.50. A great value set lunch menu offers two choices per course at£14.50 for two, £17.50 for three. *Vivien Devlin* *June 2004* Return to the Index of [Great Places to Eat in Scotland](https://web.archive.org/web/20051106231441/http://www.rampantscotland.com:80/besteating/best_eating_index.htm). --- ## Source From Rampant Scotland, restored from the page as it stood on 6 November 2005. [Original page](https://web.archive.org/web/20051106231441/http://www.rampantscotland.com:80/besteating/best_eating_dev_palourde.htm). Links to pages not yet restored here lead to the original page or elsewhere on the web; 0 of 1 links on this page are restored on this site.