How to Eat in Edinburgh on the Cheap
Edinburgh is a lively mix of the historical and the modern. Thanks to its annual arts festival, it has become one of Europe's most exciting cultural destinations. You will certainly find lots of affordable Scottish cuisine in the pubs, but there are many other budget dining possibilities.
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Instructions
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Buy a budget guidebook before you leave home. Many travel guides include extensive restaurant listings.
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Ask the locals about their favorite budget food choices or look around for restaurants that seem to be filled with a local crowd. This is often the best way to find a good, cheap meal.
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Eat pub food, which is frequently the most affordable option (as long as you don't order too much beer). The food is usually simple, tasty and filling.
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Look for cafés that serve food. Many do, and the atmosphere is likely to be casual and comfortable.
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Eat a big breakfast if you're staying at a bed-and-breakfast or a hotel that includes breakfast with your room. The full Scottish breakfast often includes oatmeal or cereal followed by eggs, bacon, sausages, black pudding (for the adventurous), baked beans, toast or scones, and juice, tea or coffee. Take advantage of this big meal and you might be able to skip lunch altogether.
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Look at some Edinburgh dining and entertainment Web sites before you leave home. Many of these sites will contain restaurant reviews and pricing information, and some may even have sample menus for your perusal.
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Pick up a copy of "The Scotsman" or another local newspaper or magazine as soon as you arrive. Look for restaurant reviews and other useful information.
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Tips & Warnings
When eating and drinking in a pub, you may have to order your food at the bar or at a separate restaurant counter. The food might be brought to your table when it's ready. When ordering beer, you'll need to specify whether you want a half-pint or a pint of lager or ale.
Try some of the ethnic restaurants around town. Asian and Indian food will probably be slightly cheaper than French or Italian, but check the posted menus outside restaurants to be sure.
Try the area around the University of Edinburgh for student-priced dining options.
Edinburgh tends to shut down early for the night, so check in advance to be sure that the restaurant you want to visit will still be open when you arrive.
Find out in advance whether a given restaurant takes credit cards. Many smaller European restaurants don't, and some will accept just one card instead of the whole range.
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Comments
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Nov 22, 2005
There is a new tourist discount card in Edinburgh. It only costs £10 and has discounts for local restaurants. The free wine or cocktail jug was my favorite! -
Nov 22, 2005
It's untrue that Edinburgh shuts down early. Granted, we don't keep Spanish eating hours, but it is easier to stay out late in Edinburgh than almost anywhere else in the UK (the licensing laws are different). In England, the pubs must stop serving at 11:00 PM, whereas in Edinburgh it's not too hard to drink until 3:00 AM without needing to go to a club.
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Nov 22, 2005
If you come from Spain, Italy, France or any other country where good food is assumed and therefore inexpensive, you'll be disappointed with the UK in general. Edinburgh is better than many UK cities (being quite international), but you'll still pay more and get less than you would in places like Barcelona or Hanoi. If you are hosteling, then the cheapest way is to cook and eat in (obviously). If you don't want to do that, but do need very cheap hot food, it'll be the chip shops. I like: Phenecia - West Nicolson Street near the University for North African and Middle Eastern food. Suzie's Diner and Pigs Bistro - on the same street, for simple lunches or dinners. Kalpna - Nicolson Street (and a similar place nearby whose name I forget) for excellent vegetarian and Indian food. Namaste - (Used to be on West Preston Street but I think it's moved) for Nepali North Indian food. The cafe in the French Institute - Randolph Crescent near the West End. Excellent value for good food. Ndebele - Home Street, Tollcross (opposite the Cameo cinema), for Southern African food. Cafe Florentine - Off the Royal Mile.
