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:
crispy pigs cheeks, pickled shallots [gf] £5.50
lamb salami, caper berries [gf] £6
soppressata –
london made spiced pork salami [gf] £6
deep fried kabanos, herb mustard £5
coppa – british pork collar, pickled fig £6
fishy:
salt cod & ‘nduja bonbons, parsley mayo £5.70
kipper pâté, sourdough croutons £5.50
beer pickled mussels £5
beetroot salmon gravlax, dill, shallot [gf] £6
taramasalata, pitta chips £5.50
veggie|vegan:
purple sprouting broccoli [ve,gf] £5
parsnip skordalia, honey, dukka [ve, gf, n, s] £5.80
mixed olives [ve,gf] £5
white bean dip [ve,gf] £5.50
sumac chickpea sticks, yoghurt dip [ve,gf] £5.20
crispy fried enoki mushrooms,
gochujang mayo [ve,s] £5
sourdough bread+butter [v] £4.50
sourdough crackers [ve] £3
dairy:
fried paneer, curry leaves, green chilli [v] £6
crispy gnudi, sugo [v] £6
labneh, za’atar [v,gf,s] £5
isle of mull cheddar, treacle soda bread [v] £5.50
small plates
mackerel tartare, smoked mackerel, whipped arran mustard crème fraîche, sourdough crisps [s] £7.70
rabbit & leek pie slice, caramelised apple £8
pearl barley salad, dried sour cherries, nuts + saffron & orange blossom dressing [veg,n] £7.50
celeriac, sweet potato & porcini pie, lambs leaf, red onion, french dressing [v] £8
medium plates
red mullet, charred cabbage, béarnaise sauce, wakakme & mirin poached shallots [gf] £9.80
pressed mutton confit, sage & anchovy butterbeans £11
neep & tatie hash brown, vegan haggis, whisky mayo, chives [veg] £9
poached cheese & herb dumplings, broad bean & almond pesto, black trumpet mushrooms, charred spring onion, garlic sautéed courgettes [v] £9.50
cheese plate: loch arthur cheddar [v] | gubbeen | alp blossom | blue murder [v] + selection of pickles, bread, butter, oat cakes
2 cheese £11 | 3 cheese £16 | extra cheese portion £3.50
large plates
herb butter roast cod fillet, 3 bean & tomato casserole, ‘nduja bitterballen, honey & basil dressing £18
slow cooked rosé veal cheek, dill mashed potato, pickled puy lentils, white wine poached salsify & cavlo nero [gf] £18.75
£18.50
turnip, chickpea & rose harissa tagine, herby cous cous [veg] £17
dirty burger: 6oz beef pattie, sloppy joe, cheese whiz, crispy matchsticks, pickles & [s] £13.50
KFT burger: buttermilk fried tofu, buffalo sauce, gherkins, pickled wake, iceberg lettuce & tartare sauce [v] £13
desserts
beetroot, hazelnut crémeux, whipped yoghurt [v,gf,n] £8
chocolate tart, frozen coffee caramel mousse [v] £8.50
sticky toffee pudding, oat chantilly cream [veg] £8.50
set milk, blood orange, passionfruit, basil [gf] £7.50
sides
charred greens, anchovy dressing [gf] £5.50
sweet potato & celeriac dauphinoise [gf] £5.50
hand cut chips [v] £5
sweet potato fries [v] £4
skinny fries [ve] £4.50
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 August:
mon: 14:00-00:00
tues: closed
wed: 14:00-00:00
thurs: 14:00-00:00
fri/sat: 12:00-03:00* subject to change
sun: 12:00-00:00
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