Bell's Diner
- Food served: Sun–Fri 6–10pm; Sat noon–10.15pm
- Number of wines sold by the glass: 4
- Also offers: Gluten-free options, Children's portions
- Music on stereo: Billie Holiday, reggae, Sunday afternoon jazz
- Capacity: 36
- Largest group: 14
- Open since: 1972
- Average price:
£14 (lunch)
£14 (evening meal) - House wine: £10.95 per bottle
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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.
If you're looking for proper quality fast food; plump and juicy burgers that sing with sweetness and steaming piles of chips, if you’re looking for a cosy restaurant with battered wooden furniture and soft lighting that exudes warmth and friendliness, then look no more. Bell’s Diner, now forty years old, remains a favourite destination for Edinburgh carnivores. First courses of tomato soup or pâté and toast are worryingly pedestrian, starting the meal with more of a fizzle than a bang, but remain upbeat – the fireworks are reserved for the mains. Choose either a steak or a burger, indeed there's little else to be had, and whether you flavour it with mustard, Roquefort, garlic or pepper, you will experience simple joy that is quality ingredients, perfectly cooked. The dessert menu consists mainly of pancakes and ice-cream with the hot fudge sundae pancake happily combining the two. It is rather a generous portion. Bell’s could never be accused of skimping on any course, and you’re likely to leave stuffed, but satisfied.
- High point: For some… the generous portions
- Low point: For others… the generous portions
Reviews of Bell's Diner (7 St Stephen Street, Edinburgh)
- 4. Marcela, Edinburgh – 19 April 2011, 4:15pm
Bell's DinerReport -
What a great place! I just took my boyfriend there for this birthday yesterday and we both loved it!! The burgers are to die for, the milk shakes are delicious and the sticky toffee pudding yuumm yummm!
The staff are lovely, the waitress was really nice and she even helped me to give him a 'surprise' birthday cake and decorated the sticky toffee pudding with candles.
I would definitely recommend you to book in advance because the place is tiny and for a Monday night it was full!
- 3. Noteasilypleased., Renfrewshire – 16 March 2011, 7:10pmBell's DinerReport
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Great place for a good feed , love the burgers and fries, fast friendly service, not a lot of tables so you must book. Been going there since about 1988 and it has always been good. Keep it a secret, don't tell anyone, not enough room for everyone...but there's always the pints in the the Bailie Bar across the road while you wait. These Edinburgh'ers dont know they're born, come on folks what more do you want? Gerrin there.
- 2. Jake M., Edinburgh – 8 November 2009, 12:30pm
Bell's DinerReport -
This small, cosy diner is an institution. The waitstaff are consistently friendly and easy-going. Massive portions of very tasty food - don't bother with entree or dessert if you're opting for a burger as you'll have no room - are extremely good value. We love it.
- 1. an old friend, edinburgh – 27 August 2008, 10:04pm
Bell's DinerReport -
dined at Bells Diner tonight after a 30 year gap. fills the bill. does" what is written on the tin" - good burger, no frills, no wait, pleasant service. Good value. Will return. More importantly introduced our kids, who will go back with their mates - long may the tradition continue.......
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