cosy, casual, shabby chic. followers of no trends, just a purpose to make you feel at home.
eat
no geographical boundaries or complication, thoughtful use of the best seasonal ingredients & trusted local suppliers lead to a tasty outcome.
taster plates
meaty:
pork shoulder rillettes, baguette, cornichons £7
saucisson sec, pickled turnip, seaweed butter [gf] £7
salt & pepper salami, sauce gribiche [gf] £6.50
stornaway black pudding, islington ‘nduja, tomato stew £7
fishy:
warm white anchovies, rye bread, apple jelly £6.50
kedgeree bon bons, curried mayonnaise £6.50
roasted brandade, baguette £6
scallop boudin blanc, fried sesame, seaweed [gf] £7.50
veggies:
wild mushroom paté, oatcakes [v] £6.50
scotch bonnet spiced kimchi, toasted peanuts [ve,gf,n] £6
beetroot & chestnut terrine [ve,n] £6.50
crispy fried dill pickles, ranch dip [v] £6
dips:
tartor, roasted chickpeas [v] £7.50
whipped beetroot & lemon thyme ricotta, sherry-soaked currants [v] £7
sauce gribiche – egg, capers, tarragon, chervil, gherkins [v] £7
green olives, anchovies, capers, herbs, parmesan, olive oil [v] £7
creamy tofu, onion, garlic [ve] £7.50
breads:
sourdough, cold pressed rapeseed oil [ve] £4.50
seeded rye bread, seaweed butter [v] £5
sourdough crackers [ve] £3
bread selection, crackers, olives, oil, butter [v] £8.50
small plates
potato crumpet, sautéed leeks, arbroath smokie, welsh rarebit £9
jerusalem artichoke skins, artichoke, pear purée, walnuts, lemon zest [n] £7.50
cubed, breaded & fried confit venison, quince, pomegranate & watercress salad, grenadine syrup £9
parsley root & apple roasted terrine, black pepper créme fraîche, pickled parsley stalks [v] £8.50
cheese: loch arthur cheddar [v] | gubbeen | alp blossom [v] | blue murder [v] + beetroot chutney, pickles, bread, butter, oat cakes
2 cheese £12 | 3 cheese £17 | extra cheese portion £3.50
medium plates
rabbit & rice porridge, crispy chicken skin, spring onion, fried garlic, chilli crisp, fried bread £11
shellfish mac ‘n cheese [sh] £11.50
celeriac, celery & chive “risotto”, ash rubbed goat’s cheese, apple crisp [v] £11.50
yellow dal tadka, green chilli, coriander [ve] £10
large plates
homemade chewy rich noodles, candied squash, sage, kale, butternut squash & cashew sauce [ve] £16.50
fish of the day – check specials £ MVP
twice cooked chicken ballotine, pecan stuffing, roast pumpkin, gnocchi, maple jus £16.50
beetroot, mushroom & bean burger, green chilli chutney, blue cheese, onion rings, house bun [v] £14
ham burger – ham hock & smoked pork burger, grúyere cheese, spiced tomato chutney, corn fried gherkins, house bun £16
sides
mixed leaf salad, french dressing [ve,gf] £4.50
roast tatties [ve,gf] £5
roast roots [ve,gf] £5
cream cheese & crinkle cut chips [v,gf] £6.50
skinny fries [ve,gf] £4.50
sweet potato fries [ve,gf] £5
desserts
pear & hazelnut clafoutis, créme fraîche ice cream [v,n] £8.50
warm toffee & banana terrine, deep fried cornflake crusted ice cream [v] £8
sticky toffee pudding, oat chantilly cream [ve] £8.50
salted honey pie, honey whipped cream [v] £8.50
info
please note: due to the size of our kitchen dishes may not all arrive to the table at once
please try to eat all of your food as we do not offer takeaway
[v – vegetarian / ve – vegan / n – contains nuts / s – contains sesame / gf – made with gluten free ingredients – prepared in a kitchen that uses gluten]
menu subject to availability
drink
seasonal focus for wines & cocktails, a modest well formed list featuring interesting ingredients, supporting local or small producers best we can.
[sample menu]
carnival
rich, zingy
cachaça, charred cucumber syrup, lime, sugar, pear liqueur, manzanilla sherry £8
rave nation
fresh, boozy, floral
quiquiriqui, mezcal, escubac, violette, liqueur, lemon, maraschino liqueur £8
disco to pisco
tart, aromatic, sour
pisco, rhubarb liqueur, honey, orange bitters, fennel, lemon, sugar, egg white £8
70’s garnish
tropical, zingy, sour
white rum, parsley, grapefruit bitters, lime, sugar £8
strawberry fields
fruity, fragrant
amarosa rosehip liqueur, strawberry liqueur, ginger liqueur, cava £8
some like it hot
fruity, smooth, spicy
yellow pepper, arbikie chilli vodka, banana liqueur, lemon, sugar, orange bitters £8
mary stairs
spicy, medicinal, long
el dorado 3 rum or davna bison grass vodka,
basil, fermented chilli, cucumber, spices, tomato, £8
aperitivo time
bittersweet, crisp, refreshing
luxardo bitter bianco, berry bros gin, apple liqueur, cava £8
the rdj
punchy, aromatic, serious
wray & nephew overproof rum, yellow chartreuse, elderflower gin, citrus, sugar £8
classic
short, boozy, legendary
martin miller’s westbourne gin or ogilvy vodka, vermouth, lemon or olive –made your way £8.50
sage david
fruity, herbaceous
ocho reposado, greengage, sage, king’s ginger liqueur, lemon, sugar £8
40 thieves
fresh, light, aromatic
black pepper infused vodka, limoncello, saki, bay syrup, egg white, sesame, citrus £8
nod to rob
fruity, aromatic, easy
ocho tequila, lychee liqueur, absinth rinse £8
fyi
– we operate by table service only,
so sit down, relax & let us take care of you
– as we’re a bar/restaurant no persons under the age of 18 are permitted after 20:00
– if you are a group coming to visit & or more friends may be joining you, please tell us how many so we can seat you appropriately
– a discretionary 10% service charge will be added to all tables
– we usually allocate 2hrs dining time per booking, please let us know if you would like longer
– last orders for food 21:50
– it is possible on occasion to hire Under the Stairs for private dining / meetings / special events
[contact us for details]
contact us
t. 0131 466 8550
e. info@underthestairs.org
Our Friends
find us
3a Merchant St.
Edinburgh
EH1 2QD
opening hours for january:
mon: 16:00-00:00
tues: closed 10th – we reopen tuesdays from the 17th jan!
wed: 16:00-00:00
thurs: 16:00-00:00
fri/sat: 14:00-01:00
sun: 14:00-00:00
follow the map