Holidays in Scotland

South Edinburgh Restaurants

Restaurants in the Old Town | Restaurants in the New Town | South Edinburgh Restaurants | Restaurants in Edinburgh's West End | Restaurants in Leith | Guide to Restaurants in Scotland

Mid-range

Ann Purna, 4 5 St Patrick's Sq, Tel: 6621807. Well-respected and popular vegetarian/vegan restaurant specializing in southern Indian and Gujerati cooking. Understated elegance and great value. No smoking. Open Mon-Fri 1200-1400, 1730-2300, Sat/Sun 1730-2300.

The Apartment, 7-13 Barclay Pl, Tel: 2286456. Edinburgh's most talked-about new eating establishment. Hip and happening place where the portions are as big as the owner's personality. A truly different eating experience with dishes divided into 'CHLs' (Chunky Healthy Lines), 'Slabs', 'Fish Things' and 'Other Things'. All in all, a great night out. Open Mon-Fri 1800-2300, Sat/Sun 1200-1500, 1800-2300.

Buffalo Grill, 12-14 Chapel St, Tel: 6677427. This is beef central. The steaks are high quality and limitless in this small and intimate diner decked out in Wild West style. It's not all burgers and steaks, but that's why people keep coming. Open Mon-Fri 1200-1400, 1800-2215 (Sat 1800-2215 only), Sun 1700-2000.

Dragon Way, 7 4 South Clerk St, Tel: 6681328. If you can get past the completely OTT decor, the food in this Cantonese restaurant is actually very good. Good value set lunch and dinners. Open Mon-Fri 1200-1430, 1700-2400, Sat 1700-2400 only, Sun 1800-2400.

Howie's, 75 St Leonards St, Tel: 6682917. Another branch of the highly-acclaimed Edinburgh bistro chain. Also at 208 Bruntsfield Pl, Tel: 2211777. (See under 'West End' above.)

Montpeliers, 159-161 Bruntsfield Pl, Tel: 2293115. Bruntsfield's favourite bistro serves meals or snacks at pretty much any time of the day or night. Stylish and relaxed it's popular with locals for lunch and young trendies are attracted by their pitchers of cocktails at night. Open daily 0900-0100.

Mother India, 10 Newington Rd, Tel: 6629020. Sister restaurant of the famous Glasgow establishment. Downstairs is more studenty and laid-back while upstairs is altogether more formal, but both offer excellent Punjabi cooking. Set lunch and pre-theatre dinner are great value. Open Mon-Sat 1700-2230 (Fri also 1200-1400), Sat till 2330, Sun 1500-2230.

Phenecia, 55-57 West Nicolson St, Tel: 6624493. Spanish/North African dishes served in a relaxed atmosphere. Cheap lunches so it gets busy at lunch-times. BYOB policy makes it good value for dinner. Open Mon-Sat 1200-1400, 1800-2300, Sun 1800-2200.

Cheap

The Engine Shed Café, 19 St Leonard's La, Tel: 6620040. Tucked away in a residential area off St Leonard's St, this small vegetarian café provides just about the best value lunch in town. Bread is baked on the premises and can be bought separately. Bakery and café provides work experience for adults with learning difficulties. No smoking. Open Mon-Thu 1030-1530, Fri till 1430, Sat till 1600, Sun 1100-1600.

Isabel's Café, 83 Clerk St, Tel: 6624014. Tiny vegetarian restaurant at the back of the Nature's Gate health food shop. The vegetarian and vegan menu has non-dairy and non-wheat options. Ridiculously cheap meals and snacks served in a laid-back atmosphere. No smoking. Open Mon-Sat 1130-1830 (Tue and Sat till 1530).

Kalpna, 2-3 St Patrick's Square, Tel: 6679890. This popular and imaginative Indian vegetarian is one of the best of its kind in the UK, using fantastically inventive and sophisticated sauces. Buffet lunch is a bargain at £4.50, but not quite the same as the full dinner experience. Don't leave town without trying it. No smoking. Open Mon-Fri 1200-1400, 1730-2300, Sat 1730-2300.

Susie's Diner, 51-53 West Nicolson St, Tel: 6678729. Self-service vegetarian/vegan diner offering a broad range of dishes, including Mediterranean and Middle Eastern. Popular with students and lecturers from the nearby University. Also belly dancing nights and live music at weekends. Good food and atmosphere. Open Tue-Sat 0900-2100, Mon till 2000, Sun 1200-1900.

Wok Bar, 30 Potterrow, Tel: 6678594. Thai, Japanese, Chinese and Malaysian favourites served in chic, contemporary surroundings. Open Mon-Wed 1100-2230, Thu-Sat till 2300, Sun 1200-2230.