If it’s a premium steak, good wine and zero pretence you’re after, you can’t go wrong at Edinburgh’s aptly named Steak Restaurant. Conveniently located just a short walk from Princes Street, the Playhouse Theatre and Waverley train station, the high-ceilinged, wooden-floored dining room attracts a steady stream of locals and tourists out for a juicy hunk of beef in a relaxed atmosphere.
As you’d expect, the menu concentrates on steak, with classic on-bone options covering all the usual cuts. Sirloin, fillet, rump, rib-eye and T-bone, all come with mushrooms, vine tomatoes and a green salad, but if you’re after the best, opt for one of the two sharing cuts. While this quality doesn’t come cheap, both the chateaubriand (500g) and côte de boeuf (750g) are served with beef dripping skin-on fries, creamed peas, leeks and bacon, and two sauces of your choice, so it’s a real feast. Alternatively, opt for the restaurant’s tasting menu, which offers excellent value at just £40 a head for six courses (plus an option £25 for paired wines).
Vegetarians do get a small look-in, but choices are limited to a Jersey Royal and nettle veloute to start and gnocchi Sorrentina as a main. Some side dishes are veggie too. Desserts are all cream-based, from mango and kiwi mousse to crème brulee and a selection of ice creams, bringing a cool, smooth ending to a hearty dinner.
No Scottish steak restaurant would be complete without a decent range of whiskies, which is why Steak Restaurant Picardy Place offers an entire page’s worth. There are also plenty of gins and other spirits available, along with cocktails and a decent wine list split into handy pairing groups. Those in a hurry should check out the pre-theatre menu, which offers two- and three-course options for under £30 per person.