Child friendly, "Edinburgh"

Having your menu explain that the restaurant’s name derives from a substance with a ‘penetrating odour’ extracted from the musk glands of a deer is a bold opening gambit. Thankfully, Kasturi’s bright yet relaxing green and white décor gives an…

Rivage may seem an understated presence from the outside, but there’s nothing low-key about the restaurant’s menu or the kitchen’s execution of it. Husband and wife team Ryad Meeajane and Catherine Thomson look after the kitchen and front of house…

After launching in 2012, Steak has settled into its stride, delivering its red meat extravaganza to an enthusiastic audience. It’s all here: a trio of breeds, all Scottish, served on or off the bone, in (standard) 200g all the way up to (Man vs Food…

An unusual little venture aiming to create a quality fast-food outlet, Wannaburger is packed full of teenagers, students and people looking for a quick bite to eat. With burgers made on the premises, the fluffiest buns about, and a selection of quality…

Friendly and speedy service, and a lunch menu deal of two courses for £7 (three for £10) make Kurdish and Middle Eastern Nawroz a popular choice among the student population, who pop in for a hearty kebab or shawarma after lectures. It’s spacious and…

Sushiya is Edinburgh’s bite-sized taste of Tokyo, as tiny, bright and inviting as the futo maki sushi. With only 25 covers it is undeniably small, but the stylish, minimalist interior keeps the feel spacious even when it’s busy and there’s a steady…

When you head to Tanjore, and it’s heartily recommended you do, there are two reasons to bring an appetite. First, this is where to sample the finest Southern Indian cuisine in Edinburgh. Second, you’ll be tempted to order everything on the enticing…

To the uninitiated, arriving at Elbow is a particular treat, not least for its eccentric layout, with a mezzanine reached by a rickety staircase and a ground level boasting leather booths fitted into various nooks and crannies. The décor, which includes…

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…

Tucked in among the gastropubs and fish restaurants of The Shore, Diner 7 offers something a bit different – namely well-cooked and presented steaks and burgers in an easy-going and unpretentious low-lit diner. Snuggled up in a booth with a bottle of…

Situated in Portobello, Bonoful has successfully built a reputation among regulars, and as word spreads is attracting custom from further afield. With a pristine modern minimalist interior, the menu specialises in Bangladeshi food but also includes…

Convenience food doesn’t usually equate to quality food, but for any hungry rail commuters looking for a sophisticated restaurant experience, Ignite’s location so close to Haymarket station bucks that trend. The interior reflects the menu’s willingness…

Not far from Haymarket’s busy hub, Morrison Street’s Papoli is a little ray of sunshine. While still retaining its roots in Italian cuisine, in August 2012 it welcomed new management and a slowly evolving shift in emphasis towards a more rounded…

Although there is a corporate feel to Strada’s clean lines and functional décor, the spectacular view of Edinburgh Castle from its outdoor tables is surely a one-off. And when it comes to the food, quality is a notch above the standard fare served up by…

Lying just far enough outside the city centre to be considered off the beaten track, Causewayside is never the less blessed with some decent dining options, of which Celadon is one of the best. The atmosphere is casual but homely thanks to some rustic…

Bigger and with a slightly more sophisticated vibe than Boda, its nearby sister venue, Victoria is able to fill up its extra space with clientele ranging from pushchair-wielding parents in the daytime to a fairly cosmopolitan crowd of an evening, with…

Ideally placed to capitalise on the pre-theatre crowd spilling over the road from the Festival Theatre, Suruchi has carved a niche for itself that has quite cheerily survived the recent change of ownership. The light and airy upstairs room is brightly…

Proud to call itself Edinburgh’s first Lebanese restaurant, Beirut offers some of the best-value lunch deals in town. Its keen pricing and reasonable BYOB charges make it an attractive option for anyone looking for interesting food without breaking open…

The National Museum of Scotland is a busy place. With free entry, acres of treasure-filled rooms to explore and proper consideration given to entertaining young people, the place is popular with school groups, tourists and children of all ages. The…

Origano is a bijou alternative to the modern, mass-production Italian restaurant. Although styled as a New York trattoria, the cosy dining room would not be out of place in Greenwich Village or Sienna. Stripped wooden floors and ceilings, simple…