Indigo Yard has been a fixture of Edinburgh's West End since 1996, earning a loyal following thanks to its relaxed atmosphere, commitment to quality Scottish produce and crowd-pleasing all-day menu. Housed on charming Charlotte Lane, this lively restaurant and bar is equally suited to leisurely brunches, after-work drinks and long dinners with friends. Behind the bar, creative cocktails, craft beers and locally sourced ingredients take centre stage, helping to cement Indigo Yard's reputation as a neighbourhood favourite.
To start, gather the table around a selection of sharing plates. Freshly baked bread with balsamic and olive oil, mini hot roast chorizo in red wine, and baked king prawns with chilli, garlic and paprika are all designed for easy grazing. Elsewhere, pulled pork tacos with chipotle mayo and crispy shallots, haggis croquettes with peppercorn mayonnaise, and spicy falafel with coconut yoghurt tzatziki offer plenty of flavour-packed options.
Mains lean towards comforting classics with a contemporary twist. Beer-battered Scottish haddock with double-cooked chips remains a house favourite, while grilled sea bass with chorizo and red pepper risotto adds a Mediterranean touch. Those in search of something hearty can opt for slow-cooked Scottish pork belly with bubble and squeak cake and Guinness sauce, or steak frites with prime Scottish rump steak and peppercorn sauce. Vegetarian diners are well catered for too, thanks to dishes such as Thai green curry and the colourful superfood salad with roasted butternut squash and jumbo couscous.
There's also a dedicated burger section, including the towering IY Stack burger loaded with pulled pork, bacon, onion rings and barbecue sauce, alongside the indulgent chicken and gravy burger topped with Monterey Jack cheese and a hash brown. On the side, expect favourites such as mac and cheese, sweet potato fries and beer-battered onion rings.
For groups, the venue's famous Indigo Munro nachos – billed as Edinburgh's largest nacho feast – provide a suitably over-the-top centrepiece, best enjoyed alongside one of Indigo Yard's signature cocktails.