Best Cheap Eats: Affordable Restaurants In Edinburgh

Looking for indulgent Italian eats that are also wallet-friendly? Then you'll love Gusto, found on George Street. This stylish space offers a whole lot of tasty pizzas for £15 or less, topped with everything from goat's cheese or pepperoni to vegan nduja. They also serve all kinds of meat, seafood and pasta dishes, alongside a range of lip-smacking cocktails.

Innis & Gunn in the West End is fronting some fun international plates in a laid-back space, filled with industrial interiors and long wooden tables. They offer tasty dishes like baked camembert sharers, buttermilk fried chicken burgers and classic or mushroom steak fries, as well as a set lunch menu that offers a delicious sandwich and a drink for just £9.95. Be sure to pair your meal with a fresh pint of craft beer, with 26 different taps available.

Looking for the best mid-range restaurants in Edinburgh for cheap eats? Boasting fragrant chicken curries, lamb chops with turmeric chips and tea-steeped chickpeas, Hanover Street venue Mowgli knows a thing or two about good Indian cooking, with an extensive street food-inspired menu. Even better? This restaurant won't set your wallet back too much as several of their menu items go for less than a tenner, alongside their great value tiffin lunchboxes that start from £18. The interiors are just as impressive at the food here, from the hanging ropes and fairy lights to a beautifully decorated ceiling and indoor trees.

Known for its 16th-century features and gastro mains, Luckenbooths from The Bon Vivant Group is a top pick for cheap eats in Edinburgh Old Town, found on the iconic Royal Mile. Delve into elevated Scottish fare, from haggis and swede pie to fish 'n' chips, all washed down with a range of lip-smacking craft brews. And if you're visiting a little earlier in the day, there are plenty of breakfast dishes here for £10 or less.

On Rose Street in the New Town, Italian restaurant and wine bar Veeno is slinging out a range of mouthwatering bites at prices that won't break the bank. Think pizza loaded with wild mushrooms and truffle, meaty bolognese pasta, charcuterie boards and so much more, paired with a delish glass of vino or cocktails for less than £10 each. And if you're looking for a cheap set lunch menu, be sure to check out their offering of two courses for £14.95, or three for £19.95.

For hearty and delicious cheap eats, Stewart Brewing in Bilston is sure to impress. For under £10 you can enjoy a classic margherita or pepperoni pizza touting a signature homemade tomato sauce or, opt for a tasty Caesar salad made up of smoked chicken, parmesan and crunchy croutons. There are 18 taps of constantly rotating craft beer to pair with your meal, to be enjoyed in their modern, colourful venue or out in the sunny beer garden.

A popular chain with over 30 years of experience on the UK high street, ASK Italian Edinburgh is a conveniently located and affordable restaurant found just off Princes Street - perfect for a meal before or after your other errands, activities and visits to attractions in the city centre. Expect twists on classic dishes and flavours, including burrata pancetta carbonara and mushroom truffle calzone on a creamy white base.

Slug and Lettuce is a great option for cheap eats in Edinburgh New Town, with two-for-one cocktails every single day to back it up. Fronting a pretty space, alongside a daytime menu, this venue is sure to fill stomachs up with hearty burgers or wraps, alongside three for £17 small plates such as crispy shredded chicken, halloumi fries or burrata and tomato salads. You can even get your hands on a two-person sharing platter for just £25.95, promising three tiers of tasty bites. If you're not in the area, opt for the George Street location instead.

Boasting rustic interiors and classic British grub, Granary is a Leith venue worth visiting. So, what's on the menu? Think braised pork cheeks, seafood orzo or crispy cheddar mac 'n' cheese, followed by an indulgent sticky toffee pudding with salted caramel ice cream and a butterscotch sauce. And if you visit between Monday and Thursday, you can enjoy a burger and a beer for £20. There's even a whole load of signature cocktails to wash down these tasty eats. You don't need to ask us twice.

After some of the best cheap eats in Edinburgh? Dishing out 2 for 1 meals, BrewDog on Lothian Road is offering up a mouthwatering range of American eats, alongside a cracking vegan Monday deal. Think buy one get one free across all plant-based or vegetarian dishes such as Beyond meat burgers, Buffalo cauliflower wings and truffle cheese fries, here or at Doghouse. Almost all their burgers cost less than £15, and you can also enjoy two sides for £6 any day of the week. Even better? There are over 20 taps of fresh craft beer to enjoy with your meal.

Half price 12-inch pizza every Monday? Yes please. Marcos Pool Hall and Pizza Bar in Haymarket is the place to go for some of the best casual dining in Edinburgh, with toppings ranging from spicy pepperoni to a classic margherita, as well as a cracking selection of gins, beers and wines. Their pizzas can be devoured for as little as £5.75 when this offer's on, though they're not much more than a tenner any day of the week. What's more, there are pool tables aplenty when it comes to entertainment.

If you're on the hunt for delicious brunches on a budget, we recommend checking out the independent, family-run Loudons in Fountainbridge, where you'll find minimalist Scandinavian decor and plenty of natural light. This friendly eatery has been serving the local area since 2011, making quite the name for itself among brunch lovers. Enjoy meals such as Scottish smoked salmon, cinnamon swirl pancakes and peppered beef brisket eggs Benedict for less than £15, as well as cocktails for under a tenner to top it all off. 

All Bar One is known for its cocktails, but it's also home to some great lunch deals. Think any sandwich or wrap with a drink for £9.95 on weekdays, alongside a bottle of house wine and four small plates to share tapas-style on Tuesdays for £26.95. And if it's morning meals you're after, you can enjoy two brunch dishes for £15 before 12pm Monday to Saturday, including truffled scrambled eggs or French toast with bacon and maple syrup.

For the one of the best casual restaurants in Edinburgh city centre for cheap eats, head to YO! on Princes Street. Make your way through the selection of thrifty maki rolls, katsu curries and sticky beef teriyaki that arrive on a signature conveyer belt, with some dishes starting from as little as £2.95 each, and sharing platters coming in at only £14.95. As for drinks? Expect sake or Asahi beer, alongside rice lager from Brewgooder.

Searching for cheap restaurants in Edinburgh city centre? Make your way over to El Cartel and enjoy everything from Mexican tacos and droolworthy street corn to mango chicken wings or deep-fried cream cheese and jalapeno balls, paired with a selection of over 80 different types of mezcal. Every dish here costs less than £10, with the exception of their larger burgers, designed to be shared across the table. Good news - there's also a site in Roxburgh.

Wanna dig into delicious grub without breaking the bank? Venture to Laila on Cockburn Street or in the New Town for some stunning eats and Instagrammable, pretty pink interiors, alongside indulgent cocktails and hot chocolates available from the bar. This quirky spot was founded by two talented women local to Edinburgh, one of which used to be a private chef, so you know you're in for some top-notch Scottish cooking here. Choose from a mouthwatering selection of brunch plates, including shakshouka, pink avocado toast, buttermilk pancakes and loaded harissa beef pittas, all for under £16.

One of the best cheap restaurants in Edinburgh, Wahaca really knows how to nail flavour-packed bites without breaking the bank. Sink your teeth into street eats, including slow-cooked beef brisket tacos and grilled chicken burritos, all while taking in the vibrant atmosphere. You're not missing out on any quality with the price here though, as MasterChef champion Thomasina Miers created this venue with top-notch authentic cuisine in mind, using low-carbon ingredients where possible and indicating the most planet-friendly choices on their menu.

Fronting a menu of Texas-inspired fare for £13.50 or less per dish, Porty Vault is a great choice of affordable dining destinations thanks to their kitchen collaboration with Fred's Backyard Barbecue. Think fluffy rolls stuffed with pulled pork as well as veggie beef brisket buns and all kinds of loaded fries. Thirsty? Pair your bargain bites with a freshly pulled pint or cocktail at this Portobello road destination.

Known for offering unlimited tea or coffee with every brunch or main menu dish, The Last Drop is great for those low-cost meals. Visit this Old Town boozer for its craft ales or the hearty range of grub, ranging from hearty chicken and bacon pies to chargrilled ribeye steaks or cheese-heavy burgers, with plenty of plant-based options available too. And if you're in the mood for something lighter, they're also offering three small plates for £17.

One of the best affordable restaurants in Edinburgh city centre is Teviot Row hotspot: Ting Thai. This industrial-style venue fronts exposed brick walls, canteen-style furniture and a flavour-packed selection of small plates. Our picks? The slow-cooked pork loin rice noodles, crunchy tofu topped with toasted peanuts or spicy chicken wings, with most dishes costing between £10 and £12 each.

When it comes to cheap eats at Edinburgh restaurants, the Latin American-inspired Las Iguanas is at the top of our list. Head inside, where you'll spot vibrant furniture, wooden fixtures and pretty greenery, before exploring the tapas-style plates like loaded nachos topped with shredded chipotle beef, cheese and mango empanadas, lemon fish tacos or cheesy chicken quesadillas. Even better? You can enjoy four cocktails and two dishes here for just £27 per person.

Situated near Edinburgh castle, Baba is a colourful restaurant boasting a delicious Mediterranean and Middle Eastern menu, inspired by the flavours of the Levant. Think mezze plates for around less than a tenner each, including everything from grilled mussels with toasted pitta to pickled shallots and chicken wings, as well as signature cocktails like the Almond Blossom or a rose and hibiscus spritz, all for £12 or less.

Fancy cheap eats in Edinburgh city centre? Visit New York-inspired pizzeria Civerinos at their locations in Portobello, Finnieston, Hunter Square or Forrest Road. Make your way inside, where you'll be met with quirky art deco-inspired tiled walls, retro light fittings and a mouthwatering Italian menu. Our picks? Be sure to devour a spicy sausage or wild mushrrom pizza, accompanied by tasty drinks like their signature frozen margarita. Slices start from as little as £4.25 here, and you can even get a whole 20-inch pie for just £20.

When it comes to the best casual dining in Edinburgh? Paradise palms is the answer. Their small plates start from as little as £2.50, with many of their main meals coming in at well under £15 too. They were voted the best vegetarian restaurant in the Scottish Food Awards for 2017, and they've lived up to that reputation since with a fully meat-free menu of loaded fries, crispy chicken-style burgers, barbecue corn ribs and much more.