With the Edinburgh Festival Fringe set to kick off on August 7, millions of tickets will be sold and tens of thousands of performances will take place across the city. While many of Scotland’s most renowned restaurants are found in Edinburgh, most people will be spending their funds on shows rather than fancy meals.
Thankfully, the Scottish capital is home to countless restaurants, cafés, and bistros that serve up mouthwatering food at very reasonable prices. Below are some of the best affordable places to eat in Edinburgh during the Festival Fringe this August.
Chez Jules, Hanover Street
This French bistro on Hanover Street is something of a local secret and is a great place to head if you have time between shows in the afternoon. Chez Jules is renowned across Edinburgh for its affordable lunch menu, which includes one course for just £9.90 or two courses for £12.90.
Chez Jules’ authentic à la carte menu includes steak frites, coq au vin, filet mignon, and French onion soup, as well as snails, steamed mussels with fries, and braised lamb shank. There are also various dishes meant for two, such as whole simply roasted chicken and classic French duck and bean cassoulet.
The Nile Valley Café, Chapel Street
This North African cafe is something of an Edinburgh institution, especially among the city’s students thanks to its position close to the university. The perfect place for a quick bite between shows, The Nile Valley Café offers incredible food at a low price.
Don’t be surprised if you see a queue out the door, especially during peak times, but it moves fast and is more than worth the wait. Once inside, make sure to order one of their mouthwatering falafel wraps or perhaps a Samar salad wrap that features a delectable combo of avocado and falafel.
The Piemaker, South Bridge
If it is yummy and unfussy comfort food you are after, look no further than The Piemaker on South Bridge. This friendly and affordable spot offers a huge variety of savoury meat, vegan, and vegetarian pies, as well as a number of pasties for those with a sweet tooth.
Among The Piemaker’s signature items are its peppersteak pie, its haggis pie, its traditional pasty, and its steak and haggis pie. Popular vegetarian and vegan options include the double potato roll, the mushroom Vergas, the Thai slice, and the fiery cheesy dog.
Bariuma Ramen, Cockburn Street
Bariuma Ramen has everything you could want out of a Fringe food spot: a central location, affordable prices, and piping hot noodles. Situated on Cockburn Street, the authentic Japanese ramen shop hails from Hiroshima and is considered by many to be the best in Edinburgh.
All of the soup bases on the menu are imported from Japan, while its noodles are homemade. The restaurant has earned fans for its 'Ultimate Tonkotsu Shoyu Ramen' dish, which features a tamari soy sauce base to enhance the flavours of a pork bone broth. Also available are sides like karaage, katsu curry, and gyoza.
Domenicos, Sandport Street
If you are feeling overwhelmed by the crowds and performances in the centre, head to Leith for a breather. The buzzy neighbourhood is home to many of Edinburgh’s most popular and acclaimed restaurants, but a lot of them come with a high price tag.
For something a bit more reasonably priced, but still absolutely delicious, head to Domenicos on Sandport Street. The Italian restaurant has been serving up authentic cuisine to locals for more than 25 years, with highlights of its menu including venison ragù, lasagne, and linguine alla puttanesca.
