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…
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…
Opal Lounge
51 George Street, New Town,
Edinburgh,
EH2 2HT
Scotland
This labyrinthine, subterranean bar/restaurant below George Street is a stylish venue for a meal, a quiet drink, or, very late in the day, a spot of clubbing. The mood is funky and très chic, with a motif of hot-pink and 1970s stylised flowers - the…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Viva
77 Bothwell Street,
Glasgow,
G2 6TS
With its proximity to Glasgow's business district, Viva entertains a sizeable number of office workers for lunch. But its handsome, dark wood interior, with some big, soft leather booths, retains a relaxed atmosphere that, come evening and muted…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Bar 91
91 Candleriggs,
Glasgow,
G1 1NP
The refurbished Bar 91 has retained its aloof smartness and lack of pretention, with new chunky tables, dark red and oyster walls and a refitted bar stocking beers by West Brewing Company. Light and airy, it has a steady office lunchtime trade that…
Pani Solińska
73 Broughton Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3RJ
Pani Solinska is Polish for 'Mrs Solinska'. Dorothy Nowak-Solinska took over Broughton Street landmark Café Mediterraneo last year, but before putting her name above the door in spring 2008 took some time to design a restaurant she could be proud of.
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…
Big Slope
36a Kelvingrove Street,
Glasgow,
G3 7SA
Occupying a basement near Kelvingrove Park, this Alpine-themed bar is the closest Glasgow gets to après-ski. Black leather booths nestle under wooden panels depicting snow scenes, while antlers decorate the walls. Students and office workers snap up…
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…
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…
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.
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.
Moskito
200 Bath Street,
Glasgow,
G2 4HG
Bath Street has seen many a pub come and go but Moskito is now something of an old hand, having been trading steadily here since 2000. This seems largely due to its ability to appeal to a mixed crowd, offering a wide variety of beers, a comprehensive…
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…
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…
Oddfellows
14 Forrest Road,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2QN
Oddfellows is housed inside a beautiful building, which has been transformed into a student-friendly refectory by the Festival Inns chain. There are no booths or romantic nooks in this place, and you're unlikely to want to gaze into the eyes of another…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Di Maggio's Theatreland
163 West Nile Street,
Glasgow,
G1 2RL
More than two decades old, the Di Maggio's chain is going strong and regularly wins awards for its 'family-friendliness'. This outlet, formerly known as Pronto, is the so-called Theatreland branch and now uses the same menu as the others. But it's…
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…
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…
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…
Louis' Bistro
18 Gibson Street,
Glasgow,
G12 8NX
Gibson Street is fast becoming the nucleus for West End dining, and Louis' Bistro has been growing in popularity since it opened in 2006. It's owned by the same team that runs the ever-wonderful No Sixteen [see Scottish], but the dishes here are more…
Mancini
315–317 Great Western Road,
Glasgow,
G4 9HR
Located closer to the St George's Cross end of Great Western Road, Mancini is a bit away from the hub of the West End. This intimate place feels a little like a well-lit wine cellar with bare brick walls (hung in places with fairly lights), leather…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Bar Gandolfi
64 Albion Street,
Glasgow,
G1 1NY
Housed in the loft above the much-loved Café Gandolfi, this warm, tiny bar eschews the cuisine and décor of its older sibling in favour of an identity all of its own. Quirky wooden furniture, steel beams and candlelight reflecting off battered cream…
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…
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…
Café Cossachok
38 Albion Street,
Glasgow,
G1 1LH
Cossachok successfully embraces multiple identities: it's part gallery, part cultural centre and part music venue, yet still essentially a restaurant. Temporarily relocated until 2009 (while their ten-year home on the other side of the Trongate is…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Mother India's Café
1355 Argyle Street,
Glasgow,
G3 8AD
Mother India's Café, part of the well-kent Mother India group of 'home-style' Indian cuisine, is situated opposite two other Kelvingrove landmarks, the museum and park. It doesn't take bookings, so be prepared to wait a few minutes for a table. It's…
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…
La Tasca
9 South Charlotte Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 4AS
These might be two branches of a nationwide chain, but don't let that put you off. Both of Edinburgh's La Tascas do just enough to convince you of their Spanish pedigree, although the food they serve is perhaps no more than your average Brit abroad on…
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 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…
Charcoals
26A Renfield Street,
Glasgow,
G2 1LU
Charcoals' colourful interiors, and its reliable and occasionally excellent Punjabi cuisine, make it a good choice in the city centre. The main draws here are the great value lunchtime buffet – popular with local office workers – and the generous…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Mine
158–166 Bath Street,
Glasgow,
G2 4TB
Two parts gentleman's club to one part burlesque lounge, the interior of Mine is an impressively luxurious setting. Booths of deep crimson leather and dark, polished wooden tables lit by individual 1940s-style lamps lend the space a feeling of intimacy…
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…
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…
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'.
Tang's
44 Candlemaker Row,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2QE
As a head chef in London, Qun Tang could boast the likes of Jonathan Ross among his regulars. Now relocated north, and settled into an airy, pleasant space in the heart of Edinburgh, Tang and his Japanese wife Yoshiko Nakano are hoping to win over the…
Wagamama
97–103 West George Street,
Glasgow,
G2 1PB
The noodle bowls, yakitori, gyoza dumplings, adzuki beans, katsu curry et al from the Japanese menu at this branch of the Wagamama multinational chain have lost little of their appeal since it opened in Glasgow's city centre in December 2003. Punters…
The Bay Tree Café
403 Great Western Road,
Glasgow,
G4 9HY
The long-established Bay Tree likes to keep things fairly simple, with its unassuming layout and Middle Eastern knick-knacks around the walls. The same goes for its menu, which comprises a mixture of Arabian, Mediterranean and European dishes at…
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…
The Liquid Ship
171 Great Western Road,
Glasgow,
G4 9AW
With its dark wood, whitewashed brick walls and quirky array of clocks, posters and nautical paraphernalia, The Liquid Ship is a laid back location in which to drink and dine. The menu, though compact, is dominated by well-sourced ingredients and…
Rawalpindi Tandoori
321 Sauchiehall Street,
Glasgow,
G2 3HW
Established some three decades ago, Rawalpindi describes its 'fine Indian cuisine' as 'probably the best in Glasgow'. The atmosphere inside the eatery, where swathes of pink material hang from the ceiling along with some rather wilted pot plants and a…
The Universal
57-59 Sauchiehall Lane, City Centre,
Glasgow,
G2 4JD
Flashier town centre bars may struggle to fill their sofas on an early week evening, but this little bar is buzzing pretty much every night. Hidden away on a side street, it can't attract much walk-up, so what's its secret? On two floors, bare brick…
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…
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…
Blonde
75 St Leonard's Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9QR
Jokes mocking the fairer-haired may be ten-a-penny but this Blonde is certainly no dummy. Situated in a sleepy Southside street, the restaurant positively buzzes during the Festival due to its proximity to the Pleasance, but pulls in a regular crowd…
Bonsai
46 West Richmond Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9DZ
With the convivial hubbub of the closely packed tables, the sizzling steam and enticing aromas emerging from the kitchen, and the bold white, crimson and black décor, at Bonsai it's easy to imagine yourself in an izakaya in downtown Tokyo. And indeed it…
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…
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…
Filmhouse Café Bar
88 Lothian Road,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9BZ
It is rare thing these days to find a place to eat that truly serves a purpose and functions without pretension, unnecessary frills or ideas above its station. The Filmhouse Bar has fulfilled such a role in Edinburgh for over 20 years, providing a…
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…
Lebowskis
1008 Argyle Street,
Glasgow,
G3 8LX
Formerly Elbow Room, this bar underwent a change of ownership and a slick makeover in late 2007, reopening as a venue that stands to further the culinary kudos of long-overlooked Finnieston. Lebowski's is a gentrified haven from its still rather gritty…
Mamma's American Pizza Company
30 Grassmarket,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2JU
The Grassmarket may have a reputation as a focal point for stags and hens, but Mamma's is firmly family-friendly and pointedly opposed to such rowdiness. Inside, it is buzzing with parents and kids alike having a good time. The cartoon murals of various…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Montpeliers
159–161 Bruntsfield Place,
Edinburgh,
EH10 4DG
Montpeliers has long been a Bruntsfield favourite, the regular clientele ranging from well-heeled students and local residents to footballers. A recent makeover both outside and in means there are no signs of the place resting on its laurels style-wise…
The Storytelling Café
Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43 High Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1SR
Opened in 2006, the Scottish Storytelling Centre is the modern counterpart to the historic John Knox's House, composed of vast glass panels and modern angles. With a view of the Royal Mile's Canongate, the café space is demarcated by tactile, light wood…
Topolino's
285 Sauchiehall Street,
Glasgow,
G2 3HQ
Topolino's is Italian for Walt Disney's most-famous little rodent, but there is nothing Micky Mouse about this restaurant. It is entered by a narrow staircase, which leads diners down to a stylish basement taverna. This is no dark, dank underworld…
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…
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…
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…
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 Forest
3 Bristo Place,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1EY
Rather like Doctor Who's Tardis, The Forest café's exterior gives no hint of the space to be found within. The large back room is a real jumble, full of comfy sofas, mismatched tables and chairs, and a worn game of Pictionary perching haphazardly atop a…
The GY Chinese Take Out
27 Roseneath Place, Marchmont,
Edinburgh,
EH9 1JD
Nestled in a quiet corner of Marchmont, GY's location has never hindered its popularity. The service is beyond reproach, the food flavoursome and filling and, quite simply, it is quick. Customers can phone in their order and find their food ready and…
