Restaurants and BYOB
Sorted by place / most viewed. Showing 25, 50, 100 per page.
- Hanam's
This is the home of truly authentic Kurdish & Middle Eastern Cuisine, set right in the heart of Edinburgh - Namaste Kathmandu
Unique royal Nepalese and North Indian cuisine awarded with a 'HITLIST' - Assam's
Assam's is has cleverly produced a contemporary take on traditional Indian fine dining - Athena Greek Taverna
The simple Greek recipe for a great night out
A Room in Leith
1c Dock Place,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6LU
If you pitch up here late or without booking, it may be wise to have a plan B. On sunny days, the waterside tables outside fill up fast with people enjoying a platter of mussels and a well chosen glass, while for chillier occasions, there’s candle…
A Room in the Town
18 Howe Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 6TG
A Room in the Town resembles the well known and colourful mural lining its main wall more often than one suspects. High jinks and merriment co-exist alongside locals having a casual meal in the simply furnished and softly lit, long dining room. Staff…
A Room in the West End
26 William Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 7NH
The 'Room in the…' chain has won considerable popularity in Edinburgh thanks to unpretentious surroundings, fulsome food and that rare beauty, a BYO policy. The West End branch, a snug basement beneath the frequently rowdy Teuchter’s pub on William…
Absolute Thai
22 Valleyfield Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9LR
Tucked behind the King's Theatre, Absolute Thai is a hidden gem. Admittedly, first impressions may be a little less generous – the aesthetic is certainly skewed more towards unpretentious café than exclusive dining. However, this friendly, family-run…
Ann Purna
45 St Patrick's Square,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9ET
Having undergone a makeover in 2008, the white tablecloths, lace curtains and doilies that once gave Ann Purna the air of a 1950s living room have been replaced by an unfussy but smart, contemporary décor. The cosy St Patrick’s Square restaurant still…
The Ashoka
108 Elderslie Street,
Glasgow,
G3 7AR
A Glasgow fixture since 1982, this Ashoka is not part of the popular Harlequin-owned chain of the same name. Downstairs is the 110-capacity Curryoke restaurant, where you can experience a full banquet plus a spot of singing, while upstairs the…
Asia Style
185–189 St George's Road,
Glasgow,
G3 6JD
Don't be put off by the austerity of the decorations or the severe tones of the staff – this formica-tabled late-night Chinese/Malaysian diner is a much-loved treasure among Oriental food fans and alcohol-quaffing students alike. Seafood highlights…
Assam’s
57 West Regent Street,
Glasgow,
G2 2AE
This popular newcomer last year has quite literally taken a step up for 2011, with owner Assam Rashid moving his basement eatery to a street-level site two doors along. And it’s a lovely venue, with lots of daylight coming in through windows with…
Athena Greek Taverna
1116 Argyle Street,
Glasgow,
G3 8TD
There's a pedigree to this restaurant, as the co-owner Kevin Campbell, comes from a family that's been serving Greek food to Glaswegians for generations. The current taverna is a rebirth of the former Strathbungo bistro, sadly missed by mousakka…
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…
Beanscene
110 Battlefield Road, Battlefield, Southside,
Glasgow,
G42 9JT
It may be part of a chain, but Scottish café enterprise Beanscene stands out by selectively adopting hallmarks such as consistency and friendly service and rewriting them in its own style. The deep leather couches, scattered tables and down-lighting…
Beanscene
16 Cresswell Lane Hillhead,
Glasgow,
G12 8AA
Beanscene, recently opened, is another contender for the trendy cafe crown, with its Friends-y vibe, evening tapas menu and weekly live music.
Beanscene
1365 Argyle Street, West End,
Glasgow,
G3 8AF
It may be part of a chain, but Scottish café enterprise Beanscene stands out by selectively adopting hallmarks such as consistency and friendly service and rewriting them in its own style. The deep leather couches, scattered tables and down-lighting…
Beanscene
19 Skirving Street Shawlands, Southside,
Glasgow,
G41 3AB
It may be part of a chain, but Scottish café enterprise Beanscene stands out by selectively adopting hallmarks such as consistency and friendly service and rewriting them in its own style. The deep leather couches, scattered tables and down-lighting…
Beanscene
1-3 Helena Place, Busby Road, Clarkston, Southside,
Glasgow,
G76 7RB
It may be part of a chain, but Scottish café enterprise Beanscene stands out by selectively adopting hallmarks such as consistency and friendly service and rewriting them in its own style. The deep leather couches, scattered tables and down-lighting…
Beanscene
40-42 Woodlands Road, West End,
Glasgow,
G3 6UR
It may be part of a chain, but Scottish café enterprise Beanscene stands out by selectively adopting hallmarks such as consistency and friendly service and rewriting them in its own style. The deep leather couches, scattered tables and down-lighting…
The Beautiful Mountain
11-13 Belmont Street,
Aberdeen,
AB10 1JR
Full Scottish in the morning, lunchtime BLT (with Ayrshire pork of course) or thrice-weekly evening eclectic tapas menu - this little Belmont Street cafe takes it in its stride. The owners also run a catering service if you want the caff to come to you.
Beirut
24 Nicolson Square,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9BX
Welcome to Edinburgh’s first Lebanese restaurant, which has a sleek modern interior, scenic views adorning the walls and the cream of Beirut’s music scene on the plasma screen. Sourcing Lebanese ingredients from suppliers in London, all dishes are…
Berits & Brown
6 Wilson Street,
Glasgow,
G1 1SS
Merchant City deli-café and wine merchant Berits & Brown – part of a UK franchise but independently managed – could give a few small bistros a run for their money with its range, scale and quality of food and beverages. Space is very limited with…
Big Mouth Coffee Bar and Café
167 Dumbarton Road,
Glasgow,
G11 6AA
Occupying a bright, modern space, with a huge sunny window and regular displays of local artists’ work on the walls, Big Mouth Café is a popular spot for young families, relaxing shoppers and students. The menu is simple café fare, but prepared with…
Bigos
277 Leith Walk,
Edinburgh,
EH6 8PD
There is a home-spun image created by the rough hewn wooden word 'Bigos' nailed on to the front of this tiny restaurant. And despite the dangerous looking agricultural implements and animal skins hanging on the walls, Bigos does without doubt have a…
Bijou
2 Restalrig Road,
Edinburgh,
EH6 8BN
If not quite a diamond in the rough, Bijou is certainly a lovely find in an unlikely locale. This low-key café/bistro by Leith Links is frequented by locals and intrepid visitors for breakfast, lunch, dinner and take-away. The tiny kitchen dishes up…
The Birdcage
Stuart House, Eskmills, Station Road,
Musselburgh,
East Lothian,
EH21 7PQ
Previously known as The Glasshouse, due to gleaming glass walls, this upmarket Musselburgh restaurant housed in the village’s Eskmills now takes its name from the walk-through birdcage which occupies pride of place in the spacious front bar. Once home…
Blackcherry Café
29 Grassmarket,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2HS
If it’s a hangover breakfast, pre-lecture fuel-up or lunch-hour pitstop that’s required, Black Cherry in the Grassmarket is there to satisfy. A tiny but cheery café serving breakfast rolls, sandwiches, wraps and bagels, coffee and cakes to students…
The Blue Parrot Cantina
49 St Stephen Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 5AH
With 17 years of producing spicy delights from under its bejewelled wings the Parrot can lay claim to status as a Stockbridge institution and it’s easy to see why it has survived so long in locals' affections. The menu may not stray too far from…
Bluerapa Thai
6 Torphichen Place,
Edinburgh,
EH3 8DU
Given the number of Thai restaurants operating in Edinburgh at the moment, any new contender is going to have to go out of its way even to be noticed. The owners of the family-run Bluerapa Thai in Haymarket do at least have the advantage of ten years…
Bonsai Bar Bistro
46 West Richmond St,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9DZ
Pruning. An under-rated skill, but in the world of tiny trees – as in Japanese restaurants – a vital one. Luckily they have it in spades at Bonsai, with a commendably focused menu that doesn’t try to cover too many bases. And, where they do go in for…
Brazilian Sensation
117–119 Buccleuch Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9NG
From the outside, Brazilian Sensation looks unprepossessing, even puzzling, with its life-size bikini-clad model perched in the window. Inside, this restaurant – unique in Scotland – serves hot and cold snacks including the typically Brazilian pão de…
Brooklyn Café
21 Minard Road,
Glasgow,
G41 2HR
The trusty Southside family-run corner café is celebrating its 80th birthday this year. Their affordably priced family-friendly Italian-based menu remains a one-stop crowd pleaser with young and old alike. A visit is instantly set up to end with a…
Broughton Delicatessen
7 Barony Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 6PD
Recently voted among the top 50 delis in the UK, this little deli/café champions the relaxed, community-based ethos of Broughton Street. There’ll be no pursed lips if you sit all day over your coffee and a book, there’s no BYOB corkage, and regular…
Buffalo Grill
12–14 Chapel Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9AY
For some it may be a let-down to find that buffalo is not actually on the grill, but any disappointment should be tempered by some rather fine steak. After all, that's what customers have been coming for for more than twenty years. But before jumping…
Buffalo Grill
1 Raeburn Place,
Edinburgh,
EH4 1HU
For some it may be a let-down to find that buffalo is not actually on the grill, but any disappointment should be tempered by some rather fine steak. After all, that's what customers have been coming for for more than twenty years. But before jumping…
Café Domenico
30 Sandport Street,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6EP
Café Domenico may be a stone’s throw from Leith shore’s Michelin-studded gastro corner but it's a million miles from its swish neighbours in style. The interior is mostly narrow and hall-like, covered in space-enhancing mirrors, and there’s little else…
Café Hula
321 Hope Street,
Glasgow,
G2 3PT
Across the road from Theatre Royal and within spitting distance of both the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and Glasgow School of Art, Café Hula attracts a young, creative crowd. With its appealing, unpolished interior, friendly, laid-back…
Café India
29 Albion Street,
Glasgow,
G1 1LH
‘Indian and global cuisine’ is what Café India’s pink neon frontage promises, a deliberately broad approach that aims to have something for all. The muted palette of greys and whites, the option of booth or dining chair seating, karaoke and buffet…
Café La Padella
124 Woodlands Road,
Glasgow,
G3 6HB
A bright turquoise exterior is the first clue that Café La Padella is definitely not another corporate café. Idiosyncratic is the word that best describes this Mediterranean/Middle Eastern eatery, exemplifying, as it does, an 'original mix of…
Café Marina
61 Cockburn Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1BS
With ancestry of Edinburgh’s legendary Elm Row deli, it’s not surprising that Marina Crolla places an emphasis on using good quality, simple ingredients in her home-style Italian lunches. The blackboard behind the counter shows off an endless list of…
Café Sejuiced
77 Hanson Street,
Glasgow,
G31 2HF
Hidden as it is behind an old tobacco factory a short walk east from the City Centre, Café Sejuiced has had to rely upon word of mouth to gain its strong reputation for excellent soups, sandwiches and fresh fruit juices, and a welcoming and pleasantly…
The Calabash Restaurant
57 Union Street,
Glasgow,
G1 3RB
A year or so ago Glasgow’s African dining options encompassed much of the continent’s varied cuisine, but a rash of closures left only Egyptian and Moroccan restaurants standing. Now the Calabash has filled the gap, offering traditional dishes from…
Canasta Bistro
1102 Cathcart Road, Mount Florida,
Glasgow,
G42 9EG
Within a pizza throw of Hampden stadium, Canasta has become a celebrated restaurant in Glasgow's Mount Florida – an area not known for great dining options. It's cosy inside, with chequered tablecloths and scatter cushions contributing to an informal…
The Cellar Door
44–46 George IV Bridge,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1EJ
Located on the Old Town's busy George IV Bridge, the Cellar Door dishes up sweet treats and coffee in a small street-level patisserie, while hidden from view downstairs is the restaurant. The unassuming interior has high ceilings, warm beige walls and…
Chop Chop
76 Commercial Street,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6LX
With a hugely successful restaurant, a wholesale operation and TV appearances with Gordon Ramsay under her belt, Jian Wang’s Chop Chop is already a success story. It stands to reason that expansion was on the cards, and as such the Leith branch has…
Chop Chop
248 Morrison Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 8DT
Be sure to phone up in advance of heading to Chop Chop, not least because the well-lit, no-frills canteen is busy at the quietest of times. The newer Commercial Street incarnation, with its classical Chinese prints and more clinical décor, generates a…
Double Dutch
27–29 Marshall Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9BJ
Under new management since the summer of 2008, but still trading under the same name, any former Dutch influence which this café boasted has long since disappeared. There’s plenty to take its place, although it could be argued that the extensiveness of…
Dragon Way
74–78 South Clerk Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9PT
Dragon Way is certainly not your run-of-the-mill Chinese restaurant. Yes, the friendly staff serve up generous portions of shredded duck rolls and sesame prawn toast, spicy Lar Chee beef and slightly-less-spicy Cheung Bau chicken. And yes, you can get…
eat café
69 Kilmarnock Road,
Glasgow,
G41 3YR
The excellent eat deli in the Glasgow suburb of Clarkston has expanded into Shawlands with the eat café. Owners Kathryn and Paul Knight have brought their values with them – many ingredients are locally sourced, sustainable and conform to Soil…
eat deli
16 Busby Rd, Clarkston,
Glasgow,
G76 7BG
Located in what might be considered the deep south, eat deli is a food haven for the local inhabitants of Clarkston. The simple name conveys their simple policy: always use the best quality fresh, natural ingredients, with no compromise. Entering the…
eatiBoutiquie
231 Berkeley Street, Finnieston,
Glasgow,
G3 7HH
Opened in late 2010, Eati Boutiquie has grown out of co-owners Rachel Suttle and Emma Paris’s pop-up vintage shop and wholesale cupcakes and bespoke catering business Made With Love Finnieston. Part deli-café, part retro style and hand-crafted goods…
