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International Starters

International Starters
82 Commercial Quay
Edinburgh, EH6 6LX
Phone: 0131 555 2546
Email:
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  • Food served: Mon–Fri 5–10pm; Sat noon–10pm; Sun 12.30-8pm
  • Number of wines sold by the glass: 10
  • Also offers: Vegetarian options (at least ¼ main courses), Children's high chairs, Wheelchair access, Outdoor tables
  • Music on stereo: Mixed
  • Capacity: 100
  • Largest group: 100
  • Open since: April 2000
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  • Average price:
     £18.90 (lunch)
     £18.90 (evening meal)
  • House wine: £13.50 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.

International Starters takes you round the world in one stop. The versatility of chef Jamie Coyle means that Thailand could be in front of you one minute and Loch Fyne the next. Ordering starter sized portions of cuisine from Scotland, the Mediterranean, Asia and the Americas results in a global picnic where choosing what to have is tricky. Five or six dishes between two makes for a decent meal. If you're unfazed by weird combinations on your plate at the same time, Aunt Helen’s meatballs from the Med make neat companions to gently spiced Thai fish cakes or the Indian highlight, Goan Discovery, a mixture of chicken and veg encased in crispy poppadums. Adding pine nuts to a white wine, bacon and cream sauce is inspired, though not enough to lift surprisingly bland Scottish mussels into the realms of delight offered by mini cheeseburger blinis. Platters – seafood, vegetarian, Asian – are good value and keep life simple for larger parties. Eclipsed by so many starters, desserts nonetheless offer a reliably standard selection.

  • High point: A taste of the world in one sitting
  • Low point: Soggy chips

The LIST Card C20

Buy a LIST Card

This restaurant offers the standard 2-for-1 LIST Card promotion for:

Lunch: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu

Dinner: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu

Remember: book by phone (0131 555 2546) and ask for a LIST Card booking.

The LIST Card is a dining scheme that gives you promotional two-for-one offers at a range of restaurants in Glasgow, Edinburgh and beyond. Find out more.

Reviews of International Starters (82 Commercial Quay, Edinburgh)

6. Billiams, Edinburgh – 24 September 2009, 2:11pm2 starsInternational StartersReport

I really like the concept of International starters - you order the food between you, its arrival is staggered, a very informal way to enjoy food. It's great not having the commitment of deciding upon a single dish & the variety of the different cuisines is great.

The problem I found is that the food simply isn't that great at all. Most dishes were greasy and without the quality ingredients & thought I had expected - more akin to mediocre pub food. The scallops wrapped in smoked bacon were a particular disappointment – the combination overcooked seafood dripping in bacon fat spoiled a personal favorite dish.

All that said, the staff are extremely friendly and helpful, atmosphere nice and wine list not bad.

I know this place could be much better if a little more attention was given to getting the food right.

5. Scottish lass, Edinburgh – 26 April 2009, 8:48pm4 starsInternational StartersReport

International starters has consistently offered me and those i have chose to treat a well prepared and enjoyable meal. For those of us who can never chose a main meal without wanting your partners as soon as it arrives, it is perfect, we can sample and try lots of bits and mix and match to your heart and belly is content.
Staff have in my experience been friendly, efficient without hovering over you every second. In my opinion best when in a large group, as opportunity to sample more of the extensive and updated menu.

4. Nina, Edinburgh – 24 December 2008, 2:19pm4 starsInternational StartersReport

Great choice of starters from all around the world. The food is simple but is well prepared. The only downside to the place is that it lacks atmosphere. When it is busy, the place feels like a factory...Not cosy at all.

3. Elsie, International Starters – 21 April 2008, 11:29amInternational StartersReport

The sentence "It's all well-prepared and presented, without ever totally blowing you away" sums it up really. Nice venue and tasty enough food, but nothing special. Rather than having the exciting selection of weird and wonderful nibbles that I was hoping for, most of the items available could have been bought from tescos.

A bit of a disappointment.

2. Review removed
This review has been removed by a moderator.
1. em38, International starters – 13 March 2008, 8:49pmInternational StartersReport

Absolutely fantastic time every time we go. great for any occasion. one downside is that they have not changed the menu at all in the three years I have been going!
But still worth going back

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