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 7.25

saucisson sec, pickled turnip, seaweed butter [gf] 7.25

salt & pepper salami, sauce gribiche [gf] 6.70

stornaway black pudding, islington ‘nduja, tomato stew 7

fishy:
warm white anchovies, rye bread, apple jelly 6.60

kedgeree bon bons, curried mayonnaise 6.70

roasted brandade, baguette 6.80

scallop boudin blanc, fried sesame, seaweed [gf] 7.50

veggies:
wild mushroom paté, oatcakes [v] 6.80

scotch bonnet spiced kimchi, toasted peanuts [ve,gf,n] 6.50

beetroot & chestnut terrine [ve,n] 6.70

crispy fried dill pickles, ranch dip [v] 6.50

dips:
tartor, roasted chickpeas [v] 7.70

whipped beetroot & lemon thyme ricotta, sherry-soaked currants [v] 7.20

sauce gribiche – egg, capers, tarragon, chervil, gherkins [v] 7.20

green olives, anchovies, capers, herbs, parmesan, olive oil [v] 7.20

creamy tofu, onion, garlic [ve] 7.70

breads:
sourdough, cold pressed rapeseed oil [ve] 4.70

seeded rye bread, seaweed butter [v] 5.10

sourdough crackers [ve] 3.20

bread selection, crackers, olives, oil, butter [v] 8.70

small plates

potato crumpet, sautéed leeks, arbroath smokie, welsh rarebit 9.25

jerusalem artichoke skins, artichoke, pear purée, walnuts, lemon zest [n] 7.80

breaded & fried confit venison, grenadine syrup, quince, pomegranate & watercress salad 9

parsley root & apple roasted terrine, black pepper créme fraîche, pickled parsley stalks [v] 8.60

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 12

shellfish mac ‘n cheese [sh] 12

celeriac, celery & chive “risotto”, ash rubbed goat’s cheese, apple crisp [v] 11.70

yellow dal tadka, green chilli, coriander [ve] 10.50

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 18.50

beetroot, mushroom & bean burger, green chilli chutney, blue cheese, onion rings, house bun [v] 15

ham burger – ham hock & smoked pork burger, grúyere cheese, spiced tomato chutney, corn fried gherkins, house bun 16.50

sides

mixed leaf salad, french dressing [ve,gf] 4.60

roast tatties [ve,gf] 5.20

roast roots [ve,gf] 5.20

cream cheese & crinkle cut chips [v,gf] 6.70

skinny fries [ve,gf] 4.70

sweet potato fries [ve,gf] 5.20

desserts

pear & hazelnut clafoutis, créme fraîche ice cream [v,n] 8.60

warm toffee & banana terrine, deep fried cornflake crusted ice cream [v] 8.20

grand mariner chocolate mousse, orange shortbread [ve] 8.70

salted honey pie, honey whipped cream [v] 8.70

info

please note: due to the size of our kitchen dishes may not all arrive to the table at once

menu subject to availability

[v – vegetarian / ve – vegan / n – contains nuts / s – contains sesame / gf – made with gluten free ingredients [prepared in a kitchen that uses gluten]

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 9.80

rave nation

fresh, boozy, floral
quiquiriqui, mezcal, escubac, violette, liqueur, lemon, maraschino liqueur 9.80

disco to pisco

tart, aromatic, sour
pisco, rhubarb liqueur, honey, orange bitters, fennel, lemon, sugar, egg white 9.80

70’s garnish

tropical, zingy, sour
white rum, parsley, grapefruit bitters, lime, sugar 9.80

strawberry fields

fruity, fragrant
amarosa rosehip liqueur, strawberry liqueur, ginger liqueur, cava 9.80

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, 9.80

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 9.80

classic

short, boozy, legendary
martin miller’s westbourne gin or ogilvy vodka, vermouth, lemon or olive –made your way 9.80

sage david

fruity, herbaceous
ocho reposado, greengage, sage, king’s ginger liqueur, lemon, sugar 9.80

40 thieves

fresh, light, aromatic
black pepper infused vodka, limoncello, saki, bay syrup, egg white, sesame, citrus 9.80

nod to rob

fruity, aromatic, easy
ocho tequila, lychee liqueur, absinth rinse 9.80

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

For bookings or general enquiries, please phone or email:
t. 0131 466 8550
e. info@underthestairs.org

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find us

tucked away in the old town
3a Merchant St.
Edinburgh
EH1 2QD

opening hours for april/may:

mon – thurs: 16:00-00:00
fri – sat: 14:00-01:00
sun: 14:00-00:00

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