Bell's Diner

7 St Stephen Street, Edinburgh, EH3 5AN

Telephone 0131 225 8116
Food served Sun–Fri 6–10pm; Sat noon–10.15pm
Average price £16 (lunch); £16 (evening meal)

The 2013 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).

This review is taken from the current (2013) edition.

Now in its forty-first year, Bell’s Diner has an old-school charm and a resolutely lo-fi feel about it. Its red painted walls – hung with prints of Native American scenes – and simple wooden tables and chairs have remained unchanged for years, if not decades. It’s possible to have starters of salads, fried onions or garlic bread, but the real reason for Bell’s longevity is their reliably high-quality steaks and burgers. Steaks come from Allan Campbell’s butchery in Boswall Parkway and are served with green salad, a mound of crispy thin-cut fries and a choice of flavourings, such as crushed peppercorns or garlic butter. Burgers come in three sizes (from manageable through to massive) with a choice of toppings and a veggie option available. Additional relishes and sauces are also provided at your table. If you can manage pudding, there is a fine selection of ice-cream sundaes, sweet crepes and a sticky toffee pudding to provide a fantastically sugary finale. Service is prompt and personable, the staff coping admirably with the demands of working in a confined space and with constantly turning tables.

High point: Proper, textbook, old-fashioned burgers and steaks
Low point: Some starter options overlap with main course accompaniments, making them a bit redundant

Number of wines sold by the glass: 5
Provides: Gluten-free options, Children's portions, Wheelchair access
Music on stereo: reggae, jazz, ska
Capacity: 32
Largest group: 14
Open since: 1972
House wine: £12.95 per bottle

Comments & ratings

4. Marcela – 19 Apr 2011, 4:15pm Bell's Diner Report

What a great place! I just took my boyfriend there for this birthday yesterday and we both loved it!! The burgers are to die for, the milk shakes are delicious and the sticky toffee pudding yuumm yummm!

The staff are lovely, the waitress was really nice and she even helped me to give him a 'surprise' birthday cake and decorated the sticky toffee pudding with candles.

I would definitely recommend you to book in advance because the place is tiny and for a Monday night it was full!

3. Noteasilypleased. – 16 Mar 2011, 7:10pm Bell's Diner Report: Great place for a good feed , love the burgers and fries, fast friendly service, not a lot of tables so you must book. Been going there since about 1988 and it has always been good. Keep it a secret, don't tell anyone, not enough room for everyone...but there's always the pints in the the Bailie Bar across the road while you wait. These Edinburgh'ers dont know they're born, come on folks what more do you want? Gerrin there.

2. Jake M. – 8 Nov 2009, 12:30pm Bell's Diner Report: This small, cosy diner is an institution. The waitstaff are consistently friendly and easy-going. Massive portions of very tasty food - don't bother with entree or dessert if you're opting for a burger as you'll have no room - are extremely good value. We love it.

1. an old friend – 27 Aug 2008, 10:04pm Bell's Diner Report: dined at Bells Diner tonight after a 30 year gap. fills the bill. does" what is written on the tin" - good burger, no frills, no wait, pleasant service. Good value. Will return. More importantly introduced our kids, who will go back with their mates - long may the tradition continue.......

Average rating 4.5/5 from 4 reviews of Bell's Diner.

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Bell's Diner

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