Duck & Waffle Edinburgh

Edinburgh’s slightly soulless St James’ Quarter has acquired a good dose of personality via Duck & Waffle. A brand synonymous with hedonistic late-night dining and dizzying views, its Scottish outpost adds quirkiness to this corner of the capital.

The decor might not be for everyone - we’re perched in The Nest where feathers are trapped between glass tabletops as if there’s been some of pillow fight between services and there are TV screens wrapped around pillars that show a series of screensaver-like imagery. However, there’s no denying the interiors are eye-catching, and this restaurant knows exactly who it is and who it’s serving. It’s built for good-time groups taking selfies in the mirrored walls and brunch-goers looking for photo-ready food.

Service is meticulously honed; friendly with Scottish warmth and unbelievably efficient. We’re hardly through the door before Prosecco arrives at the table. Either they get a bulk discount or they’re missing out on a keen business deal, nearly everyone in the place is the sipping the stuff. If you can resist the bubbles, a classic Bloody Mary is very good, spicy, and heaped with a savoury smack of shaved celery ribbons.

Little snacks of sticky coated corn ribs and cheesy, molten-centred polenta croquetas herald the start of a playful meal. Regrettably we skip past both the duck and waffles on the main menu - a regret we’ll have to learn to live with - in favour of a bowl of lentils suspended in a deeply savoury viscous broth and topped with a pretty little ring of miso yogurt and toasted buckwheat for texture and funk. Another main presents a precisely carved piece of pork belly crowned with a crackling crumb, cut through with mellow Japanese mayonnaise and sweet pickled cucumber.

Dessert brings a waffle (we weren’t going to make the same mistake twice) with a hefty cosh of deep-fried Mars on top, plus hazelnut ice cream and a jug of thick fudge sauce. It’s anything but delicate, but it’s wonderfully glutinous in that magical way that speaks to your inner child and confirms that they were right all along: a sweet and sticky rib-sticker is never not delightful.

Sky-high London restaurant Duck & Waffle has flown over to Edinburgh, settling in at the swish new St James Quarter.

The 8,400 square foot site is found on the fourth level of the complex and is directly accessible from Register Square. Duck & Waffle is an all-day operation, serving a menu of playful modern British dishes that make use of seasonal and local produce and are designed for sharing. The restaurant’s eponymous signature dish sees a sweet waffle topped with crispy confit duck leg, fried duck egg and mustard maple syrup, while other dishes on the menu include a spicy ox cheek doughnut and whole roasted corn-fed chicken paired with wild mushrooms, ratte potatoes, truffles and herbs.

Duck & Waffle is also well known for its popular weekend brunch, which includes a mix of sweet and savoury options. Guests can opt for the likes of barbecue beans on toast topped with chives, or go for full on indulgence with The Full Elvis: a waffle topped with peanut butter and jam, caramelised banana and Chantilly cream. Drinks wise, Duck & Waffle serves a range of unique house made cocktails that offer innovative takes on classic sips, alongside the usual wines, beers and spirits.

Duck & Waffle originally debuted in London in 2012 and opened a more casual offshoot, Duck & Waffle Local, in London’s St James’s Market in 2017. That site has since closed, but an international outpost in Hong Kong still operates. Duck & Waffle Edinburgh is the first UK site for the brand to open outside of London and joins plenty of other big name restaurants at St James Quarter, including SUSHISAMBA, Bonnie & Wild and Pho.

Speaking about the opening, Duck & Waffle’s Managing Partner & Brand Visionary Shimon Bokovza, commented: 'Duck & Waffle was born in London and we’re proud to spread our wings to Edinburgh’s anticipated St James Quarter as we expand globally.'