Budget

Happy birthday to the Traverse Theatre. In 2013 the venue celebrates its Golden Jubilee and to mark the occasion its fondly regarded basement bar/cafe has an updated menu. Fried sea bass with crushed new potatoes, or tagliatelle with mushrooms…

Nestled quite literally ‘under the stairs’ in a Merchant Street basement, this quirky venue boasts an eclectic menu of snacks and sharing platters, as well as more substantial main meals. Though the portion size is more than ample, the quality of the…

Variety Bar is a colourful affair with a unique atmosphere, where students, musos and ravers sit beside office workers and typically Glaswegian ‘old men’. There are always a few characters inside, as well as premium beers on tap and a strong selection…

New breweries are springing-up across Scotland amid the craft beer revolution, but the country’s only German-style microbrewery sits apart from that trend, by drawing its inspiration from centuries-old Bavarian traditions. WEST can be found in most good…

Run by the gregarious Stephanie Lo, Wok and Wine occupies a particular niche at the more elaborate end of Edinburgh’s Chinese dining scene. Beige walls, potted plants and long tablecloths give an upper-crust air that disguises its basement location, and…

Edinburgh’s most authentic Chinese restaurant is not for the faint-hearted. Vainly will you search for Peking duck or lemon chicken on this menu: rather, prepare for interactive eating. Park yourself before your very own steaming cauldron of broth and…

This increasingly popular bar has something of a twin persona: there’s the pint and pub lunch side of its character in the traditionally decorated ground level, and then there’s the clubbing side, which sees punters pack into the basement for…

A bitesize Kelvinbridge version of the excellent and ever-popular Piece café, this sandwich bar serves up most of the selection of fine gourmet pieces available on the other side of the park. The You Win, stuffed with moreish chilli-marinated mozzarella…

Relatively hidden down a side street between Kelvingrove Park and Sauchiehall Street, this friendly family owned outlet offers home cooked Italian food in a café setting. With its focus on a daytime and early evening clientele, Arcaffe attracts mainly…

You’d think Arisaig’s location around that climate-free covered-style courtyard would pull in weather-beaten punters all day long, but although evening crowds throng, the cobbled delights of Merchant Square are a tad more sedate around lunchtime which…

Since the previous owner left to concentrate on his political career, John Watt has taken on this established business as chef-proprietor, and changes are still in the offing. Attracting and students – who enjoy discounts – and city centre workers…

As a result of ongoing building work, Athena has temporarily moved from its West End home to the City Centre, which has led to an increased popularity at lunchtime, such is the abundance of offices in their new environ, and the £5 express lunch deal is…

Tucked away behind the King's Theatre, this brasserie has been on the city restaurant scene for 20 years. The layout includes a long, thin bar with an open kitchen, a blackboard showing specials, quirky artworks and candles flickering on black tables.

Not to be confused with the establishment of the same name located on Leven Street, this Bennets Bar is to be found on Maxwell Street in Morningside. With the same owners as The Cumberland Bar, Bennets is another very traditional pub specialising in…

In the heart of the merchant City, which is particularly good looking at night these days, Berits & Brown offers a small taste of a New York style neighbourhood diner. It is a big draw for wine buffs – any bottle on sale in the off license can be…

Can’t wait until Oktoberfest? Dependable like man’s best friend, Bier Halle rounds up a beer celebration every day. It’s the stalwart of good City Centre drinking dens – bare stone walls, chunky wooden benches and blocks, yet a warm and communal…

Bijou came under new ownership in 2011 but both head chef Alastair Berry and the quirky but useful menu formula of offering most items in bijou, medium or large size have remained. The low-key interior features a sprinkling of café-style tables, a small…

Hidden away in an unprepossessing area of Musselburgh is the impressively restored collection of Victorian buildings at Eskmills. The Birdcage is housed in an Egyptian-style administrative building for what was once a cotton and rope manufacturer. At…