Spry Wines - Edinburgh

Maxim C.

Very good food, generally good [but consistent] wines, but prices seem a bit too high for the portions. The staff are all lovely, and as most dishes seem to be made in the tiny bar kitchen, the service is certainly good. The dishes we tried were all lovely and paired well with the drinks we ordered, but the size is less than half I'd expect to receive in a decent wine bar...

Travelling D.

A short Walk from John Lewis and St James shopping mall down Leith walk.
Spry offers a minimalist setting with white walls, black-and-white artwork, and shelves of bottles on display. Seating options include modern Windsor-style wooden chairs and a mix of low ankle-height tables, small round tables, and higher bar seating. The lighting is subdued, with spotlights highlighting walls rather than tables, complemented by four globe pendant lights. The open-plan bar doubles as a kitchen, allowing diners to watch the two chefs at work.

Food:
The starters stood out with exceptional flavors and presentation:
• Chicory Salad: Delicious, with an intense walnut flavor, though the raspberry was less prominent.
• Beetroot Tartare with Smoked Eel: A well-balanced dish.
• Cured Sea Trout: Outstanding, with a beautifully light aerated tartare sauce atop pickled gherkins.
• Cured Halibut: While the dish was small, the Arbroath smokie cream paired with crispy potato strands was excellent.

The mains were a mixed bag:
• North Sea Crab with Jerusalem Artichoke and Leeks: Beautifully balanced and flavorful.
• Braised Beef with Bread Pudding: The meat was decent, but the pudding was dry, and the overall dish lacked vibrancy.
• Celeriac Lasagna with Cumin: The cumin was overpowering, detracting from the dish.

Drinks:
The cocktails were well-crafted but very small for the price:
• Olive Oil Martini: Tasty but minuscule.
• Negroni Bianca and Americano: Both enjoyable but portion sizes left something to be desired.

Service:
Long waits between courses were frustrating, especially for mains. The restaurant’s approach of serving all starters at once could be reconsidered for a more relaxed and staggered experience.

Value for Money:
While the food was undeniably delicious, portion sizes (for both food and cocktails) were underwhelming for the high price point. Seating was also uncomfortable, detracting from the overall experience.

Final Thoughts:
Spry delivers some exquisite dishes and creative cocktails, but the small portions, slow service, and uncomfortable seating make it poor value for money. Improvements in portion sizes, pacing of service, and comfort would elevate the experience.

BakerBoilermakers

Booked weeks ago and when I arrived we were told to sit at the bar. We were given menus without any explanation and no conversation from staff. We were given a few mins and then asked if we were ready to order. We ordered 2 glasses of wine and a few small plates. That was the last we saw of the staff until I asked for the check. No one checked on if we liked the wine (we didn’t) or if the food was good or if we needed more. It was also so loud in there. If you want to pop in for a drink after work, this may be your place but I would never go here for a fun evening or a quiet date.

Nestor C.

A cozy spot with great selection of natural wines and a seasonal menu full of tasty dishes. The staff are friendly and helpful. A great place for a relaxed evening.

Aliya A.

Better than what one expects from a wine bar! Great wine choices. Amazing service. Chill ambiance with space to walk around. The highlight is the food menu! Perfect place. Cannot recommend it enough!

Marina

Stellar experience. First the wine was very refreshing and simply delicious. The selection and pairings with the food was perfect. Then the food itself was delicate, diverse and sometimes even complex,but always with pleasure and taste as the center. The chef is very skilled, and the whole crew makes for the best hosts. I recommend fully

Adam C.

Class. Passionate and knowledgeable staff. Exciting wine list and very tasty food. It’s not cheap but it is good. Highly recommend.

Maria C.

My friend recommended this we cute place and I loved it! Loads of variety of unique wines that you can't see in another places.
Food was very nice, small plates to share were delicious and presentation very good.
Staff very friendly and helpful with the choice of the wine. Our waitress was very attentive all the time. The only bad thing I could say and it wasn't a problem it was the food service was a wee bit slow but the place was very busy then we could understand.