If you’re visiting Edinburgh in between October and December, The Dome is almost impossible to miss. Located on George Street, it’s one of the most talked-about Christmas spots in the city.

I was curious to see if it was actually worth the hype. So, here’s my honest take after visiting, broken down into five things to note.

1. Book ahead

The Dome is extremely popular during the Christmas season, so booking ahead is a must.

I booked my table in early September for an end-of-November visit, and some time slots were already full by then.

If you want to sit near the iconic towering Christmas tree, note that it’s located in The Grill Room. Also note that booking requires a £10 deposit per person.

2. Extravagant Decoration

The exterior alone already feels festive, but stepping inside makes it even better. The grand columns outside are wrapped in pretty lights. Also the towering Christmas tree in The Grill Room is just as stunning, it’s honestly worth mentioning twice because it’s that pretty.

With so many lights and classic Christmas ornaments throughout the space, almost every corner feels like a great photo spot.

It’s rare for me to see a place go this all out for Christmas, which made the experience absolutely fascinating.

3. You’re paying for the atmosphere tbh

The food at The Dome, Edinburgh was good, but honestly not particularly memorable.

Portions and flavors were decent, but what you’re really paying for here I think is the atmosphere. If you go in with that mindset, the experience makes a lot more sense and it won’t disappoint.

4. Service was very attentive

Despite how busy it gets during the festive season, the service stood out.

Staffs were attentive, polite, and quick; which made the experience feel nice even when the place was full.

5. Dresscode

Dresscode is smart casual. People mostly wear sweaters and nothing too fancy.

I myself wore a pair of jeans, chunky sweater, and over-the-knee boots, and I think it blended pretty well with the overall vibe.

Verdict!

I’m glad I went, but it’s not somewhere I’d return to every year.

As a one-time Christmas experience in Edinburgh, though, I think it’s absolutely worth it. Even if it’s just for a short visit and a few photos.

Klook.com