- Edinburgh
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- budget
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United Kingdom
Decent food quickly at very reasonable prices.
We had two mains, one Coke, two bottles of beer for £12.80. It should have cost £15 or so but there was an automatic 20% discount (which seems to occur frequently).
This place serves decent Asian food and not surprisingly given the student population in the area is always busy.
It is quick and cheap and while it will not be garnering any Michelin stars it is somewhere we often go back to when in the area.
Don't believe they do reservations and you can always get a table though you might have to wait a few minutes.
45 South Bridge, Edinburgh , EH1 1LL
Google map: bit.ly/IL8nH4
As the name suggests, the only food sold here is pork. In the window is a whole hog from which the staff take shredded pork.
The pork is served on rolls (three different sizes) with the choice of stuffing and apple or chilli sauce for extra flavour. That is in essence the menu!
The pork is absolutely amazing!
Some seats on the premises though a lot of people just take away.
www.grassmarket.net/oink.asp
34 Victoria Street, Edinburgh, EH1 2JW
Open daily from 11am
Google map: bit.ly/HNF0ni
Wonderful authentic Vietnamese restaurant in the centre of Edinburgh.
Though small, the food is superb and great value.
Run by a young woman from Saigon so you can be sure of its authenticity.
No drink licence yet but its BYOB with only £1.50 corkage fee.
3 Grove Street, Edinburgh, EH3 8AF
+44(0)131 228 3383
www.vietnamhousescotland.com
Google map: bit.ly/gDo6ov
Just off Morrison Street, a stone's throw away from Haymarket Railway station.
Honest food at honest prices. "Real" beef or chicken or bacon burgers, traditionally with bun or healthily with salad, with thick shakes...or Fentimans Ginger beer, and on the Roral Mile,too. Rightly poular with families, locals and tourists.
217 High Street, Edinburgh
Google map: tinyurl.com/3y697ea
Informal curries cooked and served in the grounds of the Edinburgh Central Mosque. Tasty, portions big enough to satisfy my growing 14 year old, variety enough for a seven year old, and catering for both vegetarians and carnivores. Best of all perhaps: a fabulous variety of non-alcoholic drinks from cans of coconut milk to doubtful highly coloured fizzy concoctions. A treat for all the family without breaking the bank. Take a jumper as the eatery is open air (marquee style roof to keep off the rain).
Potterrow, behind the National Museum of Scotland, near to the University - the minaret is a clue.
Google map: bit.ly/b3P3jl
Apartment accommodation can actually be a good way to save money and get better value accommodation in Edinburgh.
Most hotels cost around £100 per night but you can book three-four star apartments for around £90 per night and some of these can sleep up to four people.
This means it works out around £23pppn compared to the £50pppn at a hotel! Add to that the fact you get your own kitchen and lounge area and it can actually be quite a bargain!
Worth thinking about if you are going to be staying in Edinburgh.
www.apartmentsinscotland.com (good selection of apartments in Scotland)
Absolutely fantastic tapas in this place on the Shore in Edinburgh. Genuinely Spanish taste as well as being child friendly. Great value.
19 Shore Place Edinburgh EH6 6SW
Phone:
0131 4766776
Mon - Sat:
12:00 - 01:00
Sun:
12:30 - 23:00
www.tapaedinburgh.co.uk/
Spent a romantic weekend in Edinburgh in this hostel. Would be ideal for a couple trying to do the Edinburgh festival on a budget - private rooms are spacious and there were no stag or hen parties, or drunk backpackers.
Housed in a charming 19th century building, the comfortable private rooms mean this is a great alternative to a souless hotel - the rooms have antique furnishings and bags of character, as well as amazing views of the castle. Loved all the art on the walls as well.
The location is unbeatable (a minute from the Castle, Royal Mile, Grassmarket), and there's a huge lounge and movie screening room.
This is a top hostel to stay in during the Edinburgh Fringe.
Right on the Royal Mile, this hostel goes all out for the Fringe, with a Festival Pub crawl and competitions to win show tickets.
The arty decor chimes with the Fringe's 'alternative' vibe, and the lively, social atmosphere make it the perfect place to crash post-party.
There's also a bargain breakfast for under £2, the rooms are comfortable and smarter than your average backpacker's hostel, and the staff will give you a guided tour of the Royal Mile.
For family friendly accommodation at the Fringe, avoid overpriced hotels - they'll probably be booked up anyway months in advance. Instead try a family friendly hostel.
Aimed at a higher clientele than cash-strapped backpackers, the Smart City Hostel is a 'boutique' hostel– all rooms are private with ensuite bathrooms, and there are special family rooms with a TV.
The free linen and towels, washing machines and self-catering facilities are a great way to keep costs down (you can make large family meals or prepare a packed lunch for the daytime).
Very comfortable rooms, and a central location in the heart of the old town, so it was easy to cart the whole family to the main venues!
It can be difficult to find cheap food at the Fringe - especially as most places seem to be packed or overpriced in August.
Here are some tips for eating on a budget:
- Carry a bottle of water, a few snacks and a packed lunch with you during the day - you can munch during during long queues for tickets, and avoid the premium prices at cafes and sandwich shops in the city center.
- Head to the Edinburgh Farmer's Market on Saturdays for some budget-friendly food. Held between 9am and 2pm at Castle Terrace, it's stalls sell filling hot takeaway food, such as venison burgers and a hog roast!
- Some of the venues have great cafes, but they can get crowded in between shows. Instead, try the street stalls around the main venues such as Johnston Terrace and Bristo Square. The Traverse Theatre Bar and Café has a decent selection of reasonably priced food, and the courtyards inside the Pleasance Dome Theatre are home to stalls selling huge hot dogs and burgers.
- With some shows, food actually comes as part of your ticket. Early risers can catch Shakespeare for breakfast at C Venue at 10am, and watch the Bard’s best plays with a croissant and a cup of tea or coffee.
- For a cheap meal out, check out the Mosque Kitchen (officially called The Lunch Box) where you can pick up huge portions of halal curries for just a few pounds.
This multi-cultural festival is a great budget alternative to the pricier and overcrowded Fringe and main festival.
Set up by a group of ethnic minorities in Edinburgh, Mela means ‘gathering’ in Sanskrit and is a celebration of cultural diversity in Scotland.
The festival has a laid-back vibe, with food stalls and a craft market alongside the main line-up of theatre, music, film, and visual art from around the world, from Zimbabwean Theatre to Bollywood Dance.
It's only £2 for an all day pass, but some single events are free.
7-9th August, Pilrig Park
Superb four star hotel just opened last month. It's located at the end of Princes Street which is a great city centre spot. Facilities include pool, gym, bar and restaurant, rooms are brand new with all modern gadgets, wi-fi throughout. The bar is a trendy hangout to see and be seen in. For some of the best shopping in Scotland turn right onto Princes Street when you exit.
Tel: 0871 288 1208
www.apexhotels.co.uk/hotels/edinburgh-waterloo-place/
Edinburgh can be an expensive place to stay, but there are some budget options available. Rooms-in-Edinburgh have over a dozen hostels that have beds from £12 a night. There are also several budget hotels which have great city centre locations and are only £50 a room.
Three courses and unlimited second helpings for 15 pounds. Good food, nice place and great price for hungry travellers!
North Bridge, Edinburgh
A visit to Edinburgh wouldn’t be the same without a pint in a traditional British pub. With a handful of universities and a horde of students in the city, finding cheap beer is relatively easy. Three Sisters was the best of the lot with three bars inside and a spacious courtyard.
139 Cowgate, Edinburgh
If you plan on spending a few days visiting most of the attractions around the city, the pass is definitely worth buying.
With free entry to 30 places and airport transfer included, it saves a packet.
Buy from www.edinburgh.org/pass/
Anyone looking for good budget accommodation in Edinburgh need look no further than Castle Rock! When this Edinburgh hostel says it has a good location it isn’t joking… there are views of the castle from inside and it’s about a minute's walk away from the city centre which is perfect for exploring day or night.
In addition, it’s a funky and fun place – I especially enjoyed the random art covering the walls!
www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/scotland/edinburgh/3358/
15 Johnston Terrace, Edinburgh, Lothian, EH1 2PW
This accommodation at university residences is only available June - early September. In June 2007 it cost £24 a night for a single room with shared bathroom. It's a beautiful location by Holyrood Park with free car parking, and it takes around 20 minutes to walk to Princes St. The self-service breakfast is excellent.
Book online at:
www.laterooms.com/en/p1025/hotel-reservations/84026_edinburgh-first-hotel-university-edinburgh-edinburgh.aspx
Cheap especially for a single room. I paid £24 for a single ensuite room. Centrally located, 10 minutes walk from Waverley rail station and Princes St. Breakfast not great, but good if you want budget accommodation with your own bathroom at a cheap rate.
Book online at:
en.venere.com/hotels_edinburgh/hotel_minotel_osbourne_hotel.html?ref=1234
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