A running theme I discovered on my recent trip to Edinburgh was that they know how to do good food there. Literally every meal I had there was top-notch.
Although I have to say that’s mainly because I followed recommendations from my pals and you gems on Insta. So I couldn’t really go wrong. But I did discover a few little beauts on my own too, so I figured I’d jot down all the restaurants and bars I loved in E-Burgh for you. I’m good like that.
Bon appetit, folks.
Bread Meats Bread
Shoutout to Jo from Girl Eats World for this one. As soon as I told her I was going to Edinburgh for the weekend, she told me Bread Meats Bread was the place to go for amazing burgers and poutine. Yeah ok, I’m in.
I knew it was going to be good when I saw people waiting for tables at 6pm, and it didn’t disappoint. I had the Cali Burger which has two thin, smashed, mustard-fried beef patties, lots of cheese, salad and pickles. It was heavenly, I already want to go back just for this burger. Josh had the Royale With Cheese, just for the Pulp Fiction reference, and loved it too.
I’m still not entirely sure how I felt about the poutine though. It was my first time trying it and thought I’d love it as it’s a combo of some of my fave things – chips, gravy and cheese. But I just don’t know about those cheese curds. It kinda tasted like halloumi but less salty, and just didn’t really hit the spot for me. The crispy chips and rich gravy though were unreal. Oh and the buffalo fries were pretty delish too.
Makar’s Gourmet Mash Bar
We walked past this restaurant one day and knew we had to try it. I LOVE mashed potatoes, any potatoes really, I’m a complete carb fiend. But I’ve never seen a dedicated mash bar before! How amazing is that??
So we popped in for lunch.
The menu is made up of sausages and mash, potato rosti stacks and potato skins. All the best things. And Josh went for the wild boar sausages with wholegrain mustard mash. He spoke about those sausages all damn day so they must have been good.
I was having a bit of a veggie day so went for the portobello mushroom rosti stack with garlic and herb crust. Not wanting to miss out on the main event, I also ordered a side of cheddar cheese and chives mash with rich onion gravy. The rosti stack was good but the mash was the total winner. I mean obvs because it’s a mash bar.
You need to go just to try this mash, bro.
Wee Buddha
Another discovery of ours was Wee Buddha, an Asian restaurant tucked away on Jamaica Street. After the carb overload of Bread Meats Bread and Makar’s Gourmet Mash Bar, we wanted something light and healthy and just fancied Asian food. Plus, Wee Buddha is very cosy with cute fairy lights around the windows and board games. A lovely little find if I do say so myself.
Our meal ended up not being that light though because we’re both foodies and couldn’t resist ordering everything! But it was all so so delicious.
We shared 3 starters – edamame, vegetable gyoza and Hanoi chicken wings, and they were all great. The chicken wings were crunchy and lemony and the gyoza was just what we were craving. Then for mains I had the Wee Buddha Curry and Josh had the Thai Green Curry. Both came in big bowls with steamed rice, were fragrant and full of flavour. And they massively filled us up. To the point where we were going to go out for drinks after and instead went back to the hotel to lie in the foetal position.
So all round a successful evening!
Panda & Sons
A few of you babes on Instagram recommend Panda & Sons to me for great cocktails in Edinburgh. So before we went to Wee Buddha (and swiftly entered into a food coma) we checked it out.
It’s one of those basement speakeasy-type bars with the front masquerading as a barbers. When you go in and down the stairs, you then have to swing open a bookcase to get in!
It’s the kind of quirk I am a total sucker for. I love that shit. But since I took Josh to Opium in London’s Chinatown a few years ago, he’s been very much against these kind of bars. He thinks everything is overpriced and there’s too many people, just for the novelty. But I think after Panda & Sons he’s a convert! The prices were reasonable, the service was amazing and the cocktails were delicious (I think it’s maybe just London in general that has too many people and is overpriced…).
I had a fruity raspberry and champagne cocktail and it was really nice. Plus they give you popcorn to munch on whilst you drink. Love it.
The Pastry Section
On a jaunt to Stockbridge to check out the vintage shops, we stopped at The Pastry Section for coffee and I just thought it was lovely so had to include it in this post. It’s very industrial chic and looks like it would be at home in East London and the people there are so nice.
They did really great coffee, an exceptional carrot cake and everything is served on beaut plates, with adorable little forks that I am obsessed with. It’s a weird compliment to give an establishment, but their crockery is on point, son.
Tani Modi
Our last stop in Edinburgh was for a spot of Sunday brunch before jumping on the train home. My pal Mike had recommended Tani Modi and my homegirl Shola had recommended Papii Cafe. And coincidentally, they’re both in the same building!
Papii Cafe looked a lot more Instagram-friendly and had lots of waffles on the menu but Tani Modi had the shorter queue so is where we ended up eating. Girl gotta eat.
I had the pancakes with roasted apples and homemade cinnamon sauce and they were really nice and sweet! It’s budget-friendly too, so Tani Modi really is a winner all round.
That’s all for my culinary adventure around Edinburgh! Come back next week for more E-Burgh goodness, pal.
Do you have any more recommendations of places to eat in Edinburgh?
Let me know in the comments below, tweet me or find me over on Instagram!
