Under The Stairs, nestled in the heart of Edinburgh at 3A Merchant Street, offers a delightful culinary escape within its warm, inviting bar atmosphere. Reviews consistently highlight the thoughtful menu that marries quality and reasonable pricing, especially significant in a tourist-heavy area. Diners rave about the generous portions, with standout plates like the double smash beef cheeseburger and a selection of innovative taster plates—each dish brimming with flavor. Laetitia Butler praises the cocktails as a perfect prelude to a night out, while Alex Holds38 emphasizes the superb taste of their seafood offerings, particularly the spaghetti with clams and mussels. Reviews also reflect a high level of service; many guests note the attentiveness and recommendations provided by the staff, enhancing the overall experience. A highlight for many is the indulgent challah eggy bread dessert, leaving a lasting impression worth returning for, as noted by Sam Light. Additionally, the cozy ambiance combined with the variety of unique cocktails amplifies the appeal of Under The Stairs. Overall, this bar not only captivates with its culinary creations but also nurtures a sense of local charm, making it a must-visit spot when exploring Edinburgh.
Amenities and More
Accessibility
No wheelchair-accessible car park
No wheelchair-accessible entrance
Service options
Serves dine-in
No delivery
No takeaway
Highlights
Has great beer selection
Serves great cocktails
Has great wine list
Popular for
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves food
Serves food at bar
Serves spirits
Serves wine
Amenities
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Romantic
Trendy
Crowd
Good for groups
Popular with tourists
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Parking
Paid street parking
Difficult to find a space
Photos
Reviews For Under The Stairs
Laetitia Butler
May 24,2025
Great food at reasonable prices, especially in a highly touristy area. Menu is thoughtful and portions are generous. Nice cocktail list too. Would recommend if you’re looking for a local spot before venturing out to any of the bars/venues in the area.
Alex Holds38
May 19,2025
All 6 plates we had were superb. Standout dish for me was the spaghetti with clams and mussels. Really kind and attentive staff. Thanks for an amazing experience! Will definitely be coming back.
Sam Light
May 18,2025
This was our first dinner experience when we got to Edinburgh (on the recommendation of our host) and it did not disappoint. Both dishes were delicious: the French dip sandwich and the potato and gouda pierogis. Both waiters/bartenders were attentive and provided great recommendations on beers and a dram that my husband tried. The star of the meal was the challah eggy bread dessert, we’ve been thinking about it for days. Couldn’t recommend this place more!
Lu Itovich
Apr 29,2025
This place is extremely nice. Food was great. My favorite was the fish pie but everything we tried was flavorful and delicious. A bit pricey but totally worth it.
Leonor C.
Apr 21,2025
Amazing place. Super cosy atmosphere, friendly staff and the food was incredible. I’ll be going back. Edit: I did go back, and food and service were excellent again! Amazing cocktails, too.
Jenna Sänkiniemi
Apr 7,2025
Great food, friendly staff, cosy and comfortably quiet on a Monday evening - really enjoyed our time here!
Karen Mulvey
Mar 21,2025
5 stars across the board for this place for me!! The food was unreal and so reasonably priced. We actually way over-ordered at the start but they were good enough to allow us cancel some as we just could not fit in another bite! Had a lovely bottle of Albarino to wash it all down. The atmosphere is very chilled out and the staff were just the right amount attentive and very friendly. If you come across it do yourself a favour and give it a go!
edward brown
Mar 18,2025
Great time under the stairs, the cocktails were well made and the food delicious with lots of variety. The place has a cool vibe and the staff were very friendly and attentive to my partner and I . We would absolutely go again when back in Edinburgh.
Reviews For Under The Stairs