Bia Bistrot

It seems that every new restaurant promises neighbourhood appeal, seasonal produce and locally sourced foods. Bia Bistrot is no different, except it really delivers. Husband-and-wife team Matthias and Roisin Llorente oversee a regularly changing menu, including venison carpaccio, glazed pork belly and a range of perfectly cooked fish. The daily set menu is a bargain at £9.50 for two courses, although this is only available at lunchtime and from 5pm-6pm.
• 19 Colinton Road, 0131-452 8453, biabistrot.co.uk. Tues-Sat noon-2.30pm, 5pm-10pm. Set menu £9.50, starters from £4, mains from £9.50

The Tailend

The Scottish love their fish and chips and where better to enjoy them than the Tailend, which is run by the former owner of the famed Anstruther Fish Bar. To the left is a simple sit-in area and to the right is the takeaway area, where long waits are the norm as all fish is cooked to order. There are specials, such as scallops and smoked haddock, but few order anything other than the traditional fish supper – hardly surprising when the battered haddock is of a calibre most chippies can only dream of. Chips are the homemade variety, naturally.
• 14-15 Albert Place, 0131-555 3577, tailendfishbar.co.uk. Open 7 days 11.30am-10pm. Haddock fish supper £6 (takeaway price), the Tailend traditional fish special £10.35 (restaurant)

Tapa

Out of all Edinburgh's restaurants, Tapa lures me through its doors most often. The attraction is the fun and authentic Spanish tapas coupled with a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Load up on patatas bravas, meatballs and the most perfect tortilla you will ever eat. The special chef's selection lunch for two is ridiculously good value at just £10. Serious consideration must also be given to the aubergine crisps drizzled in honey. The owner has recently taken his tapa brand to the city centre, but it's the original venue in Leith that reigns supreme.
• 19 Shore Place, 0131-476 6776, tapaedinburgh.co.uk. Open 7 days noon-10pm. Average tapas dish £5

Red Squirrel

Over the years, Lothian Road has hardly been synonymous with good food and drink, but Red Squirrel, a neat bar owned by Edinburgh's Fuller Thomson group, is changing all that. On offer every day are two courses for £10. Burgers form a fair chunk of the menu – 10 different varieties to be precise – all of which have their own merits, but if you're stuck, try the guacamole burger. The desserts, including a huge homemade fruit crumble, are unlikely to disappoint either. And if that's not enough, then work through 13 different brands of beer.
• 21 Lothian Road, 0131-229 9933, fullerthomson.com/eating-and-drinking/red-squirrel. Open 7 days from 10am, food served until 9pm. Average main £8, homemade crumble with custard £3.95, beers include Bacchus Framboise, Belhaven Best plus a guest cask ale

Mother India Cafe

The Mother India brand originates from Glasgow but "Edinburgers" are flocking to this south-side restaurant in droves. The star attraction is the super-large Indian tapas menu. While the meat dishes are as tasty as they sound, it's the fish and vegetarian choices that really deliver – the coriander trout and channa dall never fall short of the mark. Take this opportunity to sample a range of smaller-sized Indian dishes, which you might be reluctant to order from a traditional Indian à la carte menu.
• 3-5 Infirmary Street, 0131-524 9801, motherindiaglasgow.co.uk. Mon-Thurs noon-10.30pm, Fri-Sat noon-11pm, Sun noon-10pm Average tapas dish £4

Illegal Jack's

The Tex-Mex fast food trend was slow to arrive in Edinburgh but there are now two excellent rivals – Illegal Jack's in the south of the city and Los Cardos in the north. Illegal Jack's is a slick branded operation with the product to match. While the menu carries fajitas, nachos and tacos, it's really all about the burritos. They're fresh and generously filled with chicken, beef or the local favourite, haggis. With the recent addition of the superb Scottish-produced Brewdog beer by the bottle, this eatery proves Edinburgh's wait for Tex-Mex was worth it.
• 113-117 Lothian Road, 0131-622 7499, illegaljacks.co.uk. Mon-Thurs noon-10pm, Fri-Sat noon-11pm, Sun noon-10pm. Burrito with meat filling £7

Under the Stairs

Tucked away off Edinburgh's Grassmarket is Under the Stairs, an atmospheric basement bar. There are no chips on the menu, but the sweet potato wedges are so good they aren't missed. The food is well-planned and includes superb burgers and generously proportioned homemade fishcakes. Given its popularity, Under the Stairs can no longer be described as a hidden gem – many locals have left the chaos of the Grassmarket behind and made Under the Stairs their de facto drinking and dining destination.
• 3a Merchant St, 0131-466 8550, underthestairs.org. Mon-Sat noon-1am, Sun noon-midnight. Average main £8

Teuchters Landing

This bar is located in the Shore area of Leith and its outdoor seating area is always popular in summer. However, the warm and homely inside area of this bar is an even bigger draw in winter. A formal restaurant (A Room In Leith) lays adjacent, but it's the mug menu of Teuchters Landing which is an absolute steal. Cullen skink (creamy smoked haddock soup), haggis stovies (mix of meat, potatoes and onions) and lamb stew epitomise Scottish comfort food at its very best. The great range of beers, wines and whiskies help make Teuchters Landing the perfect destination for those cold and dark Edinburgh nights.
• 1c Dock Place, 0131-554 7427, aroomin.co.uk/teuchters-landing. Open 7 days 11am-1am. Mug menu £4.95-£8.95

Appetite

Appetite is an Edinburgh catering company, whose creations proved so popular with office workers that they opened a takeaway shop. The dishes change daily but my particular favourites include the enchiladas, fishcakes and the curry. The choice of salad accompaniments for each lunch box is superb. As seating is limited, you might want to take a left turn and head to Edinburgh's stunning Stockbridge district where you can enjoy your lovely lunch by the Water of Leith.
• 42 Howe St, 0131-225 3711, appetitedirect.com. Mon-Thurs 8.30am-6pm, Fri 8.30am-4pm. Average main £5

The Dogs

This is where restaurateur David Ramsdenís canine empire all began. Soon after opening The Dogs he launched Amore Dogs (Italian) and Seadogs (fish). All are popular, but this casual restaurant is the original and the best. The mains for two are good value and good fun. Serving myself a giant cottage pie and a huge portion of red cabbage is my most endearing memory of this place. Dishes such as these typify the hearty and homemade philosophy behind The Dogs. Value is at its peak if you visit during the day, but the evening menu will hardly break the bank either.
• 110 Hanover Street, 0131-220 1208, thedogsonline.co.uk. Open 7 days noon-4pm, 5pm-10pm (kitchen hours). Average main £10

• Jonathan Jones is a writer for The Edinburgh Blog