When looking for cheap restaurants, Edinburgh can be misleading, because it is hard to choose who are the clean establishments from those that aren’t as reputable. But it is possible to get a decent meal in the Scottish capital without spending a fortune – and here are my personal picks for some of the cheapest restaurants in Edinburgh.
Fish and chips is always cheap and cheerful.
Greyfriars Bobby’s Bar
Centrally located, Bobby’s bar is popular with the tourists, as well as a hot local joint for its music and trivia nights, but they also do a fabulous steak pie as well as a Welsh rarebit, both of which can be had with a pint of your choosing without breaking the bank. Don’t wait, their kitchen menu closes kind of early and it gets busy in here after 8.
The Tempting Tattie
One of my absolute fave cheap restaurants Edinburgh, this has been my supper on many occasion, since I lived just a couple of blocks away. For less than 5 pounds you can get a baked potato with a mound of toppings. So, so cheap and so so yummy and filling, perfect on a wet or cold day. My fave combo is the cheddar and pineapple topping, but another very heavy but super-yummy and only-in-Scotland treat is the haggis and cheddar. Yum. (Also, careful ordering a ‘large’ potato – the servings are enormous.) There isn’t a formal seating area, but if you can grab a seat at the few bar stools and watch traffic go by.
The Grind House
Firstly, the grind house has some of the best coffee in Edinburgh, but it’s also one of New Town’s cheap restaurants – Edinburgh locals drop in here for tasty sandwiches and snacks while sipping great lattes and enjoying the free wifi. A great place to be on a sunny but cold day, as the sun streams in and warms the place up nicely.
The Mosque Kitchen
Tucked away behind an actual mosque, this can be a hard one to find but getting there is worth it, as they have the best and by far the cheapest curries in town. Choose one of the two curries of the day, and load up on sides (also cheap). The environs are also cheap and cheerful, but you can’t go wrong here, without a doubt.
Pizza Express
While it’s a chain (and the rest of my suggestions are local), if you don’t live in the UK then Pizza Express can be a welcome, simple meal because of their easygoing service, excellent menus, and great beer and wine selection. They’re also a good family-friendly establishment, and despite being busy, you can usually get a table. Edinburgh has four of them – three in the old town, and then one over in Stockbridge.
Bene’s
Last but not least, any list of cheap restaurants Edinburgh is not complete without a fish and chips shop! You’ll find plenty of places to enjoy a good serving, but my favorite fish and chips shop in Edinburgh is Bene’s, located right on the Royal Mile down near the Canongate Kirk. The Royals have been known to visit here, because their chips with cheese and brown sauce are amazing. I love the fish and chips too, and the girls frying up everything are really friendly. If you’ve got time, they also do a great made-to-order pizza, but it takes several minutes to cook. The only downside is Bene’s doesn’t have a seating area, but if it’s nice out, grab a bench across the street and enjoy.
