First Coast
- Food served: Mon–Sat noon–2pm, 5–10.30pm. Closed Sun.
- Pre-theatre times: Mon–Fri 5–6.30pm
- Number of wines sold by the glass: 10
- Private dining: Up to 22 covers
- Also offers: Vegetarian options (at least ¼ main courses), Gluten-free options, Children's portions, Children's high chairs, Wheelchair access, Pre-theatre menu
- Music on stereo: Indie music
- Capacity: 80
- Largest group: 80
- Open since: 2003
- Average price:
£10.95 (set lunch)
£17 (evening meal) - Pre-theatre price: £10.95
- House wine: £13.50 per bottle
Send us more details about this place.
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.
The board outside describes First Coast as a Scottish restaurant, but a quick glance at the eclectic menu reveals the diversity that, combined with consistently high quality, keeps this friendly neighbourhood bistro perennially popular. A great value lunch and early evening menu alongside the affordable à la carte offerings must help too. The décor is subtle and staff are amiably attentive, so you needn’t fear being abandoned in one of the cosier corners. The menu centres around quality fresh ingredients, bursting with flavour. Whole deep-fried gurnard is a striking looking dish but the moist, meaty flesh rewards diners with dexterous filleting skills and an adventurous approach to food with a (somewhat ugly) face. Vegetarian choices draw particularly on Middle Eastern influences, from a starter of shakshouka (spiced vegetables with baked egg and flatbread) to a bulghar and spinach pilaf with labneh. Desserts are well worth spending (and gaining) a few extra pounds. Jam roly-poly is a satisfyingly stodgy, custard-topped slice of childhood nostalgia, while the rhubarb fool achieves a fine balance of sweet cream and tart fruitiness.
- High point: Might just be your perfect neighbourhood bistro.
- Low point: Unless it’s not in your neighbourhood.
Reviews of First Coast (97–101 Dalry Road, Edinburgh)
- 11. littleH, edinburgh – 1 December 2010, 6:42pm
First CoastReport -
i love this place, i have been about 4 times and i think the food is excellent quality, very reasonably priced, nice laid back ambiance and the staff are always so incredibly lovely. it is one of my fave restaurants in edinburgh now and everyone i have brought here loves it!! only bad point is its not bang in the middle of town, but its just round the corner from haymarket and taxi is cheap enough.
- 10. veggiefan, Edinburgh – 6 November 2010, 9:52pmFirst CoastReport
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Had 3 course lunch today and was not disappointed - really good food and value for money. Think this was fourth or fifth time I've eaten at FC and food consistently good. Great wee place. Not pretentious - just good quality food. Staff very pleasant.
- 9. Louis Jadot, Edinburgh – 23 May 2010, 11:43am
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A real disappointment.
The food was very dull and lacked flavour. In particular a crayfish reduction was a grey tasteless sauce with burned black flecks in it rather than a rich shelfish sauce.
The table next to ours complained about their food, and got a slightly frosty response. When they had left we felt we should also complain and the manager became very aggressive.
I think Edinburgh has many great fish restaurants but this isn't one of them.
- 8. Lynda, Edinburgh – 1 April 2010, 10:26amFirst CoastReport
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This is a local restaurant of mine and I was there a couple of nights ago. I really love this place. The decor is lovely and the service is very friendly. It was snowing outside and we got seated right beside the fire. Food was just out of this world. We started with soup which was pea and sweet basil and it was excellent. I then had pasta with roast garlic, cherry tomotoes and capers and it was perfect. My friend finished with a chocolate torte which was one of the nicest chocolately desserts I have ever tasted. I can see myself going back again and again. Great value for money too as we went at 5.30 for the early evening menu and it was 3 courses for about £13.50. So lucky to have this restaurant so close to home.
- 7. C C, Disappointed **** – 6 March 2010, 3:52pm
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The food it self was disappointing with a number of cheap and frozen ingredients bringing down the overall quality and not representing value for money .
- 6. Nick F, Edinburgh – 18 January 2010, 10:33am
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I have eaten twice at First Coast, and both times I have found the food dull. It is acceptable, looks okay, the ambience is fine, the wine was passable, but just not good enough for me to say "good". Therefore I think it is overpriced and I don't recommend it to friends.
- 5. Saucy Sal, Edinburgh – 7 August 2009, 8:15amFirst CoastReport
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When I can't be bothered to cook - this is where we head. Great value food and always interesting flavours. The chunky chips are irresistible and the stir fried greens are crunchy and fresh tasting. I visited for lunch the other day and it was a full on portion, could have made do with main course alone but couldn't resist poached peach and poppy-seed parfait - yummy.
- 4. Jon H, Edinburgh – 25 April 2009, 6:49pmFirst CoastReport
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Consistently good food, albeit in a slightly out of the way location. An interesting variety of different culinary influences means that there is always something that hits the spot, and the menu changes often enough to prevent me getting bored. First Coast also does the best steak and chips I've had in Edinburgh.
- 3. Davidmc, Northern Ireland – 17 April 2009, 2:10pmFirst CoastReport
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I visit this place every time I am in Edinburgh and I have never been disappointed. The food is as the last reviewer said, simple, fresh and well done yet offers nice and sometimes unusual variants. They catered well for me as a coeliac, even from a very small menu. The home made vanilla ice cream is to die for. Overall great quality and lovely depth of flavour in the food and no seasoning ever required. Spot on. I will be back asap.
- 2. visitor, Edinburgh – 3 June 2008, 6:36pmFirst CoastReport
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I second that review. Excellent food - simple, fresh, and well-done. Nice small menu so they know what they are doing. This place is evidence that there are some good restaurants in Edinburgh ... not enough unfortunately.
- 1. PaulB – 15 April 2008, 10:17pmFirst CoastReport
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What a great place, with laid back vibes enhanced by cool tunes. The Early Evening deal (before 6.30pm) offers a reduced menu, but there is still a good choice. And at £10.50 for a main and dessert, it is really good value and the quality of the food is splendid.
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