Restaurants, Budget
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The Dogs
110 Hanover Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1DR
Ascending the stairs of this sharply decorated, stylish bistro is a little like walking into a friend's lovely living room for dinner. Stark white walls and simple furnishings are set against pictures of the eponymous dogs liberally scattered around the…
Chop Chop
248 Morrison Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 8DT
'Authentic' may be an over-used claim on many menus, but at Chop Chop it's entirely appropriate. Don't be fooled by the garish red and yellow façade: it might look like any other takeaway, but Chop Chop is the real deal. Genuinely charming and…
Roastit Bubbly Jocks
450 Dumbarton Road,
Glasgow,
G11 6SE
Amidst the charity shops at the long end of Dumbarton Road, Roastit Bubbly Jocks might seem out of the way. For many, however, it's a well-loved dining institution. The emphasis is on the food and atmosphere: it's bustling, loud and warm – the way any…
The Butterfly and the Pig
153 Bath Street,
Glasgow,
G2 4SQ
Going for a meal at The Butterfly and the Pig is something of an Alice in Wonderland experience. Beyond its unprepossessing basement entrance, the bar is decorated like the Mad Hatter's front room, with chintz sofas, doilies and Welsh dressers bursting…
Amicus Apple
17 Frederick Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 2EY
Amicus Apple has been under new ownership since 2007, and its basement area has been transformed into a chic, welcoming, boudoir-like space. Patterned black walls, twinkling light fittings and comfortable leather chairs accommodate shoppers and office…
Mosque Kitchen
Edinburgh Central Mosque, 50 Potterrow,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9BT
Mosque Kitchen is a singular dining experience, satisfying a very diverse clientele from all walks of life, staff and students from the nearby university and Muslim families. It's located in the Southside under a corrugated iron canapé at the back of…
Balbir's
7 Church Street,
Glasgow,
G11 5JP
Balbir's modern interior is plush and well lit, decorated in warm reds and clean whites, and the space is large and open enough for bigger parties while still accommodating those looking for a more intimate meal. The food is as modern as the setting.
La Cantina
72 Commercial Quay,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6LX
When you enter La Cantina, the décor and ambiance leave you in little doubt that you're in a Mexican restaurant. The place is decked out in red and green, and pulses with salsa rhythms. Ranch-style furniture is laid out in rows and there are sombreros…
Empires
24 St Mary's Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1SU
Colourful, cluttered and slightly chaotic, Empires is richly decorated with ornate wooden panelling, hand-painted ceramics and cascades of mosaic lanterns twinkling overhead. By day it is bright and cheery, offering healthy lunches and herbal teas, but…
La Favorita
325–331 Leith Walk,
Edinburgh,
EH6 8SA
The glow from the twin log-fired ovens is the first indication that pizza is taken seriously at this Leith Walk eatery. La Favorita combines the lightest, crispest bases (also available gluten-free) with a long list of both classic and more inventive…
First Coast
97–101 Dalry Road,
Edinburgh,
EH11 2AB
What inspired Skye-born brothers Alan and Hector MacRae to open First Coast, slightly off the beaten track on Edinburgh's Dalry Road, is something of a mystery. That said, a restaurant with such a simple, adaptable ethos – local, good value produce…
Sabor Criollo
36 Deanhaugh Street,
Edinburgh,
EH4 1LY
The sign outside says this is a 'Latin American' restaurant. This ensures no breaches of the Trades Description laws when the chef pulls dishes from the likes of Peru, Mexico and Colombia into his specials menu. But at the heart of the place is a…
Urban Angel
121 Hanover Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1DJ
More urbane than urban, this bustling Hanover Street basement is an ever-popular choice, and it's easy to see why. With simple prints on the white walls, solid pine furniture and flock-printed menus, the aesthetic lends the restaurant a cool…
Buffalo Grill
1 Raeburn Place,
Edinburgh,
EH4 1HU
'Native American' is very much the theme at both Buffalo Grills, which means steak, Corona and a veritable tribe of chiefs in monochrome bedecking the walls. Right next to the university, the Southside branch is unsurprisingly lively. But for the…
Toast
146 Marchmont Road,
Edinburgh,
EH9 1AQ
There really should be more establishments like Toast in Scotland's suburbs. The restaurant, in the heart of cosmopolitan Marchmont, offers lovingly crafted meals using ingredients sourced from a butcher, fishmonger and greengrocer whose premises are…
The Wee Curry Shop
7 Buccleuch Street,
Glasgow,
G3 6SJ
The sentiments of the 'small is beautiful' saying are certainly supported by Glasgow's various Wee Curry Shops. The newest one, opened towards the end of 2007 in Byres Road, is the latest tiny jewel in the crown of the empire of its parent group, Mother…
Avoca
4–6 Dean Street,
Edinburgh,
EH4 1LW
This is a bar that knows exactly what it's doing when it comes to food. It's not attempting to be a bistro: it's emphatically a bar and loves being a bar. Taste is everything in this little relaxing snug; music and chat don't intrude on your dining and…
The Blue Parrot Cantina
49 St Stephen Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 5AH
The Blue Parrot isn't a place that shouts about itself. From the road outside, there are few signs that this compact restaurant exists at all. If there was a prize for subtlety, this place would win hands down. It doesn't even do garish wall mounts or…
Creelers
3 Hunter Square,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1QW
Creelers at Hunter Square has been wowing fans for almost 13 years. A range of tourists, regulars and locals – though not the goths that hang out by the Tron – make up the clientele in this establishment, which comes to life in the evenings. Although…
The Engine Shed Cafe
19 St Leonard's Lane,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9SD
The Engine Shed has the delicious privilege of taking ethical business to a higher, smarter level. It was founded on a principle of truly equal opportunities by employing trainees with learning difficulties, but the quality of the food is even better…
Nanakusa
441 Sauchiehall Street,
Glasgow,
G2 3LG
Before Nanakusa opened in November 2007, manager David Wan flew to the Far East to see exactly what made an authentic Japanese restaurant. Wan adored the teppanyaki, tempura and yakitori joints he stumbled upon, although nowhere could he find all the…
Olive Branch Bistro
91 Broughton Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3RX
Broughton Street is not lacking in places to eat, so any restaurant looking to make its mark has to offer great food with an atmosphere to match. The Olive Branch has both in spades. In a compact, almost post-industrial-style setting, candle-lit tables…
Basement Bar
10a–12a Broughton Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3RH
Situated below busy Broughton Street, The Basement is a lively little bistro where staff dressed in Hawaiian shirts often greet you at the door. Inside, tall gothic candles and 80s retro décor set the tone of fun, casual dining. The menu, which changes…
The New York Steam Packet
31 Rose Street Lane North,
Edinburgh,
EH2 2NP
The New York Steam Packet is secreted up an alley off Rose Street that, fittingly, looks like an abandoned set from West Side Story. A tight spiral staircase leads to a wood-panelled, cabin-like room bedecked in seductive art deco posters for…
All Bar One
Exchange Plaza, 50 Lothian Road,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9BY
Once upon a time, All Bar One was the fresh-faced, exclusive bar-about-town frequented by apple flirtini-sipping suits. While never quite diverting the gastro-pub experts, it did embed the wine bar-diner concept in the nation's consciousness. But the…
An Lochan
340 Crow Road,
Glasgow,
G11 7HT
To wander through Broomhill, at least up the Crow Road from Partick towards Anniesland, is to witness a dearth of dining out options. But amid the virtual desert this oasis emerges modestly amid of a row of shops. The former Café Royale, An Lochan is…
Bell's Diner
7 St Stephen Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 5AN
Sometimes going out to eat isn't a grand affair. Serving those who are simply satisfied with a big burger and chips in an easy-going environment, Bell's Diner has proved popular with the punters since 1972. National Geographic people photos deck the…
Biblos
1 Chambers Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1HR
Located close to the university, Biblos tends to be dominated by members of Edinburgh's student population. The venue has recently undergone a revamp: curtains, comfy armchairs and bright lampshades now lend the space a contemporary, clubby feel. The…
The Street
2 Picardy Place,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3JT
At the corner of Picardy Place, right on the apex of Edinburgh's 'pink triangle' is the Street, a sociable, gay-friendly bar that also serves up tasty grub. It's shaped like a fishbowl, the wide glass walls and tall stools allowing guests to see and be…
Wok and Wine
57a Frederick Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1LH
Subtlety is key to Wok and Wine: its large honey-toned basement dining area is devoid of chintz and is lent an artful intimacy by bamboo blinds and screens. This tasteful neutrality rightly ensures that the focus is on the well-executed food. The…
Duck's at Le Marché Noir
14 Eyre Place,
Edinburgh,
EH3 5EP
If you are looking for an intimate dining experience with attentive service and classic, well-executed cooking, Duck's certainly fits the bill. It may be a bit out of the centre for true urbanites but it's certainly worth the walk down that steep hill.
Karen Wong's Chinese Restaurant
107–109 St Leonard's Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9QY
Slightly off the beaten track, this cute and kitsch wee place is dominated by its eponymous hostess. Whether she is dancing to the 80s power ballad soundtrack (don't worry, the music isn't that loud), or posing for photographs with one of the birthday…
OKO Express
78 Queen Street,
Glasgow,
G1 3DN
This sushi bar and Japanese grill redefines the post-pub/club fish supper when it reels in the beer-goggled during one of its late late opening nights. The bright red walls and semi-communal benches of a compact but surprisingly spacious dining area…
The 78
10–14 Kelvinhaugh Street,
Glasgow,
G3 8NU
Named after 78rpm vinyl records (a pile of which sit next to an antique gramophone), the 78 is several miles away from its previous incarnation as the grungy indie hangout Stereo. Bright and airy but still intimate, the café bar's relaxed atmosphere…
Sushiya
19 Dalry Road,
Edinburgh,
EH11 2BQ
Amid the clutter of small shops and restaurants that line the end of Dalry Road, it's easy to walk past this tiny sushi and noodle bar without even noticing it. The simple glass façade is embellished only with a row of suspended crimson lanterns, while…
Amalfi Pizzeria
148 West Nile Street,
Glasgow,
G1 2RQ
What do Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Cary Grant and Errol Flynn all have in common, aside from the obvious? Amalfi Pizzeria. Or more specifically, its glitzier former guise as the Lido Café, which, being situated suitably close to the famous old Glasgow…
Browns Restaurant and Bar
131–133 George Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 4JS
With a kitchen that can handle close to a thousand covers on its busiest days, Browns is no modest operation. No surprise, given that it's one of a chain of 14 owned by the gargantuan Mitchells and Butlers pub operators. The corporate ethos is classic…
Hanedan
41 West Preston Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9PY
The fact that Hanedan's owner and chef, Gursel Bahar, has previously flexed his culinary muscles at the Four Seasons and with Sir Terence Conran at London's exquisite Quaglino's restaurant will come as little surprise to anyone who's sampled the…
Howies
208 Bruntsfield Place,
Edinburgh,
EH10 4DE
This excellent value restaurant chain is now an Edinburgh institution and deservedly so. There are four restaurants, conveniently situated in the four areas of the compass of central Edinburgh. Waterloo Place, in the east, has been recently renovated…
Ivory Lounge
126–128 George Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 4HH
The Ivory Lounge is a new bar/restaurant at the west end of George Street on the site of the former Bar 38. Plush booths and pale blue lighting help create a vibrant atmosphere, and the wide, open aisles ensure that guests never feel confined. While…
Loon Fung
2 Warriston Place, Canonmills,
Edinburgh,
EH3 5LE
Still going strong after 36 years, with a loyal following among locals, Loon Fung is undoubtedly doing something right. Specialising in Canton-style seafood, a two-person starter of chopped scallops with cashews and crisp vermicelli gives some…
Òran Mór
731–735 Great Western Road,
Glasgow,
G12 8QX
The grand looking Òran Mór, a converted sandstone church overlooking Byres Road and the Botanic Gardens, attempts to cater for the varied wants of trendy West End locals by being all things to all punters: restaurant (see Scottish), club, theatre, bar…
Silver Bowl
12 Albert Place, Leith Walk,
Edinburgh,
EH7 5HN
Silver Bowl has established itself as a creative takeaway that uses nothing but fresh ingredients. Although its menu has not changed in some time, it has little need to, as the choices are varied and fire in from all regions of China and Thailand.
The Cambridge Bar
20 Young Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 4JB
For simple, filling pub grub, you can't do much better than a well-made burger and chips. That's virtually all they serve at the Cambridge, besides home-made bean burgers for veggies and chicken breasts for non-beef fans. It's the attention to detail…
Chinaski's
239 North Street,
Glasgow,
G3 7DL
The almost anonymous exterior and dimly lit, stylish interior makes Chinaski's a secret and sophisticated haven from the city rush, epitomised by the sunken M8 across the road. Even if you have never heard of Henry Chinaski, the relaxed approach of bar…
La Concha
18–24 Deanhaugh Street,
Edinburgh,
EH4 1LY
It may sound Spanish, but La Concha actually takes its name from the sister of chef/owner Richard Morana, and its flavour is predominantly Italian. Opened in 2005 and stylishly extended to double the capacity without compromising its friendly…
The Gallery Restaurant and Bar
Weston Link, National Galleries of Scotland, The Mound,
Edinburgh,
EH2 2EL
Given its position directly under two of Edinburgh's most iconic buildings, at the centre of Princes Street and overlooking the gardens, the Gallery really needn't have been all that good to ensure regular custom. Happily, head chef Scott Brodowski has…
Grassroots Café
93–97 St Georges Road,
Glasgow,
G3 6JA
This café/restaurant is worth a small diversion off the well-beaten track of Woodlands Road; its creative menu (with blackboard specials, too) and relaxed atmosphere are of a higher calibre than the usual vegetarian operation. Purple curtains divide…
Howies
10–14 Victoria Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2HG
This excellent value restaurant chain is now an Edinburgh institution and deservedly so. There are four restaurants, conveniently situated in the four areas of the compass of central Edinburgh. Waterloo Place, in the east, has been recently renovated…
Kebabish
323–325 Victoria Road,
Glasgow,
G42 7SA
While no longer a part of the Kebabish Original chain, this Govanhill eatery continues to lure customers with its flame-filled open kitchen, contemporary interior and tremendous value for money. Above all, it still delivers on its promise of 'the thrill…
All Bar One
29–31 George Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 2PA
Once upon a time, All Bar One was the fresh-faced, exclusive bar-about-town frequented by apple flirtini-sipping suits. While never quite diverting the gastro-pub experts, it did embed the wine bar-diner concept in the nation's consciousness. But the…
The Baked Potato Shop
56 Cockburn Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1PB
Tucked in at the top of Cockburn Street just off the madness of the Royal Mile, this tiny shop is something of an Edinburgh institution. This isn't just any baked potato shop: this is the baked potato shop, taking the humble spud and giving it a series…
Candy Bar
113–115 George Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 4JN
Aimed squarely at the pretty young things, the Candy Bar really is the cheeky twinkle in the eye of Edinburgh's George Street. There's an air of backstreet chic about the place, with the emphasis on drinking and having a good time rather than eating.
David Bann
56–58 St Mary's Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1SX
The luscious David Bann's is the smartly dressed uncle of the vegetarian scene, striding forward with a sophisticated menu and without a hippy in sight. Its well-deserved reputation is based on the quality of its ingredients, its creativity and its…
Frankie's Restaurant
27 Bread Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9AL
It would be very easy to walk past this understated restaurant hidden among some of the more dubious haunts of Bread Street, but that would be a mistake. Owner Celena Collins gives a personal welcome at the door, in a nod to the overall experience of…
Giuliano's
18–19 Union Place,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3NQ
Hidden behind a modest entrance with green neon signs and a rather retro ice-cream counter, the cavernous back room of this lively restaurant – a cheerful mix of tartan carpets and Italian holiday snap posters – comes as something of a surprise. At…
Joanna's Cuisine
42 Dalmeny Street, Leith,
Edinburgh,
EH6 8RG
Although a little off the beaten track, near the bottom of Leith Walk, Joanna's is well worth the trek. The unassuming frontage belies the quality fare inside, which is all based on owner Joanna Wong's proud advocacy of healthy eating. The simple but…
Negociants
45–47 Lothian Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1HB
Long established as a late-night eatery for nighthawk students and Edinburgh festival-goers (the Teviot and Udderbelly venues are just across the road), Negociants has recently been taken over by members of staff and was implementing various changes at…
Rick Shaws
248 Causewayside,
Edinburgh,
EH9 1UU
As it offers no less than Chinese, Thai, Indian and Italian cuisines, one would be excused for suspecting that Rick Shaws has bitten off more than it can chew. Thankfully, for owners Andrew Smith and Richard Munro, quality is all. With a professionally…
Susie's Diner
51–53 West Nicolson Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9DB
Nestled in the heart of Edinburgh's studentville, Susie's Diner straddles the border between student grub and higher-end café. On the one hand, the menu is a doodled board, with food served up in a manner that's more institutional canteen than 'diner'.
Tex Mex II
64 Thistle Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1EN
Located at the core of the New Town, Tex Mex II is certainly compact and extremely colourful but what it lacks in size and subtly it makes up for in energy. The vibrancy of the restaurant's walls is echoed in its menu, which covers all the standards as…
Brazilian Sensation
117–119 Buccleuch Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9NG
With an emphasis on good cuisine and familial service, Brazilian Sensation has long set its stall on hearty home-cooked portions and enough originality to appeal to even the most adventurous palette. A well-run family enterprise headed by John and Lucia…
Cloisters
26 Brougham Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9JH
Occasionally, there's a short wait for chips at this Tollcross pub. It's nothing to do with bad service, though: the chef just needs freshly to peel more spuds. Great care is taken over the daily changing bar meal menu, which now includes extra dishes…
Coia's Café
473 Duke Street,
Glasgow,
G31 1NG
Coia's has been dishing out Italian favourites, chip shop classics and, of course, its famous home-made ice-cream since it first opened its doors in 1928. Following a 2006 facelift and expansion – which included adding a well-stocked delicatessen…
Cuba Norte
192 Morrison Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 8EB
Spread over two floors, Cuba Norte is heavy on the fun factor, which is not to say that the many after-workers who frequent this bustling establishment cannot find ample space to enjoy a quiet drink, while sampling the reasonable array of food found on…
Favorit
19–20 Teviot Place,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2QZ
Favorit is a late night diner for the young and hip and – most importantly – for those with the munchies. Black and white chequered tiles, retro tables and benches and a large, red neon Favorit sign set the scene. All that's missing is Pulp Fiction's…
Izzi
119 Lothian Road,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9AN
With its wall of glass facing onto Lothian Road, selection of gelatinous permanent display dishes in the window, and slick modern interior with open serving area featuring a teppanyaki bar, Izzi has a fairly distinctive presence on the Edinburgh dining…
The Left Bank
33–35 Gibson Street,
Glasgow,
G12 8NU
Our 2007 Newcomer of the Year, the Left Bank is still managing to draw in the crowds – the popular bar/bistro has the holy trinity of dedicated service, competitive prices and honest, solid cooking to thank for its success. The stylish décor helps as…
Mr India's West End Balti and Dosa House
11–13 Hyndland Street,
Glasgow,
G11 5QE
Slightly hidden just off Dumbarton Road, Mr India's West End Balti and Dosa House has a 1970s curryhouse atmosphere. Its cheerful dining room is full of snug corners and potted plants, with dark wood and cream walls, while a red ceiling – complete with…
Porto & Fi
47 Newhaven Mainstreet,
Edinburgh,
EH6 4NQ
This deli/bistro, which opened this year in Newhaven, adds its name to the growing list of elegant suburban restaurants in this neck of the woods. In a bright, well-lit room stencilled with green leaves, diners take in spectacular views across the Firth…
Rapido
77–79 Broughton Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3RJ
The usual chip shop favourites are neatly arrayed in sparkling stainless steel counters, but Rapido's vibrant blue and orange frontage promises – and delivers – more than your average chippy. The wide-ranging menu truly does offer something for…
Saffrani
11 South College Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9AA
Unpretentiousness, modest décor and a homely atmosphere all belie the classy, sophisticated food that is served at Saffrani. In this small but comfortable restaurant, wonders from Pawan Kumar's kitchen resonate with echoes of the innovative, but now…
Silver Bowl
311 Leith Walk,
Edinburgh,
EH6 8SA
Silver Bowl has established itself as a creative takeaway that uses nothing but fresh ingredients. Although its menu has not changed in some time, it has little need to, as the choices are varied and fire in from all regions of China and Thailand.
The Stand Comedy Club
5 York Place, Queen Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3EB
For ten years mirth-seekers have delved beneath York Place in search of something to tickle their ribs and split their sides – and the hugely successful comedy club has provided just that. To accompany the Thursday to Saturday night line-ups, a…
Ad Lib
111 Hope Street,
Glasgow,
G2 6LL
Glasgow's two Ad Libs have carved a niche as perhaps the more mature establishments that focus on US-style cuisine. The newer Merchant City outlet has a grander atmosphere, with marble walls and well-spaced booths that give it a chic, cosmopolitan…
Ad Lib
33 Ingram Street,
Glasgow,
G1 1HA
Glasgow's two Ad Libs have carved a niche as perhaps the more mature establishments that focus on US-style cuisine. The newer Merchant City outlet has a grander atmosphere, with marble walls and well-spaced booths that give it a chic, cosmopolitan…
B'est
16 Drummond Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9TX
B'est may only have been up and running for less than two years, but it's already a popular venture, attracting lively parties as well as courting couples with its cheap dining offers. Set menus include a three-course dinner for £14.90 and a two-course…
Blas
1397 Argyle Street,
Glasgow,
G3 8AN
With a name meaning 'taste' or 'relish' in Gaelic, Blas proudly offers tastes of the Highlands and Islands in produce such as Stornoway black pudding, Ullapool smoked salmon and Dingwall haggis. Fittingly, it's situated close to many of the city's…
Ecco Vino
19 Cockburn Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1BP
The casual, laid-back atmosphere of Ecco Vino is rarely achieved elsewhere in the capital. The chatter of the patrons and the clatter of the glasses encourage you to take a seat, take a menu, and take a glass . . . or a bottle. The wine list is as…
The Fruitmarket Gallery Café
Fruitmarket Gallery, 45 Market Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1DF
Many who regularly drop into this contemporary gallery housed in an old Victorian fruit and vegetable market don't make it past the ground floor café, such is the singular draw of the food. With a dedication to fresh produce and menu choices, lunch can…
Ikafe
138 Nithsdale Road,
Glasgow,
G41 5RB
Pollokshields' Ikafe has remained a popular local eatery since it first opened in 1999. Wooden floors, exposed brickwork and white walls dotted with bold prints combine to create a simple and stylish venue. Lunchtimes are busy, so booking is advisable…
La Lanterna
83 Hanover Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1EE
While there's a tide of upmarket, designer trattorias sweeping the capital, the hearty, rustic charm of a place like La Lanterna in the city centre could easily be overlooked. The cosy interior, with low lighting and varnished wooden furniture, is miles…
The Local
427 Sauchiehall Street,
Glasgow,
G2 3LG
The quirky mix of ceiling lamps and a spherical white TV add a bit of character to the otherwise rectilinear furnishings of The Local: tables, chesterfields, empty picture frames and a free-standing bar on which the youthful clientele can rest their…
Pizza Express
1 Deanhaugh Street,
Edinburgh,
EH4 1LU
As seems to be the case with much of metropolitan Britain, you don't have to venture too far in any part of Edinburgh before stumbling across one of the city's five Pizza Express restaurants. If you are looking for reliable, Italian food that won't…
Salsa
63 Carlton Place,
Glasgow,
G5 9TW
Technically on the Southside, Salsa is just a pleasant five-minute walk from the city centre via the Clyde's suspension pedestrian bridge. The discreet location suits the ambience of the restaurant, which is refreshingly unlike most Mexican-themed…
Simply Thai
305 Leith Walk,
Edinburgh,
EH6 8SA
Leith is heavily populated with Chinese and, increasingly, Thai takeaways, but Simply Thai and its sister restaurant the Silver Bowl are among the best. There's no scrimping on the portions, which are generously meaty with good, fresh vegetables. The…
Zorba Mediterranean Taverna
25 High Street,
Glasgow,
G1 1LX
This old-fashioned family-run taverna is about as cheesy as a package holiday to a sunny island resort. But its staff are friendly to a fault, with impromptu dancing and cheerful service. Most importantly, the food is excellent. The cosy room is…
L'Ariosto
92–94 Mitchell Street,
Glasgow,
G1 3NQ
Named after the Renaissance bard, L'Ariosto has many surprises. Designed to resemble an Italian courtyard and exuding a cosy atmosphere, it still has room to put on dinner dances with a live band five nights a week. It's almost 40 years old, but there's…
Bar Soba
11 Mitchell Lane,
Glasgow,
G1 3NU
It may feel at first like a standard city-centre style bar with its muted lighting, studiously minimalist décor and languorous background beats, but Bar Soba's food is more than an afterthought to complement the range of fancy bottled beers. The kitchen…
Bijou
2 Restalrig Road,
Edinburgh,
EH6 8BN
At the corner of Restalrig Road, across from Leith Links, guests of Bijou can dine in a small, white sitting room cheerfully decorated with green plants and gold mirrors. The lunch and dinner menu celebrates Scottish cuisine and all dishes come in…
The Canon's Gait
232 Canongate,
Edinburgh,
EH8 8DQ
The Canon's Gait boasts an impressively grand entrance on the Royal Mile, which carries a plaque detailing the history of the pub and the surrounding area. Inside, clean cream walls house a relaxed bar area dotted with large circular tables and a low…
Chow
98 Byres Road,
Glasgow,
G12 8TB
Bright lights, clean lines and minimal modern décor mark Chow out from most other Chinese restaurants in town. It's a little breath of fresh air that's been right at home among the hustle-bustle of Byres Road since opening its doors in 2002. Food is…
Diner 7
7 Commercial Street,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6JA
As the name would suggest, Diner 7 is a cosy local favourite, decked out with leather booths and a distinct neighbourhood feel. Relaxed and helpful staff chat to Leith regulars as they pore over a menu of innovative combinations and more traditional…
The New Bell
233 Causewayside,
Edinburgh,
EH9 1PH
This Southside restaurant above the Old Bell bar has cemented a reliable reputation over the years with a friendly atmosphere and welcoming staff. Its well-rounded menu will suit all tastes and it offers a selection of staple children's favourites on…
Queen Street Café
The Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1JD
The term 'home-made' is thrown about by restaurants as carelessly as 'local ingredients' and 'authentic cuisine', and not always entirely truthfully. This modestly sized café in a secluded corner of the National Portrait Gallery is one of the few which…
The Rainbow Arch
8–16 Morrison Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 8BJ
Hopefully a planned refurbishment in 2008 will breathe new life into this well-established and popular restaurant. Owner Henry Tse also owns the downstairs Henry's Cellar Bar, with which the restaurant shares its rather basic toilets. The planned…
The Wee Curry Shop
23 Ashton Lane,
Glasgow,
G12 8SJ
The sentiments of the 'small is beautiful' saying are certainly supported by Glasgow's various Wee Curry Shops. The newest one, opened towards the end of 2007 in Byres Road, is the latest tiny jewel in the crown of the empire of its parent group, Mother…
Zizzi
42–45 Queensferry Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 4RA
Zizzi's three Edinburgh locations near cinemas and theatres hint at the transient nature of most of their diners. However, it would be wrong to write these stylish restaurants off as a quick stopping-off point for food before the latest blockbuster or…
Alla Turca
192 Pitt Street,
Glasgow,
G2 4DY
This ambitious newcomer, from Òran Mór's former brasserie manager Burak Soyusinmez, has an agenda: to show that there's a lot more to Turkish cuisine than dodgy post-pub kebabs. And so Alla Turca's menu is one of two halves, with traditional dishes on…
Arts Café
City Art Centre, 1 Market Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1DE
'Unpretentious' can often sound like an insult to a more insecure establishment, but here less fuss is ultimately more. And given that it is situated beside a huge art gallery, across from Waverley Station and within walking distance of various office…
