Maki Ramen Edinburgh – Old Town Japanese delights

Diners can regularly be seen queuing to get into this tiny restaurant. They squeeze themselves onto stools in any space that's available and write notes to future patrons which are left in a colourful wallpaper that adorns every wall and can be an entertaining way to kill time whilst you await your steaming bowl of ramen. The atmosphere is busy but friendly and patrons vary from university students on their way home from lectures to local folk musicians popping in for something to eat before a gig.

I like to come here and people watch whilst I enjoy a pot of green tea and await a bowl of the appropriately named "hell ramen", a fiery and delicious pork noodle broth. The food is always excellent, the service is great and the restaurant has a fantastic buzz. With diners eating shoulder to shoulder, you get a real feel for the pulse of the city in this little Japanese delight.