I first discovered Rabble on Instagram early last year, and loved the look of the varied menu throughout the day. From brunch to lunch to dinner, or even just drinks there’s everything to choose from. Our first visit last year was for dinner, and we had one of the best steaks we’ve ever had. Since then we’ve been a couple more times each time we’ve been to Edinburgh. I even booked a day trip for Kieran’s birthday last year, just so we could eat here, and it’s become a sort of tradition. Most people go to Edinburgh for the sights, we go for Rabble. 

So we obviously had to go back again during our most recent Edinburgh visit last weekend.

Disclaimer: we were given a complimentary dinner for the purposes of a blog review, but we paid for lunch the following day ourselves.

Typical train problems and delays for the bank holiday meant we were an hour late for our table. I hate being late especially for food but they couldn’t have been nicer about it both when I called up to let them know and when we arrived. 

A bottle of red was the first thing we ordered to start our bank holiday, and the waiter was hot off the mark to pour it out and take out food order. Much appreciated as I was starving.

The menu had changed ever so slightly since our last visit, but overall was as good as I remember with a great mix of lighter options and proper meals. I’ll start with the dinner menu, where there’s a good mix of appetisers, and hot and cold starters to choose from. I’ve previously had a lovely prawn starter, but this time we had sticky sesame chicken wings and the calamari, both of which were excellent and fully polished off.

Other options you could get include fresh soup of the day, chicken ceasar croquettes and Scottish crab salad to name a few. Our starters arrived and were bigger portions than I remembered, there were so many chicken wings and they were by far my favourite. Sticky and full of flavour.

When it comes to mains, and this is the reason that I was first drawn in to Rabble back when I discovered it, the majority of the menu consists of dishes that are cooked to perfection on their open charcoal grill. Meat and fish all feature on the menu, including salmon, chicken, steak, burgers, lamb and pork, all accompanied with various sides and any extra you choose to order (go for the salt and chilli fries or creamy mash – amazing).

I just think food tastes unmistakably better when cooked on an open fire, don’t you? I think the burgers sound amazing, despite not usually being a burger person, and I’d love to try the salmon sometime but every single time I visit I just can’t order anything but one of the steaks.

There are three options, Scottish rib eye, sirloin, or angus rump, each one served with rocket and a choice of peppercorn sauce, onion gravy, garlic butter or hollandaise. We both went for steaks and as always they didn’t disappoint. I don’t know what they do differently but I genuinely don’t think their steaks can be beaten. I previously said this last year so I’m not just saying it!

After over indulging on too many sides, we had to skip desert, and instead finished our wine before moving to the bar area. Which brings me on to each of the different areas in Rabble. It’s just off George Street and is one of those basement bar and restaurants typical of the area. There’s an outdoor, but sheltered seating section, which is a sun trap in summer.

The restaurant tables are at the front of the restaurant as you go in, with the bar forming the centre piece in front of you. There are high seats at the bar and next to it, which is where we sat sipping on G&T’s for the rest of the night. The gin menu is also a big highlight, as you can tailor make your own choosing which gin, which garnish and your choice of tonic.

If gin isn’t your thing, Rabble is also known as a taphouse with a wide selection of drinks on tap. Spot the two huge copper tanks, full of Staropramen directly from the brewery.

Our evening meal was delicious and I’d really recommend it if you’re ever in Edinburgh. I know a lot of people who head to Edinburgh from Newcastle go to the usual places like the Dome, or Tigerlilly’s, but seriously consider this as an alternative. It’s well worth it and in a great spot close to both those places where you can go for a drink before or after.

Lunch at Rabble, Edinburgh

Despite spending all evening here, we both agreed we wanted to return for lunch again over the weekend before our trip was over, so back we went. What is a sophisticated, cosy restaurant in the evening turns into a bright and airy day spot, perfect for brunch or lunch.

The garden bar further out the back is beautiful, like an indoor garden room with a bar and a bit of a different feel to it. We ordered yet more gin, and decided to go for a more tapas style lunch by ordering a few different dishes to share.

The sticky sesame chicken wings obviously left a lasting impression as we got them again, as well as the steak nachos sharer board, some olives, and monkfish scampi. It was a tough call not to get the meat platter as well but when it all arrived I’m glad we didn’t as the portion of steak nachos was huge!

The steak chunks were incredible, so juicy and mixed in with the cheese and nachos. The monkfish was beautiful, with a dip for dipping too.

I’d say it’s more casual during the day, but a perfect spot for some day drinks, G&T’s or some snacks in a gorgeous environment. I think for people like us who visit Edinburgh from Newcastle, there is a definite tendency to go to the same old places because it’s what we’ve known previously. I went looking for somewhere new as I was just so over those places.

Rabble brings something a bit different and fresher to the table, with top quality food, varied menu’s, and something for everyone to enjoy. Next time you head to Edinburgh, I’d really suggest giving it a go, as with four different menu’s depending on time of day, and drinks literally on tap – what’s not to like!

Find more details including full menus on the Rabble website.

Disclaimer: we were given a complimentary dinner for the purposes of a blog review, but we paid for lunch the following day ourselves.