The Fest Directory: Abandoman

Hendersons of Edinburgh

94 Hanover St, Edinburgh, EH2 1DR

Hendersons is comfort food for vegetarians: massive servings of homemade stews, salads and vegetarian haggis. For the performer, this is definitely a midday spot, as you'll need to factor in a couple of hours for digestion or napping afterwards. Its location is slightly off-the-flyered path, so it's a great place to get away from the bustle of the Fringe. Drinks-wise, you're more likely to find a pot of tea or a fresh juice than a beer. Although I wouldn't be surprised if they had some bottles of local organic ale on the go. It's got that vibe.

Food: 9

Drink: 7

Atmosphere: 7

Fringeyness: 3

Secret Weapon: Ridiculously tasty veggie haggis. It allows vegetarians to take a trip to meat town with no guilty feelings.

Fatal Flaw: If you're on the Bristo Square side of the city, it's a fair walk.

Hula

103-105 West Bow, Edinburgh, EH1 2JP

If you look at my credit card statement for August, one word takes precedence. That word is Hula. Since we found this place last year, we've been back whenever possible to enjoy its soups, wraps and juices. Sometimes twice in a day. They do a cheap soup-and-a-wrap deal which a big favourite. Wash this down with a tasty smoothie and you've a perfect lunch right there. It’s become a favourite location for Abandoman meetings, and we've often bumped into fellow performers doing the same, so this might be a good spot to overhear performance debriefs and panicked show re-writes. If you're into that.

Food: 9

Drink: 10

Atmosphere: 9

Fringeyness: 8

Secret Weapon: 'The Nutty Professor'. Banana, peanut butter and frozen yoghurt in one glass of awesomeness.

Fatal Flaw: It's very moreish. One visit per day isn't enough.

Illegal Jacks

113-117 Lothian Rd, West End, EH3 9AN

Finding good food venues can become a big priority on tour. There are so many moments in late-night petrol stations staring at Ginsters pasties, that by the time you hit a city you're craving a decent meal. We tweeted a search for good eateries and Illegal Jacks got back. We ended up swapping a meal for a freestyle (which you can find on YouTube) and have been good mates since. They do great Mexican food including a haggis quesillada, which you simply have to try. Plus free refills on soft drinks, which is the icing on the cake.

Food: 9

Drink: 8

Atmosphere: 8.5

Fringeyness: 0

Secret Weapon: Haggis Quesadilla. It shouldn't work, but it does.

Fatal Flaw: Another one that you have to walk a bit to get to.

The Bongo Club 

66 Cowgate, Edinburgh, EH1 1JX

We discovered this venue a couple of years ago when Mark Thomas was on and I can’t believe we hadn’t been here before! The space is great – it’s the perfect size for a Fringe show, and the bar upstairs is awesome too. In fact, it’s the perfect bar to chill out in – nice coffee, and easy-feel atmosphere, and it’s close enough to the main Fringe area but not bang in the centre. They have regular nights here throughout the year with electronica and hip-hop nights, so it’s a shame we’re only here in August!

food – N/A

drink – 9

atmosphere – 9

Fringeyness – 7

Secret Weapon – It’s a great space to get away from the Fringe atmosphere when you need to, like in the dark tunnel that is the second week.

Fatal Flaw – I don’t think it’s as established in the Fringe as it should be.