Review: Herringbone Abbeyhill, a restaurant on London Road

Shortly after it opened, I took my parents and one brother to the Herringone on London Road. The food was excellent, and for some reason, it was terribly easy to wind my father up over the fact that the building was renovated public loos!

“I’m just off to find the loo in this loo,” I quipped.

In truth, the Herringbone Abbeyhill is a stunning transformation. Steps lead up to the building, perched gracefully on the side of the steep hill, and a sheltered outdoor porch where you can drink and eat overlooks London Road.

Herringbone food

Abbeyhell’s Herringbone has a breakfast menu, a vegan menu, and a main menu, a dessert menu.

I’m a big eater and like the main menu format as it has a section for starters, small plates (ideal for wine and sitting outside), mains, burgers and sides. There’s also a specials board.

The last time I went, I had specials, including carrot and coriander soup, a chicken burger, and an affogato with added Baileys.

As a bonus, I had a Buzzworks card. I think this is the first time the Herringbone family has been included in a promotion from their new parent. This January, discount season for hospitality, I enjoyed a whopping 40% off. It was a good enough deal to make me blush.

As is the case with their sister restaurant in Goldenacre, the Herringbone Abbeyhill is a place to go and enjoy good food and fine wine at your leisure. If you’re in a rush then it might not be the best choice.

Service and vibe

I think it’s quite fun arriving at the Herringbone on London Road, climbing the wooden stairs, enjoying the lights and the unusual view of another typical part of Edinburgh. When you push open the glass door, you’re right in front of the bar, and the two parts (inside and out) of the restaurant are to your right.

Staff are friendly and well trained. I finished the food section of this review by suggesting that you shouldn’t come to the restaurant if you’re in a rush, but that’s not a heavy criticism. I am impatient, yes, but it’s more the case that the Herringbone in Abbeyhill has a nice and relaxing vibe to it. The employees are attentive and switched on. It’s just that the kitchen takes an appropriate amount of time, and if several dishes are ready at the same time, my observation is that staff prioritise bringing those to the tables rather than paperwork.

I’ve heard guests ask for recommendations ask questions about food and wine in my several visits and I think that’s a good sign. It suggests that waiters are approachable and that diners aren’t feeling rushed. Importantly, I’ve heard those questions and received confident answers.

I think the opening hours are remarkable too. I’ve often noticed the restaurant appears open when I’ve walked past, expecting it to be closed. It’s open until Midnight on Friday and Saturday, 11pm every other day and it opens at 9am on Friday and the weekend (hence the breakfast menu).

Things to do in Abbeyhill

The Herringbone Abbeyhill is at the top of Easter Road, so if you’re a sportsball fan and foodie, it has an ideal position.

The restaurant is on Calton Hill, so if you keep going up the slope the building is on, then you’ll get to the Nelson Monument and the National Monument of Scotland. You can go down the other side to the OMNi Centre or the Edinburgh Playhouse.

Alternatively, you can go around the hill towards Holyrood Abbey and the Royal Mile.

Overall

I think the Herringbone Abbeyhill manages to be two apparently mutually exclusive things at once – it’s quirky enough to be interesting and familiar enough to be reassuring.

I’d recommend the dining experience, the vibe and the friendly staff. It’s certainly one of the best restaurants in the area, although there’s only a short list of candidates in the immediate vicinity. If you are a local, join Buzzworks.

Take friends here for a birthday treat and visitors to the city for a nice surprise slightly off the beaten track.