10 insanely good cheap restaurants in Edinburgh

Where to eat in Edinburgh? Despite what you may have been led to believe, Scotland’s food scene isn’t just about Haggis and whisky. In fact, Edinburgh is home to a wonderful array of inexpensive restaurants and cafes that will cater to your every culinary whim. Today we run through a few of our top picks for cheap food in Edinburgh…

Oink

Oink serves one thing, and one thing only – a hog roast, and man are those porky baps tasty! As one of the best value restaurants in Edinburgh, it’s recommended you arrive early, especially if you’re hoping for crackling. You’ll know you’re in the right place when you spot the whole pig roasting in the window. You have three choices – The Piglet (£2.95), The Oink (£3.94), and The Grunter (£4.95), all come in a soft roll topped with your choice of sauce.
Address: Grassmarket, 34 Victoria Street, EH1 2JW and Canongate, 82 Canongate, EH8 8BZ
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 11:00-18:00 / Sunday – 11:00-17:00 (or until the pork runs out!)
Website: oinkhogroast.co.uk

Milk

Whether you’re looking for a spot of breakfast, brunch or lunch, Milk is one of Edinburgh’s best healthy restaurants. Their mushroom, rosemary and scrambled egg burrito (£4.20) is the breakfast of champions, especially if you’ve had one too many drams the night before. Sandwiches and flatbreads start from £3.90, and hearty lunchtime stews from £5.90 (we’re obsessed with the black bean, quinoa and potato and the Portuguese chorizo).
Address: 232 Morrison Street, Edinburgh, EN3 8EA
Opening hours: Monday to Friday – 07.30-16:00 / Saturday – 08:00-16:00 / Sunday – 08:00-15:00
Website: cafemilk.co.uk

Wannaburger

If you’ve spent a day exploring the city’s hilly streets, and are wondering where to eat in Edinburgh, hit up Wannaburger for a real feast – you’re on holiday after all! This spot is a cut above the rest when it comes to burger joints due to their ‘no artificial additives’ policy. Their burgers are all Aberdeen Angus beef, the buns are baked locally, and they even handcraft their own mayo. Burgers start from as little as £2.99 (yes, you read that correctly.) and a cheeseburger ‘shake meal’, which comes with fries and a milkshake, will set you back just £6.69. There are a variety of veggie options, unlimited refills on soft drinks, and more giant pickles than you can shake a stick at.
Address: 7/8 Queensferry Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4PA
Opening hours: Daily 07:30-22:00
Website: wannaburger.com

Café Andamiro

No matter the night of the week, Café Andamiro is always jam packed with people who can’t get enough of their authentic Japanese and Korean dishes. We recommend the Korean spicy ramen, or the bibimbap, but their range of sushi is also worth some exploration. It won’t be easy, but try to save space for dessert – their homemade treats will make you cry real tears of joy.
Address: 113 Buccleuch Street, Edinburgh EH8 9NG
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday 11:00-21:00
Website: cafe-andamiro.co.uk

Bodega

This Mexican canteen serves up big and tasty US West Coast-style tacos for just £7. Their fillings are to die for – we’re talking pineapple pulled pork, slow-cooked chipotle steak, and our personal favourite, crispy cod. Another added bonus is that Bodega is BYOB, which means there’s no danger of racking up a huge booze bill. (images by Christina Kernohan Photography)
Address: 62 Elm Row, Edinburgh, EH7 4AQ
Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday 17:30–22:00
Website: ilovebodega.com

The Piemaker

Visitors to The Piemaker should ready themselves for a double whammy of goodness – the tastiest pies in Scotland, and bargain prices! Snap up a haggis, turnip and mash (£1.60), steak and ale (£2.50), or if you’re veggie, try the Thai mushroom (£2.10), or their delicious balti curry (£2.10).
Address: 38 South Bridge, Edinburgh, EH1 1LL
Opening hours: Monday to Wednesday – 09:00-19:00 / Thursday & Friday – 09:00-23:00 / Saturday – 10:00-23:00 / Sunday – 10:30-19:00
Website: thepiemaker.co.uk

Kampung Ali

For delicious Malaysian food, head to Kampung Ali, where the portions are ginormous, but the prices are anything but. Pretty much everything on the menu is under a tenner. We recommend their curry laksa (£7.80), and Rendang chicken (£8.00).
Address: 97-101 Fountainbridge, Edinburgh EH3 9QG
Opening hours: Closed Tuesdays. Lunch – 12:00-14.30 / Dinner – 17:00-23:00 / Weekends – 12:00-23:00
Website: kampungali.com

The Bluebird Café

The Bluebird Café is all about hearty, homemade fare. Expect great coffee, soups and a range of lip-smackingly good homemade sweet treats (that one at the top is rocky road cheesecake – THIS IS NOT A DRILL). There’s also an entire menu dedicated to scones. The café itself is a cool spot, inspired by the owner’s travels through America on the back of a Harley Davidson. You’ll find her behind the counter most days, or hosting one of her live music nights, where its BYOB, and punters feast on piles of pulled pork. Yes please!
Address: 5 Cannonmills, Edinburgh, EN3 5HA
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 06:00-16:00 / Weekends – 08:00-17:00
Website: thebluebirdcafe-edinburgh.com

Union of Genius

For cheap eats in Edinburgh guaranteed to warm you up and refuel you after the day’s explorations, head to the Union of Genius, Scotland’s first soup café. The café’s soup maestros prepare six fresh soups every day using quality meats and whichever vegetables are in season. There are so many tempting options, including veggie and vegan, that you might be hard pressed to choose – in which case try their flight of three soups for £5.80.
Address: 8 Forrest Road, Edinburgh EH1 2QN
Opening hours: Monday to Friday – 08:00-16:30, Saturday – 12:00-16:00
Website: unionofgenius.com

Mother India’s Café

Mother India’s tasty tapas offers a unique take on Indian cuisine, and with plates starting at just £3.25, this is one of the best restaurants in Edinburgh for foodies on a budget. We recommend the fried dry okra with tomatoes.
Address: 3-5 Infirmary Street, Old Town, Edinburgh, EH1 1LT.
Opening hours: Monday to Wednesday – 12:00–14:00 & 17:00-22:30 / Thursday – 12:00-22:30 / Friday & Saturday – 12:00–23:00 / Sunday – 12:00-22:00
Website: motherindia.co.uk
 
Our awesome guest blogger Amy Baker can be found on: Facebook, Twitter, Web & Instagram. Got a hot tip for where to eat in Edinburgh? Let us know in the comments below and we’ll try to keep it a secret…