The best cheap eats in Edinburgh: 18 incredible finds, loved by locals

Capital cities aren’t typically known for their cut-price eateries, but luckily the canny Scots aren’t going to be caught out by inflated tourist-trap menus. Here, in Edinburgh, cheap eats can be found on nearly every corner and range from authentic sourdough pizzas through to richly fragrant Thai curries.

While some of the best cheap eats in Edinburgh are found around the Royal Mile or George Square, there are also small, family-run restaurants on the outskirts which offer incredible cooking for a snip of the price of their city centre counterparts. Take Leith, for instance, which is a trendy neighbourhood in its own right, and a bit of an under-the-radar foodie destination. Just a short bus ride out you'll find its sunny shores (didn't you know there’s always Sunshine on Leith?), the perfect place to treat yourself to coffee and pastries from one of the boutique bakeries, or to bag a table at one of Leith's inexpensive local restaurants.

During The Edinburgh Festival, the best cheap restaurants in Edinburgh get booked up fast, with acts and audiences alike streaming in before and after shows to get their fill of some much-needed fuel. If you’re planning on visiting Scotland’s capital city in August then we’d recommend securing a table early to guarantee yourself a great value, delicious lunch or dinner (or breakfast or brunch come to think of it, we don’t discriminate against mealtimes).

We’re pretty strict about what constitutes a cheap eat, with all meals having to come in under £15. We’ve put in plenty of research to bring you loads of affordable options, starting from just £5, so that you can embrace the Champagne lifestyle you deserve on a lemonade budget. To ensure we uncovered all the city's hidden gems, we asked a group of Edinburgh locals for the best cheap places to eat in Edinburgh that they return to time and time again for something delicious and comforting that doesn't require re-mortgaging a house.

Hot Toddy, Edinburgh Old Town

What: A vibrant and staunchly Scottish restaurant, Hot Toddy has amassed an army of loyal followers thanks to its judiciously priced dishes and great atmosphere. Menus here are deeply seasonal, making use of the best produce within the Scottish larder, showcasing the freshest produce out there. To get the most bang for your buck, we’d suggest going for brunch - that way you can get your hands on the likes of focaccia toast with eggs, broccoli and avocado, or choose a selection of small plates to share between the table.
Where: 15-19 Jeffrey Street, EH1 1DR
Book now: Hot Toddy

Maki & Ramen, Fountainbridge

What: Maki & Ramen’s huge ramen bowls are guaranteed to leave you feeling full and satisfied, and they all come in just under the £15 mark making this a great choice if you’re looking for something cheap and delicious. There’s lots of other good stuff on the menu too and everything is well priced.
Where: 97-101 Fountainbridge, EH3 9QG
Book now: Maki & Ramen Fountainbridge

Nile Valley Cafe, Newington

What: The kind of hole-in-the-wall cafe that doesn’t even have a website, let alone an Instagram page, Nile Valley Cafe has built a loyal local following thanks to a lineup of fantastic Sudanese plates and Middle Eastern cuisine. It’s informal, and warm, offering up Sudanese falafel wraps, baba ganoush, and hummus, alongside Sudanese coffee spiked with cinnamon. Part of the charm of this affordable Edinburgh eatery is the atmosphere, so sit back, relax, and take a minute to soak it all up.
Where: 6 Chapel St, EH8 9AY
Book now: Nile Valley Cafe

Jolly, Leith

What: A longstanding family-run favourite, Jolly is known as one of the best value restaurants in Edinburgh. It’s classic Italian fare, so think pizzas, pasta, bruschetta, and risotto. But, out of the best cheap eats in Edinburgh, Jolly also comes with perhaps the best budget-friendly set menu. For lunch, every day of the week, Jolly offers a three-course ‘lunch special menu’ and a midweek ‘early evening special menu’ with three courses ranging between £9.20 and £10.50 depending on the time.
Where: 9 Elm Row, EH7 4AA
Book now: Jolly

The Outsider, Edinburgh Old Town

What: At lunchtime The Outsider in Edinburgh runs a menu of delicious, seasonally inspired dishes at budget-friendly prices. Here you’ll find things like red lentil and roast vegetable soup for just £6.20, while hearty mains come in around the ten-pound mark - think steamed mussels with basil, cream, bacon, pine nuts, Parmesan and fries; or steak frites with peppercorn sauce. The split-level space offers castle views from upstairs too, for a seriously atmospheric way to enjoy one of Edinburgh's cheap eats.
Where: 15 George IV Bridge, EH1 1EE
Book now: The Outsider

10 to 10 in Delhi, Newington

What: A legendary cheap eats hangout in Newington, 10 to 10 in Delhi has saved many broke students over the years with delicious and highly affordable curry and rice deals. Lamb Shamb with rice and salad will leave you more than satisfied and clocks in at a manageable £8.95, or, there's a box with daal and rice for just £6.75. If you can pull together an extra fifty pence you can walk away with a big box of palak paneer and rice, and the menu also includes roti roll wraps, samosas and other light bites.
Where: 67 Nicolson St, Newington, EH8 9BZ
Book now: 10 to 10 in Delhi

Holyrood 9A, Edinburgh Old Town

What: If you’re on a budget the best thing you can do for yourself, we think, is to set yourself up for the day with one big breakfast. Holyrood 9A might be famous for its casual and cosy pub feel come the evening, but it also does a cracking brekkie. We’re talking toast piled with avocado, grilled halloumi and a fried egg or a full Scottish breakfast, complete with black pudding and haggis on the right side of £13.
Where: 9a Holyrood Road, EH8 8AE
Book now: Holyrood 9a

Baba, Edinburgh New Town

What: Inspired by the flavours of the Levant, this relaxed George Street restaurant has a surprisingly affordable menu given its plum location. Younger sibling to the award-winning Ox and Finch in Glasgow, Baba Edinburgh is the perfect place for groups who are happy to order a selection of plates to share. There are snacks, sharing dishes and grills to choose from, all fragrantly flavoured with heady herbs and spices. Build your own mezze platter with baba ganoush, hummus or labneh, or go for larger plates like lamb adana with chilli and labneh.
Where: 130 George Street, EH2 4JZ
Book now: Baba Edinburgh

Harajuku Kitchen, Bruntsfield

What: With a clutch of high-end awards under its belt, Harajuku Kitchen is one of Edinburgh’s top restaurants, and the best bit is that dining here won’t break the bank. The pared back dining room has exposed stone walls and scrubbed wooden tables while Japanese art peppers the walls. The blackboard displays the day’s specials, but sushi, Japanese fried chicken, and gyoza are mainstays. Our favourite things for eating here on a budget are the set menus which include two dishes of your choice, miso soup, and rice for just £14.90.
Where: 10 Gillespie Place, EH10 4HS
Book now: Harajuku Kitchen

Civerinos Slice, Edinburgh Old Town

What:Paying homage to true Italian cuisine, this is one of Edinburgh’s most popular places for pizza, earning its listing as one of the best cheap restaurants Edinburgh has to offer when it comes to casual, great dining. Huge 14" or 20" pizzas (there’s no messing around here guys) are sold by the slice or as a whole pizza; we do recommend sharing one of these with a friend! Stay classic with a margherita or try the signature Italian sausage pizza with double marinara and pepperoni topped off with herbs and burrata. If budget allows, don’t skip the small plates and sides – we’re talking mac and cheese bites and parmesan truffle fries. 
Where: 9 Forrest Road, EH1 2QP
Book now: Civerinos Slice

Chez Jules, Edinburgh New Town

What: Consistently the most popular Edinburgh cheap eats restaurant rated by locals, Chez Jules is famous for its plates of fine French food at old-school prices. For a great lunch deal, you can choose from a one-, two- or three-course menu costing £8.90, £10.90, and £12.90 respectively. Each option comes with salad, bread and butter, pickles, and pate, so even if you plump for just one course, we can guarantee you won’t leave hungry. Mains include a steak frites with pepper sauce and a classic coq au vin with mash, while chocolate mousse or pannacotta take care of ‘something sweet’ in a much classier way than a bar of Cadbury’s.
Where: 109 Hanover Street, EH2 1DJ
Book now: Chez Jules

Victor Hugo Deli, Edinburgh New Town

What: Fancy a quick takeaway lunch that’s way better than a Tesco meal deal? Victor Hugo Deli comes to the table with far superior options. We’re talking rye bread sandwiches generously stuffed with pastrami, pickles and cheese or freshly baked baguettes filled with French ham, brie, fresh apple and chutney. Ciabatta melts will set you back £6.25 or you can nab yourself a hefty slab of lasagna or a piece of quiche for around a tenner. For a casual, cheap bite to eat, we couldn't ask for a better spot. 
Where: 104 George Street, EH2 3DF
Book now: Victor Hugo Deli

Mosque Kitchen, Newington

What: No frills dining doesn’t mean low standards of cooking, a rule that is proved by Mosque Kitchen in Edinburgh. While the cutlery might be disposable and the chairs might be plastic, the food is good and it comes in large portions at rock-bottom prices. From £4.50 you can treat yourself to a generous plate of tarka daal and rice or go all out with a pile of chicken biryani for £8.50. The service is hit and miss, but sort of part of the charm, and because it’s open until 10pm every evening you get a fun, mixed crowd there for a bite to eat before bedtime.
Where: 31-33 Nicolson Square, EH8 9BX
Book now: The Mosque Kitchen

Kim’s Mini Meals, Newington

What: Having been previously recommended by the Michelin Guide, Kim’s Mini Meals is an unassuming Korean restaurant that has built up a loyal following since it opened. This family run spot is headed up by the motherly matriarch and serves the signature sweet, spicy and sour food of Korea. Favourites like bibimbap and bulgogi feature on the menu alongside some lesser-known dishes. Each order of a main dish comes with a free side and soup for a fully rounded meal that will leave you feeling full (and smug potentially, thanks to all that inside knowledge).
Where: 5 Buccleuch Street, Newington, EH8 9JN
Book now: Kim's Mini Meals

Razzo, Leith

What: Razzo is the type of place where cutlery is served in old passata cans and is so popular that you can’t actually book - this is a walk-in only joint. Veggie options, white pizzas and traditional toppings are all present and correct, while there’s a regular run of specials too. For such a well-rounded, popular spot, we're big fans of their lunch deals and cheap eats. Our favourite is the salsiccia sausage and broccoli combination which has a perfect balance of sweet and savoury notes and costs just £13.50. If you’re willing to splash a little extra cash, there is also a pretty tidy line-up of desserts for a fiver or less.
Where: 59 Great Junction Street, EH6 5HX
Book now: Razzo

Ting Thai Caravan, Edinburgh Old Town

What: There’s something about Thai food that makes it almost addictive - we can’t get enough of those sweet, sour, salty combinations and Ting Thai Caravan bring bucketloads of flavour to each plate they make. Expect steaming bowls of beef soup, fragrant Massaman curries and big plates of wok-fried noodles, and with most dishes coming in under a tenner, you can eat really well for a good price here. Ting Thai Caravan is a great casual restaurant to gather with friends so that you can share a range of things from the different sections of the menu. There’s a no-bookings policy, so make sure to turn up early if you want to grab a seat.
Where: 8-9 Teviot Place, EH1 2QZ
Book now: Ting Thai Caravan

Snax Cafe, Edinburgh New Town

What: Snax Cafe is an independent cafe that proves popular with locals and tourists alike. The cafe is often busy at breakfast, with plenty of classic fried breakfast options available. From a full cooked breakfast, to bacon rolls, burgers, filled baked potatoes, toasties and wraps, the Snax Cafe menu is an endless list of delicious reasonably-priced things. Yes, you can even get yourself a chip butty for a couple of quid and some change. You can't go wrong with Snax Cafe if you're looking to secure a cheap breakfast or lunch. 
Where: 15 West Register Street, EH2 2AA
Book now: Snax Cafe

OINK, Edinburgh Old Town

What: Vegetarians and vegans look away now - OINK is the place to get your hog roast fix in Edinburgh. Local farmers Adam Marshall and Sandy Pate teamed up to bring their fresh, high quality meat to the city after finding success at farmer's markets. The product is simple, hog roast pulled pork in a roll, but what more could you want for a cheap lunch than natural, freshly carved, local pork? Customise your roll by choosing the size, type of bread, sage and onion or haggis stuffing, and finally your sauce with seven to choose from.
Where: 34 Victoria Street, EH1 2JW
Book now: OINK

Edinburgh is a great place for food and fun dining spots. But while the best cheap eat restaurants Edinburgh has to offer are great for everyday dining, we've also rounded up a fantastic selection of restaurants to save for romantic date nights.