Restaurant review: Bodega, Albert Place, Edinburgh

Location

A brisk 20-minute walk from Waverley station to the taqueria at 14-15 Albert Place, but it’s easily reached by bus, too.

First impressions

Beautifully decorated with peachy pink walls and lots of greenery, the dining room is bright and welcoming.

Service

Fast, friendly and efficient, the staff served everything with a smile. It was a busy Saturday night, with every table taken, but we didn’t feel rushed to leave too quickly.

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Menu

At Bodega, the kitchen offer a “taco-driven” menu, with fillings inspired by cuisines around the world. Designed to be enjoyed by all, the street-style corn tortillas are served as a pair, so sharing is encouraged. Every vegetarian dish can be made vegan, and for the many gluten-free options, the chefs use a separate cooking area and fryers.

Taste

Our party of four started with a pitcher of classic margarita (there’s six more styles to choose from, including a spicy version made with chilli infused tequila), alongside guacamole, padron peppers, and a tasty black bean dip. Our favourite set of tacos were stuffed with cauliflower, chargrilled pineapple, smoked hummus and toasted seeds, but we also enjoyed the roasted squash, and buffalo sesame chicken. To finish, we shared churros. All were fresh and delicious.

Ambience

Tables were filled with families, couples and big parties, so there was a fantastic atmosphere. We sat by the window and had a great view for people watching!

Price

Without drinks, our bill was just under £70, which we thought very reasonable for the quality. Including alcohol, the total was £142, so £35.50 each. We’ll be back!

P.S. As well as an extensive cocktail menu, Bodega offer BYO for wine and fizz – one bottle between two, corkage £5 per bottle