Piper's Rest

Charcoal & wood-fired chicken and burgers in a relaxed, rustic setting just off the Royal Mile.

The 2019/20 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).

Unsurprisingly, you’ll find that chicken is the main event at Spatch, although it's not all they have to offer in a refreshingly concise menu. Slap bang in the middle of town, the exposed bricks and sloping skylights are enough to make you forget all about the hustle and bustle of the Royal Mile outside. If you’re stopping in for a quick bite their punny burger menu includes a Cluck Norris (breaded chicken topped with slow-cooked bbq chicken) and the Kevin Double Bacon (traditional bacon double cheese burger). Treat yourself (and possibly someone else) to one of their sharing platters to get a little bit of everything: wings, half a marinated chicken, slow-cooked ribs, slaw and corn all make for a well-cooked feast. It might be tempting to skip the side dishes with such a bounty, but make sure to check out their ultra-Scottish haggis fritters served with Irn Bru chilli jam. If you’ve room for dessert the orange sorbet (accompanied by a rich chocolate torte) is a refreshing reviver to set you on your way.