Edinburgh - Restaurants, Pubs, where's good to go...

razorblunt

I thought it would be a good idea, to keep track of decent pubs and restaurants (and anything else) around city, that us "locals" can use or anyone coming for a weekend can work off a recommendation and avoid the tourist traps on the Royal Mile!

One, I'd like to start with is The ChopHouse / Leith ChopHouse, I was there last Saturday for the first time and I thought it was incredible. By far the best steak I've had in Edinburgh. They have another place up Newington direction, but apparently it's not a patch the original.

In the "hidden gems" category, 3 Birds in Bruntsfield and Nok's Kitchen (Thai) in Stockbridge are two of the places we try and get to once a month. Nok's is probably the best Thai in Edinburgh in my opinion.

jimmii

Great idea! We used to have a nice rotation of places to go in Galway and Dublin but just can't find places for us here.

Miros on Rose St is good for Mexican & The Dogs on Hannover St is another place we like to go to they do a fine steak.

Fysh

Cafe Andaluz on George St is one of my favourites - fantastic Spanish fare and a nice selection of Spanish beers as well. Tapa in Leith is also worth a mention, as well as El Quijote in Tollcross and Serrano & Manchego on Leith Walk.

razorblunt

Ah Miros, how could I forget that! I love the place, it's my go - to for a "let's do lunch" during the week.

Fysh, if you're into your tapas, try Indaba, it's off Tollcross, by the Cameo, on the road that runs down past the school and fire station. The staff are a bit pretentious, they often shush tables when they're chatting and will recommend 2/3 dishes max and roll their eyes a bit when you order 4 each amongst a decent size table, but the food is very, very good.

NoCrackHaving

Holyrood 9A on Canongate, Red Squirrel on Lothian Road and the Southern on South Clerk Street for burgers - they're all owned by the same people - best burgers in the city and excellent selection of beers to go with it. The Cambridge Bar on Thistle Street is also an honourable shout.

Vietnam House near Haymarket is good for (surprise, surprise) Vietnamese food.

V-Deep in Leith is also great, run by Hardeep Singh kohli - sort of a weird mix of craft beer bar and curry house but fantastic food.

El Cartel on Thistle Street does excellent Mexican IPA's and excellent, slightly different Mexican food (duck tacos, squash fajitas etc.) It's worth a shout for something a bit less traditional than Miros.

jimmii

Burger in Foutainbridge do some great chilli chips. Mmmm they're so good.

razorblunt

There's a burger joint on deliveroo called Feed, even though it was delivery, it was the best burger I've had, Cambridge is always decent though and I'll definitely check out the others mentioned above.

I need to find out where Feed operate out of, I heard it was the St Vincent in Stockbridge and the bar next to the casino on Queen Street, but I need to double check that!

dingdangdoo22

Great idea, some places i have been to recently:

Italian: Nonnas Kitchen in morningside, really nice family run italian with a great menu and super staff, food was awesome!

Pub grub: Teauchers landing in leith, great food and nice selection of beer.

Thai: Chaophraya on castle street was very tasty, not sure how it compares to noks kitchen though will have to try it out.

OneColdHand

Good idea for a thread.

The Outsider on George IV bridge is great.

Ting Tang Caravan, on Teviot Place, was recommended by a chap in work, but I haven't been - it's on my list.

If you feel like mortgaging your house, The Kitchin in Leith was the most amazing dining 'experience' (I wouldn't call it a meal, it was an experience!) I've ever had. Was lucky enough to have our work party there 2 years ago.

The Westroom on Queensferry St has a good food and a good drinks menu (though it's been a while since I've been). They also have free wine tasting evenings pretty regularly, so it's worth signing up for their email newsletter.

I would second the 3 Birds, Nonna's Kitchen & Cafe Andaluz suggestions.

razorblunt

dingdangdoo22 wrote: »

Great idea, some places i have been to recently:

Italian: Nonnas Kitchen in morningside, really nice family run italian with a great menu and super staff, food was awesome!

Pub grub: Teauchers landing in leith, great food and nice selection of beer.

Thai: Chaophraya on castle street was very tasty, not sure how it compares to noks kitchen though will have to try it out.

I wasn't sold on Nonna's, starter was good, main meal was pretty poor. I'd give it the benefit of the doubt and go again though to be sure. Papillo in Bruntsfield is a more rustic Italian, that I thought was better.

Chaophraya is good too, it has the "wow" factor, I'll be there this Friday, Nok's was just a bit more authentic. Very little in it though it has to be said.

Michael D Not Higgins

razorblunt wrote: »

I wasn't sold on Nonna's, starter was good, main meal was pretty poor. I'd give it the benefit of the doubt and go again though to be sure. Papillo in Bruntsfield is a more rustic Italian, that I thought was better.

Chaophraya is good too, it has the "wow" factor, I'll be there this Friday, Nok's was just a bit more authentic. Very little in it though it has to be said.

I haven't been but a friend of mine is coming here for his stag and I'm getting the best man to book it. Is the food good or just average with a good setting. I know plenty of times where meals I've had have been made so much better just by the location.

razorblunt

Michael D Not Higgins wrote: »

I haven't been but a friend of mine is coming here for his stag and I'm getting the best man to book it. Is the food good or just average with a good setting. I know plenty of times where meals I've had have been made so much better just by the location.

The food is good, not great, but always good if that makes sense.
You'll never get a bad meal. If wouldn't be as tasty as the smaller places like Nok's Kitchen for example. The settings are incredible, I'd imagine you'd get the private dining room for this too. If you can though, see if they'll give you the Castle view.

Fysh

I ended up popping in to Teuchters Landing in Leith yesterday and was very impressed, first time I've been to a pub that has a great selection of beer, whisky, wine and gin. Seemed like a nice pub overall, definitely one I'd be hitting again next time I'm round that way.

razorblunt

Fysh, they have another pub on William St, just off Shanwick Place, called Teuchters.
Similar type thing, though I believe small than the Landing (never been). Great spot for a decent pint or dram.

Battleflag

Best burger I've had was at Bread Meats Bread on Lothian Road. People on reddit are sworn by The Cambridge Bar for a burger so that's next on my list

If you like Korean food Kim's Mini Meals on the east side of the meadows is excellent

kelledy

If anybody likes there chicken wings , then there's a place just off royal mile called wings , around 40 different types of chicken wings on offer , and playstations / super nintendos to play aswell

Fysh

Battleflag wrote: »

Best burger I've had was at Bread Meats Bread on Lothian Road. People on reddit are sworn by The Cambridge Bar for a burger so that's next on my list

If you like Korean food Kim's Mini Meals on the east side of the meadows is excellent

Hmm, must try Kim's so. Bread Meats Bread is great, and as well as lovely burgers has a very nice selection of beers to go with your food along with poutine as a side, and the option of having your burger in a maple-syrup-glazed ring doughnut.

kelledy wrote: »

If anybody likes there chicken wings , then there's a place just off royal mile called wings , around 40 different types of chicken wings on offer , and playstations / super nintendos to play aswell

The retro gaming aspect is what has me wanting to try this place out

Claude Wilton

The Stockbridge Tap, in, well, Stockbridge, is always worth a detour. Craft beer, decent food and comfy sofas make it hard to beat.

jimmii

Claude Wilton wrote: »

The Stockbridge Tap, in, well, Stockbridge, is always worth a detour. Craft beer, decent food and comfy sofas make it hard to beat.

Yeah that's a nice spot alright. Just don't go into the hannover tap expecting the same!

Michael D Not Higgins

Bow Bar named Scotland's pub of the year

crushproof

Michael D Not Higgins wrote: »

Bow Bar named Scotland's pub of the year

Surprise me as I think it's gone downhill since I've moved here. Was in twice within the past couple of months and the staff have come off as pure rude. Thankfully dozens of other superb bars around the city

razorblunt

That's the place with the "no hens/stags/fancy dress" notice on the door isn't it?
Haven't been but I love an old battlecruiser.

NoCrackHaving

Anyone been into that new German beer hall style Bier Haus on Leith Walk?

It used to be the boundary Bar and before that was your traditional old man pub.

Also, new Brew Dog opening in former Clydesdale Bank on Lothian Road. I'm not a fan of the whole Brewdog concept (namely the price) but further evidence that Lothian Road is becoming a real food/drink destination in Edinburgh. If you go back to 2013 the only venues were Illegal Jacks (before the flooding) and the Red Squirrel.

jimmii

Lothian road really is becoming a hot spot. Didn't realise that brew dog were going in there that could be interesting.

razorblunt

Few lads at work were saying in the 90s you wouldnt even walk down or up Lothian Road.

Diane's Pool Hall in Haymarket is closing, Malone's are going in there, will be a handy spot for the rugby.

jimmii

Went to wildwood on Lothian road yesterday twas REALLY good definitely going back! We even got a couple of free drinks thrown on for good measure!!

Battleflag

razorblunt wrote: »

Few lads at work were saying in the 90s you wouldnt even walk down or up Lothian Road.

Diane's Pool Hall in Haymarket is closing, Malone's are going in there, will be a handy spot for the rugby.

Can't believe Diane's is closing and now a ****e Malones is taking it's place. Diane's was a complete dive but always had a great laugh there.

Whats up with Malones anyway - they leave their spot on Forest road, put a shack on princes street and now moving to Haymarket? Is this moving an annual thing?

razorblunt

Battleflag wrote: »

Can't believe Diane's is closing and now a ****e Malones is taking it's place. Diane's was a complete dive but always had a great laugh there.

Whats up with Malones anyway - they leave their spot on Forest road, put a shack on princes street and now moving to Haymarket? Is this moving an annual thing?

Not sure if they owned the place on Forest Road or not, but either got bought out or had their lease picked up by McSorley's the "Oirish" pub chain. The Mall place was a stop gap, timed it right though in fairness with the Festival and now Xmas.

Diane's will be much smaller than their original site though.

I've heard it's the Dad bank rolling the son and daughter, the son has Malone's and the daughter is overseeing the renovation of The Links Hotel (and Library Bar) up in Bruntsfield. I can't remember where the Dad's places are originally (possibly Le Monde but I could be wrong).


I avoid all those places though I have to say, not huge in the GAA and if I wanted to head out for the rugby I'd head to Teuchters.

Fysh

Myself and the OH took a half day yesterday and went to the Bierhoose for a couple of drinks after lunch. It's a nice spot with a good selection on draught and a great range in cans and bottles. I'm sorely tempted to head back soon and try the currywurst.

Also hit Wings a couple of weeks ago and enjoyed the games tables downstairs

crushproof

Went to Pizzeria 1926 in Dalry the other night. A fantastic experience all round, I'd say well over half the customers were Italian which is a good sign. Great range of pizzas and an authentic feel of Naples. Highly recommended if you're out in the Dalry direction or are a big authentic pizza kind of person. Booking advised though because even on Wednesday night it was packed. 

Shame to see Dianes go so quickly. Was always good to pop in for a few games of pool every now and again after work. Suppose it was only a matter of time considering the amount of developments around Haymarket. Would have looked well out of place!

razorblunt

I wonder will they find any "surprises" in Diane's like they did in The Spider's Web when that closed down?!


Went to The Honour's over the weekend, not quite sure what it's trying to be, fine dining without the bells and whistles and price tag?
It was good though, food was a bit too rich for my liking though, not sure I'd rush back in a hurry.

jimmii

razorblunt wrote: »

I wonder will they find any "surprises" in Diane's like they did in The Spider's Web when that closed down?!

What did they find?

razorblunt

jimmii wrote: »

What did they find?

A sex dungeon.

They'd rent it out for S&M parties.

Michael D Not Higgins

I've been to both Dishoom and Wahaca recently and they're both good.

Battleflag

Also did Wahaca recently and really enjoyed it. Been to Texas since but their tacos defo hold up
Korean BBQ off leven street is great. Order the meat, grill it yourself on the flames in the table and down some drinks.

jimmii

Anyone been to the barrel house yet? Went past it so many times as it was being built but not been there since. Was surprised they went for that location at the time but doesn't seem to be going so badly for them so far!

razorblunt

Wahaca have a a van in St Andrew's square for Xmas too, haven't tried it yet, but its on the list.