Central Belt
Capital eats, small change
Good food, small bill
Updated
Edinburgh’s cheapest good meals are mostly on the Southside, around the university and the Meadows. The Mosque Kitchen has fed students and everyone else canteen-style for years, Tanjore does dosas on Clerk Street, and Pomelo and Nanyang are small, friendly spots by the Meadows. In the Old Town there’s pizza by the slice at Civerinos on Forrest Road and Punjabi street food at the Pakora Bar near Holyrood. Bonnie & Wild is a big Scottish food hall at St James Quarter, Bodega does tacos at the top of Leith Walk, and Sabzi is out on Ferry Road in Leith.
Our picks
The Mosque Kitchen
Nicolson Square, Southside
Address: The Mosque Kitchen, 31-33 Nicolson Square, Edinburgh EH8 9BX- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Foodie
Grab a tray and share a plate of curry at the long-running canteen by Edinburgh Central Mosque.
Why it's a good date: It's quick, filling and friendly, with Indian and Pakistani cooking served canteen style. Handy before a gig or a film on the Southside, and a walk across the Meadows afterwards.
Tanjore
Clerk Street, Southside
Address: Tanjore, 6-8 Clerk Street, Edinburgh EH8 9HX- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Foodie
Share crisp dosas and South Indian curries at a small, family-run restaurant on Clerk Street.
Why it's a good date: Simple, homely and good value, with plenty for vegetarians. It's bring your own bottle, so pick something up on the way.
Civerinos Slice
Forrest Road, Old Town
Address: Civerinos Slice, 49 Forrest Road, Edinburgh EH1 2QP- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
Pick a couple of big New York-style pizza slices each at the Civerinos slice bar on Forrest Road.
Why it's a good date: Loud, cheerful and easy, with a changing line-up of slices so you can try a few between you. A good first stop before a night out in the Old Town.
Bonnie & Wild Scottish Marketplace
St James Quarter, New Town
Address: Bonnie & Wild, St James Quarter (Level 4), 415-417 St James Crescent, Edinburgh EH1 3AE- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Foodie
Choose from a row of Scottish kitchens and eat together at the big food hall on the top floor of St James Quarter.
Why it's a good date: Each of you can order from a different counter and share. It's bright and busy, right by the east end of Princes Street, and there's often live music or a ceilidh on.
Bodega
Albert Place, Leith Walk
Address: Bodega, 14-15 Albert Place, Edinburgh EH7 5HN- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Foodie
Share tacos and a jug of something at a lively little taqueria at the top of Leith Walk.
Why it's a good date: Tacos come in pairs, so it's easy to order a spread and swap. It has a relaxed, neighbourhood feel and you can bring your own bottle. Book for weekend evenings.
The Pakora Bar
Holyrood Road, Old Town
Address: The Pakora Bar, 111 Holyrood Road, Edinburgh EH8 8AU- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Foodie
Share a pile of pakoras and a curry at a family-run Punjabi street-food restaurant near Holyrood.
Why it's a good date: Big, warm and welcoming, with lots for vegetarians and vegans. It's at the bottom of the Old Town, so you can walk it off in Holyrood Park.
Pomelo
Sciennes Road, Marchmont
Address: Pomelo, 27 Sciennes Road, Edinburgh EH9 1NX- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Foodie
Squeeze into a tiny neighbourhood spot by the Meadows for noodles and Asian comfort food.
Why it's a good date: Small, cheerful and much loved, with cooking that doesn't taste like anywhere else in town. It fills up fast, so book ahead, and note there's a step at the door.
Nanyang
Lister Square, Quartermile
Address: Nanyang, 7 Lister Square, Quartermile, Edinburgh EH3 9GL- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Foodie
Share Malaysian home cooking at a relaxed restaurant in Quartermile, just off the Meadows.
Why it's a good date: Generous portions and a calm room, good for a long, unhurried catch-up. The entrance is on Simpson Loan, a short walk from the Meadows.
Sabzi
Ferry Road, Leith
Address: Sabzi, 162 Ferry Road, Edinburgh EH6 4NX- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Foodie
Share Punjabi street food and curries at a bright, friendly spot on Ferry Road.
Why it's a good date: Easy-going and good value, with lots to share and plenty for vegetarians. A good excuse to explore north Leith, with the Water of Leith walkway close by.
Quick answers
Can we bring our own wine to a cheap restaurant in Edinburgh?
Yes, at a few of these. Tanjore on Clerk Street and Bodega at the top of Leith Walk are both bring your own bottle, so pick something up on the way.
Where's a cheap dinner near the Meadows?
Pomelo on Sciennes Road and Nanyang in Quartermile are both a short walk from the Meadows, and The Mosque Kitchen is on Nicolson Square, a few minutes north.
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