Late night dining done right – Duck & Waffle's 9PM Club
With the Edinburgh Fringe fast approaching – and my recommendations spreadsheet nearly complete – my attention has turned to where's good to eat during the festival season.
Sometimes it's a case of grab-and-go from the excellent street food vendors that pop up around venues. But other times you want to catch a show and have a proper catch-up with friends, which calls for a restaurant booking.
My advice as a seasoned Fringe-goer? Plan and book ahead. Restaurants get busy, and if you're after late-night dining, many Edinburgh establishments close their kitchens around 9 pm. We're not quite Mediterranean in our dining culture – where heading out for dinner after 8 pm is the norm rather than my usual bedtime!
Edinburgh isn't particularly renowned for late-night dining establishments where you can 'chew the fat' over great cocktails, conversation, and decent food. However, a little birdy let me know that Duck & Waffle does exactly that.
So, getting in practice for my occasional late-night Fringe outings, I headed to Duck & Waffle to try their 9PM Club.
A Gastro-Diner Experience in St James Quarter
Set in the heart of Edinburgh's acclaimed St James Quarter, Duck & Waffle focuses on duck – particularly their signature dish and namesake. This 'gastro diner' experience has become a hallmark of the brand.
They welcome guests for all-day brunch, dinner, Sunday roast (one of the best I've had in Edinburgh, alongside The Bonnington), and cocktails.
The décor is genuinely impressive – from the striking entrance via the lift from Leith Street, to the oversized feathered lampshade extractor fan above the chef counter where guests can perch on bar stools and watch the action unfold, right through to the outdoor terrace. Duck & Waffle deserves a place in your little black book for entertaining friends or visitors who fancy a late-night bite.
The 9PM Club: Sip, Savour, Stay Longer
Their 9PM Club allows you to do exactly that. Every night from 9 pm until close (1 am), you can enjoy 25% off dinner. Reservations must be made in advance – walk-ins aren't eligible – but the excellent news is that the 25% discount applies to your entire bill.
We sampled some of their impressive cocktails on the open-air terrace with views out to the Balmoral clock. Their 'Beverage Book' menu is extensive, covering just about everything under the sun.
With the sun making a welcome appearance and it being a warm summer's evening we took advantage and had our cocktails out on the terrace. What caught our eye was their Tequila Edit – a series of shaken, stirred, and served-with-flair tequila cocktails, reasonably priced at £10 each. Alternatively, you can opt for a tequila cocktail flight, choosing three from the five on offer for just £25.
We indulged in the latter. My favourite was the Ginger Grass – a zesty, tart creation that was less sweet than the Kiwi-Rita (served over a block of ice, though the agave presence made this too sickly for my palate). The Main Character Marg, served with house pickle and chilli, is worth sampling.
Late Night Feast
Time was getting on – well past my usual witching hour. We didn't actually sit down to eat until 9.45 pm, where we were looked after by our lovely Italian waiter, Christian, who embodied everything you want in service: charming, attentive without being overbearing, and genuinely informative.
The menu is divided into snacks, breads, raw, small plates, and large plates – designed, in line with current trends, for sharing.
Famished (having last eaten at lunch), we started with one of their freshly baked breads: the Nduja & Gruyère Cheese with parmesan and herb dip, which proved plenty for two to share. We also ordered their bacon-wrapped dates, stuffed with chorizo and Manchego – these are definitely NOT for sharing. The dates cost £4 each and arrive presented on striking porcelain in nouvelle cuisine style. Stylish, though they're essentially one or two bites!
For main course, my guest chose the signature Duck & Waffle, which Christian helpfully and stylishly served for us. It's a gastro remake of pancakes with crispy bacon and maple syrup – their signature dish features a waffle topped with crispy leg confit and fried duck egg, accompanied by maple syrup with sesame seeds. Nice enough, though we both agreed it felt more like a brunch dish and was too sweet for me at that time of night.
https://duckandwaffle.com/edinburgh/menu/dinner
I opted for something more savoury: the Half Roasted Corn Fed Chicken with wild mushrooms, ratte potatoes, truffles, and an abundance of tarragon. This was a generous serving and delicious. We also ordered Truffle & Parmesan Fries (a generous portion) and Tenderstem Broccoli with hummus and chilli crunch. Honestly, our eyes were bigger than our stomachs – the chicken didn't need the additions.
As the Balmoral Clock hands crept well past my bedtime, we passed on desserts, both happily satiated and very full, before catching the last tram and bus home.
Supporting a Good Cause
If you're quick, they're celebrating Pride with a special close to their hearts. For every Pride special sold, they're donating £1 to LGBT Health and Wellbeing Scotland, the leading charity for LGBT+ adults, providing vital support through counselling, peer groups, and inclusive community events.
On offer: a Thirst Trap cocktail – a floral, fizzy, fabulous delight (Bombay Sapphire gin, aloe vera juice, verjus, Monin bubblegum syrup, crème de cassis, citrus, served long over ice, topped with rose lemonade) for £12, and Rainbow Delight – buttermilk waffle with macerated strawberries, Chantilly rainbow cream, and sprinkles.
Also worth noting: their Sunday Roast, available 11:30 am-4 pm. Their two-course Sunday Roast is a quacking great deal at £32 per person.
The Sunday Roast at Duck & Waffle is a quacking good deal
The Verdict
Unaccustomed as I am to Mediterranean-style late-night dining, next time I'll probably opt for more small plates and sides rather than bread and a main – avoiding that 3am food-baby feeling and reaching for the antacids!
But with its glamorous interior, genuine style, and attentive service, Duck & Waffle earns a five-star rating from me. It's definitely worth adding to your Fringe dining hit list, or whenever you need somewhere open for late-night dining – just make sure you plan ahead.
Now, I'm off to put the finishing touches on my Fringe Show Spreadsheet – watch this space.
DUCK & WAFFLE EDINBURGH
St James Quarter
400-402 St James Crescent
Edinburgh, EH1 3AE
+44 131 202 2700
Hours of Operation
Sunday-Wednesday: 9 am – 12 pm (last dinner sitting 10 pm)
Thursday-Saturday: 9 am – 1 am
All-day brunch available 11 am – 4 pm
Reservations
[email protected]
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