Review: Sòlas Bistro, great value on Rodney Street

Sòlas Bistro at 52 Rodney Street in Edinburgh has only been open for a handful of days at the time of writing, yet it already delivers a charming, well-priced dining experience worthy of 4.5 out of 5 stars. Stepping into the competitive Rodney Street dining corridor, the green-fronted bistro combines warm hospitality, flexible opening hours, and carefully executed comfort food to establish itself as an immediate contender.

The Rodney Street location and atmosphere

Rodney Street occupies an interesting geographical niche just off the centre of town. It serves as a busy pedestrian route heading up into the city, lined with high-quality food establishments before feeding directly into Broughton Street, where the culinary competition grows even fiercer. Expectations and stakes for any new arrival on this stretch are understandably high.

The first minor hurdle at Sòlas Bistro is the front door, which is a bit stiff to push open, though that tight seal does a fine job of keeping the cold Edinburgh weather out. Inside, the room is cosy and intimate, outfitted with a small collection of tables suited to pairs, threes, or fours. Larger groups would struggle to fit, making it an ideal venue for a quiet, friendly meal with a friend or partner. Even in its opening week, locals were already showing strong interest; during service, diners expanded their bookings to bring more friends along, and the bistro managers accommodated those last-minute changes without a hint of drama.

At the time of visiting, Sòlas Bistro did not yet hold its liquor licence. In practice, that is no bother at all because it sits right next door to The Beerhive, making it effortless to pop out and fetch a round. Once the licence arrives, bringing in a selection of posh wines will be a natural fit for the room and a smart margin builder for the kitchen. The bistro also neighbours Eden Seafood, a handy local fishmonger on the same street where the kitchen sources some of its fresh fish.

Sòlas Bistro menu and pricing

For a neighbourhood bistro in this part of town, the pricing is remarkably favourable. Alongside a set lunch menu offering two courses for £25 or three courses for £30, the main menu keeps individual dishes accessible:

• Appetisers (£3.00 to £5.00): Marinated Gordal olives (£4), sourdough bread with cultured butter (£3), haggis croquette with neeps and tatties (£5), and breaded haddock with gribiche sauce (£5).
• Starters (£6.95 to £9.95): White onion velouté with bread and butter (£6.95), ham hock, caper and parsley pressing with piccalilli and toasted sourdough (£7.95), twice-baked Comté cheese soufflé with hazelnut dressing (£8.95), and smoked sea trout with mustard, dill, cucumber, and whisky-glazed soda bread (£9.95).
• Mains and Grill (£16.95 to £34.95): Options range from a chicken Caesar salad (£16.95) and wild mushroom risotto (£17.95) to confit duck leg cassoulet (£22.50), pan-roasted cod in bouillabaisse sauce (£23.95), feather blade of British beef en croûte (£25.95), and a chargrilled 7oz ribeye steak with confit cherry tomato, onion rings, oyster mushroom, triple-cooked chips, and peppercorn sauce (£34.95).
• Desserts (£6.95 to £11.00): Sticky toffee pudding with salted caramel sauce (£6.95), apple tarte Tatin (£7.50), Valrhona dark chocolate and orange mousse bombe (£8.50), and a Scottish cheese selection with grapes, rhubarb, ginger chutney, and oatcakes (£11).

Ham hock pressing, bistro burger, and Koffmann fries

To start, I ordered the ham hock, caper, and parsley pressing served with piccalilli and toasted sourdough (£7.95). As a big eater, I almost always find myself wishing for an extra slice of bread with terrines and pressings, yet Sòlas Bistro got the ratio spot on. Neither the ham nor the sourdough overwhelmed the plate; the seasoning was sharp, and it was a pleasure to eat. Anecdotally, plenty of other tables were ordering the exact same dish throughout the evening.

Choosing a main course required a genuine wrestle with the menu. The £34.95 chargrilled ribeye steak and the £16.95 chicken Caesar salad were both tempting, but I settled on the beef burger with bacon, cheddar, lettuce, and tomato in a brioche bun, served with Koffmann fries (£18.95). Part of the draw was sheer curiosity over how much of a difference named Koffmann fries actually make on the plate. They make a big difference, arriving crisp, hot, and well-seasoned.

The burger itself was everything a proper bistro burger should be. Rather than a greasy smashburger towered high with chaotic toppings wrestled from the heart of a Texas roadside diner, this was a sensible, generous plate of food. Partially because of the smart bistro setting, and partially because of the sheer size of the patty and bun, I opted to tackle it with a knife and fork rather than by hand.

Things to do near Rodney Street

Rodney Street sits right between Canonmills at the bottom of the hill and Broughton Street at the top, making Sòlas Bistro a handy stop before or after exploring the northern edge of the New Town.

• Walks and Green Spaces: Head down the hill to Canonmills to pick up the Water of Leith Walkway, or cross over to Inverleith Row for an afternoon at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. For a quieter green space closer to the bistro, King George V Park sits just behind Rodney Street with open grass and play parks accessed via Eyre Place or Scotland Street.
• Shows and Comedy: Walk ten minutes up Broughton Street towards the top of Leith Walk and Picardy Place to catch touring musicals and live gigs at the Edinburgh Playhouse or a late comedy bill at The Stand Comedy Club on York Place.
• Local Food and Drink: Right on Rodney Street, you can browse craft beers and wines at The Beerhive (handy while Sòlas awaits its liquor licence), pick up gourmet toasted marshmallows from The Marshmallow Lady, or grab fresh bagels at The Bearded Baker. Carrying on up Broughton Street opens up traditional pubs like The Barony and Mathers, or courtyard drinks at The Outhouse.
• Travel, Stays, and Nights In: If you are visiting the capital from further afield, Edinburgh Waverley railway station is a 20-minute walk (or a short bus ride) up the hill; you can check timetables and book rail tickets via TheTrainLine. If you are planning an overnight stay in the neighbourhood, you can check availability for New Town townhouses and hotels through Booking.com, browse curated city flats on Plum Guide or VRBO, or arrange vehicle hire from the city centre via Rentalcars.com. On nights when you would rather stay in than dress for a bistro table, you can order local Edinburgh takeaways straight to your door through Deliveroo or Just Eat.

Made-to-order apple tarte tatin and verdict

Despite strong competition on the dessert list from the sticky toffee pudding and the Scottish cheese selection, the apple tarte Tatin with Normandy crème fraîche (£7.50) stood out. Staff gave a polite heads-up that ordering the tarte Tatin meant a short wait as the kitchen bakes it fresh on demand. Rather than acting as a deterrent, knowing it was made fresh sealed the decision. The wait was entirely reasonable, and the warm pastry and caramelised fruit made it well worth the patience.

Operating from noon until 10:00 PM six days a week (Tuesday to Sunday), Sòlas Bistro offers impressive flexibility alongside charming service and honest pricing. It is an easy recommendation for almost any occasion and a standout newcomer to watch on Rodney Street.