Society is a restaurant at 1 Waterloo Place in central Edinburgh, occupying a historic address that has welcomed travellers and public figures since the early nineteenth century. The present dining room carries that tradition forward as an easygoing place for coffee, brunch, dinner and conversation, with a warm European cafe character rather than a rigid formal style.
Head Chef Ross McGregor’s cooking combines Scottish produce with direct, recognisable dishes. The kitchen works with trusted farmers, growers, fishmongers and other producers wherever possible, allowing ingredients from Scotland to sit naturally within a menu influenced by the comfortable all day cafes of Europe.
Brunch includes a full Scottish breakfast with haggis and tattie scone, shakshuka with chickpeas and flatbread, and smoked salmon with poached eggs. In the evening, the focus shifts to dishes such as a Scottish lobster roll, charred flat iron steak with a choice of sauce and a dry aged chuck and brisket burger served with frites.
Carefully chosen wines, cocktails and other drinks support both casual visits and longer meals. A top floor mezzanine can host private gatherings, while the central location and broad service from morning to night make Society equally practical for breakfast, a business lunch, dinner before an event or a relaxed celebration.
Address: 1 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh EH1 3BG, Scotland
Society Bar & Kitchen City Centre Menu
From the Pan
the full scottish
haggis, two pork sausages, smoked streaky bacon, black pudding, grilled tomatoes, mushrooms, house baked beans, poached eggs, tattie scone & sourdough toast
mediterranean morning
halal sausage, 2 fried eggs, halloumi, mushrooms, beans, grilled tomato, spinach and sourdough or flat bread
the wee scottish
pork sausage, smoked streaky bacon*, grilled tomato, house baked beans, poached eggs & sourdough toast. *swap for avocado or halloumi (v)
Eggs à la Société
eggs benedict
two poached eggs served on foccacia with crispy streaky bacon & topped with hollandaise, chives & watercress
eggs florentine
two poached eggs served on foccacia with spinach & topped with hollandaise, chives & watercress
eggs royale
two poached eggs served on foccacia with smoked salmon & topped with hollandaise, chives & watercress
On Toast
avo chilli
smashed avocado, vegan feta, chilli oil, dukkah & watercress on sourdough toast
the highlander
scottish smoked salmon, poached eggs & cottage cheese, topped with chives, safflower & watercress on sourdough toast
what a funghi
sautéed miso mushrooms, poached eggs, garlic confit on sourdough bread with truffle oil
brioche french toast
with a choice of toppings
Bowls
shakshuka
our homemade shakshuka base topped with 2 fried eggs served with flat bread
granola bowl
greek yogurt, seasonal fresh fruit, berry compote, homemade nut crumble, pumpkin spice & maple syrup
turkish eggs
creamy garlic & herb yogurt, two poached eggs, dukkah, chilli oil & pea shoots, served with your choice of toasted bloomer or flatbread
green goddess
mixed greens, cucumber, olives, courgette ribbons, broccoli, avocado, vegan feta, pea pesto, lemon oil, sunflower & pumpkin seeds. add chicken + £2.5
chicken caesar salad
chicken breast, crispy bacon, parmesan, croutons, romaine lettuce, caesar dressing. *swap chicken for halloumi (v)
Sandwiches
the mama club
chicken mayo, bacon, parmesan, avocado, rocket & boiled egg served in sourdough or a wrap
halloumi wrap
grilled halloumi, pea pesto, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, jalapeños, dukkha & rocket
steak baguette
scottish bavette steak, rocket, caramelised onion, mustard aioli and veg crisps. add fried egg + £1.5
chicken and avocado
chicken mayo, bacon, avocado, rocket and lemon oil
halloumi
grilled halloumi, pea pesto, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, jalapeños, dukkha & rocket
Small Dishes
Bread & Olives (for 2)
Homemade focaccia bread served with gordal olives marinated in orange and tarragon, balsamic and olive oil for dipping
Haggis Bon Bons
Haggis and Stornoway black pudding with smoked apple and cheese bon bons, served with whisky sauce
Smoked Salmon Carpaccio
Pressed smoked salmon, pickled shallots, capers, compressed cucumber, jalapeños and dill, citrus dressing, whipped cream cheese. Served with warm, house made focaccia.
Salads
Society Caesar Salad
Panko fried chicken, baby gem lettuce, caesar dressing, parmesan, croutons. Choose to add on bacon (free)
Summer Harvest Salad
Peach, fig, feta, charred tenderstem broccoli, blanched new potatoes and French vinaigrette.
Green Goddess
Baby spinach, rocket, mustard leaves, lettuce, cucumber, olives, courgette ribbons, broccoli, avocado, vegan feta, pea and cashew nut pesto, lemon oil, sunflower & pumpkin seeds.
Large Dishes
Steak Frites
Flat iron steak, frites. Choose peppercorn, béarnaise or chimichurri sauce. served medium rare unless otherwise asked.
Moules Frites
Steamed Shetland mussels, frites. choose either Nduja, shallot and cider sauce or classic marinière (white wine, cream, garlic, parsley). Add rosemary focaccia £2
Poulet Frites
Charred half-spatchcock chicken, sweet and spicy house marinade, finished with café au lait sauce, frites and dressed green leaves
Butcher’s Reserve Burger
Limited to 10 per evening. 45 day aged chuck and brisket, enriched with rib fat and bone marrow, Monterey Jack, beer and beef fat onions, house sauce, lettuce, and pickle on a toasted sesame brioche bun. Served with frites.
Cauliflower Steak Frites
Harissa marinated and charred cauliflower steak, chimichurri sauce, frites, and dressed green leaves