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    City Restaurant

    3.9 (75 reviews)
    Open 8:00 am - 1:00 AM (Next day)

    City Restaurant Photos

    CITY RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed

    Recommended Reviews - City Restaurant

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    Reviews With Photos

    Battered cod. Yum yum.
    Christine T.

    Fish and chips ( cod, Hake, sea bass etc ). Cold beer. Affordable quick lunch in the city. great service ,clean bathrooms. Near surgeons of museum.

    Jennifer C.

    We ordered City Burger (2 6 oz. Angus patties with melted Monterey Jack, bacon, lettuce and tomato), Margherita pizza, Vegetarian breakfast (potato scone, roasted tomatoes, mushrooms, beans, sliced pita bread, breakfast tea, 2 sliced toast), Italian Salad (mozzarella, prosciutto, salami, sun roasted tomatoes, bell peppers, artichoke hearts, lettuce, Italian dressing, olives, cherry tomatoes). Wonderful, tasty meal!

    Menu!
    Zachary K.

    The place really sticks out when walking down the road given it's so bright red. It has a modern vibe but also some traditional Scottish dishes. I had the steak pie and it was pretty good, but could have used a bit more flaky crust on the top. My friend had the cod fish and the waitress says it's caught daily there so couldn't be much fresher than that! Overall a decent experience but would probably skip for a different place next time.

    Richard D.

    I'd always avoided the City Restaurant as it always looked like a sit-in chippy but after attending an event at the Surgeon's Hall across the road we decided to head over and get something quick and easy. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised against my expectations but wouldn't put it up as a fine dining experience. It is really a good quality chip shop food with the Fish & Chips very good (and nice to have some proper mushy peas to go with them). You can also order a variety of pizza and pasta dishes too which looked acceptable. Price wise it was quite reasonable at just over a tenner for a main meal and a drink so if you need somewhere fairly fast for OK grub then City Restaurant is adequate but if you are looking for a nice meal carefully prepared then go somewhere else.

    Em C.

    I very nearly scoffed at the City Restaurant, for calling itself a restaurant while having a big chippy counter slap bang in the middle of it. But I quickly realised it was more a diner than anything else, and a jolly good one at that! Selling slap-up meals of burgers, chips, and beans on toast, it does diner fayre to perfection. The burgers are pretty massive, the chips are nice and soft and it's got a great bunch of greasy spoon options. It's clean and there's loads of space. It's not the kind of establishment that's open at three in the morning, but although that may come as an inconvenience when you're drunk and in need of food, their opening times are also successful at deterring unsavoury customers at all times of the day. It's great for families and, believe it or not, a wee evening meal for two! For serving up simple but tasty food, it's awesome.

    Eleanor M.

    The City Restaurant is nothing fancy and as previous reviewers have mentioned it's a greasy spoon type cafe. It's pleasant enough though, clean, bright and if you get a seat at the window it's the perfect spot for people watching. The last time I was here it was late afternoon and it was rather busy with people getting after work snacks so we were lucky to get a table. I ordered a full cooked breakfast with a generous helping of sausage (square slice and links), fried egg, beans, mushrooms, potato scone, two pieces of buttered toast and a cup of tea - okay, so not the healthiest meal but it was delicious and I polished it off in record breaking time. I've also sampled their fish and chips and they are also top notch. Overall, if you're looking for a good meal to fill you up but aren't too bothered about counting your calories then this place is perfect.

    Gibson A.

    After finishing an exam about a month ago, myself and two mates decided to treat ourselves to to dinner in City Restaurant. We each had a baked potato with tuna mayonnaise which only cost about £3. The potatoes were enormous and also came with generous side portions of salad - a good deal for such a low cost. The service is friendly and efficient and the menu has a pretty good selection. It also serves traditional chippy food with the usual fish and sausage suppers as well as pizzas which can either be eaten in the restaurant itself or taken away. It does excellent trade as a result of this and is always quite busy around lunch and dinner time. Nothing which they serve is overpriced and the standard of the food is generally quite good, definitely worth a visit for a cheap meal when you can't be bothered cooking.

    Jonny L.

    Despite appearing like some sort of American style diner (and it does look quite cool), City Restaurant is very British. Whilst small, seemingly nothing-special joints like this in the States might actually serve fantastic bagels or waffles or whatever, in Britain they tend to serve standard greasy chips. I think there is maybe some problem involving lack of pride or something. City Restaurant really isn't that bad a place. It's clean enough, friendly enough, it's not exactly expensive. But I'm put off by the quality of the food. Maybe it's because I'm too concerned about what goes into my body that I can't appreciate a place like this. I also find it hard to find great options as a vegetarian although their baked potatoes aren't half bad. There is still some charm to be had here, but some added homely family style cooking, or some quirky speciality wouldn't go amiss.

    Robert L.

    This is one of those places you'd happily eat your dinner at everyday of the year before ending up excessively overweight, but not necessarily unhappy. The food itself is what I'd call good, honest food. The vast majority of it is very greasy, but it doesn't mind it and nor will you as you eat it and not just because it's cheap and fills you up. It's certainly no health shop, but so long as you aren't in here every day it makes a great treat. If you leave here hungry then quite frankly there's got to be something wrong with you. The whole place has an unpretentious atmosphere and it's quite happy for you to sit in or take the food with you, most commonly to eat on your way home after a night out. Order chips in such situations and you'll be pleasantly surprised not only by the price, but also by the quality and volume of the food you'll be given.

    Panko breaded haddock.
    Melissa K.

    The concierge recommended this spot for fish and chips. I would have never stopped here on my own because the decor looks too "fast food-like" but the food was delicious. The portion was great for the price and came with a few delicious sides. The drink menu was surprisingly diverse for what I was expecting from the outside appearance. Definitely recommend for good food, fairly priced, and excellent service

    Alex L.

    Friendly staff, and not in that painfully forced way, good food, expected prices. Like other people have said, it's good greasy spoon food, but in quite a clean place. It looks a bit like a hotel, actually. All the traditional breakfasts come with coffee/tea as well. No need for a long review here, that's really all there is to it

    Delicious haddock fish and chips with side salad. Huge portion, fresh taste.  Goes great with chocolate milk shake.
    Scott N.

    We went for the excellent traditional fish and chips. Deliciously fresh side salad takes a little guilt out of the fried stuff. Brightly colored interior, friendly wait staff and very reasonable prices. Good Italian draft lager. And the milk shakes are made with Di Rollo of Musselburgh, a local supplier that puts the rich and creamy in it.

    Bianca W.

    Nice little diner-style restaurant. They're open breakfast to late and do take away as well. The staff was very friendly and food was good for the price. Not gourmet, but solid diner food! Would definitely come back here.

    Gluten-free fish and chips options

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    Page 1 of 2

    City Restaurant Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - City Restaurant

    During the day it's perfect for a filled roll right through to a full greasy spoon fry-up breakfast.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

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    The Outsider

    The Outsider

    4.1(275 reviews)
    0.3 miGrassmarket, Old Town
    ££

    Three of us stumbled upon The Outsider while out looking for a place for dinner. It was so good we…read morewent back with 2 more friends a few nights later. Nice pleasant room with good size tables and very helpful, friendly courteous wait persons. Very good steaks, and fish, and affogato for dessert. Go to read the creative food descriptions on the menu!

    My wife has been following The Outsider on the socials for a bit. So as we find ourselves in…read moreEdinburgh, this was a must. Tonight's dinner destination. We got here at 6 with no reservation. We were able to be seated upstairs. This place is busy (much busier when we were finished for sure). So if you can, I'd suggest reserving a spot. It's a bit loud in here. Not out of the ordinary for a busy place. We started with the pressed pork belly app. Perfect crisp. Could've used more of the celeriac puree bed. The confit shallots were so good and nicely sweet. Black pudding cubes (small. More of these!). Candied pears. Mmm. Great start. Wife got the char grilled venison on a butternut squash purée and spicy daikon planks (I didn't find the heat, she did tho!). It was excellent and perfectly prepared. Not gamey at all. I got the 35 day aged hangar steak. This is hands down one of the best steaks I have had out in a very long time. So well seasoned! Which was such a pleasant surprise as it left me wanting for nothing to add flavor. The hand cut fries were good but did need some salt. No dessert as, well, our server was scattered a bit all night. We asked for the dessert menu. She brought us dinner menus and we didn't see her for 10 minutes. So we opted to leave, a bit disappointed at the end. We would come back tho. Thats for sure.

    Photos
    The Outsider
    The Outsider - Char grilled Venison, black pepper polenta cake, butternut squash purée, daikon, fine beans, whiskey and passion fruit dressing.

    Char grilled Venison, black pepper polenta cake, butternut squash purée, daikon, fine beans, whiskey and passion fruit dressing.

    The Outsider

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    Mums - Shepherds Pie Vegan

    Mums

    4.1(252 reviews)
    0.2 miOld Town
    ££

    I was so excited to try this place after seeing good reviews but our experience was terrible. There…read morewere gnats everywhere that we were killing at our dusty booth. When our food arrived we finally asked to move spots but the back of the restaurant was just as bad. I can't believe other families weren't complaining. We also found a hair in our appetizer and the mains were subpar. My husband complained about his fries and burger and the manager was combative. They comped us for one whiskey and we left as quickly as possible. The shepherds pie was very salty and the side of veggies was very clearly from frozen.

    **RACIST & DISCRIMINATORY** The young blonde hair girl in…read moreher maybe late-20s hostess, bartender or server (not sure which) was super rude! We came in excited about this place, and the restaurant had open tables at about 6:50pm on a Friday ... we had just walked all day and were starving with a 2-year old and an elderly after walking all over town and sightseeing all day long. However, was told by this girl that they didn't have a seat for us. Although there was no wait, no one ahead of us and empty tables. I told her she could seat us in that booth, we didn't mind since our 2 year old wouldn't be eating. However, she cut me off and said that would not work. I thought that was weird but that should have been That it would take them about 30 minutes to get us a table. We walk around in the cold, come back to the restaurant ... there are plenty of open tables. My husband takes my 2-year old inside to wait so she is not in the freezing rainy cold (especially since she was sniffling). The hostess then says it's going to take longer and that we must wait outside the restaurant. We tell her it's cold, and we've been waiting. She then says ... "This isn't going to work, I'm not serving you. You guys can leave." She did not want to serve of us this entire time! She could have told us when we first walked in, but made us wait and walk around outside in the cold rain with a 2-year old and an 88-year old ... then decides she doesn't want to serve us. We walked in at 6:50pm, came back at 7:30pm, waited until 7:45pm when she told us she wouldn't serve us. By this time all the other restaurants were fully reserved or with 1-2 hour waits. We ended up not able to have dinner that night, and got snacks from the grocery store. DO NOT COME HERE UNLESS YOU WANT HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE! NEVER TREATED THIS BADLY BY A RESTAURANT!

    Photos
    Mums - Kind of cute interior.

    Kind of cute interior.

    Mums
    Mums

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    The Cellar Door

    The Cellar Door

    3.9(28 reviews)
    0.3 miOld Town
    £££

    Had 7 pm reservation. Showed up on time. Plenty of seats. They put us at the table by the door…read morewhere everyone would bump into us passing by us getting to their table. I said for the size of our group can we get the other tables towards the back. There were other tables available and all right behind us. The hostess said no absolutely not guests were to be assigned to their tables. There were people behind us but they were after us; plus they were of smaller size than ours, clearly our skin color is the main issue. They sat us down, and quite a few minutes pass, others trickle in and promptly everyone bumps into me. At which point I told the hostess this is not acceptable. They sat 2 people at a table for 4, in the back while this table of 4 is really too small for 4 people. One thing stood out to me, we were the only non whites. When the last group again bumped into me, I asked to be moved; she then said due to short of staff they cannot change the seating but seeing seriously everyone is bumping into me, she begrudgingly moved us to a corner table with no lights - and not surprisingly no service. I understand the importance of trying to make the white people feel comfortable about not being seen with non whites - the best way is tuck the non whites away - but this is 2022. I am from California and no, this is absolutely unacceptable. Like MLK junior or Rosa Parks, we protected, first by requesting to be moved away from the hallway, then by my two teens and I walking out of the restaurant and finding more tolerant non racist restaurant to eat, and we spent a lot of money on the other restaurant. You too can make a decision to either eat or not eat at this place. The choice is entirely up to you. And this will define who you are.

    Made a reservation via Fork. Evening started well drinks…read morewere excellent Order sparkling water never came to the table neither did a pitcher of tap water. We stared at empty water glasses all night. I order the carrot risotto d arrived so under cooked it had to be sent back It took more than 20 minutes to clear our table ams another 15 minutes to produces dessert menus All in all a very disappointing evening The bottom line-go somewhere else!

    Photos
    The Cellar Door
    The Cellar Door - Great restaurant

    Great restaurant

    The Cellar Door - Very nice and open

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    Very nice and open

    Scran - BISCOFF French toast!

    Scran

    4.3(29 reviews)
    0.3 miOld Town, Royal Mile
    ££

    The desk agent at my hotel recommended Scran for a full Scottish breakfast. He was not wrong…read more First, finding the place was a little challenge. It's not on the main road, but off through a covered alley. You'll see their sign if you look. I ordered the full breakfast consisting of a fried egg, pork sausage link, uncured bacon, fried breaded sausage patty, sourdough bread, potato scone, haggis and blood sausage fried crispy, and baked beans. I'd never tried haggis or blood sausage, but I wanted to say I'd at least tried it. I was shocked to find I really liked both. Not gamey at all. They tasted like well seasoned sausages. Don't fear the haggis! I also had a mimosa and a latte to wrap up the meal. Totally unhealthy, but totally delicious. Service was also great. Slow but steady, and very attentive. If I make it back to Edinburgh, I'll definitely eat at Scran again.

    Can I give more than 5 stars because I absolutely would!!!! I have been dreaming about this cookie…read morebutter French toast with fresh berries ever since I had it. By far the best breakfast I've had... in my entire life!? I found this gorgeous restaurant on Instagram and thought it might an over-hyped spot. Not at all!!!! The food was delicious! AND gorgeous! The latte art was perfect, and delicious. I booked on Open Table and requested a table with a great view. They seated us under the sign and it was just perfect! I highly recommend scran! The servers were so kind and even helped with our group photos.

    Photos
    Scran
    Scran - Eggs Florentine

    Eggs Florentine

    Scran - French toast

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    French toast

    City Restaurant - british - Updated May 2026

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