Restaurant most popular with Edinburgh locals revealed

Cafe Andaluz staff celebrate their success. Picture: Jon Savage

But it is Spanish fayre that has proven most popular with locals when they choose to dine out. Cafe Andaluz on George Street has come out on top in a list of Edinburgh’s most frequented restaurants by residents.

Using GPS technology, travel site Tripadvisor was able to track where residents in the Capital chose to eat.

And the Andalucian inspired eatery came out on top – with a star rating of 4.5 out of 5 and 2,519 reviews.

With over 40 different tapas dishes to choose from , assistant manager Anna Kuczynska said the recipe for success is the bustling atmosphere and quality of the food.

She said: “We are delighted to be number one on the locals list of Edinburgh’s top restaurants. Lots of our customers mention how much they enjoy the lively and busy atmosphere as well as appreciating how much we pride ourselves on providing top customer service.

“It is very important that we do the best for our customers and ensure all their needs are met.”

Cafe Andaluz, who also have restaurants in Glasgow and Aberdeen, have recently expanded to a premises on George IV Bridge.

And with new dishes often popping up on the menu regular diners continue to return.

Anna added: “It’s all about the sharing approach and that’s what most people like.

“You have plenty of different tastes that you may not imagine all going together. And with more than 40 tapas to choose from there is always plenty for many different tastes.”

The restaurant also offers a good selection of vegetarian and gluten free dishes.

“Our most popular dishes are the honey mustard and chicken, goats cheese with marmalade, paella of course and patatas bravas,” Anna said. “But everyone has their own favourites!”

One reviewer said: “The food was outstanding.

“We wanted to reminisce about our recent trip to  Barcelona and the food was of the same high quality and standard as if we were back there again.”

The Restaurant Check-Index is based on TripAdvisor mobile location data.

The ten most frequented Edinburgh restaurants were determined by studying check-ins via smartphone GPS and motion sensors to predict when anonymous users are visiting a spot and not when they just pass by.

TripAdvisor spokesperson Hayley Coleman, said: “Our restaurant Check-Index shows the restaurants where locals are voting with their feet and actually spending their time.

“It’s great to see a nice mix of restaurants and cuisines proving popular with the people of Edinburgh.”

In second place with 4.5 bubbles and 1,872 reviews is Tom Kitchen’s Stockbridge gastropub, Scran and Scallie and ranked third is Leith Walk’s La Favorita Restaurant which scored 4.5 bubbles and 1,355 reviews.