Badger & Co — Restaurant in City of Edinburgh

Badger & Co is conveniently located between Princes Street and George Street, and is a stylish, smart and casual venue to pop in for a drink or have something to eat.

The last time I was at Badger & Co was pre-Covid in 2018 and I remembered it well, so I was looking forward to returning mid-week with friends.

We were warmly welcomed and seated on arrival. The menu has been drastically cut with a minimal choice, although I don't mind and understand as it cuts food waste and you can be assured that whatever you order ought to be cooked fresh and to a high standard.

The pies are a speciality, although there's only two to choose from now.

I chose the steak and haggis pie (£17.95) with vegetables and mash, while others chose chicken and leek pie and fish and chips for main courses.

The waitress who took our order for a table of six has a memory like an elephant and remembered everything we ordered without a pen and paper, which was impressive.

The steak pie arrived in a cast iron pie dish topped and sealed with a light pastry filled with succulent steak chunks with haggis and rich gravy. It was delicious, with crisp and fresh vegetables and a creamy mash to soak the gravy up.

The fish and chips looked really good too, as did the chicken and leek pie.

Someone ordered a deconstructed cheesecake for dessert (£8.50), which resembled a breakfast cereal and didn't look anything remotely like cheesecake and had no biscuit base. Other reviews have noted this.

Quite bizarre. I suppose anything that's loosely put together is titled 'deconstructed' nowadays.

Drinks prices are on a par with everywhere else around Edinburgh, and you can expect to pay around £6.50 a pint.

We asked for the bill, only to find we were charged £5 for a bottle of still and sparkling water which arrived already opened.

We queried this with the waitress, who got defensive and said the first person who arrived (and left early before the bill arrived) agreed to it when asked if he wanted a bottle of still and sparkling water for the tables? He clearly wasn't asked if he wanted tap water instead. She walked off and left us to discuss it amongst ourselves.

We all arrived at the same conclusion that he was probably asked in a cheery tone, not realising it would cost an extra £10 for 2 bottles, and that it was clearly sneaky and underhand.

Unfortunately, the waitress with the incredible memory must have suffered a lapse of amnesia as the 20% March discount was not applied to the bill until we queried it.

The other server who sorted our bill said he would pass our comments back to the Management team and agreed that the water was a mistake, although bottles are usually charged.

It completely ruined the experience and we deducted the 10% discretionary service charge to offset the water bill (which includes 20% VAT with an additional discretionary 10% service charge).

The staff are clearly primed to try and rinse all customers at every opportunity, with the intro of asking if you would like a bottle of still and sparkling water for the tables as a starting point.

In an era where everything is much the same, customer service is the only variable.

Would I recommend it or return? No, in a word. There's much better venues to...

Nestled in the heart of Edinburgh, Badger & Co. is a culinary haven inspired by the whimsical world of The Wind in the Willows. From the moment you step into its cozy yet stylish interior, you're transported to an enchanting riverside retreat, seamlessly blending literary charm with modern sophistication.

Cocktails Designed to Perfection The cocktail menu is nothing short of a masterpiece. Clearly crafted with care and creativity, each drink pays homage to the beloved characters and adventures of The Wind in the Willows. Whoever came up with the names of the cocktails deserves a pay rise! We decided on Game Sett Matcha and Holey-Moley, every sip revealed a thoughtful balance of flavors, showing the expertise of the creator. The talented bartender Jay showed enthusiasm and knowledge making the experience even more special, as he shared the inspiration behind each cocktail with passion and flair.

Exceptional Service The service at Badger & Co. was impeccable. We had two servers, Angus and Shannon, who were both equally attentive and warm, effortlessly striking the balance between friendly and professional. Their recommendations were spot on, ensuring our dining experience was seamless from start to finish.

Delicious Dining Experience The food at Badger & Co is nothing short of divine. To start, the pork cheeks were melt-in-your-mouth tender, served with a perfectly balanced jus that complemented the rich, hearty flavors. For the main course, the sea bass was a revelation—crispy skin giving way to delicately cooked, flaky fish, paired with vibrant, seasonal vegetables that showcased the chef’s skill.

No meal would be complete without dessert, and the sticky toffee pudding did not disappoint. A rich, indulgent classic, it was served with a generous drizzle of caramel sauce and a scoop of vanilla ice cream that perfectly rounded out the meal.

Overall Impression Badger & Co. is a gem that delights on every level. The clever, thematic cocktail menu, impeccable service from Angus and Jay, and the mouthwatering dishes make it a standout destination for food and drink lovers. Whether you’re a fan of The Wind in the Willows or simply someone seeking a memorable dining experience, Badger & Co. delivers in spades. This is a place where every detail has been carefully considered, ensuring a truly enchanting evening.

Rating: 5/5 A must-visit for anyone in search of great food, inventive cocktails, and a dose of...

A great addition to the city and my partner and I are very happy to have visited on our trip to Edinburgh.

We booked 2 nights before and the process was simple and quick.

The venue was clean, tidy and well presented and we were quickly seated when we arrived. We only saw one room so initially I thought it was quite small but there seemed to be other rooms/floors so it might have been bigger. We went at 18:00 so we were expecting it to be busy but it wasn't too bad from our perspective.

Our waiter soon came over with water for the table and gave us menus. They then came back to take our order and our drinks and the food was prompt to arrive soon after.

The food was easily some of the best we've ever had and personally we thought good value for money. It was cooked to perfection. The desert was a little slow to arrive to the table but the waiter apologised a couple of times as she knew we had been waiting for a little while. Our water ran out during our food and she kindly brought some fresh over without us asking. It sounds minor but it was a nice touch not having to ask especially as there were larger tables around us.

We paid our bill and left wanting to leave a larger tip but where we were travelling around the country so we didn't have a large amount of change so we feel really bad. We think her name was Marionne ?? She delivered amazing service to us and the tables around us and she helped to make the night feel special for our anniversary.

We would definitely recommend adding Badger & Co to your list of places to visit when you're...