The Best Cheap Eats in Edinburgh

The Dogs, a delightful eatery with a strong emphasis on Scottish and British food, deserves a medal. Brilliantly priced and chic to the core, this spot is one of the many hidden gems in the city. From gorgeous interiors and white-corniced walls to affordable wines, expertly crafted cocktails, and enticing food, The Dogs is a fine dining experience without the unnecessary cost. Highlights include the butternut squash risotto, big fat veg soup, mixed and vegetarian haggis with whisky sauce and mashed sweet potato, and the mussels. Head chef Paul Morrison never fails to cast a delectable spell over each dish produced.

Those in the know see The Mosque Kitchen as a second home, but with better food. This Indian eatery is overflowing with exquisite flavours and fresh local produce. With no frills attached, extra attention is placed upon the food and wonderful service. Popular amongst students, tourists and families alike, this chilled eating environment favours disposable cutlery; then again, it’s that good you just want to dig in with your hands anyway. The 3-course buffet, salads and chicken tikka masala with rice are fan favourites for a reason.

Pioneering and pure, Union Of Genius is Scotland’s first soup kitchen. With an ethical approach towards cooking and giving, everything is meticulously planned, beyond yummy, recycled, and sourced locally. Those who bring their own container even receive a delicious free soup. This innovative eatery also provides food to those in need, along with having a Kickstarter Community. With a hipster interior and fresh breads provided from Dough Re Mi, coffee from Artisan Roast, gluten free cakes from Gluttony, and gourmet hot chocolates from Coco and The Chocolate Tree, Union Of Genius is in a league of its own.

The ideal pit-stop for fresher than fresh food exploding with new and exciting flavours, Broughton Deli never disappoints. For under a tenner, foodies can delight in a classic deli style sandwich complete with a beautiful salad. Consider this the perfect place for times when only a baguette will suffice. Oh, and don’t leave without trying the ever so alluring tart or tortilla with salad too.

A hardcore foodie extravaganza, Oink is a meat eater’s utopia. Sourced straight from the best Scottish Borders farms, this little piggy has the best hog roasts in town. Perfect for Culture Trippers on the go, a wee stop here will fulfill all your culinary desires, and then some. Freshly carved and cooked to please, choose from three simple yet satisfying sizes and sauces. Then, bite into a hog roll worth remembering. This is guaranteed to be imprinted into your gastronomic subconscious for eternity.

When in Rome. Nothing beats a hearty pie, especially when on a budget. The Piemaker has been making the foodies of Edinburgh happy since 1995, priding themselves on freshness and flavour. From veggie and sweet to never-ending meat, the myriad of choices in store is verging on overwhelming. The good news is that you can’t go wrong — each bite is as brilliant as the next. With two locations on offer, make it your mission to try every pie in sight. Highlights include the macaroni, the pizza roll, traditional steak, haggis with tatties and neeps, and a plethora of dessert options.

Honest and delectable, Edinburgh Larder is a culinary treat with delicious eats, all locally and ethically sourced from Scotland. Based on handpicked seasonal produce from top-notch producers, this dynamite spot serves a killer breakfast. There are two locations, a take-away place called the Larder and a café with a deli counter. From an epic Sunday brunch and their own coffee roasted in Edinburgh to homemade granola, freshly baked cakes, porridge and heartier options with all the trimmings, every menu item screams quality at unbelievable prices.