The Shore
Price guide: Mid-range
The Shore, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 6QW
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#35 of 40
expert-rated restaurants in Edinburgh- Recommended for:
- Business travellers, Couples, Foodies, Mature travellers, Seasoned travellers, Escaping the crowds, Live entertainment, Relaxation
Expert review of The Shore
Classic Edinburgh bar/bistro on the waterfront at Leith.
The Shore is a genuine old watering hole with locals perched at the bar to prove it. This is an excellent bar overlooking Edinburgh's waterfront and the food is top notch. Choose between a bar table or a seat in the elegant intimate dining room complete with linen table cloths and upholstered banquette, reminiscent of another era. However, there is no pretention; The Shore is very relaxed indeed.
Food and drink:
Robust comfort food is the order of the day, including ham hock cakes with poached egg and hollandaise, a cracking steak and kidney pie and an excellent wine list including a selection bottled especially for the owners in South Africa! All this makes The Shore a local favourite and well worth making the effort to find.
Recommended dishes:
Ham hock cakes, with poached egg and hollandaise sauce - comfort food at it's best. The Shore Sunday lunch is legendary and is perfect with the live Sunday Jazz and a glass of red.
Ambience:
The bar side is clattery and lively with dark wooden tables and chairs, a long bar, chatty bar staff and realxed friendly locals. A doorway separates this from the intimate dining room with its linen table cloths, wooden-panelled walls, mirrors, candles and leather banquette. It's warm and inviting day or night.
There is live music three nights a week and jazz on Sundays; you can wile quite a few hours away in this lively atmospheric spot.
Service:
Friendly and informal.
Location:
Right down on The Shore, this is in the heart of an excellent area for food. In warmer weather you can sit out on the quayside and watch the world go by. Next door is Fishers on the Shore, owned by the same couple - Tia and Jake Miller - which specialises in fish whilst The Shore specialises in more meaty fare.
Price advice:
Food is great and not expensive: £5 for a starter size of ham hock cakes, £7.50 for half a dozen oysters, £8.75 for a two course lunch. These dishes are always on the menu and there are daily specials, but as you can see, it is not over the top price-wise at all.
Tables to book:
Depends on your mood. If you want the bar food scenario, just pitch up and sit where you fancy. If you want a slightly more formal meal then I would suggest asking for the table by the window so you can gaze out as the weather does its worst as you sit in a cosy space with some lovely grub.
Other useful branches:
Fishers next door is a very different experience but equally enjoyable for the fish fans.
More information on The Shore:
- Price guide:
- Type:
- Bar, Bistro, Restaurant
- Food:
- British, Traditional
- Address:
- The Shore, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 6QW
- Telephone:
- 0131 553 5080
- Website:
- http://www.shorebiz.co.uk
- Serves:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Opening times:
- Mon-Sun noon - 1am; full menu served noon-2.30pm and 6-10.30pm
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Reservations:
- Essential at peak times
- Free tags / Keywords:
- Al fresco, Cheap eats, Quick bites, Wine
