Overview

I'd been to the Outsider a couple of times previously but this was my first time as a wheelchair user. And, whilst the food was tasty, I don't think I'll be returning. When I arrived at the restaurant only the right door of the set of double doors was open. For various reasons (the nature of my disability and how i use my chair), my partner asked the manager if they could open the bolt on the other door to give me a bit more room. He said "no, he doesn't need more room", my partner asked him again and he said "I've been doing this 20 years and he has enough room". At no point did he talk to me and when we eventually did get in he just pointed and said - "over there" pointing to the table our guests were sat at. Again, didn't address me, didn't say hello or ask if we had a reservation or anything. It really upset me - it made me feel embarrassed and ashamed and upset that he hadn't addressed me at all. So when he came to the table I quietly mentioned to him that I'd like to offer some feedback that it wasn't the best way to arrive to a restaurant and maybe his welcome could have been a bit more friendly and considerate. He told me I was incorrect, that he knew what he was doing and there was nothing wrong with how he'd behaved. Which just made me feel even worse. I couldn't fully relax for the rest of the meal. Service otherwise was good, it was accessible (physically if not attitudinally) and, as I say, the food was nice, but it's a relatively expensive restaurant and this interaction was enough to make me go for another option in the future. I'm sure other disabled people will have had interactions like this before so will recognise this and understand why you might want to just not bother.

Transport & Parking

On George IV bridge so very central - easy taxi drop off outside and several bus-stops nearby. Had to ask a coach to move as he was blocking the dropped kerb, so that might be the only issue in tourist season.

Access

Issue with the door (see above) which, if repeated, may mean that those with a range of disabilities may not be able to get in. Once in the tables are fairly close together but I was able to get around and access the accessible toilet relatively easily.

Toilets

Good accessible toilet with grab rails and just enough room to manoeuvre. On a previous visit the accessible toilet had been used to store staff bags/bikes etc, but they were quick to remove these. On this occasion it was all clear and easy to access.

Staff

Waiting staff were good but the manager's welcome and attitude ruined the whole experience for me and means I won't be back and wouldn't recommend the restaurant to others. Having spoken to others (including friends who work in hospitality in Edinburgh) this would not appear to be an isolated incident either.