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
pickled chicory, parsley, smoked brasil nuts, black garlic whipped tahini [ve, gf, s] 7.50
smoked lamb belly, sauce riche, mustard cress, pickled red onion [gf] 8
venison tartare, horseradish, jerusalem artichoke, egg yolk, mustard frills [gf] 8.50
bacon wrapped game terrine, apricot & mustard seed chutney, oatcakes 8.50
bread selection, olives, oil, cultured butter [v] 9
cracker selection [ve] 4
rye bread, cultured butter [v] 5.75
guinea fowl forestiere rillettes, toasted sourdough 8.50
brown lentil & walnut rillettes, pickled apple, sourdough crackers [ve] 7.50
lightly cured cod, fermented black bean, toasted nori, kewpie mayo [gf] 8.50
whey poached salsify, squid, shiso cress, smoked garlic, aïoli [gf] 8.25
smoked mackerel pátê, seeded rye crackers 7.75
plaice tartare, green olives, preserved lemon, toasted almond [gf] 8.50
medium plates
crispy slow cooked pork belly, caraway sauerkraut, apple purée, black pudding 18
bang bang noodles, szechuan pepper, green onions, kimchi [ve] 13
celeriac & potato hash brown, picked crab, black trumpet, chard, fine sherry sabayon [gf] 16.50
miso, butter bean & pumpkin soup, cheddar & sage bread [v] 10
share plates
british charcuterie selection, bread, butter, pickles, oil 32
british cheese selection, bread, butter, pickles, oil 28
large plates
beetroot & horseradish cream gratin, roasted salad of swiss chard, pear, bitter leaves, orange dressing [v] 22
french dip: braised & smoked pave of beef & brisket, caramelised onion purèe, dijon mustard, pickles, grùyere, crusty roll, au jus dipping sauce, matchstick potatoes 20
spaghetti, scottish mussels, clams, garlic sauce, bone marrow sofrito & crumb 24.50
potato & gouda pierogi, caper & sultana brown butter, douglas fir sour cream, radicchio & porcini powder [v] 23
shawarma cauliflower, green tahini, red cabbage, pita, matchstick potatoes 22
pie of the day – check specials
sides
chicken fat roast brussels sprouts 5
leaf salad, french dressing [v] 5.50
chilli spiced matchstick potatoes [ve] 4.50
olives [ve] 5.50
kimchi [ve/gf] 5
sweet potato fries [ve/gf] 5.75
shoestring fries [ve/gf] 5.75
crinkle chips [ve/gf] 6.50
+add ons: braised smoked brisket [gf] | kimchi [ve/s] 3
desserts
rye pastry butterscotch tart, whipped cream, date purée, caramelised white chocolate corn flakes [v] 9
challah eggy bread, brown butter ice cream, raisin purèe, vanilla poached pear, maple gel [v] 12
frozen peanut butter, salted toffee & chocolate bar, kasha crunch [v] 9
pumpkin crème caramel, chantilly cream, spiced pumpkin leather, pumpernickel crumb [ve] 9
info
please note: due to the size of our kitchen dishes may not arrive to the table all together
menu subject to availability
[v – vegetarian / ve – vegan / n – contains nuts / s – contains sesame / sh – contains shellfish / r – raw / 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
t. 0131 466 8550
e. info@underthestairs.org
Our Friends
find us
3a Merchant St.
Edinburgh
EH1 2QD
opening hours December:
mon – thurs: 16:00-00:00
fri – sat: 14:00-01:00
sun: 14:00-00:00
**closed 23rd-26th dec / 1st-2nd jan**
Kitchen open until 21:50
follow the map