The Rendezvous

I stumbled upon this place one night after a long commute. The restaurant’s ambiance is great and the waitress attentive. The food came out very quickly and was very authentic. I ordered the pork and shredded vegetable noodle soup which was a huge portion (I made it into two meals) and absolutely delicious. I also ordered the duck with plum sauce that was pretty good. The duck had a little too much fat on it that should have been cooked off. I did not expect to find such a gem in Edinburgh. Will definitely return for Chinese food when I visit Edinburgh again.

I have been here twice in the last 2 weeks. First time, food was excellent, as was the service, around 7pm. Second time, around 9pm, food was awful (tepid) and the butterfly shrimp was drowning in sauce. The ribs were extremely salty. Service was slow and somewhat nonchalant. Two extremely different experiences here, so will give this 3 stars overall. Won’t be returning, though.

Yea yea, traveled 5000 miles to Scotland and ate Chinese food.
Great lunch special — choice of appetizer, main dish, and dessert — lots of food and good prices!
For appetizers we got chicken & sweet corn soup and spare ribs, for mains chili beef strips and curry chicken, and for dessert banana fritters and ice cream (which went well together!) — we were stuffed and very content.
Service was good, though could have used a water refill.

My order tonight was ridiculously late. I ordered at 7 and did not receive my order until after 9! The estimated delivery time was 8.10 and I understand places being busy but not an hour and 20 minutes late with no phone call to let you know! It’s that simple! I was given an apology but that was it. It’s simply not good enough, especially as I tried calling a grand total of 18 times before someone even bothered to pick up.
The only reason they earned two stars is because the food was still relatively warm.

Better than average Chinese restaurant in Edinburgh.
The Scottish capital, and this may not be a surprise, is not exactly the British capital of great Chinese food. None of the Chinese places in the city even compares to something like the Red Chilli chain in Leeds, Manchester, or (especially) York. But when you’re in Edinburgh and have a craving for things Asian, you can do worse than at The Rendezvous Restaurant.
The Rendezvous is a little to the south of the old town. From the Sir Walter Scott Monument e.g., it is either a short bus/​tram ride or a 25 minute walk (down one street, basically). I had dinner there after a visit to the CAMRA Scottish Real Ale Festival in July of 2014. Drinks-​wise, like most Chinese places, The Rendezvous is a diaspora. Think some soft drinks and a couple of fizzy lagers, or overpriced, mediocre wines. But then, you don’t go to a Chinese restaurant for the drinks.
I had two mains and a starter: a (supposedly) spicy meat and vegetables soup, squid with mixed vegetables, and beef with mixed vegetables. All of these had one thing in common: A bit more spice would not have hurt. It was all pretty bland, but obviously freshly prepared and perfectly edible. Just a tad too dumbed down for British and European sissies.
The décor is rather elegant, i.e. for a Chinese restaurant. It is essentially one big room. It was rather empty when I visited, but that was an early dinner. Service was okay. After all, this is a Chinese place, so you don’t expect service flourishes.

After the sad demise of Wok and Wine, we’ve been looking for another Chinese restaurant that’s gluten free. I am happy to report that we may have found it!
Rendezvous is on Queensferry Street just two doors down from Wannaburger. Follow the red staircase up one flight and, as one other reviewer says, don’t let that put you off. We booked through OpenTable and when we arrived a couple of hours later our reservation was in their book with the notes we always include about «one of the party being coeliac». They checked with us straight away and said to ask about any dishes as they’d be able to advise. Now, often people say that and don’t quite get it but they were able to answer all my queries (of which there were many).
One lovely touch was to bring out, with the menus, a bottle of Tamari Sauce instead of soy, so I was really pleased about that. We had deep fried paper-​wrapped prawn as a starter which was stuffed full of prawns and piping hot (although there was a bit too much grease when you bit into it). We also had a fried shredded chicken. I can’t remember what it was called but it was lovely — again really hot and full of garlic and chilli. Nice and ‘dry’ too rather than oily.
For main I had Quick Fried Lamb with Spring Onion — lovely and fresh and not too glutinous. Husband had Duck with Black Bean Sauce which was a bit too gloopy for me, but lots of big chunks of duck. We ordered just one fried rice, which was plenty for two of us. We consumed endless rounds of Jasmine Tea, and the total bill was only £37. What a bargain!
It was a Sunday night and it got increasingly busy (we were there at 7pm). Always a good sign is also the amount of Chinese people that dine in, and this didn’t disappoint. All the staff were really friendly and made the effort to suggest alternatives if what I wanted wasn’t totally GF. They were also able to say that the chef could make a variation, to make it GF, which is always a nice touch. It just makes for a better experience as you know that they aren’t just talking the talk.
The space itself is good with plenty of room between the tables — not cramped at all. It’s a large area. The floor is clean, tables, chairs and curtains appear new and the overall décor is pleasing and modern. Again it doesn’t look tired.
Husband has eaten here once a few years ago at the buffet lunch. He didn’t remember it as being spectacular, but I’d go back to this place again for the a la carte. Wine looked to be very good value, with a choice of four whites or reds at under £16 a bottle. There were quite a few cocktails being ordered by other diners, so they know how to do more than just pour a pint, clearly.
Finally, they are promising to publish a separate GF menu and they said they’d be working towards making some more things GF. I’d coveted the chicken wings on the next table and the waitress suggested that in a few months they’d have a GF version. It’s certainly going to get us to go back!
So, have we found a replacement for W&W? I’d like to think so. It’s been in business since 1956 so it must be doing something right.

Without a doubt, my favourite and most frequented takeaway in Edinburgh. I haven’t sat in but if they serve the same food in the restaurant that I get at home, you’ll love it. Always fast delivery and never disappoints.

Went to Edinburgh for a couple days with my girlfriend and this was he first place we saw on the map that we both decided we would like.
Once we had entered the place I had a rough idea what to expect after being to a similar restaurant in London, the staff upon entering were polite but said rather little, seemed more accustomed to pointing.
The menu was extremely varied (took a while to decided what I wanted).
The portion sizes were a lot bigger than expected (not a bad thing in the slightest!)
It was very quiet in the restaurant but it was a nice relaxed atmosphere.
Now the main part of this review is the price! Both my girlfriend and I very extremely surprised at the price. Having both been to Chinese restaurants of similar calibre we knew how much money we were looking to shell out (£50+)
But here however for 2 courses (soup and a main meal each) plus a drink each only came to under £35
We genuinely thought he waitress forgot to add something on the receipt
All in all I found this place wonderful! And would certainly go back again next time I’m in edinburgh

First time ordering from Rendezvous and ordered online through
. We have been trying all the delivery Chinese places near us and I have to say that this place is by far my favorite so far. The prices are reasonable and they delivered on time (about 45 min.). Unlike a lot of Chinese I have had in Edinburgh, the food here isnt overly sweet or oily or salty. The portion sizes are large and their menu has tons to choose from. If you order online over a certain amount you also get free items with your order like prawn crackers and eggrolls. Score!

Prawn toast thickly piled with prawn mix — best I’ve tasted and really delicious. Great variety of options for veggies and omnivores.
The place was packed on Saturday and there were plenty of celebrations going on: birthdays and South African rugby supporters. It was noisy but good-​natured and the evening was a lot of fun.
Good value, pretty good service given how busy it was.
Good atmosphere and very tasty.

Rendevous isn’t too expensive and the food is OK, so overall not too bad.
I first went in for the buffet lunch which had a really good selection of food which was all piping hot, but some of it had been out for a while and that reduced the quality a bit, but with the selection on offer and the price (£7.99 per person) I can’t complain. The take away options are much fresher and at £4−5 for main dish I really like this option too, the sizes are decent as well.
The first 2 – 3 times I went in I found the staff to be a bit grumpy, and the décor a bit old, but the good food kept me coming back, especially for take away. The last time I went in though all the staff were really friendly which was nice, hopefully the customer care is on the up.

Been going to this place for years. The lunch buffet is far superior to anything offered by China China or Jimmy Chungs. Staff a pretty miserable lot at lunchtimes though, but it being a buffet you don’t have to interact with them a great deal.

Not been to this restaurant for about 2 years but it was exactly the way I remembered it. Nicely set out and lovely food. Not as huge a display of food as, say, China China or Jimmy Chung’s but there’s not the same feeling of desperation to get as much on your plate. It’s all a bit more civilised at Edinburgh Rendesvous and there’s still lots of choice. If you’re not up for a culinary Supermarket Sweep experience, this is definitely the place to go for a Chinese buffet. Only one tiny little fly in the ointment (hence the 4 stars and not 5) was that the staff all seemed a little glum. Don’t know why as business is obviously booming because the place was packed out by 12.30 but that was the only thing I could find fault with.

all i can say about rendevous, is, WOW, BRILLIANT, FANTASTIC, EXCELLENT, great food, great staff, great atmosphere, ¹⁰⁄₁₀ everytime

This West End restaurant holds the honour of being Edinburgh’s oldest chinese restaurant! (Or so it claims). It’s over 50 years old, and it’s become such a local favourite they’re some people who’ve been visiting for quite a few decades. The name is a little bit dodgy, but the food definitely isn’t!
The restaurant specialises in Cantonese and Peking cuisine, and there’s sooooo much choice on the menu it’s difficult to decide what to have. Like many chinese restaurants, the desserts menu isn’t elaborate and there is something with banana’s in it; this seems to be a constant in just about any chinese restaurant I’ve been to!
One great sign in this restaurant is that there are actual Chinese people frequently eating there, as we all know its most difficult to please the home crowd.

found this place roaming around the city and came the next 2 days for dinner. Great chinese food here, large spacious 2^nd floor dining area with large windows overlooking the street below. A great selection of beijing cuisine as well as other chinese dishes. The price is very reasionable for chinese food in the UK and portions are generous. Taste is quite authentic as well and steamed rice is free! For you shrimp cracker fans, a free bowl of them is brought up as soon as you take your seat. I suggest West Lake soup for those that are looking to order soup as it is very good. The 2^nd meal i had the hot and sour soup but is a bit too strong and sour for my liking.

Went here for a meal with my wife last Saturday night. The Renezvous is another one of those places that I’ve walked passed for years and never felt the urge to go into. But on Saturday night I got a lovely surprise, the service was first class and the food was excellent. I would say that the entrance and the décor is a bit tired but don’t let that put you off, once inside the welcome is friendly and the food is excellent.

I went for the £6.99 lunch buffet today and I wasn’t disappointed. The food is well above average for Chinese buffet fare, and unlike most of its rivals it doesn’t leave the impression that it has lingered in the serving pots for the whole day. Recommended.

Open since 1956, this place claims to be the oldest Chinese Restaurant in Edinburgh. The restaurant is well hidden and it only appears when you enter a stairwell that looks more like a traditional Edinburgh block of flats than a restaurant. The first floor has some glass doors that lead into this gem.
The first time I visited, I was probably the only British person there with the entire place full of Chinese clientèle. That alone was an excellent recommendation and led on to some of the best Chinese food I’ve had in my life.
Service is fast and the staff exceptionally friendly and helpful in explaining their large menu.
Certainly worth discovering

Edinburgh Rendezvous is a fantastic Chinese restaurant again it’s buffet time which scores points with me everytime. The restaurant is clean and freshly decorated and is very large so even at busy times seating is usually not a problem. Although the selection is smaller than the likes of Jimmy Chung’s the food is freshly cooked and regularly replaced. The staff are friendly and eager to help. Look out for vouchers on their website and in the Evening newspaper in off-​peak months for two for one offer