Iglu
- Food served: Tue–Thu 6–10pm; Fri–Sat noon–3pm, 6–10pm; Sun noon–9pm; closed Mon.
- Pre-theatre times: Tues–Sun 6–7pm
- Bar open: Tue–Thu 4–11pm; Fri noon–midnight; Sat noon–late; Sun 12.30–11pm; closed Mon.
- Number of wines sold by the glass: 5
- Private dining: Up to 30 covers
- Also offers: Gluten-free options, Children's portions, Children's high chairs, Pre-theatre menu, Free wi-fi
- Music on stereo: Middle of the road
- Opening times: Tue–Sun noon–1am
- Capacity: 48 (30 upstairs / 18 ground floor)
- Largest group: 30
- Open since: 2001
Tell us more about this place.
- Average price:
£12 (set lunch)
£21 (evening meal) - Pre-theatre price: £12
- House wine: £14 per bottle
The 2012 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).
This review is taken from the current (2012) edition.
For all that it is tucked at the far end of a side-street, Iglu has established an enviable profile, priding itself on serving seasonal, locally-sourced, organic and wild foods in the cosy upstairs restaurant and downstairs bar area. Proving high principles are compatible with interesting food, ham hock terrine is packed with meat, its cucumber dill salad and warm honey walnut bread providing a good contrast of taste and texture. Cubes of roasted pumpkin add colour to a bowl of salad greens. MSC-certified sea bream pan-fried to flaky perfection is served on crushed potatoes and wilted spinach. The daily specials can offer pan-fried mackerel accompanied by chunks of kohlrabi and Jerusalem artichoke. The options for dessert include rhubarb crumble complete with a wee jug of custard heavily flecked with vanilla on the side. Both thick oatcakes and bread are offered with the wide selection of Scottish cheeses. The wine list is supplemented with a blackboard of bin ends. And to end the meal, choose from the artisan liqueurs such as a richly marmaladey Seville orange gin.
- High point: Interesting liqueurs
- Low point: No wheelchair access to restaurant
The LIST Card F29
This restaurant offers the standard 2-for-1 LIST Card promotion for:
Lunch: Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
Dinner: Tue, Wed, Thu, Sun
Remember: book by phone (0131 476 5333) 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 Iglu (2b Jamaica Street, Edinburgh)
- 9. Alexandra, Edinburgh – 4 July 2009, 11:14am
IgluReport -
Can't believe the mixed reviews this place gets. IT IS EXCELLENT. We went for a three course meal and could only manage two courses. The scallops delish, the ham with pease pudding very tasty and fresh. My well done steak was to my liking however the medium rare was a tad overdone. The garlic butter on the steak was not to my liking so I took it off - I would ask for it to be left out next time. The service was very friendly, relaxed and atmosphere easy going with no one rushing us out as we ordered more wine (very nice) and tea. We paid £40 for all our food.
- 8. LizN, Edinburgh – 3 March 2009, 12:02amIgluReport
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Relaxed, friendly and good foodvery enjoyable. Nice choice of beers and the food was very good. We ate in the bar for lunch and I'd definitely go back. Freshly made fishcakes, bean soup and boar burgers were great! Good size portions too. Yum!
- 7. Sam2, South Queensferry – 20 February 2009, 5:41pm
IgluReport -
Iglu is an outstanding Venue! I can't believe the comment left above! Did the people actually go to the same Iglu ?- The Service that my partner and I received was first-class and the members of staff could not go out of there way any more to make us feel welcome. The staff were also particularly knowledgeable especially on the choice of wine - something I rarely find in restaurants these days! The vension was cooked to perfection! A truly wonderful experience - I would recommend Iglu to anyone who likes good food and a warm, cosy and friendly atmosphere.
- 6. Rrrrrrrrr, The Burgh – 17 February 2009, 12:07pmIgluReport
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FYI - this is under new management/ownership and the new people are pretty chilly - hardly manage to crack a smile and there's a total 'computer says no' lack of creativity from one member of staff - even when you're trying to spend money on a special occasion viz -"We don't do champagne by the glass, we don't do cocktails". Gets your birthday lunch off to a great start.
The food is also rather average now, I found.
It has lost its charm.
- 5. seon, Nae bad, overpriced though – 22 January 2009, 8:19pm
IgluReport -
Nice place. Interesting menu. Good burger. Veggie Risotto fairly good. Veggie haggis was worst ever - like a luke warm badly prepared curry. Would come again for bar food - but otherwise meals are not worth the money.
- 4. Big-Yin, Edinburgh – 28 November 2008, 10:13amIgluReport
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Brilliant! Had a meal there using my new List Card and the venison was amazing. I found myself taking so much time over it as I didnt want it to end!
I'd definitely recommend Iglu to people looking for some great Scottish food, and the cosy ambience of the little upstairs room added to the experience.
Definitely a hit!
- 3. Brendan, Edinburgh – 23 August 2008, 10:41amIgluReport
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We should have realised that it being August we would be treated badly wherever we ate. And Iglu didn't disappoint last night. The ambience was great, the space is cool. Starters of Mushrooms and Mackerel Pate were to everyone's liking as was the wine. I ordered Rump Steak. The waitress and I agreed it should be ordered medium rare if I wanted a hint of blood in it. A companion ordered his rare.
Mine arrived grey and well done, his medium. Why kill great steak a second time? And when we were told they couldn't replace them there was an obvious glint of joy in her face.
And was that a microwave ping I heard just before my replacement lamb shank arrived. It was certainly quick to the table but having a wrapping of fat I had to wonder if it wasn't in fact mutton. Alas I couldn't answer by taste as it was the most bland piece of meat I've had this side of school. Competing for obscurity was the bean stew served as an accompaniment. For once I didn't finish my meal.
Others had Pollock which, being polite, was bland and Venison salad, perfectly cooked but the raw peppers were an oddity. Scottish peppers?
A truly cold experience.
- 2. Lulu, Edinburgh – 24 July 2008, 1:06pmIgluReport
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Great restaurant, lots of Scottish ingredients (cheese and beer). The venison was cooked to perfection, the veg potato and red onion fritters were delicately flavoured and yummy. Organic lemonade was the best I've tasted. The cheeseplate could have done with a soft cheese to compliment the quince, but all in all top notch. The bar downstairs offers similar food for cheaper prices. Will be going again.
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