Scotland has two major home games at Murrayfield for the 2008 Six Nations Championships, against France and England. Here are some recommended restaurants for fans.

England and France rugby fans who like their food and are visiting Edinburgh for the 2008 Six Nations Championships needn't worry. The city has four of Scotland's Michelin-starred restaurants, though you'll need to book ahead for these two important matches:

• Sunday February 3rd at 3pm: Scotland v France
• Saturday March 8th at 3:15pm: Scotland v England

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If the fixtures alone have your mouth watering then so should the eating options. The city's top gourmet restaurants, according to the Michelin experts, are:

• Atrium, 10 Cambridge St, Edinburgh EH1 2ED
• The Kitchin, 78 Commercial Quay, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6LX
• Martin Wishart, 54 The Shore, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6RA
• number one, The Balmoral Hotel, 1 Princes St, Edinburgh EH2 2EQ

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If you can't get one of these top tables, don't worry. There are dozens more quality restaurants in Edinburgh, but you would be advised to book when the Six Nations matches are on. Here are some of the best of the rest of the Edinburgh restaurants.

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Edinburgh Restaurants: Historical

The Witchery by the Castle, Castlehill, Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH1 2NF

Michelin star or not, the Witchery just below Edinburgh Castle has always been one of the city's top dining experiences. The romantic atmosphere in this 16th-century merchant's house is a perfect setting to appreciate the Scottish game and fish dishes at which it excels.

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Edinburgh Restaurants: Vegetarian

Non-vegetarians tend to praise a good vegetarian place by saying you don't even know you're eating vegetarian food. In other words, you don't miss the meat. In Edinburgh you head for Henderson's Salad Table at 94 Hanover Street, or their bistro around the corner. At the Salad Table there's also a wine bar with live music several nights a week, and dishes like vegetarian goulash are superb.

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Edinburgh Restaurants: If You've Not Booked

The best place for Edinburgh restaurants if you haven't booked a table ahead is George Street in New Town. Here there are restaurants galore, including the excellent Dome Grill Room at number 14, Le Monde at number 16 and Tigerlily at number 125. The last two have dining areas on several floors, from bars and brasseries to slightly more formal, so although you may have to wait on a busy night, you'll probably get a table somewhere.

On George Street there are also branches of good chain restaurants like the new Gusto chain (a branch of Est Est Est), and round the corner at 13 Hope Street is the wonderful Whighams Wine Cellars, whose food is far better than the standard wine bar grub.

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Edinburgh Restaurants: Where the Players Eat

Duck's at Le Marché Noir, 2-4 Eyre Place, near King George V Park, is known to be one of the favourite places for several of the Scotland team. Lots of players who visit regularly know about it too, so while you might not find any of them in there after a match, you can at least go to eat where the players eat. The menu includes such dishes as haggis samosas or saddle of rabbit stuffed with spinach, and even the French team might be happy here. There couldn't be a better choice from the Edinburgh restaurants for the 2008 Six Nations than to dive into Duck's.

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