Bodega - Edinburgh, City of

The margaritas were good. We sampled the new menu featuring grilled items like the Churassco lamb, chicken, and hispi cabbage, all very flavorful but served in small portions. The same was true for the tacos - not enough to leave you hungry, but enough to leave you wishing for more. The overall experience felt rushed and the atmosphere was lacking, with a layout that didn't create a pleasant ambiance.

The restaurant has a nice atmosphere, but unfortunately the food lacked flavor. As someone who is gluten-free, I appreciate the effort to accommodate dietary restrictions, but I still expect tasty food. The aubergine tempura was soggy and bland, and the prawns were also dull and lacking seasoning. Even the wraps were bland. The prices were high considering the lack of flavor. Overall, I found the experience uninspiring and disappointing.

We really enjoyed the ceviche. It was really, really good, but the portion size was too small. Could it be that we, in the USA, are just so accustomed to larger portions? I don’t know, but it was so good, it just wasn’t enough. I was unexpectedly surprised that their Tommy Margarita was really good too, but again, way, way too small. It’s like they tease you with what was probably a 4 oz drink, but yes, I enjoyed it- I just wanted a larger portion. The salsa was nice spicy, different but nice. The tacos could have been warmer but they were good. Try them. You won’t be disappointed, (oh, except for the portion size, way too small from what we are used to).

I tried several different tacos at this restaurant and they were consistently excellent. However, I had some issues with other items on the menu. The guacamole was freshly made, but it was overly citrusy, which overpowered the taste of the avocado. The chips served with the guacamole seemed to be of supermarket quality. The pitcher of margaritas had too much ice and barely made four small drinks. The restaurant has a small, modern, and tight room with no kitschy decorations.

Expectations were blown away by the food at Bodega Leith! The Korean wings? Delicious and you must order them! Make sure you sprinkle the lime as that brings out the flavor even more. We loved every taco we had minus the pork belly, which was just okay. The tempura and the Baja fish were standouts, and even the buffalo sesame was a fun surprise. We also ordered a side of corn, and that was equally delicious. The chips are gluten free, and their taste was unexpected given how refreshing the tacos were. The final thing you have to make sure to order is the churros. If you are a fan of churros, they really knock this out of the park. They are made fresh to order, and served in a piping hot bowl that warms the soul. Definitely worth a trip if you’re in Edinburgh.