While my mother and I were in Edinburgh earlier this year, we were getting hungry walking around the city and we stumbled across this restaurant. We walk in and were seated upstairs, which gave us a great view of the busy street next to the restaurant. I ordered the fish and chips, a glass of scotch, and the sticky toffee pudding.......all were awesome. The hostess and waitress were really nice and accommodating. The food came out hot and fresh. Overall, it was a great experience and I wouldn't definitely eat here again. read more

Conveniently located near many Edinburgh Festival Fringe venues. Perfect for traditional British food that isn't too fancy. Seems to be able to give you a quick turnaround, if you're in a rush. Battered Fish & Chips - Haddock: A classic and seems to be their specialty. Big flaky fish and nice fluffy batter. Lots of thick crispy chips. Plus mushy peas, if you're into that kind of thing. Only issue is that sometimes they neglect to give you tartare sauce. Breaded Fish & Chips - Haddock: Maybe even better than the battered fish. The panko on top of the batter gives it a nice hearty crunch. Perhaps not traditional, but I'm a fan. Fish Cakes: The two crispy cakes are a much smaller portion than the regular fish. However, they definitely bursting with more flavor from the smoked fish and all the nice herbs. Could work if you split this and a regular fish & chips with someone. Curry Sauce: Took a few reminders to my waitress, but finally got my side sauce. A good helping. Kinda closer to Japanese curry than an Indian curry. Dipping the fries in this is purely amazing, much nicer than malt vinegar. Eton Mess: Save room for dessert! The pairing of smooth Scottish ice cream against crunchy airy meringue is perfect. Plus the raspberry sauce and whipped cream. A great way to end the meal on a sweet note. read more

See all

I have been wanting fish and chips and had this place bookmarked per my boss' recommendation. After a night of drinking, I came here for the perfect greasy hangover food (except it's fish, so it's a bit healthier). I ordered the most popular traditional Battered Haddock Fish and Chips (£10.75). Within 10 minutes, my huge plate arrived. The fish was huge with plenty of homemade chips on the side. It also came with a small side of mushy peas and tartar sauce. I would definitely come back for this fish --it was flaky, tender, and warm on the inside while nicely crisp on the outside, yum! It was absolutely perfect with the tartar sauce for good dipping and flavor. As for the chips, they were a thick-cut, which I would've liked a bit more crispy, but still great. Don't forget to add the brown sauce to the fish and chips! Overall, my stomach left very happy and fulfilled. This is a solid spot for fish and chips in a retro-looking diner. read more

City Restaurant - Battered Haddock Fish and Chips. - British Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

We cleaned our plates! The interior is cozy but they had a booth big enough for five people, which we were struggling to find having just arrived to the city and settled into our airbnb. The service was super friendly and accommodating. As a group, we got both of the fish dinners, the kids pizza, garlic bread, fried mushrooms, mac-n-cheese, and a burger. Traveling with three adults and two kids can be challenging when it comes to food. We want to try things and have very high quality plates and also find things kids will eat. We've struggled most of the trip with this. Taking lots of to-go boxes back to the airbnb that just end up getting tossed. Loved that the kids menu had a small pizza for the kid!! Frankly, loved that there was a kids menu. We loved this place and will likely be back again!! read more

This was another place we tried takeaway, this time fish dinners AND pizza. It was a busy and loud place! Still, in the midst of the commotion, a lovely lady in front carefully checked each meal, placed a seal sticker on it, and packed them away in a carry bag. Very good food, each meal exactly as ordered. Thank you, City Restaurant! read more

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

City Restaurant - Battered cod. Yum yum. - British Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

See all

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! read more

City Restaurant - British Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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. read more

See all

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. read more

City Restaurant - British Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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. read more

City Restaurant - British Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

The City Restaurant is basically your modern incarnation of the traditional Italian cafes that used to be so popular in our cities. It's clean, diner-style interior is bright and cheery of an evening and it's a great place to get a reasonably priced meal or snack before going to the theatre. Yes, they do have a chippy bit at the front but the sit-in menu is much more extensive than that. During the day it's perfect for a filled roll right through to a full greasy spoon fry-up breakfast. Their veggie option isn't that great to be honest, but meat-eaters will be in carnivore heaven. The chippie take-away options are as you would expect, but the portions are good and they'll deep-fry pretty much anything for you. I once saw some schoolgirls ask for a deep-fried curly-wurly (*chocolate bar for those not familiar with local sweets) - I kid you not! They did it too... Always some cheery banter from the staff, no matter how busy it is, and the upstairs is great if you want a quieter experience. read more

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. read more

City Restaurant - British Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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. read more

City Restaurant - British Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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. read more

City Restaurant - British Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

See all

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. read more

City Restaurant - British Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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 read more

City Restaurant - British Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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. read more

City Restaurant - Delicious haddock fish and chips with side salad. Huge portion, fresh taste. Goes great with chocolate milk shake. - British Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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 read more

City Restaurant - Panko breaded haddock. - British Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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. read more

City Restaurant - British Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

We've eaten here for dinner a few times since coming to Edinburgh, so I can only really comment on it as a restaurant rather than as a chippy. City's diner aesthetic gives it a bit of character compared to the other restaurants in the vicinity, with it's bold colour scheme. We decided to give it a shot on this first impression as it stood out from the drab buildings that occupy most of that street. At first we grabbed a corner table, but the seats near the window do allow for a great deal of people watching if that takes your fancy. We also found the staff there pretty friendly and chatty, which also made for a nice relaxed atmosphere. Each time we've visited we've had a good meal, their chip shop chips are great and more flavourful than the regular chips you might get from another restaurant, which was a nice change. Each time we've been we've tried different meals and combinations and never been disappointed. Price-wise it's about average, getting a bit pricey if you really want a steak, though you can have a good meal from £10-20 with drinks, which is decent value. I'd also recommend their cake of the moment as it's a bit cheaper and they normally have really nice cakes on offer. read more

This is one of those Edinburgh institutions that you've walked past a hundred times without a second glance. I was taken here by my colleague who remembers coming here when he was a kid. I don't think I'm talking out of turn when I suggest that that was a long time ago. It looks like a sort of upmarket chippy, with loads of comfy booths. Almost like an American diner, an impression reinforced by the friendly table service. And it's a lot bigger than it appears, with additional seating on the first floor. They do a long list of British greasy spoon standards, but with less of the greasy. I had an omelette and it was deliciously light and fluffy, and a great deal too. Three-egg omelette with choice of filling, served with chips and peas, for £5.95. Washed down with a cold bottle of Caley 80, it was the perfect lunch. Next time I'm out and about in this part of town and looking for a cheap tasty meal, I won't hesitate to come back here. read more

Thank god this place exists. Its devastatingly hard to find a good fish and chip shop near our house, and thank the lord this place is just in walking distance. Super good quality fish and chips and a broad and varied menu. A tiny bit pricy, but worth it for a nice wee treat after a long day. Sitting in feels a bit strange, and I'm not sure I would recommend it unless its peeing it down with rain. This is mainly because I feel like I'm slightly wedged in, and its a bit too boxy and plastic. It feels like being in a cut price sci-fi, that serves fried goods as its main plot. read more

While Benecol is clinically proven to lower your cholesterol, this place is clinically proven to raise it. I guarantee you'll enjoy eating at this place, but make sure you've sent off to China for your donor heart before hand, cuz you'll be needing a new one. On my one and only visit I got a deep fried pizza which I chewed on in the company of two JF's. They, being PHD students, probably viewed me with utter contempt, and were only there with me to conduct a study into socially inept and underdeveloped human beings. As a result I ate with a reasonable degree of dignity in an effort not to draw too much attention to myself. Had I been dining alone, my behaviour would have been distinctly less muted, and I would have wrung the doughy treat out into my mouth like a tea towel saturated with pizza flavoured fat. Then with more enthusiasm than a Romanian prostitute who had just realised she could earn a Leu and get something warm in her belly at the same time, I would have sucked the oily dregs from its limp remains, and given thanks for the privilege. YUM-YUM. read more

It has been a very very long time since I've had fish and chips as I have celiac disease. But!! This place has an Honest to god gluten-free fish and chips!! They taste great and cooked in it own gluten-free fryer! So many tears of happiness. Thank you! Thank you!! read more

City Restaurant - Gluten-free fish and chips options - British Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

See all

I like City Restaurant. It's one of these places that doesn't try to hide in any way the fact that they use frozen, processed food. I don't like all these places around Edinburgh trying to lure the unknowing tourists in with there menu slogans of 'True traditional homemade Scottish food' and what you get has Farmfood written all over it. At City Restaurant you know from the moment you see the very american road side dinner style that I'm gonna get fast food nutrition. So far there is nothing in my words written, that explains why one would want to dine her. Well simply I just really like now and then after a long rainy grey day to sit down in a place where one can put yer feet up, whistle a tune, put my elbow right on the table and hand pushing my face to the side, fork in the other and just eat with out any one giving a damn about my manners. So if you seek this look no further. My rating of three stars? Well first of all any processed food just can't get more then an OK. The only thing that differs a one, two and three is the size of the burger and City Restaurant isn't short on size here. £8.99 for the City burger big enough to hide my face with, plenty of onion rings and chips. Simply shitlicious!! read more

it is so big that i eat one meal in two times. Haddock is a bit tasteless. the chips is very good. It is a good place to bring friends to eat British food. read more

City Restaurant - bread hadduck - British Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

City Restaurant is a decent chip shop with a side line in all day breakfasts and grills. There is plenty of seating (there is more seating upstairs) and the staff are friendly enough. So if you fancy a breakfast or chips and want to escape the cold City Restaurant is fairly pleasant. Why 3 stars, well the issue I have is that it is a bit more expensive than the other chip shops nearby, but the food is of no better quality, heck most of it tastes the same because it is likely from the same supplier... The quarter pounder, mince pie, sausage etc are identical to those found in Central Takeaway, I bring this up because at lunch time Central do a takeaway offer which means a selection of dishes only cost a couple of pounds (and in my opinion they do better chips). In short City Restaurant is fine-to-good if you want somewhere to sit and chat while getting your fried food fix, otherwise there are better options. read more

The big red front and bright lights make City hard to miss! Although it smacked of the type of place that could shovel cheap food out to unwitting tourists, I have to say that it is NOT that kind of place. Yes, it does have a take-away counter and food under heat lamps, but it also has made-to-order food with table service. I was bowled over with the Scottish Pie (Mince) and overly generous portion of chips! I saw several diners ordering breakfast in the evening, so they must be known for providing filling meals at a reasonable price. read more

Owen: I really wanted to like you City Restaurant. CityR: Uh-oh... Owen: Yeah this is the "let's just be friends" bit. CityR: B..b....but...what did I do wrong? O: Well on our first date we had takeaway fish and chips. The batter was more like soggy skin, the chips were pretty "Meh" and you gave me a warm can of coke (fill from the back, take from the front people). C: Ok, but I was having a bad day. I'd just run over my cat or something. O: Fair enough. I'm all for second chances. So I took you out for breakfast. You were adequate. As in average, run-of-the-mill, unexceptional. And what's up with your ketchup and brown sauce? Quick tip; DO NOT LET IT IN YOUR MOUTH. C: I have cute American diner-esque booths! O: You do, you do. You also have the takeaway ordering bit, the cash register and the front door all smooshed together. Leading to the occasional pileup. It's not very Feng Shui. C: ...*weep*... O: And your full breakfast is just shy of £9. C: We can still be friends though? O: Honestly, I already have enough friends. C: Facebook? O: Sure. You'll add me and we'll do a little wall-post tennis then I'll delete you in 6 months and you won't even notice. C: Waaaaaaaahhhh! O: There, there.....there, there....it's all right... read more

They don't make 'em like this anymore, and it's a shame. A greasy spoon / chippy / cafeteria hybrid, City Restaurant is not about atmospheric fine dining, but without even trying manages to have a hundred times more character than the vast majority of Edinburgh's more illustrious eateries. Students, office workers, tourists and dossers. You'll find them all in here, damaging their health via the basic yet tasty grub. A window seat is tremendous for a bit of people watching, and it's the kind of place you won't feel like a weirdo sitting on your own. Just bring a paper. read more

A mixed review. The food was great. Chips, gravy and fish cakes. I think the fish cakes had cheese in too which melted in the middle. Yum. A little over friend but tasty. The chips and gravy.... Well you can't go wrong. There's a bit of issue around the door between people need a seat the takeaway queue. My real issue is 3 hours later I was bed bound feeling like i wanted to vom my guts up. Was this city restaurant? I can't be 100%, the only thing I ate different was the fish cakes... I didn't throw up and after a couple hours laid down and sipping some camomile tea I was right as rain. Just a speculation. read more

This place filled a much needed hole in my fringe timetable recently where we needed warm food and fast! Sitting down was a bonus. Stumbled upon this place which at first looked like a chippy posing as a restaurant but I soon learned it was more the other way around. Excellent table service, warm inviting interior, licensed, with a thoroughly broad menu for what I thought to be a chippy. Pasta dishes, grill, epic all day breakfasts and of course battered fish to name just a few highlights. I went for my usual fish and chips which was gorgeous, crispy batter with flaky haddock and no sign of grease. Slightly overpriced but I all things considered I won't argue. My missus went for a pasta dish which she couldn't finish which is a first. Happy faces all round. Busy wee place, especially the takeaway. Good vibes from here, would like to go back when I'm not in a hurry and maybe sit upstairs out the way of the queues of folk getting takeaway and the stares from street prowlers glaring in the window! read more

Staff are friendly and relaxed in this Italian diner-style restaurant. It's a sort of fast food Italian plus fish and chips. There is a limited range of pasta and pizza dishes so I tried the tomato penne, usually a fairly standard fare. It actually tasted really good, with fresh ingredients, so hats off to the chef. It's as though they've got a really good cook who's limited by the menu. Price is not expensive but it's high enough that would tend to go elsewhere for more ambience and variety. read more

City Restaurant - British Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

I ordered a simple hamburger which they over cooked. So tough I had to use a knife to cut it. No trace of salt on the burger and French fries read more

I have mixed feelings. Ordered fish and chips. Got a good tasting battered cod and good chips. The mashed pees were average and I could be without their tartan sauce which was actually bad in taste. The atmosphere is to sterile for my taste but you sit comfortably. Strange (interesting?) plates. You could not rest your cutlery on them so you have to put them on the table or hold them if you you want to take a pause. Average prices. read more

The City Cafe is a wonderful cross over between a proper restaurant and a take away cafe greasy spoon thing - its really rather good. The food isnt anything special, whether you sit in to enjoy what you have ordered, or take it out. However, the food is tasty, and the portions are huge - the price isnt bad either. The restaurant itself looks a bit 80's - but really, thats not a huge concern unless you were expecting 5 star kinda stuff. Staff seem to be friendly, even late at night when the restaurants main custom is drunken students, but during the day they are always nice. This place is great if al;l you want is a hearty meal at a cheap price. read more

City Restaurant - British Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

This cafe is cheap and is more like a Scottish diner. The ladies serving are friendly enough but don't expect too much from the food. It's basically what the Brits call a "chippie" stuff that tastes ok after a night out drinking with lots of sauces and vinegar. There is plenty of seating area inside but they aren't open very late. Their huge cooked breakfasts are probably like a better option, but only when you crave grease and carbs after a wild night out. read more

City Restaurant - British Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

City Restaurant reminds me of the days of hanging out with my ex boyfriend and his friends, when he turned out to be a right idiot, this diner seems to remind me of the good times. Basically being a chippy cross bred with a greasy spoon you can hear your heart sobbing to your lung (whhyy whyy is she doing this tooo meeee?!) Absolutely fantastic for breakfast, it's one of the best in terms of sheer size. It's almost worth feeling really rough for. read more

Pizza, fish and chips, burgers...all available from this reliable café that is unashamedly on the greasy side of cheap dining. The breakfast are a good filler and the afore mentioned offerings are all a-ok for a last option meal. Late opening times and a city 'diner' atmosphere mean that City Restaurant has a certain charm that the locals seem to pick up on. read more

City Restaurant - British Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

This place has a great range of customers from all walks of life who are loyal to City Restaurant, and I am myself one of them. It has a great menu and there is always something on the menu that you are sure to like no matter how fussy an eater you. The best thing about City Restaurant, is that they always serve you very generous portions, which sometimes I struggle to actually finish, and I normally can put my food away. It's a multi purpose restaurant, in that no matter what time of the day you go there, there is something on offer, in the morning they do a breakfast, for lunch there are baked potatoes and in the evening, fish and chips. Not that I would recommend this diet, but the fact that it's always an option is great. read more