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Indigo Yard

Indigo Yard
7 Charlotte Lane
Edinburgh, EH2 4QZ
Phone: 0131 220 5603
Email:
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  • Food served: Mon–Sun 8.30am–10pm
  • Bar open: Mon–Sat 11am–1am; Sun 12.30pm–1am. Extended in Festival
  • Number of wines sold by the glass: 16
  • Private dining: upstairs area 32 for dinner and 70 for drinks
  • Also offers: Vegetarian options (at least ¼ main courses), Gluten-free options, Children's portions, Children's high chairs, Wheelchair access, Outdoor tables
  • Opening times: Mon–Sat 11am–1am; Sun 12.30pm–1am
  • Capacity: 40-50 covers
  • Largest group: 70
View larger map of EH2 4QZ
  • Average price:
     £15 (lunch)
     £15 (evening meal)
  • House wine: £17.45 per bottle

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Eating & Drinking Guide

The 2011/12 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).

This review is taken from the current (2011) edition.

Tucked away up a cobbled street in the West End, Indigo Yard is a regular haunt for a mixed clientele, whether it’s workers seeking refreshment after a hard day’s graft or diners drawn by its well-earned reputation for a consistently high standard of food. The dining area has a bright airy feel, with exposed brickwork and a well-lit section downstairs, with a more intimate collection of tables upstairs. Morning coffees and breakfast – all day at weekends – give way to cocktails and a wide ranging dinner menu in the evening. Tender scallops wrapped in pancetta and served on discs of black pudding are artistically presented and offer an insight into the talent in the kitchen. Mains could feature the likes of crisp pork belly with braised apple and red cabbage, while haddock and king prawn tempura served on a wooden tray may be a little light on the prawns but earns high marks for flavour and presentation. And desserts feature a tangy lemon crème brûlée that ensures the meal ends on a high note.

  • High point: Good atmosphere, especially in the evening
  • Low point: Loud music makes conversation difficult

Reviews of Indigo Yard (7 Charlotte Lane, Edinburgh)

6. Ed1nburgh, Edinburgh – 31 October 2011, 9:26amIndigo YardReport

Possibly the worst dining experience i have ever had!

Got steak and it had to be the toughest, chewist, unappitising steak i have ever had, we both left our dinners. Whent he waiter asked what was wrong, we told them the problem about the steak and were offered a complimentary coffee - no replacement food, no refund - nothing! We refused the coffee as we were extermley insulted by this and we left still hungry.

I will never dine in Indigio Yard again nor reccommend this to any work colleagues or friends!

5. shazedin, indigo yard – 26 July 2011, 2:05pm2 starsIndigo YardReport

Not great if there's a big group of you. Takes a long time to get your food order taken, never mind actually getting your food. They don't take too much interest in you. Could do with some staff training.

4. Aussie in Edinburgh, Edinburgh – 10 October 2010, 5:16pm2 starsIndigo YardReport

I have to agree with Alexandra's review. I don't really get why The List has decided Indigo Yard is 'Hitlisted'. It's style over substance there. I haven't had terrible food there, but I definitely haven't had great food. The waiters seem pretty apathetic too.

3. cervelo, Haymarket – 6 December 2009, 1:37am2 starsIndigo YardReport

We ate at Indigo Yard last night. It is unimpressive. The place is very busy as a bar, so fighting your way to the tables is a struggle. Neverthless, we got there, ordered our drinks and looked at the menu. The wine arrived £17 for a bottle of vinegar was a little bit surprising, but possibly a warning for the remainder of the evening. The food was adequate, but not worth the cost. Boring, poorly cooked and fatty food is their strength. So, having finished the meal, time for a pee, and what a mistake. The toilets are a disgusting stinking hell hole. In summary, avoid.

2. Alexandra, Edinburgh – 31 July 2009, 10:33pmIndigo YardReport

when you order a drink and you dont necessarily mind if its sloshed over the bar in a warm glass then this 'restaurant' is for you. You have to fight your way past groups of letcherous lads on the p*** to find your table upstairs along an impromptu dining level (otherwise known as the corridor to the kitchen). The food itself arrives in oversized square plates and equally pretentious bowls. Everything is sloshed in some generic oil dressing so ladies if you are on a diet beware. The fish cakes had some taste while the courgette ravolli was soggy, greasy and anaemic. The steak was OK however beware of the 'fries' as they are sodden with grease. Hand cut chips - make sure you ask cut by whom, when and in what country. These questions come to mind when you see regular trips to some cupboard by chefs to retrieve bags of frozen chips etc. Your stomach starts to cramp when you see the chef looking more greasy than the food. The chef looked happy mind you while he felt up a number of the waitresses - on his way back to the kitchen to cut up the banoffee pie also stored in this mysterious cupboard. The cheese arrives a bit sweaty and cracked accompanied by limp rocket. At this point the fourth waiting staff to deal with you ask mid bite if everything is ok- its excessive and gives you the distinct impression they have a list of 'things they must ask'. Even better is the thums up from the waitress. The pumping music, screeking girls and mass of plastic jewellery on show only adds to the experience. 'Please mark my card' you cry before fighting past the even more letcherous 'guys'. Pizza express next door looks like a better bet.

1. AndyH.21 June 2009, 10:04am1 starIndigo YardReport

Agree with the review above - Food Ok - but £3.50 for a pint of IPA.
Service initially adequate - Mains resonably prompt but then geologically slow to check for desserts, deliver the dessert menu, take the order, deliver the coffees and then remember the dessert! Must try harder!

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