Eating Out on a Budget

1. Best for burgers: O'Neill's

At O'Neill's they keep things simple but delicious: it’s all about the food here. That means they can keep the prices incredibly reasonable. Ask about their deals!

2. Best for curry: Mosque Kitchen

This restaurant started purely to feed members of the congregation of the nearby mosque after services, but was opened up to all after 9/11 as part of an effort to show the richness of Islamic culture to the community. It quickly became a firm favourite of locals and still serves fantastic curries for around £5.

3. Best for soup: Union of Genius

As Scotland’s first soup café, you will be unsurprised to find that Union of Genius serves a very tasty range of soups, with different specials each day. They care about being a conscientious business too, putting in a great deal of effort to make sure their ingredients are ethically sourced, to minimise their impact on the environment and to feed those in poverty in Edinburgh.

4. Best for noodles: Red-Box Noodle Bar

You get to customise every piece of your meal at Red-Box – the type of noodles, the meat, the vegetables, the sauce – so you’re basically guaranteed to end up with a dish you love. However, don’t be in such a rush that you skip a starter: they have a wide variety of awesome appetizers to get you salivating (our favourites are the wings).

5. Best for sandwiches: Bobby's Sandwich Bar

If you are looking for great sandwiches on a budget in Edinburgh, Bobby’s Sandwich Bar is a fantastic option. Located just beside Greyfriars Kirkyard, it is especially popular for quick, tasty and affordable lunches in the Old Town.

It is a small and friendly place with a strong local following, offering a good range of sandwiches, toasties, bagels, soups and coffee. It is a particularly good choice if you want something simple, satisfying and reasonably priced while exploring the city centre.

6. Best for foodies: Kim’s Mini Meals

While at first this family owned, Korean restaurant might not seem particularly special, Kim’s Mini Meals has featured in the Michelin Restaurant Guide for the last two years. It’s so small and unassuming that you might easily pass it by, were it not for the queue that frequently forms outside of eager customers: they know it’s worth the wait. Be careful when you plan to go though, because it’s only open from 5.30-8.30pm. Their main courses are £10 which includes soup and side dishes.

Of course, you might be looking to try some traditional Scottish food while in Edinburgh, so also check out our post of Scottish Restaurants.