Bijou
- Food served: Mon–Sat 9am–8.30pm; Sun 10am–8.30pm.
- Pre-theatre times: 5pm–6.30pm
- Number of wines sold by the glass: 4
- Also offers: Gluten-free options, Children's portions, Children's high chairs, Wheelchair access, Pre-theatre menu, Outdoor tables, Live music
- Music on stereo: Radio during the day; contemporary, ambient background at night
- Capacity: 24
- Largest group: 24
- Open since: 2006
- Average price:
£12 (lunch)
£15 (evening meal) - Pre-theatre price: £9.95
- House wine: £12.95 per bottle
- BYOB: £2.50 corkage
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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 not quite a diamond in the rough, Bijou is certainly a lovely find in an unlikely locale. This low-key café/bistro by Leith Links is frequented by locals and intrepid visitors for breakfast, lunch, dinner and take-away. The tiny kitchen dishes up homely and thoughtful food, cooked with care and offered in an idiosyncratic but useful format. Every dish, except dessert, is available in bijou, medium or main size, allowing for flexible and pleasure-enhancing ordering; useful for groups or those who find it hard to choose from the well-conceived and tempting menu. Think fishcakes with roasted garlic mayonnaise, or slow-cooked venison with root vegetable mash. The Thai-spiced fish and chips are excellent – crisp, grease-free batter and succulent fish underscored by gentle spicing. A seared salmon fillet with cockle and samphire broth comes without the advertised samphire but the vibrant sea-tasting broth and sweet cockles make up for this. Chef Alistair Berry’s velvety home-made ice-creams finish things off nicely and also seal the deal that Bijou is in another league from your average neighbourhood café.
- High point: Lovely food and BYOB for £2.50 corkage
- Low point: Kitchen closes at 8.30pm
Reviews of Bijou (2 Restalrig Road, Edinburgh)
- 7. mskerr, Leith – 2 November 2010, 8:32pm
BijouReport -
I often eat here with my husband and 2 young children and i have always found the place wonderful. I wholeheartedly agree that it is indeed a hidden gem! The food is fabulous and i have always found the staff to be welcoming and one girl in particular is always happy to entertain the children and make us feel welcome. Our family favourite has to be the fish and chips and nothing beats a full breakfast on a saturday morning :) Keep it up Bijou!
- 6. Resident, Leith – 1 November 2010, 1:13pm
BijouReport -
We live locally and eaten here for breakfast lunch and dinner. It is a well loved part of the community and although it is not as slick as it's city centre counter parts the food is equally as good for much less money! We have brought all our friends and family and they love it! I can't understand the previous comments about the fishcakes as my mum raves about them but then I suppose everyone has under par days. To understand the full value of the place I would recommend coming for dinner as the place is cosy and intimate. Just a cute unpretencious wee place.
- 5. bijou, edinburgh – 31 August 2010, 4:10pmBijouReport
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We went to the Bijou for my birthday lunch and it was a disappointing experience. Good home made tomato soup but served with a bit of stale dry bread. The fish cakes were tasteless with no hint of fresh fish and looked very unappetising. They were served with some chopped iceberg lettuce that was brown round the edges with a sprinkle of balsamic vinegar. The yoghurt and lemon dressing was passable. The chips were good.
The place looked as if it had seen better days. I cant understand why it is so highly rated as a hidden gem. We wouldn't recommend it!
- 4. Colleysmill, Edinburgh – 9 August 2009, 10:58am
BijouReport -
We had an evening meal here recently and although well presented the food was a disappointment. Fish cakes were mostly potato and burnt. Steak had the texture of string and all flavour was lost in some obscure sauce, potatoes over salted. All in all very amateur and we won't be back.
- 3. Grolsh, Edinburgh – 2 January 2009, 11:46amBijouReport
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We have eaten here a number of times and recommended it to friends and family as well.
Food is brill and price is very good for what you get.
Always accommodating with kids and requests and overall a good local place to get a good meal.
Great place to try if you have never been
- 2. Sparrowmig, Bijou, Leith – 20 December 2008, 5:10pmBijouReport
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We live round the corner and eat here a lot - the weekend Breakfasts are fantastic and great value for money. The Cullen Skink and the Crombies sausages are great too. We have always found the staff to be really friendly- great with the kids. Haven't had a better breakfast anywhere in Edinburgh for the same price..Eggs Florentine on muffin are fabulous and I don't even like eggs!
- 1. Portobello, Bijou, Leith – 8 November 2008, 5:55pmBijouReport
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Popped into Bijou for a quick coffee the other day and it had to be the worst experience ever! The place looked closed from the outside, the waitress couldn't even be bothered to smile and just pointed to the board on the wall with the daily offerings.
My latte was luke warm at best.
She finally decided to smile when we paid!
I defintely won't be back. My advice - walk another 10 minutes up to the top of Easter Road and pop into The Manna House, where they'll serve you a delicious hot coffee with a smile!
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