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:
beef bresaola, smoked apricot coulis,
rocket [gf] 7.20

grilled old spot pork belly terrine, morcilla, soppressata [gf] 7.60

pork pâté en croute, pistachio, armagnac 7

lomo, extra virgin olive oil, lemon [gf] 6.80

fishy:
cod, smoked salmon & seaweed terrine [gf] 6.70

herring in wine, fennel, beetroot 6

black tempura calamari, aïoli 6

sea trout, charred buttermilk, charred cucumber tartare [gf] 6.50

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

veggies:
vegetable rillettes, oatcakes [ve] 6

bloody mary smoked tomato, chervil [ve] 6.50

charred aubergine & herby veg toast [v] 6

courgette, goat’s cheese & lemon thyme
terrine [v] 6.50

dips:
buffalo chicken & cheese + celery [gf] 6.80

pea & mint, lemon oil + crackers [ve] 6.20

greek yoghurt, feta & onion + pitta [v] 5.85

sweetcorn, jalapeño & cream cheese, crispy bacon, oregano + tortilla chips 6.30

small plates

grilled tenderstem broccoli, tkemali sauce, walnuts, sour cream [v,gf] 9

smoked haddock & pollock frittata, fermented wild garlic, pink peppercorn & lemon béarnaise [gf] 9

seggy’s black pudding & pork momo dumplings + tomato & chilli chutney 8.50

crisp crumbed asparagus, garlic toum, pickled grapes, shallot, lemon zest [ve] 9

table plates

cheese: cheese selection, pickles, bread,
oatcakes 22

pickle: root veg pickles, gherkins, bread, olives, seaweed butter [v] 19

charcuterie: house charcuterie, cobble lane cured meats, bread, butter, olives 25

salad plates

georgian red kidney bean salad, crumbled feta, herbs [v,gf] 13

smoked ham hock, jersey royal potatoes, watercress, free range egg, cider vinegar dressing [gf] 14.50

smoked trout, pea shoots, radish, broad beans, horseradish cream, chervil. lemon [gf] 15

fennel, kohlrabi, orange, almond, pomegranate [ve,gf,n] 13

large plates

swiss chard, potato & onion pie, red cabbage, pickled allium, sauerkraut, mustard crème fraîche [v]18

fish of the day – check specials MVP

hairs bree, slow braised lamb neck, seasonal greens, nettle pistou, shaved tinto 19.75

vegan curd ravioli, smoked tomato, marjoram & fennel ragù, onion compote [ve] 17

double smash beef cheese burger, potato latkes, chive cream cheese, gruyère, green pepper, onion, dijon mustard & white bbq sauce, potato bun 16.50

tikka paneer, potato & carrot burger, curry butter sauce, coriander chutney, sev, crispy onions, pomegranate, iceberg, red onion, potato bun [v,n,s] 15

sides

charred greens, pickled wild garlic stems [v,gf] 5

roast shallot buttered jersey royals [v,gf] 4

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

shoestring fries [ve] 4.70
+ side curry butter sauce [v,n,s] 1

sweet potato fries [ve] 5.20
+ side curry butter sauce [v,n,s] 1

desserts

watermelon & strawberry tartare, mango, basil, coconut ice [ve,gf] 8

peanut butter & jelly, brown bread ice cream, peanut butter parfait, bourbon syrup 8.50

lemon tart, rhubarb sorbet [v] 8

dundee cake, marmalade ice cream [v] 8

chilli chocolate truffle [v] 2

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 10

rave nation

fresh, boozy, floral
quiquiriqui, mezcal, escubac, violette, liqueur, lemon, maraschino liqueur 10

disco to pisco

tart, aromatic, sour
pisco, rhubarb liqueur, honey, orange bitters, fennel, lemon, sugar, egg white 10

70’s garnish

tropical, zingy, sour
white rum, parsley, grapefruit bitters, lime, sugar 10

strawberry fields

fruity, fragrant
amarosa rosehip liqueur, strawberry liqueur, ginger liqueur, cava 10

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, 10

aperitivo time

bittersweet, crisp, refreshing
luxardo bitter bianco, berry bros gin, apple liqueur, cava 10

the rdj

punchy, aromatic, serious
wray & nephew overproof rum, yellow chartreuse, elderflower gin, citrus, sugar 10

classic

short, boozy, legendary
martin miller’s westbourne gin or ogilvy vodka, vermouth, lemon or olive –made your way 10

sage david

fruity, herbaceous
ocho reposado, greengage, sage, king’s ginger liqueur, lemon, sugar 10

40 thieves

fresh, light, aromatic
black pepper infused vodka, limoncello, saki, bay syrup, egg white, sesame, citrus 10

nod to rob

fruity, aromatic, easy
ocho tequila, lychee liqueur, absinth rinse 10

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 £10pp deposit is required for all bookings of 6 or more people

– 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:

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

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