Restaurants
- Ubiquitous Chip
Traditional Scottish food complemented by a good wine list - Two Fat Ladies
Two Fat Ladies serve up a fresh, exciting menu with a focus on the finest seafood ingredients - Belay Café
Tasty food with amazing views of world’s largest indoor climbing wall - Stravaigin
Stravaigin cooks fresh local produce to international styles & recipies in a laid back informal setting.
The Outsider
15/16 George IV Bridge,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1EE
Anyone who can weave references to Kermit, Dorothy Parker and cannibals into their wine list is not going to run a dull restaurant. The Outsider is definitely not a place for a quiet evening meal. It's upbeat and lively, but the menu works hard to…
Angels Bar & Diner
Angels Hotel, 114 Main Street,
Uddingston,
South Lanarkshire,
G71 7HZ
Angels may be the most popular restaurant in Lanarkshire, judging by the amazing speed with which tables fill up - even early week. It's a venture which aims to take what was once straightforward pub food to a more ambitious level. In a smart…
The King's Wark
36 The Shore,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6QU
The term ‘gastropub’ does not get a lot of airing north of Hadrian’s Wall, but it is an apt moniker for the King’s Wark. On one hand, this is a solid old Leith pub, all dark wooden nooks and crannies, that serves up ales to a mixed crowd of tourists…
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…
Mulberry Street Bar
778 Pollokshaws Road,
Glasgow,
G41 2AE
The Southside's Mulberry St bar and bistro exudes an air of style and class, with the sleek yet casual surrounds of the bar area offering a relaxed environment in which to enjoy a plethora of high-quality beers and wines. While wholly enjoyable in…
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…
Thai Lemongrass
24 Renfrew Street,
Glasgow,
G2 3BW
This city centre Thai restaurant has been consistently good since it opened for business, and business lunches, in 2004. A set lunch menu is geared towards shifting bowls of Thai chicken soup, spring rolls, satay, and green curry to people wanting to…
Thai Lemongrass
40–41 Bruntsfield Place,
Edinburgh,
EH10 4HJ
There’s no escaping that Thai Lemongrass is a classy looking place. The décor is a soothing blend of the contemporary and the traditional, with discreet lighting casting a warm glow over the dark wood tables and tastefully golden-brown wallpaper.
The Apartment Bistro
7–13 Barclay Place,
Edinburgh,
EH10 4HW
The Apartment Bistro, older sibling to the Outsider restaurant, has completed its first year since a radical overhaul of both interior and menu. Deep red walls, low hanging pendant lamps and mismatched canteen chairs create a stylish and intimate vibe.
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…
The Grill on the Corner
21–25 Bothwell Street,
Glasgow,
G2 6NL
Viewed from outside the twinkling fairly lights in the windows belie the more masculine grandeur inside this popular grill room. The long dark bar and booths of the cocktail area lead past a stretch of kitchen, with an open pass that smokes and hisses…
Shilla
1138 Argyle Street,
Glasgow,
G3 8TD
The only Korean restaurant in Glasgow squeezes a big menu, a homely ambience and tightly spaced tables into a small space that also includes a mezzanine. The staff are mostly Korean – so too, many of the diners. The lunch menus feature 30 dishes…
The Bon Vivant
55 Thistle Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1DY
The Bon Vivant is a stylish and well-stocked bar where the innovative cocktails are expertly made and the wine list is huge (44 available by the glass including 12 champagnes). Dark walls and candlelight set the scene, and amid the cosiness are decks…
Nonna's Kitchen
45 Morningside Road,
Edinburgh,
EH10 4AZ
The Stornaiuolo family's latest venture in Morningside scorns old-fashioned italiano gimmicks, despite their long, proud history as Italian restaurateurs. Instead, the interior is modern and crisp, yet warm. If you’re lucky enough to be greeted by…
The Original Mosque Kitchen and Café
Edinburgh Central Mosque, 50 Potterrow,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9BT
Without delving too deeply into some slightly murky internecine politics, we can report that once again there's curry being served in the courtyard beside Edinburgh's Central Mosque. Previous occupants 'Mosque Kitchen' established a new restaurant…
Amber Chinese Restaurant
130-132 Byres Road, West End,
Glasgow,
G12 8TD
The idea of a classy Chinese restaurant conjures up images of dimly-lit interiors with plush flock wallpaper and maybe an aquarium. The Amber retains the classiness and tries to refresh the traditional style with dark wood and drapery adorning the…
Ketchup
44 Ashton Lane,
Glasgow,
G12 8SJ
There’s no such thing as 'just' a burger at Ketchup – maybe you want cheese, bacon and chipotle mayo with pickles, onion and salad? Or how about Portobello mushrooms, garlic parmesan aioli and balsamic onion relish? Have it without the bun, without the…
China Buffet King
22–24 West Nile Street,
Glasgow,
G1 2PF
These bustling, bright eateries hit the spot with families, students and office workers looking to fill up on a budget. On offer is a wide range of familiar favourites, salads, fruit and delightfully childish desserts. Some options survive the buffet…
The Finnieston
1125 Argyle Street,
Glasgow,
G3 8ND
Upon dropping anchor at The Finnieston, you could almost have been transported to some place on The Shore in Leith or a village in the East Neuk of Fife between its low-ceiling, snug wooden booths, weathered feel and seafood-centric cuisine. Situated…
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…
Bell's Diner
7 St Stephen Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 5AN
If you're looking for proper quality fast food; plump and juicy burgers that sing with sweetness and steaming piles of chips, if you’re looking for a cosy restaurant with battered wooden furniture and soft lighting that exudes warmth and friendliness…
Sushiya
19 Dalry Road,
Edinburgh,
EH11 2BQ
Atmosphere can be something that’s a little lacking in some of Edinburgh’s sushi joints, but with only 22 seats to fill, tiny Sushiya has a head start in creating that elusive quality. Busy and buzzy, there’s a constant stream of customers eating…
Cafezique
66 Hyndland Street,
Glasgow,
G11 5PT
Mhairi Taylor’s informal café follows in the footsteps of her much respected neighbouring delicatessen, Delizique. Both celebrate quality produce and local suppliers while wrapped in a stylish West End chic that successfully makes buying a bag of…
L'escargot Bleu
56 Broughton Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3SA
Broughton Street is full of trendy cafés and bistros but L’escargot Bleu stands out from the crowd with its French menu, chic bric-a-brac interior and superior sourcing policy highlighted through its own delicatessen in the basement. Owner Frederick…
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…
The Grill Room at the Square
29 Royal Exchange Square,
Glasgow,
G1 3AJ
Part of a private members club which has seen many a celebrity wandering through its door, this place manages to pull off that exclusive-yet-relaxed vibe, with just enough class to make diners feel special, but none of the pretentiousness that can come…
Izzi
119 Lothian Road,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9AN
Izzi is a restaurant of two halves, with the front dining room clearly visible to the passers-by on busy Lothian Road through a huge plate glass window. The second room is curiously featureless but feels a little more private. Friendly staff greet…
Monteiths
57–61 High Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1SR
Leave behind the tartan tat of the High Street and descend into the underground world of Monteiths for a more palatable Scotland. Here, there’s a nod to the old, a wave to the new, a splash of glamour and swirl of hipness. The menu is good friends with…
21212
3 Royal Terrace, Calton Hill,
Edinburgh,
EH7 5AB
In 21212, one dines in a room of understated elegance; tables tucked into comfy, curvy sofa benches, and the kitchen beyond a glass screen. By cooking the best cuts of beef, lamb and fish, and the accompanying vegetables, fruits and nuts very slowly…
The Albanach
197 High Street, Royal Mile, Old Town,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1PE
Right on the Royal Mile, the Albanach tempts tourists with a safe Scottish menu. Its bar, stocking 103 whiskies, leads to a wood and stone dining area out back. One may or may not appreciate the 'modern tartan' walls adorned with patriotic statements…
Divino Enoteca
5 Merchant Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2QD
The enoteca wine bar is one of the great joys of visiting Italy, and since June 2010 Edinburgh has had its own slice of Milan hidden below George IV Bridge. Nestled in a stripped-down basement in the Old Town, Divino is stylishly fitted out in chrome…
L'escargot Blanc
17 Queensferry Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 4QW
Cosy L'escargot Blanc in the West End is slighter cheaper and more bustling than its Broughton Street sister restaurant but is trying to maintain similar standards – with not always perfect results. It has done this by introducing some quality local…
99 Hanover Street
99 Hanover Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1DJ
Past a burly bouncer, the high doorway of number 99 Hanover Street opens out into a wide, low-lit space with decadent vintage furniture and tables nestled at the edges. This can make for a somewhat gloomy lunch spot unless you get a window seat, but in…
Number One
1 Princes Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 2EQ
Beneath one of Edinburgh's most landmark buildings, Michelin-starred Number One cocoons diners from the outside world within its low-ceilinged, luxurious, deep crimson interior. From start to finish, it’s clear that great care has been taken to ensure…
Barioja
15-19 Jeffrey Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1DR
The older establishment of the burgeoning Edinburgh tapas bar scene, Barioja remains a popular and central destination for diners looking for quick snacks or an evening meal. Its red-hued interior is fresh and modern, and makes a centre-piece of a…
The Dogs
110 Hanover Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1DR
It’s no surprise the Dogs is the perfect refuge for diners in austere times. Born amid the credit crunch, its no-frills, back-to-culinary-basics formula is well-honed. Dishes rarely stray above £10, even in the evening. Beyond cost, there’s ample…
Ian Brown Food and Drink
55 Eastwoodmains Road,
Glasgow,
G46 6PW
This new Southside restaurant from former Ubiquitous Chip head chef Ian Brown is less formal than the West End favourite but no less impressive. Brown’s creativity and experience shows throughout. To start, a plump pig’s cheek balances on herb-peppered…
Jolly Ristorante & Pizzeria
9 Elm Row, Leith Walk,
Edinburgh,
EH7 4AA
A bright red sign pronouncing the restaurant's whereabouts cheerfully stands out amid Elm Row's other established businesses, beckoning in passers-by from the bustle of the town centre. The interior is dark and slightly worn by contrast, but incoming…
The Partners Italian Bistro
1051 Great Western Road,
Glasgow,
G12 0XP
Partnered – to coin a phrase – with Bearsden's Partners Bistro, Tapela and Tattie Macs, this restaurant sits in unpromising surroundings, just off Great Western Road next to Gartnavel Hospital – yet the striking former Kelvinside train station houses a…
Pivo Pivo
15 Waterloo Street,
Glasgow,
G2 6AY
Pivo Pivo was one of Glasgow's first pubs to serve an extensive range of world beers - from Argentinian Quilmes to Kirin from Japan - and still largely trades on punters' tourism. Located right beside Central Station, its small bar area lies at the…
Tinto Tapas Bar
138 Battlefield Road,
Glasgow,
G42 9JT
The interior may be a bit ramshackle, and the vibe, laid-back, but service is friendly and efficient. Along with the large menu comes a dish of delicious home salted almonds which set the taste buds going in anticipation of the tapas to follow. Mussels…
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…
China Buffet King
53–55 Bath Street,
Glasgow,
G2 2DH
These bustling, bright eateries hit the spot with families, students and office workers looking to fill up on a budget. On offer is a wide range of familiar favourites, salads, fruit and delightfully childish desserts. Some options survive the buffet…
La Garrigue
31 Jeffrey Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1DH
La Garrigue has been described as the most authentic French restaurant in Edinburgh and it certainly stands out. Owner and chef Jean Michel Gauffre is passionate about his home region, the Languedoc, and this is reflected in everything from les…
MacCallum’s of Troon Oyster Bar
Harbourside,
Troon,
Ayrshire,
KA10 6DH
A harbourside seafood restaurant run by fishmongers, with a much-loved fish and chip stop (the Wee Hurrie) next door. Expect an array of fruits of the sea and not too much fussing at all.
Chinaski's
239 North Street,
Glasgow,
G3 7DL
Even if Charles Bukowski – whose biographical alter-ego Chinaski’s is named after – mostly lived off a liquid diet, this dark, discreet hipster haunt just off the main drag of Sauchiehall Street is as much about its food as it is its drink. A huge…
