Restaurant Review of Avoca

It’s no secret that Stockbridge is one of my favourite neighbourhoods in Edinburgh.  But Stockbridge has more than enough restaurants and bar to satisfy the hungriest of traveller.  My top pick?  The quaint pub/restaurant Avoca.

Avoca is just off the main strip in Stockbridge, on a cobblestone lane called Dean Street.  They are a sister to The Orchard bar over near the Botanic Gardens.  Their motto, as you can see in the photograph,  is “eat. drink. relax.” and they do each brilliantly.  Let’s have a look at each of these aspects of the bar.

Eat

Well, I struggle to call this a bar with a restaurant or a restaurant with a bar.  It really is 50-50.  They open for brunch and serve til late evening.  It can get quite busy during the evenings, and in fact this is the perfect spot for a boozy Sunday brunch.  There’s a decent wine list (my favourite is the Pinot Grigio, which you can also get at the Orchard bar), and the menu always seems to rotate with a special or two.  Some tasty choices:

• Fish and Chips.  Classic, and they have what must be the largest chunky chips in town.  They’re enormous.  They also do a very nice haddock with a white sauce on mash if you don’t want the batter.
• Soup.  Whether it’s the traditional tomato or the trendy leek and sweet potato, the soups are warm and filling.

The prices are quite reasonable as well; a starter and entrée will run you about £13-15.

Drink

This is not one of the “Stockbridge Seven” pubs, which would imply that it would be a quiet place.  But given that it is a popular spot when the footy is on, be prepared for the bar to be packed.  You usually can grab a seat at one of the windows though.  As I said, I love the wine list, but otherwise the bar menu is pretty straightforward – lagers, real ales, ciders, and plenty of bottled beers.

Drinks are pretty standard priced; the wine list starts from £12.50/bottle.

Relax

Cheep and cheerful is what makes Avoca so charming.  There’s a faux fireplace in the front room and then a really nice little “dining area” (quotes intentional – it is not quite a separate room) in the back.  There’s those typical Georgian windows and it’s bright and airy.  Comfy chairs, some good tunes – what’s not to like?

So, next time you’re in Stockbridge and hungry, thirsty, or just in need of a nice place to relax, look no further than Avoca.

Photo Credit Google Maps.