Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
restaurants but that's partly down to the unrelenting
popularity of this authentic Turkish gem. Sample your way
through the traditional mixed meze starter at £6.75
featuring roast aubergine, meatballs and spinach in
strained yoghurt. Onto the mains where you'll find charcoal
grilled meats from £9.50 upwards or veggie moussaka for
£9.
Tues-Sun noon-3pm & 5.30-10.30pm.
Ì
Kalpna
2-3 St Patrick's Square, Newington
T
0131
667 9890,
W
kalpnarestaurant.com; map pp.60-61.
Outstanding vegetarian family restaurant serving authentic
Gujarati dishes at a distinctly unhurried pace. Three
thaalis
(from £13.50 to £17) including a vegan option, stand
alongside the main menu for those keen to sample a range
of dishes, while the lunch set menu is an “all you can eat” for
£8.
Mon-Sat noon-2pm & 5.30-10.30pm.
Mosque Kitchen
Edinburgh Central Mosque, 50
Potterrow (entrance on West Nicholson St)
T
0131 667
4035; 31 Nicholson Square
T
0131 667 4035; map
pp.60-61;
W
mosquekitchen.com.
Out of the many
“curry in a hurry” establishments that are cropping up
around the Nicholson St area, this is a true veteran. Tagged
onto the mosque, this very basic canteen has for years been
dishing out fragrant rice and curry (around £5) to be eaten
outside under a large awning. Now they also have new
roofed premises in Nicholson Square.
Both branches daily
11.30am-11pm; closed Fri 12.50-1.50pm for prayer.
Sweet Melinda's
11 Roseneath St, Marchmont
T
0131
229 7953,
W
sweetmelindas.co.uk; map pp.56-57.
A
pleasant seafood restaurant in a timber-panelled room
with a friendly neighbourhood feel. It's worth shelling out
for dishes such as mackerel served with Thai herbs for
£17.50, or exquisitely fried squid starter for £6.50.
Tues-
Sat noon-2pm & 6-10pm.
walkway. The French chef has plenty of restaurant
experience, evident in the quality of the food from
fishcakes to quiches. At weekends you can partake in their
excellent three-course menu, a snip at just £13.50.
Tues-
Sun 10am-5.30pm.
1
RESTAURANTS
Chop Chop
76 Commercial Quay
T
0131 553 1818,
W
chop-chop.co.uk; map pp.56-57.
Specializes in food
from and around the northeastern Chinese province of Jilin.
Its dumplings - at around £4.50 - are a particular draw
while hungrier customers opt for the unlimited banquet at
£19.50. Success on one of Gordon Ramsay's TV shows has
seen it blossom and it's now regarded as one of Edinburgh's
finest Chinese restaurants.
Mon-Thurs 6-10pm, Fri
6-10.30pm, Sat noon-2pm & 5-10.30pm, Sun 12.30-
2.30pm & 5-10pm.
Fishers
1 Shore
T
0131 554 5666,
W
fishersbistros
.co.uk; map pp.56-57.
One of the first wave of seafood
bistros to put Leith's dining scene on the map. The menu
here has an appealing range of expensive and fancy fish
(upwards of £15), but there are also impressive bar-style
snacks such as fishcakes and chowder, and cheaper
weekday set menus from £13.
Daily noon-1am.
Ì
The Kitchin
78 Commercial Quay
T
0131 555
1755,
W
thekitchin.com; map pp.56-57.
Opened in
2006 by young Scottish chef Tom Kitchin and the winner -
less than six months later - of a Michelin star, this upwardly
mobile operation puts itself at the more relaxed end of the
fine-dining bracket and offers some tantalizing dishes
including razor clams with chorizo (an £18.50 starter) or
John Dory with shellfish ravioli (£33.50). More affordable
are the set lunches at £26.50 for three courses.
Daily
12.15-2.30pm & 6.30-10pm (Fri & Sat until 10.30pm).
Restaurant Martin Wishart
52 Shore
T
0131 553
3557,
W
restaurantmartin-wishart.co.uk; map pp.56-
57.
The eponymous chef is one of the leading lights of the
Scottish culinary scene, and was the first Michelin-star
holder in Edinburgh. Though relatively modest in size, and
demure, this place wows the gourmets with highly
accomplished and exquisitely presented dishes featuring
Scottish-sourced fish and meat. A two-course lunch (Tues-
Fri) is £28.50 while a six-course evening tasting menu costs
£75.
Tues-Fri noon-2pm & 7-10pm, Sat noon-1.30pm
& 7-10pm, Sun 7-10pm.
The Shore
3-4 Shore
T
0131 553 5080,
W
fishersbistros.co.uk; map pp.56-57.
Part of the Fisher
group next door, this is a well-lived-in bar-restaurant with
huge mirrors, wood panelling and aproned waiters who
serve up good sea and land food from £13.50. Live jazz, folk
and hubbub float through from the adjoining bar where
you'll find a wide selection of snacks on offer including
calamari and deep-fried haggis balls at £3 each.
Daily
noon-1am.
LEITH AND THE SHORE
The area around the cobbled Shore of Leith, along the edge
of the Water of Leith just as it reaches the sea, is the best-
known dining quarter in Edinburgh, and lives up to its
billing with good-quality, laidback seafood bistros and a
concentration of Michelin stars.
CAFÉS
Ì
Mimi's Bakehouse
63 Shore
T
0131 555 5908,
W
mimisbakehouse.com; map pp.56-57.
This family-
run, vintage-styled tea and cake shop became an instant
hit on opening in 2010. Its lovingly crafted cupcakes, tray
bakes and scones make for an appetizingly colourful
display on the shop's counter. The light lunches on offer are
a treat too but best of all is the tiered afternoon tea platter
for £14.50.
Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun 9am-6pm.
The Water of Leith Café Bistro
52 Coburg St
T
0131
555 2613,
W
thewaterofleithcafebistro.co.uk; map
pp.56-57.
It's a wee bit out on its own, but this welcoming,
family-friendly spot is right beside the Water of Leith
