Indian£southsideDaily 11:30-22:00
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.
Try: Lamb curry with rice and naan
Tip: Peak lunchtime queue moves fast. Order the lamb curry with a naan and bring cash for speed.
Cafe£old-townMon-Fri 08:30-16:00, Sat 12:00-16:00
Union of Genius on Forrest Road in Edinburgh Old Town, Scotland's first dedicated soup cafe serving six freshly made soups daily with flavour-matched artisan.
Try: Bowl of soup with artisan bread
Tip: Six soups rotate daily; the chilli is always on. Closes at 16:00 on weekdays and 15:00 Saturday, no Sunday service.
French fine dining£new-town
Chez Jules on Hanover Street in Edinburgh New Town, a basement French bistro serving a two- or three-course set lunch every day until 16:00, the best-value.
Try: Three-course French bistro set lunch
Tip: The set lunch runs every day of the week, not just weekdays. The croque monsieur and the steak frites are the reliable anchors.
Scottish£old-townDaily 11:00-18:00
Oink hog roast counter on Victoria Street in Edinburgh Old Town, carving a whole suckling pig from 11:00 daily, the city's best £8 lunch in a roll.
Try: Hog roast roll with haggis stuffing
Tip: Closes when the pig runs out, often before 15:00 on busy days. The haggis-stuffed version is the authentic Edinburgh choice.
Mexican£southsideMon-Sat 12:00-23:00, Sun 12:00-22:00
Bonnie Burrito on South Clerk Street in Edinburgh, a student-area Mexican counter building burritos and bowls with fresh-cooked fillings for under £10.
Try: Build-your-own burrito
Tip: The Clerk Street branch is the original and busiest. Go at 12:30 rather than 13:00 to skip the university lunch wave.
Seafood£new-townMon-Thu 17:00-21:15, Fri-Sun 16:00-21:15
L'Alba D'Oro on Henderson Row in Edinburgh New Town, opened 1975 and named UK's best fish and chip shop by The Times, a takeaway chippy chipping its own.
Try: Battered haddock and chips
Tip: Evening-only: opens at 16:00. Arrive at opening to avoid the post-work queue that builds from 17:30.