Gaucho Edinburgh, Main Restaurant

Gaucho Edinburgh, located on St Andrew’s Square, offers a stylish yet somewhat inconsistent dining experience. Bookable via the fork and opentable. The bar on the top floor sets the scene for pre-dinner drinks, while the lower ground floor houses the main restaurant. The dark interior, featuring wood-like tree effects, semi-circular booths, and plenty of mirrors, creates a moody, intimate setting. However, some details—like crumbs on the moleskin-style seats and the noticeable jolt when a neighboring table moves—detract from the polished atmosphere. On a Wednesday evening at 7:30 pm, the restaurant was fairly busy, with a lively atmosphere amplified by dance music and the general hum of conversation. The low lighting, mainly from candles, adds to the ambiance, though it may not be ideal for those who prefer a brighter setting. The food was a mixed bag. The 225g rump steak, ordered rare, leaned more toward medium rare. The chimichurri sauce was underwhelming, more of an oily dressing with little depth. On the other hand, the chips were excellent, though the mashed potatoes were forgettable. As for drinks, the strawberry negroni missed the mark—it lacked the signature bitterness and balance of a classic negroni. Wine prices were steep, with a threefold markup even on the cheapest bottles. Service was acceptable, though nothing particularly stood out. A 12.5% service charge is automatically added to the bill. Overall, Gaucho Edinburgh delivers on atmosphere and presentation but falls short in execution, especially given the premium pricing. While some dishes shine, others don’t quite meet expectations, making it a decent but not exceptional choice for steak lovers.