Restaurants, Budget, "Edinburgh"

Named after Valencia’s main beach, Malvarosa also embraces the name of its proprietor, Alvaro Bernabeu, the avuncular presence greeting regulars and newcomers alike at this unpretentious tapas bar. Alvaro brought his Spanish heritage to Portobello in…

Opened late in 2012, the major draw at this modern diner-style restaurant is the wood-fired pizza oven and notably low prices. A rich and chunky chicken broth followed by pizza or pasta for under £6 to sit in at lunchtime is remarkable. Pizzas emerge…

Easter Road’s Ricebox is a top-quality Chinese takeaway. The menu is as extensive as you could hope for, with a variety of standard and inventive dishes including a thorough range of pak choi and tofu options. Meals can be delivered or picked up and are…

The ever-reliable Shapla is still going strong after 19 years serving top-notch Bangladeshi cuisine and regional Indian specialities. Chef Abdul Kabir makes a selection of traditional dishes from his homeland alongside accessible favourites, all…

Pataka has doubled in size over the past year. The Causewayside Indian restaurant has acquired a white room in keeping with their contemporary Charles Rennie Mackintosh aesthetic. The extra space opens the restaurant up for larger parties (outlawed in…

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…

Ajay Bhartdwaj, owner and head chef of Kalpna, has spent over 30 years correcting the particularly British sensibility that Indian cuisine ought be a meaty affair. Indian cookery in its most traditional form is almost entirely meat-free; something which…

One of those versatile bars that often seems like a good idea for its perky cocktail list (a modernised one will be introduced very soon, retaining six old favourites and the same proactive attitude to decent ingredients), comfy sofas, and very…

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…

Small and staunchly independent, Tollcross gem Passorn is now approaching its fourth birthday. Owner Cindy Sritsotorn has carved out a niche among larger and longer-established haunts by holding true to her passion for good cooking and uncompromising…

An inconspicuous door and narrow staircase lead you down to the four small, connected stone–walled rooms that form Shilla, which is clearly popular with Edinburgh’s Eastern Asian community who seem to take precedence with the serving staff. You’ll…

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…

This small restaurant tucked away off Nicolson Street has retained its all-round quality through a recent change in ownership, with an extensive list of curries from a variety of Indian regions. To start, chicken chat is a substantial dish of spicy…

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…

Kweilin has something of a split personality. On the face of it, it’s a traditional Cantonese restaurant complete with red carpets, red-covered chairs and red-jacketed waiters, and all the expected dishes present and correct. But peeking out from time…

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…