Circus
- Food served: Mon–Sun 8am–11pm
- Bar open: Mon–Sun noon–1am
- Also offers: Vegetarian options (at least ¼ main courses), Pre-theatre menu, Post-theatre menu, Outdoor tables
Tell us more about this place.
- Average price:
£8 (lunch)
£13 (evening meal)
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.
The stone-walled courtyard in the back of this Old Town café/ restaurant is a mini sun-trap in the summer, and a good spot for enjoying some calm while the High Street might be getting unpleasantly hectic with crowds. Circus is run by the same folks who run Empires, further down the street, and the Turkish/ Middle Eastern theme runs through the menu, which covers mezze platters of halloumi, hummus and stuffed vine leaves, as well as their own delicately seasoned lemon chicken, risotto, chickpea and coconut curry, spicy lentil soup, burgers and sandwiches. Home-made cakes and baklava are also available for the sweet-toothed. It’s a bright, relaxed place to hang out, with chunky wooden tables and colourful Turkish lamps, although the service can occasionally suffer at peak times. They’ve recently started running arts events in the evenings from 9pm – inviting guests from nearby Canongate Books and the Scottish Poetry Library to run literary nights, as well as dance workshops and live music.
- High point: Getting a sunny spot in the courtyard
- Low point: Slow service at rush hours
Reviews of Circus (8 St Mary's Street, Edinburgh)
- 5. Gina Cargill, Edinburgh – 27 January 2012, 10:59pmCircusReport
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A lovely place but with horrendous service and awful food. Ordered the veggie burger to receive a deep fried frozen burger on a huge empty bun, mineral water came from the tap !! and my latte came before my food. Will never return and will never recommend. £14.00 and 2 hours of my life I will never get back.
- 4. Warmy, Glasgow – 6 January 2012, 9:41pm
CircusReport -
I really like Circus, the Lemon Chicken is amazing! Nice family run place with a laid back vibe. The mezze is very nice too. Recommend to anyone that works nearby to pop in for lunch, not expensive compared to other places nearby and very yummy.
- 3. mini, Edinburgh – 28 October 2011, 1:58pmCircusReport
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Dreadful and very expensive for the poor quality on offer.
Average soup, ready meal style pasta (I seen them pierce the top with a knife and throw it in the micro) and two coffee's cost £16.50, which for lunch is expensive, regardless of its location.
Service was slow and very patchy and we will certainly not be returning.
- 2. x, edinburgh – 9 August 2011, 3:20pm
CircusReport -
a nice cafe with potential but not a nice atmosphere. Also very overpriced for what it has to offer.
unprofessional and clearly not used to respect of women (yet they are the only girls working above the kitchen). Bizarre.
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