Restaurants, BYOB
Found 120 places.
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A Room in the Town
18 Howe Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 6TG
A Room in the Town is a great place to have in the back pocket if you happen to have friends in from, well, out of town. Managing to combine the warmth and friendliness of a neighbourhood restaurant with some seriously fine cooking, it's the kind of…
Khushi's
9 Victoria Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2HE
If there is anyone out there who still yearns for the bygone days of flock-wallpapered Indian restaurants, a trip to Khushi's will soon sort them out. Buzzing with energy, the vast, grand, contemporary dining environment that is home number five for…
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 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 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…
Jacques
8 Gillespie Place,
Edinburgh,
EH10 4HS
With its stripped floorboards, colourful vintage French posters, and bustling, open-plan kitchen, Jacques combines a laid-back ambience with a compelling, versatile menu. The bistro has been going for the past 18 years, attracting a loyal local…
Mother India
28 Westminster Terrace, Sauchiehall Street,
Glasgow,
G3 7RU
Style and elegance radiate throughout this justifiably renowned restaurant, from the small bistro-style area on the ground floor to the more formal room upstairs, with its comfortably used wooden tables, subdued lighting and wood panelling. It is a…
Thai Lemongrass
24 Renfrew Street,
Glasgow,
G2 3BW
Thai Lemongrass exudes an almost spa-like calm. Ceiling fans rotate hypnotically, ushering a cool breeze along cushioned booths; meditative lights shine through intricate wood carvings. Staff are genteel, making you feel pampered as they explain the…
Suruchi
14a Nicolson Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9DH
Suruchi prides itself on representing every corner of India within its expansive menu. So you'll find plenty of paneer – cheese – dishes from the north, Goan king prawn curry from the west, and spicy chicken and fish dishes from the east. The chef has…
A Room in Leith
1c Dock Place,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6LU
There's definitely room for a branch of this well-established Edinburgh chain in Leith, which, over the past few years has been overly dominated by high-brow and fish-based establishments. The Room in Leith has taken over the popular and comfortable…
A Room in the West End
26 William Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 7NH
Happily roosting under Teuchters bar on upmarket William Street, A Room in the West End shares many a trait with its older New Town sibling – not least its focus on modern Scottish cookery. The option to BYOB also runs in the family, making both popular…
The Stockbridge Restaurant
54 St Stephen Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 5AL
Following the twinkling fairy lights down the old stone steps, it's difficult not to be charmed by this charismatic St Stephen Street retreat. It's laden with bold Scottish Colourist prints, near-black walls are offset by crisp white linen and golden…
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…
La Tasca
39–43 Renfield Street,
Glasgow,
G2 1JS
La Tasca is a chain covering the whole of the UK (including five Scottish locations) and Glasgow's branch conforms to a corporate model that dictates menu, drinks and décor. But don't let that put you off. It may function with the ruthless efficiency of…
Coconut Grove
3 Lochrin Terrace,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9QJ
The Coconut Grove is a small, friendly diner by Tollcross – an ideal spot for an enterprising restaurant, which the Grove certainly is. For instance, the subtle décor eschews the heavy-handed approach of sombreros and chilli motifs, replacing them with…
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…
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…
Fanny Trollopes
1066 Argyle Street,
Glasgow,
G3 8LY
The narrow dining room here has only a handful of tables, and the feeling is genuinely relaxed and warm. As you browse through the menu, staff may offer to tell you the story of Fanny – or perhaps discuss the eclectic range of art and ceramics that…
Nile Valley
6 Chapel Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9AY
As Edinburgh's only Sudanese restaurant, Nile Valley should be carving out a niche as a refreshingly different destination for diners from across the city. Unassuming and clearly not given to shouting about itself, however, this small, cosy…
Time 4 Thai
45 North Castle Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 3BG
In keeping with its image-conscious neighbours on George Street, Time 4 Thai has ditched the familiar adornments of elephants and corpulent Buddhas in favour of slick modern styling in dark wood, glass and muted shades of stone. While this minimalist…
McKirdy's Steakhouse
151 Morrison Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 8AG
You'd be forgiven for peering past the loud signage into the plain, panelled and perhaps a little dated dining room of this Morrison Street steakhouse and walking on by – but it would be a shame. This, after all, is not a Conran family venture but a…
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…
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…
Jade Garden
303 Sauchiehall Street,
Glasgow,
G2 3HQ
Without being able to point it out on a map, many Glaswegians will be vaguely aware of Jade Garden, its bright pink sign having been part of the Sauchiehall Street fascia for what seems like forever. Those who haven't visited the restaurant behind could…
9 Cellars Restaurant and Bar
1–3 York Place,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3EB
As Indian restaurants go, 9 Cellars is one of the more unusual. Not only does its impressively long menu boast unfamiliar dishes unseen anywhere else, but the space itself is a labyrinth of intimate eating corners on different levels rather than the…
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…
Ristorante Gennaro
64 Grassmarket,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2JR
The busy Grassmarket area attracts a mix of tourists, revellers and locals, and the same can be said of this family-run establishment. It claims to offer a true taste of Italy, and that starts from the moment you are greeted by one of a clutch of…
Petit Paris
38–40 Grassmarket,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2JU
'Le respect de la tradition Française' is the strapline to this lively bistro, whose Grassmarket headquarters has plied a successful trade for a decade, with a further branch opening on Queensferry Street in 2005. While the décor of blue, white and red…
Where the Monkey Sleeps
182 West Regent Street,
Glasgow,
G2 4RU
At WTMS, street-smart staff behind the counter cheerfully take orders from office-workers, students and the assorted hipsters who descend the steps to this basement café with comfy mismatched sofas. Inked on a giant whiteboard, the epic menu offers a…
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…
Kampong Ah Lee Malaysian Delight
28 Clerk Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9HX
Malaysian eateries are somewhat thin on the ground in Edinburgh, so it's no wonder this family-run restaurant on the Southside is bustling night after night. Popular with the Malaysian community, Kampong has also proved a hit with local students, thanks…
Katie's Diner
12 Barclay Terrace,
Edinburgh,
EH10 4HP
Convivial proprietors Geoff and Kate Ness look after this unpretentious wee place on the edge of the Meadows. Despite its pink and blue neon sign, Katie's is not a real diner, according to the infectiously agreeable Geoff. Indeed, it's less…
Kokuryo
1138 Argyle Street,
Glasgow,
G3 8TD
When faced with handfuls of fresh chillies alongside dried chilli peppers in what seems like a never-ending bowl of beef soup (a starter so intense, it might take until dessert time to finish), it's clear that the chef isn't holding anything back.
Papoli
244a Morrison Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 8DT
A simple, neat, single-room diner not far from Haymarket – an area of town that draws both business and local residential clientele – Papoli is a new venture from the same husband-and-wife team who had previously run Pizza Primo on the same site. With…
Red Fort
10 Drummond Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9TU
While the exterior of the Red Fort colour co-ordinates boldly with its name, there is nothing brash about the bright and airy interior. Clean cut and contemporary, it manages to unite style with comfort, making this a great place to chill out over some…
Café Marina
61 Cockburn Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1BS
The Valvona & Crolla dynasty just goes from strength to strength. In this modern diner-style café Marina Crolla offers the best of home-cooked Italian food. Be it panini, risotto or one of the fabulous pastas, you can eat in or takeaway with style.
Chiang Mai
15 Dalry Road, Haymarket,
Edinburgh,
EH11 2BQ
With the hectic activity of Haymarket just outside the window, Chiang Mai has long been a welcome haven of South East Asian calm for locals, commuters and rugby fans alike. Watched over by portraits of the Thai royal family, the lofty restaurant is…
Great Wall Chinese Restaurant
105–109 Lothian Road,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9AN
If the Great Wall of China is visible from space, it's fitting that the Great Wall Chinese Restaurant occupies a similarly conspicuous position on Lothian Road. Behind the sizable façade, the décor is standard Chinese chintz – mirrored walls, myriad…
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…
Jasmine Chinese Restaurant
32 Grindlay Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9AP
The elegant interior and subdued orchestral music suggest that this is one of Edinburgh's more refined Chinese restaurants. But while this holds true for the food, on closer listening the seemingly classical music turns out to be an orchestral version…
Namaste Kathmandu
17–19 Forrest Road,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2QH
In a city with no shortage of Indian restaurants, it would be easy for a new kid on the block to blend into the crowd. Namaste, however, is a very welcome addition to the Edinburgh scene. Combing elements of Indian and Nepalese cuisine, the menu here…
Saigon Saigon Dim Sum Restaurant
14 South St Andrew Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 2AZ
Expect the unexpected at Saigon Saigon. The area upstairs that, for the past five years, served up a Chinese buffet, was converted into a typical Chinese restaurant in January 2008. However, this isn't the biggest surprise: its reputation as a buffet…
Thai Lemongrass
40–41 Bruntsfield Place,
Edinburgh,
EH10 4HJ
The entrance to this deceptively large restaurant is via a small reception and bar area where silk-suited waiting staff exude an air of modesty and proficiency. The rust-coloured walls, hessian wallpaper and wood floors evoke a peaceful atmosphere, and…
Backstage Bistro
22 Valleyfield Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9LR
At first glance, this is just a simple diner tucked away around the corner from the King's Theatre, but further investigation reveals Backstage Bistro as a venue with a distinct personality. Its location, for a start, means that its pre-theatre dining…
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…
Buffalo Grill
12–14 Chapel Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9AY
'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…
78 St Vincent
78 St Vincent Street,
Glasgow,
G2 5UB
A celebration of the Auld Alliance, 78 St Vincent brings France to Scotland with both its décor and menu. Acknowledging more than a slight influence from the famous Restaurant Chartier in Paris, the dark wood and brass railings together with tinkling…
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'.


