Restaurants, North American, Child friendly

Right in the heart of student land, Buffalo Grill has been thriving for 27 years serving up staple grill favourites of burgers, steaks and chicken wings. With so much success, this little restaurant with its cosy wood-panelled interior and mish-mash of…

With a menu that has worked for 26 years, why change it? No reason, when you continue to pull in the crowds the way Buffalo Grill does. The Stockbridge restaurant, an offshoot of the original in the heart of Edinburgh’s student land, is cosy, warm…

Sometimes the playful messiness that comes with devouring a towering burger is part of its charm, and this is certainly the case at Ketchup's Shawlands branch – aimed more at families than the student-driven Ashton Lane venue. There is inventiveness in…

In these days when food provenance is to the fore, McKirdy’s finds itself suddenly en vogue. It’s doing nothing new, of course, just continuing to offer red meat and haggis crafted by the family butcher. Here, they can tell you exactly where the meat…

The long dining room has a mix of booths and tables, and art deco styling. There’s a magician touring the tables with a pack of cards entertaining families, couples and larger parties. Although not here every night, he’s a Di Maggio’s stalwart. It’s a…

Some restaurants are all about the expectation game. Launched in London over 40 years ago, the Hard Rock has since exported its rather cookie cutter approach all over the world, but should you go in expecting generous portions of decent, if rather…

When it comes to knowing what students want, you’ve got to hand it to Ketchup. Set on the ground floor of a block of Ashton Lane venues, the American feel may not quite fit the cobbled lane, but inside, large booths and benches are crammed full of teens…

It’s love at first sight at Nick’s – what a stunning interior, all exposed brickwork, dark wood, slightly industrial, Brooklyn-loft kind of vibe. A newcomer to Hyndland Road, having opened in late 2009, it takes over the site of the unique…

Di Maggio’s have a reputation for no nonsense US-Italian fare, big flavours and generous portions. Though each branch shares the same evening menu, the Southside branch, its canopied windows overlooking Shawlands Cross, opens earlier at weekends…

Di Maggio's is nearing its 30th year in Ruthven Lane, a statistic attributable both to its family friendly atmosphere – there's a play area especially for kids – and consistency. Located on a cobbled lane a stone’s throw from Byres Road, the west end…

If a multinational fast food outlet woke up in heaven cleansed of all sin, it might be a bit like Illegal Jack’s. A glance through the plate-glass windows fronting Lothian Road reveals a cavernous interior with rows of tables and a brightly lit service…

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…

With Dumbarton Road not short of cafés and restaurants it pays to have a niche, and under the same ownership as next door’s Velvet Elvis, the New York Kitchen has adopted an American diner theme that is well represented throughout its impressively…

Good value basic meals are hard to find on Edinburgh’s upmarket George Street, so weary shoppers and Book Festival visitors may want to head to Gourmet Burger Kitchen at the Charlotte Square end – especially if they have a couple of kids in tow. This is…

This quirky Victorian-styled West End venue is decked out with vintage tables and chairs, making a visit feel a bit like going round to friend’s for dinner – when your friend is a skilled chef who can knock out blissful burgers. Staff complete the…

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…