Budget
Kebab Mahal
Great value "diner" type establishment which serves excellent kebabs as well as some of the best curries in town, all at rock-bottom prices. Eat in or take-away. Run by Muslims so there are lots of vegetarian options but no alcohol license. Popular with students as it's close to the University - don't let them have it to themselves!
Meadowood Oriental Cafe
15 bread street edinburgh (http://www.meadowood.co.u...). only a five minute walk from princess street, meadowood has a fantastic range of juices, soups, and is probably one of edinburgh best secrets. the prices are very reasonable and the staff are incredibly friendly. meadowood is an absolute must visit!
Oink
34 victoria street. this small eatery does one thing, the pulled pork sandwich, and it does it extremely well. no chips, no crisps, no sides, just pork, sauces and a roll. it's quite cheap, with 5 pounds getting you a sandwich and a drink. well worth checking out for meat lovers.
Edinburgh Central Mosque Kitchen
, located just off George Square, the Mosque Kitchen is a classic student hangout, with meat and vegetable curry available for around £3.50.
Baked potatoes tatties are also a Scottish staple. Some say the best in town can be found at the Tempting Tattie, 18 Jeffrey Street. A tattie stuffed with enough fillings for a family of 4 can be had for under 5 pounds.
Midrange
Suruchi Restaurant
14a nicolson street, (http://www.suruchirestaur...). traditional indian cuisine but the menu also features scottish dishes with an indian twist. look out for their haggis pakora!
The Panda Inn
Among a good Chinese restaurants is the The Panda Inn in Bruntsfield just 100 metres up from The Kings Theatre.
Petit Paris
38-40 grassmarket. traditional french restaurant complete with chequered tablecloths and whitewashed walls.
David Bann's Vegetarian Restaurant
56-58 st mary's street (http://www.davidbann.co.uk). imaginative and tasty vegetarian food; some courses are suitable for vegans. main courses cost about â£10.
Black Bo's
57-61 blackfriars st (http://www.blackbos.co.uk). just off the royal mile. vegetarian restaurant that caters for meat eaters with their tagline reading "you can bring your bloody friends". inventive desserts that cater for vegetarians and vegans.
Mezbaan
14 brougham street, tollcross (http://www.mezbaan.co.uk). a south indian restaurant and a rare treat because it serves indian "street food" dishes such as dosas. there also can't be very many restaurants in the world serving vegetarian haggis pakoras. and they are as tasty as they are rare!
Thai Orchid
5a johnston terrace. moderately priced, but serving delicious thai food, with vegetarian options.
The Bombay Bicycle Club
6 brougham street. average indian restaurant offering the usual array of indian and curry dishes. attentive staff.
The Elephant House
One of Edinburgh's more famous cafes is The Elephant House (http://www.elephant-house...), which shamelessly cashes in on being where J.K. Rowling wrote much of the first Harry Potter book. 21 George IV Bridge.
Le Sept
There can't be too many restaurants on the Royal Mile where even in the height of festival season, the bulk of the clientele are Edinburgh locals, but this is the case at Le Sept. Classy, but in a casually chic way, rather than the stuffy French restaurant stereotype. The chef focusses on straightforward cooking with quality ingredients, and the menu is keenly priced. The set lunches in particular offer excellent value.
Bangalore Tandoori Restaurant
52 home street, tollcross (http://www.bangalore-rest...). open since 1984, the bangalore offers south indian dishes from a traditional menu.
Cafe Marlayne
7 fishmarket close. chic and intimate french bistro serving up exquisite french cuisine.
Back Stage Bistro
Round the side of the Kings Theatre is the excellent Back Stage Bistro. Small, so book ahead. BYOB - "Scotmid" Store right across the road.
Chang Thai Restuarant
(http://www.chang-thai.co.uk), 29 cockburn street, 1 craig's close, tel "0131 225 7007", well priced restuarant that offers a complete thai dining experience.
reform
267 canongate, the royal mile (http://www.reformrestaura...). they brand themselves as being "consistently different". food is often unusual, always fresh. most dishes are offered in starter and main course sizes, which is a great idea if you're finding it hard to choose.
The Witchery Restaurant
(http://www.thewitchery.com). just beside edinburgh castle, the witchery is a small, beautiful candle-lit restaurant with fantastic food, excellent service and a wonderful wine list. even their bread basket is a standout. highly recommended, but expensive.