8 places to eat and drink on Monday and Tuesday nights
From tacos and cocktails to late-night wine bars and riverside bistros, Edinburgh has plenty of great spots for eating and drinking at the start of the week
The Basement Bar
10a–12a Broughton Street
A seven-night-a-week spot for drinks, food or drinks that turn into food with more drinks. Guac mixed at the table is always a highlight, but it’s equally cool if you just want some beers and a bowl of nachos to pick at. Or mix and match your tacos while you ponder the relative benefits of tequila over mezcal.
Chop House
Arch 15, East Market Street
This buzzy split-level restaurant takes pride in sourcing and dry-ageing the very best of Scottish beef. Push the boat out and go for one of their chateaubriand sharers, aged for at least 35 days. Lunchtime express menus and regular offers (like kids go free) mean it’s not just one to save for special occasions either.
House Of Gods Cocktail Lounge
233 Cowgate
So you want to go for a decent cocktail on a Monday night but all your usual haunts are shut? Become a tourist in your own home and prowl the city’s hotel bars, starting with the louche atmosphere and disco ball action at House Of Gods. Their cocktail list is excellent and the vibes immaculate.
Paz Taqueria
64 Thistle Street
This banging wee place is open seven days. The cocktail list is short and punchy and the menu hits all the high spots, generally splitting between pairs of tacos and antojitos to share. Every bite is full of flavour, and they lean towards slightly more unusual toppings and combos. They all go with a Margarita though.
Skua
49 St Stephen Street
Small sharing plates using some of Scotland’s unsung ingredients accompany a fabulous wine list at this seductively dim basement restaurant. Eel on toast is a sticky, smoky success and steak tartare just the right side of spicy. Michelin-level dining is hard to find on a Monday or Tuesday, but that’s where Skua has you covered.
The Tollhouse
50 Brandon Terrace
Set so close to the Water Of Leith that you could canoe home, Tollhouse’s terrace gives tantalising peeks of local wildlife on sunny days. Inside is surprisingly roomy, with diners feasting on well-judged, confident bistro-style food. Their prix fixe menu is a real steal, especially as it runs until 8.30pm on weeknights.
Also try... the always busy and always brilliant Little Capo; beat the crowds with an early week booking or if Monday has been more challenging than you’d like, a bowl of zeppole with a snowstorm of pecorino on top might be just the hug you need from Tipo.
This TipList is taken from Eat & Drink 365, our sister mag recommending the best in restaurants, bars, cafés and more across Edinburgh. Want a copy? It’s available online or across all good stockists in Scotland’s capital; picture: Skua / Stephen Lister.