Eat in Southside and Newington, Edinburgh

Mosque Kitchen ★ 4.4

Mosque Kitchen on Nicolson Square in Southside Edinburgh, opened 1998 inside the Edinburgh Central Mosque courtyard, a counter-service Pakistani-style.

TryLamb biryani

TipOrder at the till, pick up at the counter; the lamb biryani at £7 is the long-running lunch deal for medical students.

Stewart Brewing ★ 4.2

Stewart Brewing in Loanhead on the south edge of Edinburgh, founded 2004 by Steve and Jo Stewart, a craft brewery running a Craft Beer Kitchen with public.

TipTheir Craft Beer Kitchen runs public sessions for brewing your own pint; book ahead by a fortnight via their website.

Mosque Kitchen ★ 4.4

Mosque Kitchen on Nicolson Square in Edinburgh, serving halal Pakistani and Indian curry, rice and naan at prices barely changed since the 1980s, cash only.

TryLamb curry with rice and naan

TipPeak lunchtime queue moves fast. Order the lamb curry with a naan and bring cash for speed.

Bonnie Burrito ★ 3.8

Bonnie Burrito on South Clerk Street in Edinburgh, a student-area Mexican counter building burritos and bowls with fresh-cooked fillings for under £10.

TryBuild-your-own burrito

TipThe Clerk Street branch is the original and busiest. Go at 12:30 rather than 13:00 to skip the university lunch wave.

Kebab Mahal ★ 4.1

Kebab Mahal on Nicolson Square in Edinburgh, a halal Punjabi curry house open since 1979, serving tandoori grills and biryanis until 02:00 on weekends.

TryTandoori mixed grill

TipLater is better here: after midnight on a Friday the atmosphere is distinct. The lamb tikka is the order.

Kebab Mahal ★ 4.1

Kebab Mahal on Nicolson Square in Edinburgh, a halal Punjabi grill open since 1979, serving tandoori chicken and lamb curry until 02:00 on weekends.

TryTandoori grill and lamb curry

TipCash is quickest for the late-night takeaway crowd. The lamb tikka and naan is the order after midnight.

The Dog House ★ 4.2

The Clerk Street bar in Newington runs a queer-friendly alternative programme with eclectic decor, regular drag nights and a quieter dance floor than the Pink Triangle clubs.

TipThe Saturday alt-rock DJ is the standout, arrive by 22:00 to grab one of the upholstered booths near the bar.