Round the world, BYOB within 5 miles of Edinburgh

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…

It would be easy to wander past the narrow St Mary’s Street frontage of Empires. However, an inquisitive peer inside reveals a compact dark-wood interior that comes to life when illuminated by candles and coloured lanterns. A handful of ground-level…

Proud to call itself Edinburgh’s first Lebanese restaurant, Beirut offers some of the best-value lunch deals in town. Its keen pricing and reasonable BYOB charges make it an attractive option for anyone looking for interesting food without breaking open…

Nile Valley has remained almost completely unchanged for years. The posters wallpapering the stairs down to the dingy basement dining area rotate, advertising new club nights and student drama productions. It’s a Sudanese restaurant, with popular Middle…

Friendly and speedy service, and a lunch menu deal of two courses for £7 (three for £10) make Kurdish and Middle Eastern Nawroz a popular choice among the student population, who pop in for a hearty kebab or shawarma after lectures. It’s spacious and…

Visiting Brazilian Sensation is a unique and somewhat eccentric experience. For a start, it only opens in the evening if you make a reservation, so it really does feel like owner John Falconer and his Brazilian wife Lucia are expecting you. There’s a…

Since opening in 2004, this simple, straightforward Turkish restaurant has proved to be a popular addition to the Southside scene, thanks to its reasonably priced meals and a relaxed neighbourhood vibe. The Lalezar, a shared six-plate mixed mezze…

With the previous proprietor having left to open the Skylark in Portobello, Word of Mouth has reverted to its original ownership, although the menu of French-influenced cafe favourites remains the same. A pre-noon breakfast menu takes in the traditional…

Big brother to its recently opened sister restaurant Pomegranate, Hanam’s is a class act. No-charge BYOB keeps spirits high across a well-appointed dining room and lower-level overspill. Décor and lighting are warm and inviting with just enough…

Challenging preconceived notions of her native cuisine, Russian owner Maria has brought across fistfuls of traditional recipes and enough entertaining chat to span an enjoyable evening. Small cheery café and takeaway by day, the open kitchen and three…

A new opening in 2012 in the less fashionable culinary end of town, Riverlife brings to the Edinburgh market its singular blend of French and Caribbean cooking. Inspired by the upbringing of lead chef Mario Caneval on the island of Guadeloupe and a…