The Blackbird

Marking the boundary between busy entertainment hub Tollcross and the slightly more sedate bistro vibe of Bruntsfield, The Blackbird attracts a hip-young-thing clientele who create a not-unpleasantly-busy atmosphere most nights of the week. Both the food and drinks menus reflect the customer base: beers are typically either continental or craft, and the food selection includes a few admirably adventurous veggie-friendly options (not least a caramelised pear and cashew salad, which carnivores can pimp out with chicken or tiger prawns for £4 extra, or the oven-baked aubergine, zucchini and spinach cake with goat’s cheese). The cocktail list is well curated too, with edgier titles like Shotgun Shoes and Unorthodox Behaviour backing up the more traditional mojito, daiquiri and cobbler crowd. Should all that go to your head, there’s always the secluded, soft-lit beer garden to retreat to, at a quiet remove from the busy Tollcross traffic.