Smelled great. Room was cozy and lively. We walked in without a reservation. Many tables had tent cards reserving them for an hour later and we were told we couldn't be served until 2-1/2 hours later because of the reserved tables. I guess it seems common in Scotland. It's just weird to be turned away to let tables sit empty for an hour. Plus the tall hostess girl was the only rude person we encountered in all of Scotland. Give it a try but make a reservation? ‍ read more

This place was recommended on Reddit and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I got the chips that came with multiple dips and salsas. All of those were delicious. I had a great mojito. I also had carne asada tacos. They had nice chunks of tender steak. Overall, a great recommendation. read more

Was surprised to find such good Mexican food in the UK. Birria tacos and nachos were amazing. The place has great vibes. Service was good but not amazing. read more

fish tacos and birria tacos were top choices. Great cocktail and beer options. Service was also great

My friend and I stopped in here on our first night in Edinburgh based on a recommendation from our Airbnb host. We were glad we listened to his advice. The atmosphere was very hip and the service was great. We started off with the margs which were dangerously delicious and easy to drink! Then we ordered the vegan version of the nachos which tasted great as well. For my meal, I ordered the Birria tacos and a side of guac. I was very impressed by the tacos! The only thing I wasn't a fan of was the guac. It seemed to be lacking in seasonings/flavor. Overall, it was a great experience and I would have definitely came back if we were staying in town longer. read more

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Food was delicious, service great! A lot of food!!! Tuesday's buy 2 tacos and get 3rd free was a little confusing. But we enjoyed it and would recommend to others! read more

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We got to The Basement on a Monday before 7 pm on what looked to be a slow evening with few patrons sat. Our drinks took about 10-15 minutes to get to us, but they were well worth the wait. Unfortunately, the waiter seemed to be purposely ignoring our table after he took our food order. More than four tables who were sat after us got multiple drink, appetizer, and food orders delivered. After fifty plus minutes I walked up to the waiter to ask if our order was forgotten and indeed it was. We're quite annoyed because he made eye contact with us and was totally aware that our drinks were empty and that we've been sitting for quite a while without food. This experience ruined one of our only nights out in Edinburgh and I would think twice before trying here if you're visiting as it might ruin your evening. read more

The queso has no flavor. The liquid they pour on it to light it on fire just sits on top and makes it soupy. The Tuesday taco offering is a rip off. We were not informed 2 tacos came with each order and was encouraged by the waitress to order 2 more orders of tacos to our additional 4 orders giving us 13 tacos for 2 people! She also added gratuity for 3 people when we waited 30min for the bill. It's a scam and a money grab. Would not recommend this place read more

What an absolute treat that turned out to be. It's no secret that I'm a fan of Tex-Mex, as is Paul, and this is what had drawn him to the restaurant in the first place, that and, "it looked cool." To be fair, it certainly does. It's a half-floor down and has a very funky feel to it, it's warm, vibrant and fun. They seem to be aiming for flexibility. While their menu is clearly laid out in the standard way, with nibbles, starters, mains and desserts, it also highlights that the dishes are shareable. They're not starters, they're "small plates." The "large plates" are also, "perfect for sharing." If you wanted to, you could just order a selection of food for the table and then mix and match. We opted to share our starters and to order individual mains (although I've never yet eaten in a restaurant with P and not asked if he wants to taste what I've ordered and vice-versa). We went with the chicken croquetas and the duck taquitos. Then I got the fish tacos and P chose the pork burrito. The duck taquitos were great but I loved the croquetas even more. They were golden, crispy and fluffy with gooey chickeny cheesy stuff that flowed out from the middle when you cut them open. Both dishes were served with a dip, both had a fair pinch of spice and a smattering of side salad and both made me wonder if we really might have been better off getting a selection of tapas style dishes from the small plates menu. Until my main arrived. Battered white fish, crisp, fresh thinly sliced salad and chilis, hot sauce, some kind of spiced sour cream, soft silky tacos. So. Much. Delicious. Food. The spice crept up on me. I wasn't fully aware of it until my lips were stinging and by then it was too late. Everything was exactly what I want Tex-Mex to be. Conversely, P's burrito looked a bit bland. He said it was good, but it didn't come with guacamole or sour cream (which made him happy because he's weird) or salsa (which made him unhappy because even he isn't that weird). The result just looked a bit plain and quite dry, but he said the fillings that were there were good, just that he'd request salsa next time. I so, so nearly left it there. Technically, I was full. But they had churros and I think the last time I ate churros was in 2013. It's ok, I know where to get churros if I really want them, it's just that I've either been distracted, full or avoiding the extra calories every other time for the last four years. I crumbled. I have literally not one single regret about this. They were softcrunchysweetcinnamondelicious and the chocolate and chilli dipping sauce was amazing. I would literally go back to The Basement just to eat churros. I had forgotten how good they could be. read more

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Really great atmosphere with eclectic seating options and candle light, good service and food. I did not see a sangria on the menu but they were able to make a tasty red sangria for me! The chili con queso was a surprise! It was lit on fire in front of me! This did seem to leave a bit of a different kind of taste, but I enjoyed it. Smaller portion than expected, same with the tacos but for me I liked the smaller portion size. I then ordered the fish tacos which had a bit of a kick so I had to ask for water as well. Fresh taste though and nice presentation. I'm also just a sucker for Mexican food though. read more

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Got seated. 30 minutes go by and no one comes to take an order. Guy is seated across from me. Immodestly gets service and I got ignored again. Finally just got up and left. read more

I'm giving this place 5 stars because if you live in the UK, you know Mexican food is hard to come by, especially GOOD Mexican food. I've been here for two years and this is the first and only good Mexican I've had. Margarita is fantastic, had it on the rocks. I only wish it was larger! Definitely order the guacamole, they make it right in front of you. You can opt to leave out any ingredients you don't want. Avocados were so fresh! I ordered two small dishes, the ceviche tostada and the special, a butternut squash Crustada. The ceviche was amazing and I don't even really go for ceviche normally. It had a light citrus dressing. Highly recommend for the foodie in the mood for Mexican! read more

The Basement - The chili mxocha cocktail for desert. Espresso and chili and very tasty! - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

Had Lunch here. Burrito was really just rice and 10% meat, no flavours at all. Margarita was not that good either. read more

3 words. Homemade tortilla chips. Had what everyone raved about - guac :) I know I'm from California so nothing compares and it doesn't, but at least they had delicious chips!!! Fajitas were good, tortilla not so much - would be better if it was heated up! Don't get the duck tostado or ceviche. Nothing what you would think. Great and friendly service so the 4 stars along with the chips. Did i say chips? read more

The Basement - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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We enjoyed a fantastic Mexican meal here after reserving a table via Yelp and Open Table. Reservations are recommended as the place gets very, very busy and tables are at a premium. The restaurant bar is downstairs in a very relaxed atmosphere with tables and small and cosy dining booths that you share with other groups of people. The service was fantastic, with the staff making fresh Guacamole at your table, and the food and drink was top notch. I had the Chicken Enchilada, which was some of the best Mexican food I've ever had! There is a decent range of tasty cocktails too. Great venue, Good food, good service. Highly recommended - but remember to reserve a table! read more

The Basement - Chicken Enchilada - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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The basement was by far my favourite bar that I visited on Broughton street. I know it does food as well, but I did not get to try any of that. So I can only comment on it as being a bar. This is what I would call a hipster bar. Cool, dark and with a trendy crowd. They had ten interesting craft beers on tap and loads of bottles as well. I could have spent a good while drinking my way through the various options on offer. Cool modern place doing good beer and I would definitely recommend going for a drink and I will hopefully be back to at some point. read more

The Basement - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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It's probably a good thing I don't live massively close to this place, otherwise I'd end up spending far too much money and time here. I'm a sucker for tex-mex food, for starters, and the fact that they sell alcohol too is just an added bonus. This place reminds me of Under The Stairs on the edge of the Grassmarket, but with a more latino feel to it. That said, the food here isn't cheap. As cool as this underground bar-eaterie may be, if I'm going to pay just under £10 for a main course I could go to loads of other more upmarket places; for a gatropub-style basement place it does seem a little steep. But, there's always a really nice relaxed atmosphere to this place, thanks to its largely twentysomething clientele, and that's something that you can't guarantee in a lot of other places. Prices aside, I love this place. read more

The Basement - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

With empty stomachs, and wet socks we climbed down the stairs to enjoy the offerings that the Basement had to after on a Tuesday evening. Not until after we tried to get in through the wrong door of course (it's the furthest to the left by the way). We were promptly seated and the staff were great. Not overbearing, but helpful enough and recommended a few dishes for us to try. We'd also read a few reviews recommending the guac, so ordered that first. I loved the fact that the guacamole was made right in front of us, and the waitress asked which ingredients we wanted. Obviously we had the lot, and although the guacamole was certainly fresh, it wasn't anything special like I thought it'd be. I'm not sure how though, as we physically saw her put the spices in it, that should make it great?! Weird. We Then moved onto a selection of tacos and small plates for us to share. We had shredded duck, cod cheek, steak tacos and then the ribs. Again, the food was good. Not great, but we scoffed the lot without there being any problem. This all equated to a usual 4 star review. So why the 3 stars? The main reason is because of the price. With small tacos priced at £6.50 for 2, the bill was over £40 including 1 drink each. This meant that it was about the same price as an El Cartel and unfortunately the quality was nowhere near. read more

The Basement - Cod, steak, duck and ribs. - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

Great selection of beers, nice staff, great atmosphere. For 6 weeks I lived down the street from this place. It was often where we stopped on our way home. Those booths in the back hold a special place in my heart...I absolutely loved sitting, drinking, talking, people watching. I cannot even count how many times we sat there drinking great beer and soaking in the place. I definitely recommend it for dates. It's nice and casual. read more

The Basement is brilliant little bar/restaurant situated in (you guessed it...) a basement at the top of Edinburgh's trendy Broughton Street. The bar has an extensive range of drinks on offer: wine, beer, spirit and cocktail drinkers are all comfortably catered for. One of the reasons why I rate this place so highly is that it's one of very few bars to have my favourite beer, Bacchus Framboise, on draught. It's a lovely Belgian fruit beer with a subtle taste of raspberries served in an ice cold glass, I can't recommended it enough! If you're feeling in the mood for tequila, ask for a 'donkey' (the bar man will know what you're on about) it comes served with a slice of orange and it's meant to be sipped and enjoyed like a malt whisky, they have been known to be knocked back as well though! The restaurant isn't the largest of spaces and the tables are quite close together, however this just adds to the sense of intimacy. The menu comprises of a decent selection of starters/light bites and more substantial mains. Everything is freshly prepared and the food ranges from traditional pub grub with a bit of a twist (merlot and rump pie or Grolsch battered sea bass) to classic Mexican dishes like burritos and nachos. The dessert menu is quite short, but the Banoffee pie is phenomenal and they do a selection of dessert based cocktails. Food is served from 12pm until 10.30pm, seven days a week and you can book a table via the website. read more

The Basement - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

Great environment, delicious drinks & friendly, efficient service! Cocktails are all super creative, novel flavours and brilliant names! Local art on the walls & fresh guacamole made at the table. Definitely a place for everyone; dates, mates or family food. Absolutely coming back!! read more

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Don't let the Hawaiian shirts fool you, this basement situated bar and restaurant is actually a Mexican themed establishment...I think? Well, whatever, I like the mix of banter and general good vibes you receive from this bar when you head down the stairs, and what I did approve of was that it was quite dark, but had just the right level of soft, glowing lighting, which is always flattering, and makes everyone look hot. (Note: Good for a successful date, as you don't have to worry about the horror of bright lights showing up any facial imperfections). Anyway, I felt instantly chilled out and relaxed in here, like it was where I'd been hanging out for years, when in fact this was only the third time I'd thought of visiting The Basement in however many years of living in Edinburgh. Shame on me for being foolish and wasting my time in the same old, tired joints, because The Basement is ace. There's definitely an earthy, Aztec feel going on with the walls, quite like having a party in a cosy cave, and there's one of those neon beer bottle signs hanging up at the window, which I always approve of. There's also what looks like a couple of dentist's chairs from some kind of horror film, with a sort of steel spine that winds backwards, teamed with a table with a similar chain, tread idea going on underneath it. That was what our little group identified it as anyway, pretty much like some kind of art exhibit you can have drinks on, very cool. Food was tasty too, my friend enjoyed his generous portion of steak and mashed potato, while I shared the simple but stomach pleasing nachos, cheese, salsa, jalapenos and sour cream dish. I'll definitely be coming back on a non-school night, when I can be more debaucherous and sample one of the tequilas or Mexican beers on offer. read more

This a great little place to eat. It's underground, but it's now pretty well known, regularly voted as one of Edinburgh's best eats and it's not hard to see why. The service is really great - really friendly and chatty but also efficient. And the food was fantastic. I had a spicy pumpkin soup, which was nutty and earthy with hints of chilli and nutmeg. Really tasty. And really cheap too. They also do cocktails and bad shirts. But we'll overlook the bad shirts because the rest of it is so great. It is a popular spot, so the restaurant tends to fill up very quickly, but it's a pretty good spot just to go for a drink. read more

Read some reviews to find something different to eat. This place was overall reviewed well. They were so nice and managed to get us a table (me and my two kids). My kids are picky eaters and they were so helpful in adjusting food choices. I loved the fresh made guacamole and fajita meat was so yummy. I didn't give it five stars because I do wish it had more kid options for us tourists :) Overall definitely try it! read more

There's definitely a buzz about this place and no wonder when the guacamole is prepared freshly in front of your eyes, the food looks delicious, even the chips are homemade and you find some beautiful apple decoration in your gin and juice! It almost seems like every part of the basement is a piece of art, the food, the cocktails, the furniture & the actual paintings. Furthermore the waiters do a great job making you feel at home and taking care of you even when the place is buzzing. read more

The Basement - Gin and juice with some homemade fries - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

It's had a style overhaul which is fair enough as it was looking a bit nineties but that was part of it's charm. It's managed to fit more seating inside which is a plus point and it's better lit which I also welcome, I always thought it was too dark! The food: As another reviewer mentioned about the burrito; I had one and it was nowhere near the size it used to be, you also no longer get a big dollop of sour cream on top, you no longer get the refried beans on the side or the rice. It's just a smaller burrito with a bit of salad and I think it's even more expensive. My friend had the fish tacos which was really just 4 'goujon's (fish fingers) with a couple of flour tortillas and a nice pineapple salad. In a nutshell: It's good but not as good as it used to be, read more

I got the burrito, and while it was very tasty, I thought the portion was incredibly small.. Again I need to emphasise that it was delicious but for me it's important not to leave a restaurant hungry and I'm not exactly a big guy and wouldn't consider myself to have a huge appetite.. Basically if you have a very small appetite and like tapas size meals than this is the place for you, otherwise go in with deep pockets and order a few main courses.. read more

I think this place is great :) We had no idea that it was Mexican. We thought we were just going into a super trendy bar-type place for a cocktail, as I'd seen online that they were known for reasonably priced drinks. My friend and I were pleasantly surprised when we arrived to find a super cute basement backyard which was all lit up, inviting us inside and a great menu with plenty of things to choose from. We ended up ordering a few little dishes and a sampling a few cocktails, which were all perfectly yummy. I'd definitely come here again, because you just can't beat surprise quesadillas! read more

I almost hate to give such a good review for fear this place will become too popular :). Had a great meal at the basement before the theater. Partner had fajitas and I had nachos with chili and chimichangas- all was delicious. We also tried several cocktails which were all reasonably priced and enjoyed each which struck a good balance between potency and refreshing. Atmosphere is fun but not too busy. Staff were all very nice and service was timely. We look forward to heading back! read more

I love this innovative Mexican restaurant. Nothing I tried was run of the mill. The guacamole is made at your table. A variety of ingredients to add to the guac are brought to the table and you choose one or all. The results were great - I just added a bit of table salt. The chicken in the fajitas was perfectly cooked - nicely seasoned, tender and cooked to a perfect temperature. The homemade hot sauces were a perfect topping. I had a chocolate and chili brownie with a scoop of surprisingly delicious and complimenting house made avocado ice cream. The chili was just a touch that brought out the chocolate flavor in the soft, wonderful brownie. The candied, strips of hot pepper garnish was so good, I could have eaten a bowl of them! The homemade limoncello and tonic was a terrific addition! I highly recommend a visit - make reservations as it is quite small. read more

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Yet another great night, thanks Adam!! We ended up at ''The basement, a fun pub in the basement of a Georgian Building on Braughton Street, guys wear Hawai shirts and serve Staropramen!! Before that we went to a small pub opposite, which was a style bar that was may have been stylish five years ago, however the staff looked after us and know their cocktails....I need to leave Edinburgh soon! read more

I don't quite get the allure of this place. I've been a few times, sometimes for drinks and sometimes for food, and each time I do, it's because I've forgotten that I just don't really like it here. First, the food. It's not bad, by any tastes, but it's not brilliant. I'm a tough judge here because it serves Mexican food and I'm a Californian who grew up on the kind of burritos you dream about when you're away from them for too long. Ok, that's a bit of an exaggeration and kind of makes me sound like a total weirdo but the point is that I have VERY high standards for Mexican food and the Basement has never really reached them. I do recall ordering nachos here which went down a treat and which I would definitely give another chance if I found myself back here again. The atmosphere is what just doesn't really sit with me. It's dark, usually quite busy which makes getting to the bar a major pain, and generally feels unwelcoming. I think this is just not my kind of bar - it's somewhere between a pub and a bar, I think, and I'm more of a laid back pub girl. I don't like to have to fight my way to the bar or yell above the crowds. I imagine this place would be much better mid week or if you were sure to have a table, but it's just not anywhere I would choose to go. read more

Totally dont uunderstand this place........at all....! Are you a Mexican restaurant....are you a pub......what are you? The food is ok - the wine is questionable for the price - ther service is ok. Its just a bit pointless - great location going to waste in my opinion. read more

Amazing place. Service was so nice. The decor was very Day of the dead and my part and myself really enjoyed it! We all got something different and no one was disappointed, which is always the goal! And the food! It blew me away, it was very funny filling with that special spicy kick that you would expect from a place like this. 10/10 would recommend! read more

The Basement is one of my favourite Edinburgh gastro-pubs. The food has always been consistently good and the atmosphere relaxed and friendly. On my latest visit I had the fish pie with boiled potatoes and salad followed by one of the best sticky toffee puddings I've ever had. The fish pie was a very generous portion and came in at around £8.50. Packed full of salmon and topped with mashed potato, it filled a large hole and was delicious. The sticky toffee pudding was the size of a doorstop and drowned in pouring cream. YUM. Other good bets on the menu are the burrito and steak pie. I've had the burrito and it's fab; the steak pie looks amazing too. Highly recommended for an affordable meal, with an extensive drinks' menu to boot. Staff are decked out in Hawaiian shirts and are chatty and great for food recommendations. There's also a bar which is frequently packed. I've only really eaten in the restaurant but it gets two thumbs up. All in all, well worth a visit. Go go go! read more

Popped in for an impromptu dinner. Fab friendly service & delicious food at a great price. This was my second or third visit in the last few months and I think I've tried/tasted most of the menu. There's nothing there I don't like. Good food at a good price. read more

Really lovely little bar on Broughton Street. Beautifully decorated interior with a Mexican Day Of The Dead theme running throughout. Just stopped for one daytime drink at The Basement whilst passing. Service, wine and atmosphere being very good. I think it's definitely a trendy, younger persons bar, however I loved the decor and the amazing Day Of The Dead artwork hanging on the walls. I would love to return to try out their Mexican food menu. I noticed a sign - "COLD BEER, MEXICAN FOOD, COCKTAILS, FREE WIFI" - which says it all about this individual little bar and restaurant. Nice place, which unfortunately could be easily missed as it is at basement level, however it's well worth a visit. read more

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Funky lower level bar with decor that looks like it might've been the brainchild of H.R. Giger, but in reality is made of Caterpillar treads and the like. Not the most comfortable, but definitely good conversation starters! Nice barstaff, decent prices, and a very good drinks selection. We had some nibbles as well and they were quite tasty. I'd certainly head back on one of our many trips to Edinburgh. read more

The Basement Bar is like a schizophrenic restaurateur: it just can't decide what it wants to be. You'll find Mexican dishes, pub grub esque steaks, posh eatery style monkfish wrapped in bacon all served in Hawaiian shirt clad waiters. Somehow, even amongst this incomprehensible style, the Basement manages to be somewhere you can identify and relate to: it has a particular quirky style and serves decent food to match. The mojitos here are great too alongside an admittedly deadly Breakfast Margherita (tequila, grapefruit and marmalade) and complement an all round enjoyable dining experience. Nothing too pricey here too, a few drinks and a tasty main course should set you back under £17. Yet another Broughton St showpiece. read more

The Basement - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

This was a dissapointment - we have visited here several timesover the last 3-4 years and it has indeed hardly changed - shame. I would've liked the see this bar maturing a bit. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the atmosphere and the weird corners nooks and crannies, I can even get the dim light (I think) but the restaurant part has always been a mystery (like its food) you never know what you may get / is available to order - what you do get is good cooked food - simple, harty fair. No wasted green garnishes. The mismatched cutlery is fun for the first time, cute-adorable even. But it is difficult to take them serious as a restaurant. - More a .. mm.. toko? Liking to a Mexican Road Cafe. My next visit will be just for the bar. read more