We love how Tapa blends classic Spanish flavours with fresh Scottish ingredients, giving the place a distinct charm. For instance, dishes like the Iberian pig cheeks and Galician octopus are good examples of this mix.

The menu’s got plenty to offer without feeling overwhelming. There’s a solid range of tapas for every preference—meat, seafood, veggie—and if you’re celebrating, you can even choose from their liquor, cocktail, and other alcohol selections they have.

It’s also great that they take dietary needs seriously, with a dedicated gluten-free menu that doesn’t feel like an afterthought. 

We also appreciate that they roll out some good-value deals, like lunchtime offers and tasting menus, which let you try a bit of everything without going overboard on price.

The only drawback? They’re closed on Sundays and Mondays, which can be a bit frustrating if you were hoping to pop in for a special occasion at this time.

Still, booking is simple through their website, and the staff are friendly and switched-on, making the whole experience even better.

The lunchtime deal is superb  

“Couldn’t recommend this restaurant enough. The atmosphere and decor is so comfortable. The staff are very friendly and helpful. The food is simply divine. The lunch time deal is superb value and we thoroughly enjoyed the dishes. There was a large vegetarian selection. Highly recommend the Baked cheesecake and churros for dessert! The coffee was also delicious.”

Helen Robinson McClean, Google Review

Food was incredibly delicious 

“A hidden gem well worth the trek out of the tourist heavy Old Town area. The food was incredibly delicious, with a fantastic value £15 lunch option so you can try a variety of dishes. The squid ink and prawn croquettes and the carrilladas were perfectly cooked, and the flavours really highlighted the ingredients.”

Kristi-Lee Kane, Google Review

Sitting just a few minutes’ walk from Edinburgh Waverley and right across from the Playhouse, La Sal is a top pick for pre-theatre dining or a relaxed evening out. It’s easy to reach, even if you’re just in town for a short visit.

What stands out is that they don’t hold back on flavour. Our personal favourites include the Gambas al Pil Pil (king prawns with garlic and chilli oil), Carrillera Ibérica (slow-cooked Iberico pork cheeks), and Pulpo a la Gallega (Galician-style octopus).

If you’re into paella, they’ve got a lovely selection, like seafood, meat, and veggie versions. And for dessert, you can’t go wrong with the churros or the almond-rich Tarta de Santiago.

They’ve also priced things fairly. With tapas starting at around £5 and fixed-price menus under £20, you can try a mix of dishes without spending a ton.

One small snag is that they usually open at 5 PM during the week, so it’s not the place for a lunchtime craving. But hey, it’s perfect for dinner—and if you’re after authentic Spanish cooking in the city centre, this spot delivers. 

Great dining experience 

“Impressed by this tapas place! We ordered Carrillada Ibérica (stellar pork), Patatas Bravas (bit of spice), Pastel De Berenjena (lovely veg), and Croquetas (creamy). All of it was very tasty and served quickly. We threw a few too many potatoes in the mix (oops) but appreciated each plate all the same. Great dining experience.”

Marianne Schiappa, Google Review

Generous portions

“Delicious food in a perfect location for The Playhouse. Generous portions too which suits a hungry horse like me. Goat cheese salad, croquettes and the chorizo were just some of the dishes that I scoffed appreciatively. Bright surroundings; can’t wait to go back.”

stephen mcdonald, Google Review

With branches on George Street and George IV Bridge, Café Andaluz is close to major landmarks, shopping streets, and just a short walk from Waverley Station.

Their popular dishes, like honey-mustard chicken, meatballs, and garlic prawns, hit the mark every time. The flavours are bold but balanced, with rich sauces and generous portions that both first-timers and tapas lovers will enjoy.

They’ve got set menus too—three tapas plus dessert for around £20 to £25, making for a good value Spanish meal in the heart of the city.

Another big plus is that the menu clearly marks gluten-free and vegan options, and the staff are happy to help if you’ve got dietary needs or allergies. It’s a relaxed place to eat with friends who all want something different.

Just a heads-up, though: it can get pretty noisy during busy dinner times. So, if you’re after somewhere quiet and intimate, this might not be the best place.

Nonetheless, Café Andaluz is a top contender thanks to its wide-ranging, shareable tapas menu, warm setting, and central locations.

Phenomenal food, experience, and ambiance

“Phenomenal food, experience and ambiance. We were well impressed with our tapas, wine and desserts. Everyone in our party said this was one of the best meals we’ve had anywhere. Would highly recommend and would love to come back next time we visit!”

Aliya Mooney, Google Review

Lovely place, with a great atmosphere 

“Lovely place with a great atmosphere, great service & pretty good value too, in fact it was so good we returned for breakfast the next morning”

Peter Hazell, Google Review

Malvarosa gives off a cosy vibe, and the warm terracotta colours and rustic decor make it feel like a little escape from the usual city buzz.

Some dishes you’ll hear people rave about? The Albondigas (meatballs in tomato sauce), Chorizo a la Sidra (chorizo cooked in cider), and Berenjena Rellena (stuffed aubergine with ratatouille and manchego) are all big hits. 

And if you enjoy a good paella, they’ve got freshly made variations with chicken, seafood, or a bit of both.

Speaking of variations, they offer vegetarian and gluten-free options that don’t skimp on flavour. The Berenjena Rellena, for example, is a delicious choice if you’re looking for a meat-free option without sacrificing taste.

But it’s quite a bummer that the place is pretty small, so it fills up fast during peak times. And while service is generally attentive, it can slow down when things get busy.

On the bright side, with its location being a short walk from the beach and comforting Spanish dishes, Malvarosa is definitely worth considering.

Yummy small plates and great service

“Yummy small plates and great service! The fried eggplant was delish! I suggest you make a reservation as they are quite small and pretty popular.”

Free Candy, Google Review

Lovely restaurant 

“Lovely restaurant. A nice chill vibe on a Thursday and the service was great. We had tapas which was delicious with lots of options (even for vegetarians!). The homemade bread was especially good. Would highly recommend and we will be back”

Eleanor Jordan, Google Review

PIGGS is one of those places that quietly surprises you. The menu sticks to the Spanish roots but throws in the occasional curveball, like the Tortilla con Haggis.

The Pollo al Ajillo is a must-try—tender, garlicky, and swimming in this white wine sauce, you’ll want to mop up with bread. Same goes with croquetas; classic, crispy, rich.

Though the portions aren’t as massive across the board (the Patatas Bravas in particular felt a bit light), the quality is there.

They take care with the drinks, too. A tight but thoughtful wine list, plenty of Spanish bottles, and cocktails.

What’s nice is they actually think about dietary needs beyond just ticking boxes. Gluten-free diners are looked after properly—they’ll even use a separate fryer if you ask, which isn’t always a given in tapas spots.

However, it does get cramped when busy, and if you don’t book ahead, you might be out of luck, especially on weekends. But the atmosphere makes up for it—it’s lively without being chaotic, and the staff keep things moving without rushing you out the door. 

Staff were incredibly helpful and friendly 

“We had such a great experience at Piggs! The tapas was absolutely amazing and the place had a lovely vibe. The staff were all incredibly helpful and friendly, especially Nora, who was so attentive and made excellent recommendations – she really made our visit so special. Would definitely recommend this place!”

Olivia Donnelly, Google Review

Reasonably priced food and drinks 

“Was able to get a weekday night booking here on short notice. The tapas were great and came in good sizes. Reasonably priced food and drinks, and the staff were very friendly. Rare to get this combination in the middle of touristy Old Town. My only comment is that the seats are quite packed and the music is too loud given how many people are also trying to talk.”

Wilson Tansylim, Google Review