The Gruff Goat is a charming international bistro and bar, located just to the south of Edinburgh city centre in the Scottish capital’s historic Old Town - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Set a stone’s throw from The Meadows and Edinburgh University, The Gruff Goat is always buzzing with guests enjoying one of its hearty Scottish breakfasts, a lunchtime salad, or a spread of Turkish mezze plates and grills.
Slick, practical bistro-esque interiors let the food do the talking, and the doors swing open early every morning, ready to welcome a hungry crowd in search of breakfast. The offering is hearty, ranging from the popular full Scottish breakfast (served, crucially, with a fresh tattie scone) as well as vegan and vegetarian breakfasts, DIY omelettes, breakfast muffins, oats, pancakes and more.
Once the clock strikes twelve, The Gruff Goat shifts into a whole new mode, serving affordable, home-cooked Turkish food. There’s rich, creamy hummus, babaganoush, kisir, and stuffed vine leaves, alongside hot mezze dishes like grilled halloumi and crispy sigara boregi - a crisp filo parcel stuffed with feta cheese and parsley. For those who struggle to choose, The Gruff Goat’s meze mix platters are popular. Meanwhile, toasted paninis and fresh salads provide something for those on the go.
Turkish food is a signature here, but there’s still room on the menu for haggis with creamy mash potato, as well as a handful of pasta dishes, and pan-fried fish. The menu here has something for everyone.
That goes for the drinks menu too. The Gruff Goat has hot drinks covered, from flat whites to Irish coffees, and there’s a solid cocktail list on offer too, which includes lots of classic mixes alongside the signature Gruff Goat Especial (vodka, Chambord raspberry, Champagne and fresh raspberry).