Experience rustic, family style cooking at award-winning French restaurant La Garrigue. Sample the tastes of Languedoc at one of the most authentic restaurants in Edinburgh (Hitlisted in The List Eating & Drinking Guide 2012) or visit our fantastic little bistro in Leith.
Restaurants and Late dining
- Vittoria ‘On the Bridge’
The perfect restaurant to experience a real taste of Italy. - Cafe India
Glasgow's favourite - a new jewel in the Merchant City - Stereo
A great vegan themed bar in a Mackintosh-designed building - Chillies West End
Homecooking Indian Tapas Menu
The Outsider
15/16 George IV Bridge,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1EE
‘Pink fur potatoes’ is probably a typo, but with a wine list that describes a South African chenin as ‘like falling from a white-water raft whilst passing through a peach grove’, all bets are off. The Outsider buzzes. A suspended mezzanine hovers over a…
Asia Style
185–189 St George's Road,
Glasgow,
G3 6JD
There is something refreshing and apt in the fact Asia Style doesn’t have its own website. Since its inception in 2004, the canteen-style eatery has transcended its hidden gem status and established itself as somewhat of an institution without the need…
The Grill on the Corner
21–25 Bothwell Street,
Glasgow,
G2 6NL
This busy central restaurant is quite imposing from the outside, looking in through the fairy light-covered windows to the arguably cold minimalist chrome and black leather interor. But the warmth of the welcome, the friendly vibe (especially in the…
Monteiths
57–61 High Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1SR
Monteiths’ discreet menu board at the head of one of the Royal Mile’s darker closes is easily missed. But don’t, because this subterranean bar and restaurant’s low-key Scottish style is a welcome antidote to the energetic tartanry to be found nearby.
The Apartment Bistro
7–13 Barclay Place,
Edinburgh,
EH10 4HW
The Apartment has been going strong since 1999, and its 2010 refurb seems to have rebooted things nicely. Here, ‘modern bistro’ means seasonality and an evolving menu, as evidenced by a neat little daily set menu, plus specials. A starter of pork…
Kampong Ah Lee Malaysian Delight
28 Clerk Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9HX
The feverish popularity of this canteen style Malaysian eatery with Edinburgh’s Asian student population is testament to its affordability and authenticity. The compact interior is an entirely unpretentious mix of basic seating, odd-coloured walls…
Loon Fung
2 Warriston Place, Canonmills,
Edinburgh,
EH3 5LE
No restaurant stays in business for almost 40 years without doing something right and Loon Fung evidently has a tried-and-tested recipe for success in its little corner of Canonmills. Although some of the ingredients feel a bit dated (staid decor…
Khushi's
10 Antigua Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3NH
Sixty-five years since its first appearance and half a dozen venues later, Indian stalwart Khushi’s has popped up on Antigua Street near the top of Leith Walk. Behind its extensive glazed frontage waiters bustle between a separate raised area reserved…
La Favorita
325–331 Leith Walk,
Edinburgh,
EH6 8SA
The hectic craft of kneading and folding pizza dough is the first thing you see on entering this busy Leith Walk eatery. Walk past the front counter, through the lively, three-pronged dining area, and you'll notice most diners are working their way…
Thai Lemongrass
24 Renfrew Street,
Glasgow,
G2 3BW
To enter Thai Lemongrass is to step off a grubby street of buses and building work and into a little bit of zen, where ceiling fans slowly whirl and muzak never sounded so good. Exquisitely uniformed staff swiftly present Thai prawn crackers (infinitely…
Zen Kitchen
138 Dundas Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 5DQ
Zen kitchen serves up unique pan-Asian cuisine. The premises are bright and sleekly designed and the well-laid out menu outlines cooking times, spice levels and potential allergies as well as identifying the origin of each dish. The menu includes small…
Divino Enoteca
5 Merchant Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2QD
Divino is the charming, seductive brother to fun-loving sister restaurant Vittoria upstairs. Pretty well hidden under George IV Bridge, this wine bar and restaurant combines candle-lit romance with cutting-edge wine gadgetry. In its strictest sense, an…
Ketchup
44 Ashton Lane,
Glasgow,
G12 8SJ
Cynics may muse that Ketchup is Stefan King’s attempt to ‘start them early’ into the G1 mind-set, as the burgers and milkshakes ethos is clearly aimed at both students and children alike. Whatever ethos lies behind it, it is clearly working, as the…
Tinto Tapas Bar
138 Battlefield Road,
Glasgow,
G42 9JT
This Southside neighbourhood treasure feels exactly like a rustic and cosy local tapas bar should. Dark wooden tables sit against a backdrop of regional Spanish wines, beers, liqueurs and knick-knacks, while a leg of Iberico ham lies ready to be carved.
Mamma's American Pizza Company
30 Grassmarket,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2JU
This Grassmarket stalwart seems to exert a gravitational pull on small to medium sized groups of both locals and tourists looking for an impromptu food stop. Starters like sweet potato fries and macho nachos are decent enough, but their function is to…
Steak
12 Picardy Place,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3JT
Steak is one of a new wave of Edinburgh steakhouses influenced by the likes of London’s much-lauded Hawksmoor. It’s aiming for hi-octane glamour that would be more at home in the Meatpacking district in New York City, but Edinburgh could do with a dose…
The Street
2 Picardy Place,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3JT
With its Coronation Street-aping sign, its dual-aspect floor to ceiling windows and the big iron ramp which stretches almost the length of the bar and back, the Street is a landmark pub in the Broughton/Picardy Place area. Its main business is a more…
Jasmine Chinese Restaurant
32–34 Grindlay Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9AP
Located opposite the Lyceum, Jasmine entices prospective customers with a selection of fresh fish dishes listed on a blackboard outside, reflecting their more seafood-oriented approach to Chinese cooking. Inside, tables are quite close together, but…
OKO Express
78 Queen Street,
Glasgow,
G1 3DN
Now under new ownership OKO has raised its game, with all dishes being fresher and better presented than ever, and when it comes to Japanese food that is imperative. The setting is typical for a sushi bar with cafeteria style bench seating that is good…
Kweilin
19–21 Dundas Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 6QG
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…
Barioja
15-19 Jeffrey Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1DR
Barioja has been dishing out its albondigas for over a decade, so could be considered a pioneer of the still relatively youthful Edinburgh tapas scene. Sitting alongside its big sister restaurant, Iggs, it’s seen competition come and go over the years…
Chang Thai Restaurant
29 Cockburn Street, 1 Craig's Close,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1BN
Down the wynd of stairs between Cockburn and Market streets is Chang Thai, a vibrant establishment serving delectable dishes. The subterranean setting is enlivened by a canopy of fake ivy on the ceiling, copper-coloured walls and smiling golden buddhas.
The Grill Room at the Square
29 Royal Exchange Square,
Glasgow,
G1 3AJ
Part of private members club ‘29’ this restaurant thinks of itself as a place to see and be seen. Slick black interior dotted with white linen table cloths, chandeliers and sparkling glassware give a city chic look to the long rectangular space. If you…
The Kilderkin
67 Canongate,
Edinburgh,
EH8 8BT
With a name like this (it’s a unit of measuring ale equivalent to two firkins or half a barrel) it’s no surprise to find that Kilderkin is serious about its alcohol. Under the co-ownership of James Nisbet, also of Leith Walk’s Windsor Buffet and…
Mother India's Café
3–5 Infirmary Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1LT
The Edinburgh outpost of this Glasgow favourite has gained and retained its popularity through its trademark style of eating Indian food in tapas-sized portions. This way, a wider range of dishes can be tried even if not with a large group, and the menu…
Indian Lounge
129a Rose Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 3DT
The family-run Indian Lounge is central enough for most of the city to grab a curry on their way home, and there’s a lot to recommend that you do. Prices are considerably more reasonable than you might expect from the central – or any – location, staff…
Kampung Ali Malaysian Delight
97–101 Fountainbridge,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9QG
Kampung Ali is larger and brighter than the Lee family’s Clerk Street original Kampong Ah Lee. A huge Kuala Lumpur skyline dominates the airy dining room, contrasting rather oddly with a ceiling of Roman frescos remaining from the previous occupant.
Khushi’s Diner
32b West Nicolson Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9DD
For the last couple of years this has been the locus of the veteran Khushi’s brand, long-time staple of the Edinburgh curry scene. The Newington incarnation is designed with good cheer in mind, with a mix of red banquettes and cosy tables interspersed…
Amarone
13 St Andrew Square,
Edinburgh,
EH2 2BH
This vast contemporary Italian themed restaurant complete with pastoral photographs, high domed roof and colourfully lit ceiling art opened in the summer of 2011 and is already bustling. From the restaurant family that includes DiMaggio’s and Café…
Gandhi's
50 East Fountainbridge,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9BH
Gandhi's narrow frontage just off Lothian Road frames a compact restaurant of muted tones offering distinctively flavoured and well balanced Indian and Bangladeshi fare. There’s no alcohol licensing so sparkling mango juice and creamy thick sweet or…
Miso & Sushi
46a Haymarket Terrace,
Edinburgh,
EH12 5LA
Going to Miso and Sushi is like going back in time. The décor can't have changed in years. Glaring lights preside over a corridor of booths lined with wood and ancient flock wallpaper. It's in desperate need of a spruce up. However, if there's no love…
Vittoria
113 Brunswick Street, Leith Walk,
Edinburgh,
EH7 5HR
The latest addition to the Vittoria family comes in the shape of a stylish and atmospheric basement wine bar, Divino Enoteca, in the belly of their George IV bridge outlet. Divino is proof positive that the Vittoria formula is a winning one, and the…
Giuliano's
18–19 Union Place,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3NQ
Situated directly across the road from the Playhouse Theatre, Giuliano’s has achieved Edinburgh institution status due to its popularity with theatre-goers, tourists and large parties – including hen and stag dos. Its cavernous interior is resplendent…
Rivage
126–130 Easter Road,
Edinburgh,
EH7 5RJ
Owner and head chef Ryad Meeajane oversees this stylish Easter Road restaurant from behind the open tandoor oven counter while wife and co-owner Catherine runs an efficient and informative front of house. Attention to detail stretches from preparation…
Stravaigin
28–30 Gibson Street,
Glasgow,
G12 8NX
As this place pops up in most Glasgow guides, many a nationality can be found rubbing shoulders with die-hard regulars enjoying interesting Scottish produce given an international twist. Stravaigin’s well-known branding is ‘think local, eat global’. The…
Akbar's
573–581 Sauchiehall Street,
Glasgow,
G3 7PQ
A bold new arrival on the Glasgow curry scene, Akbar's 11th UK restaurant is its first in Scotland. This is a large venue (formerly the Tiffin Rooms) where you're never more than a few feet from an enthusiastic member of staff. Hundreds of tangerine…
Ann Purna
45 St Patrick's Square,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9ET
Tucked away in the corner of St. Patrick’s Square, Ann Purna offers a wide range of vegetarian cuisine inspired by the state of Gujarat on India's west coast. Popular mixed veg bhajias and pakora starters mix with Indian street snacks such as kachori…
Dragon-i
311–313 Hope Street,
Glasgow,
G2 3PT
Both the sharp, minimalist surroundings and quasi-Asian menu serve to underline Dragon-i is anything but a traditional Chinese restaurant. There is an undoubted Scottish element running through the menu, with Stornoway black pudding accompanying crispy…
Hotel du Vin
11 Bristo Place,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1EZ
Fact: eating out is way nicer than eating in. Or at least it is when the people who bring your food and pour your drinks are really, really lovely. This is well understood in Hotel du Vin, where the service is full of personality and pretty much…
Petit Paris
38–40 Grassmarket,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2JU
Cheek by jowl in the middle of the traffic-eased Grassmarket, Petit Paris uses all available spaces to fit check-clothed tables into its lively, friendly venue. More enthusiastically French than many of its competitors, a genuine welcome greets each…
La P'tite Folie
Tudor House, 9 Randolph Place,
Edinburgh,
EH3 7TE
For 15 years La P'tite Folie has been part of Edinburgh's dining scene, initially in the bustle of Frederick Street and joined, six years later, by the venue that has come to overshadow the original, set behind a quirky Tutor façade looking out on the…
Pinto Mexican Kitchen
138 Queen Street,
Glasgow,
G1 3BX
Off George Square, this fast-food bar kitchen serves Tex-Mex-style food in a clean, bright and lively space. From the bright lights, stools and tables to the Mexican print feature wall, colours are eye-catching chilli red, sunshine yellow and lime.
Stereo
20-28 Renfield Lane,
Glasgow,
G2 5AR
Although it’s hard to catch the full vista from the narrow lane, Stereo is housed in a superb Charles Rennie Mackintosh-designed building, all exterior white tiles and square windows with double doors opening into a leisurely eating and drinking space…
La Vita Spuntini
199–201 Byres Road,
Glasgow,
G12 8TN
Italian tapas is an intriguing concept, with the menu at La Vita Spuntini offering a host of small mix-and-match meat, fish and vegetable dishes, larger bowls of pasta for sharing, and dinky ‘pizzettes’. Duck and black pudding in red currant jus is…
Assam’s
57 West Regent Street,
Glasgow,
G2 2AE
Assam’s has quickly affirmed itself as a City Centre mainstay, having only been in its current premises two years. The restaurant is grand and elegant, with split level dining and huge luxurious circular booths – it certainly has the air of fine dining…
Tower Restaurant
National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1JF
For the best view in the Southside, try the roof terrace of the Tower, looking over to the Castle. Inside, the National Museum’s restaurant has dark, glossy tables and a modern take on food. Like the crisp fish finger which really tastes of crab.
Ashoka Ashton Lane
19 Ashton Lane,
Glasgow,
G12 8SJ
You’d be forgiven for thinking you had stepped back in time upon entering the charming Ashton Lane branch of the popular Ashoka chain. Things haven’t changed much since they first opened their doors 20 years ago – but that’s exactly the point, they…
Assam's Café
1 Albert Street,
Edinburgh,
EH7 5HN
Opened in March 2012, Assam’s brings to Edinburgh a combination of Indian café and deli that has become a feature in Glasgow. On street level, under a glittering chandelier and surrounded by gold-flecked tiles, a smattering of informal tables sit…
B'est
16 Drummond Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9TX
The open, simple, spacious rooms at B’est are a fitting setting for this relaxed bistro that has become a favourite with students and summer festival goers. A cannily priced three course set menu for under £15 is a very welcome dinner option during…
Le Bistro Beaumartin
161 Hope Street,
Glasgow,
G2 2UQ
Stylish and elegant at the front yet homely at the back, this newcomer on the scene is like a kitsch Frenchman’s front room: all black and white photographs on the walls, rich thick wallpaper and retro bistro chairs. Co-owner Richard Dupupet ran his own…
Café Andaluz
2 Cresswell Lane,
Glasgow,
G12 8AA
Glasgow’s original of two Café Andaluz restaurants is notable for its unique West End location – nestled down rustic wooden steps below Cresswell Lane’s quaint cobbles. Inside, it’s all Moorish blue, white terracotta tiles, stained-glass lanterns…
The Clay Oven
86 Morningside Road,
Edinburgh,
EH10 4BY
A steady stream of business flocks to this neighbourhood restaurant, and passing trade is not the secret. Loyal Morningside residents provide the mainstay for success in an establishment where pristine white linen tablecloths and handsomely uniformed…
Guchhi Indian Seafood and Bar
9/10 Commercial Street,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6JA
Head chef and owner Vishant Das blends together his Indian influences and seafood restaurant experience in this restaurant-bar in the heart of Leith. Extensive à la carte and tapas offerings capture vegetarian specials, biryani, tandoori kebab and…
Masala Twist
192–194 Byres Road,
Glasgow,
G12 8SN
A relative newcomer to Glasgow’s curry scene, Masala Twist certainly manages to hold its own, pulling some surprising punches. The staff instantly make you feel welcome, in a genuine, honest, and natural manner. Split over two small floors, the…
Mezbaan South Indian Restaurant
14/14a Brougham Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9JH
It’s rare in Edinburgh to find Indian restaurants with regional specificity, so Mezbaan is welcome in introducing flavours from the country’s south, especially since it has one of Britain’s best South Asian chefs at the helm. Coconut is a prominent…
Rick’s
55a Frederick Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1LH
A stalwart of Edinburgh’s style bar scene for over a decade, Rick’s is gently re-inventing itself with accessible, casual dining at its heart. The space works well, divided by banquettes and wood panels into lots of cosy nooks and crannies, all…
The Ship on the Shore
24–26 The Shore,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6QN
A popular fixture on the Leith scene for nearly a quarter of a century, the Ship on the Shore can genuinely be said to offer something for everyone – as long as you’re not averse to fresh, beautifully prepared fish and seafood. Opening its doors with…
Stravaigin 2
8 Ruthven Lane,
Glasgow,
G12 9BG
The younger Stravaigin, located near Byers Road, is an invitingly intimate space if lacking something of the character and quirkiness of the original. The food, however, is all you expect: imaginative combinations from around the globe impressively…
Zest
15 North St Andrew Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1HJ
A sophisticated restaurant just off St Andrew Square, Zest has a short menu with a focus on North Indian cuisine and it's packed with dishes rarely, if ever, seen elsewhere in the city. Salmon 65, a dish pioneered in the high-end hotels of Goa, is a…
Al Fresco
22 Union Place,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3NQ
There’s something of a Giuliano’s theme to this stretch of Union Street, with the original restaurant, the takeaway next door and this incarnation, Al Fresco, just a few doors down. Try and get a table before a show at the Playhouse opposite, however…
China Town
3 Atholl Place,
Edinburgh,
EH3 8HP
Don’t be fooled by China Town’s modest whitewashed frontage at the end of Shandwick Place. Step inside and you’ll find a stylish dining room that’s all muted colours, luxe upholstery and statement lighting. The Chinese influence shows in the old musical…
The Corinthian Club
191 Ingram Street,
Glasgow,
G1 1DA
The brasserie and bar area in the Corinthian must be one of the most beautiful rooms in Scotland. If you want to impress then this dramatic central hall of the former High Court is certainly the place to come. The food can’t really compete with such…
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 a…
Gusto
135 George Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 4JH
The bars and restaurant’s of Edinburgh’s George Street are a magnet for youthful business people, footballers (and their wives), and the wealthier section of the city’s student population. A pretty girl in a mini skirt meets diners at Gusto’s door and…
Hong Fu Noodle
3–7 Waterloo Place,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3BG
Owner Jing Si promises real Chinese cooking at Hong Fu Noodle Bar. The recently revamped menu has some genuinely unusual dishes, with Szechuan and Northern Chinese influences predominating. Gone are the ubiquitous prawn toast and chow mein, to be…
Ignite
272–274 Morrison Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 8DT
The name of this Haymarket restaurant implies something different than its simple, smartly decorated interior. Perhaps it refers to the food from a menu offering the north Indian and Bengali dishes now so familiar to us in the UK. Here they're certainly…
Karen Wong's Chinese Restaurant
107–109 St Leonard's Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9QY
Karen Wong will tell you that she likes to keep her customers happy and her family-run restaurant certainly tries hard to cater for all comers. There are set menus galore – including both the traditional pre-theatre and a bargain mini-banquet which…
Karen's Unicorn
8b Abercromby Place,
Edinburgh,
EH3 6LB
Karen’s Unicorn sets out to subvert your preconceptions of a typical Chinese restaurant. Whether you choose the original, cosy Stockbridge branch or its newer and more glamorous sister in the New Town’s Abercromby Place, any Chinatown clichés are firmly…
Karen's Unicorn
112 St Stephen Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 5AD
Karen’s Unicorn sets out to subvert your preconceptions of a typical Chinese restaurant. Whether you choose the original, cosy Stockbridge branch or its newer and more glamorous sister in the New Town’s Abercromby Place, any Chinatown clichés are firmly…
Kebab Mahal
7 Nicolson Square,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9BH
Situated in Nicolson Square since the late 1970s, Kebab Mahal is a no-frills Indian café and takeaway offering hearty fare at affordable prices. The menu favours the hungry meat-eater, with chicken and lamb classics, kebabs and tandoori dishes well…
Kebabish Grill
323–325 Victoria Road,
Glasgow,
G42 7SA
Kebabish promises authentic Desi cooking and remains a firm favourite with diners in Glasgow's multicultural Southside. It is bright, clean and modern, staff are dressed smartly in black uniforms, and it doesn't sell alcohol – not surprising then, that…
Koh-i-Noor
235 North Street,
Glasgow,
G3 7DL
Having served up Indian cuisine since 1964, Koh-i-Noor is part of the fabric of Glasgow’s curry culture. When it relocated to Charing Cross in 1983, the already reputable restaurant speculated on future success and created a cavernous 150-cover…
Mariachi
7 Victoria Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2HE
With room for 120 diners this father-and-son-run operation can pack in the punters. The dining space divides into several areas and staff work the floor efficiently. Walls are painted terracotta, sombreros hang above the bar and there is Mariachi music…
Maxies Bistro and Wine Bar
5b Johnston Terrace,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2PW
An up-to-date review of Maxies will appear here shortly …
Mr India's Balti and Dosa House
11–13 Hyndland Street,
Glasgow,
G11 5QE
Time has stood still on the 1980’s décor of this traditional curry house, yet its hearty no-frills menu attracts plenty of evening regulars from the neighbourhood. Friendly staff serve up super-sized portions of traditional Indian dishes such as…
Neelim
1590 Dumbarton Road,
Glasgow,
G14 9DB
After two decades of serving loyal Scotstoun locals, Neelim must be doing something right. Couples and families flock here, whether it be for a sit-down dinner or some takeaway dishes to enjoy at home, and it can fill up even on week nights. The menu…
Wok and Wine
57a Frederick Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1LH
Tucked among the stylish venues of the New Town, Wok and Wine is one of Edinburgh’s most forward-thinking Chinese restaurants. Instead of employing tired clichés, its enthusiastic proprietor Stephanie Lo has taken a potentially awkward basement space…
Alla Turca
192 Pitt Street,
Glasgow,
G2 4DY
Alla Turca mixes Scottish and Turkish fare well. The seafood salad of calamari and swordfish is the perfect size to whet your appetite, and is one of many interesting starters. These include carpaccio made with Scottish beef, olive oil and watercress…
Bella Napoli
85 Kilmarnock Road,
Glasgow,
G41 3YR
From the street Bella Napoli looks like a run-of-the-mill Italian deli, but discerning food lovers know that through the back, past the racks of wine and tins of olives, is a reliable restaurant of some worth. While the front cafe offers casual…
BrewDog Edinburgh
143–145 Cowgate,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1JS
Considering you are essentially entering a life-size advert when you step through the door of a Brewdog bar, the experience is surprisingly enjoyable. The carefully styled surroundings are rough-hewn concrete cool, with ‘bar rules’ graffiti (‘No…
The Calabash Restaurant
57 Union Street,
Glasgow,
G1 3RB
What The Calabash Restaurant lacks in interior décor, it makes up for in brilliantly imaginative cooking. Located down a steep flight of stairs at an unremarkable Union Street address, the menu is packed with colourful dishes from all over Africa…
Charcoals
26A Renfield Street,
Glasgow,
G2 1LU
Situated on one of the city's busiest traffic streets, it would be easy to mistake Charcoals for just another takeaway, but its restaurant is surprisingly cosy. Under new management since January 2011, staff explain details of the menu as they flit…
Gambrino
333 Great Western Road,
Glasgow,
G4 9HS
With its warm, cosy interior, dim lights, terracotta tiles and worn wood, Gambrino feels like a rustic Tuscan taverna, even on a rainy Glaswegian night. The menu is simple, focusing on a few things and doing them well – pizza, pasta and a handful of…
Hay Sushi
15 Dalry Road,
Edinburgh,
EH11 2BQ
Conveniently located close to Haymarket Station, Hay Sushi is spacious and boldly designed in red, black and white, with blue twinkly lights thrown in for good measure. The menu is huge, with glossy photographs of many dishes to make choosing easier. As…
Iman's
4–6 Lochrin Buildings, Gilmore Place,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9NB
Sitting across from the King's Theatre, Iman’s delivers hearty Punjabi fare with a sociable BYOB vibe. The restaurant splits into two rooms of randomly pebble-dashed sandy walls, driftwood ceilings and agreeable lighting set against the background hum…
Kwok Brasserie
44 Ratcliffe Terrace, Causewayside,
Edinburgh,
EH9 1ST
Kwok Brasserie is a well-established family business with a loyal clientele. So new manager Stephen Lin (a cousin of the Kwok family) faces a dilemma: how to attract new customers to his Southside eatery without losing the essence of what his regulars…
Phuket Pavilion
8 Union Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3LU
Veteran restaurateur Bill Parkinson has been in the business for 46 years and it shows. Service is a speciality: he wants people to relax while they eat. If you’re enjoying his pre-theatre menu before heading across the road to the Playhouse you might…
Saint Judes
190 Bath Street,
Glasgow,
G2 4HG
This ivy-clad basement townhouse on the Bath St social hub is an interesting and attractive mix of bar/bistro and hotel with a dark and dangerous (especially when you trip on the way to the toliet) interior and a public yet surprisingly intimate…
The Spice Pavilion
3a1 Dundas Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 6QG
What do you get if you cross Italian hospitality and Indian inventiveness in the kitchen? Husband and wife team, Parwaiz and Cristina Khan have done just that and come up with a superb neighbourhood restaurant. With the exception of tandoori dishes…
Spoilt for Choice
19 Marionville Road,
Edinburgh,
EH7 5TY
Billing itself as Edinburgh's new home of 'soul food' this Afro-Caribbean take away in Meadowbank has big plans: lunchtime opening starts in May 2012 and they are scouting sites for a dedicated restaurant. These are bold moves for a tiny site with just…
Thai Orchid
5A Johnston Terrace,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2PW
Sitting in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle and bang on the tourist trail, this busy Thai eatery is lined with dark wooden walls and muted colours yet feels open and light thanks to large and strategically placed mirrors. A giant painting of a smiling…
Thai Siam
1191 Argyle Street,
Glasgow,
G3 8TQ
Occupying a steadily gentrifying section of Argyle Street, Thai Siam is a neighbourhood favourite with a friendly atmosphere. The décor is a bit curry house circa 1990, plus large wall reliefs of the Buddha and the menu also appears to have stayed the…
La Vita
161 Queen Street,
Glasgow,
G1 3BJ
You can’t get much more central than La Vita’s, and despite being spread over three floors it manages a cosy, traditional Italian vibe. It is a busy place, with booking on most nights recommended, and you are still likely to be just a few centimetres…
Wing Sing Inn
147–149 Dundee Street,
Edinburgh,
EH11 1BP
Wing Sing Inn is the kind of inconspicuous place you could pass a hundred times and never consider going into, which would be a real shame. Despite its plain décor, overly bright lights and lack of music, there’s an air of conviviality and adventure…
The Witchery by the Castle
Castlehill, Royal Mile,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2NF
From its grand seat atop the Royal Mile, The Witchery’s lavishly designed suites and busy restaurant have been drawing a mix of locals and visitors for over 30 years. This medieval merchant’s house is graced with bespoke panelled ceiling, sumptuous…
Anatolia Chargrill
140 St Vincent St,
Glasgow,
G2 5LA
On arrival at Anatolia Chargrill, olives and fresh bread with dipping oil are brought to the table, giving you something to nibble whilst perusing the menu. It’s worth ordering a tasting selection as there are several interesting hot and cold options…
Baby Grand
3–7 Elmbank Gardens,
Glasgow,
G2 4NQ
With its proximity to Charing Cross Station, the Premier Inn and the motorway, the long-established Baby Grand is handily placed to cater for commuters, visitors and business folk, particularly during the day. At night the area is quieter but a…
Bar Bloc+
117 Bath Street,
Glasgow,
G2 2SZ
From the mural of Brezhnev and Honecker kissing that greets you upon entrance to the imposing wooden benches one must then clamber into, Bloc is anything but subtle. And nor should it be, with live entertainment and a late licence all week. Its…
