Restaurants in Edinburgh- recommendations for the weekend

[SamTheCatAndDanTheDog]

Hello

I have fussy teens. One doesn't like burgers (no bread). The other doesn't like pizza / pasta (doesn't like tomato or melted cheese).

Can you recommend a restaurant in central (ish) Edinburgh? Indian and Thai often work, or good pub grub.

Thai then Chaophraya is good also has lovely views of Edinburgh and fairly central on castle Street

There is Pho which is vietnamese at the top of St James Quarter which also has things to entertain teens after too.

Wahaca if they like mexican?

Chaakoo is lovely - Bombay cafe style Indian. Or would Mexican work? We like Topolabamba.

Ah - sorry - should have said I'd prefer to avoid chains. There's a Chaphyrai (cannot spell it now) and Wahaca where we live!

What about Bonnie and Wild or Edinburgh Street Food across the street? Lots of different options so everyone can have what they like?
(Warning that it's absolute chaos in town just now so be prepared to queue!)

A lot of central Edinburgh is chains unfortunately!

If they like seafood then mussel Inn on rose Street is good and reasonably priced. There is another Indian on rose Street as well but not eaten there.
Grassmarket the beehive inn pub is fairly decent.

Dishoom (it's a chain but a pretty small one atm)

Theres a fantastic Indian just across from the Playhouse/cinema, the food there is wonderful, we beeline it everytime we are in Edinburgh Its called Passage to India

Chaakoo on Lothian Road is lovely. Similar to Dishoom but I prefer it. Very small chain and the other two are in Glasgow.

What about Chinese? There's Tattu? Heard it's a bit style over substance (I've not been but a couple of my friends liked it) but it's very Instagrammable if your teens are into that.

Mother India Cafe - delicious Indian food served in small portions tapas style
(although technically part of a chain as there is one in Glasgow too)

My Teens love it!

Tattu is great, but we live near one of those as well!

I'll look at a few of these that I don't know.

Any gastro pubs? We've been to Scran & Scallie and it was much liked.

Nok’s Kitchen in the old town is a lovely independent Thai restaurant. The nutty curry is delicious.

I recently had a really nice meal in Hibiki in NorthCastle Street. Down stairs from a Thai restaurant.
it’s a Japanese bistro.
menu online so you can see if it’s suitable

I don’t know where you’re staying or what your plans are, but you could get a bus (12, 19, 21, 26, 49) out to Portobello and go to The Forrester’s which is a lovely pub with amazing food. Portobello is a seaside place and you could have a walk along the beach/prom before or after the meal.

Kyloe is a steak restaurant but they do a great Sunday roast too.

Southpour is a fab gastro pub but out of the centre.

There’s Cafe Andaluz. It has a few restaurants but it’s not a national chain. It’s Spanish tapas so there’s something for everyone. When I used to work in Edinburgh I loved going there

Hectors for pub grub if you venture down to Stockbridge? Along from the Scran and Scallie. It's just had a refurb.

I second Forresters in Portobello, lovely wee place, they have seaside huts out in beer garden. It’s on the High Street.
Theres also the Espy at the foot of Bath Street/ Prom and Miros round the corner on the Prom.

We're in the centre - for the rugby - so not a Porty trip option this time. But thank you!

My city centre go to Indian is Kahani, just down from the Playhouse. I like the food but mainly because it's BYOB, not sure how important that feature is to you 😂.

What about Kapow? It's a chain of only 2 I think, the Edinburgh one is in St James centre and pretty tasty.

I was going to recommend Noks, great food not too pricey.

Or Ting Thai caravan on Lothian Road, or depending where you're staying Absolute Thai at Tollcross is amazing.

Depending on your budget The Dome on George Street is not a chain and is beautifully decorated. Will need to book though and it's not cheap.

We'd LOVE to go to the Dome but there's never any weekend reservations when we go (in fairness, we are usually last minute).