As anyone who has recently fought their way inch by inch up the High Street will tell you, Edinburgh is currently jammed.

There are thespians down every close; student acappella groups up every alleyway and comedians lurking around every corner. And then there are the audiences. Never mind finding a free restaurant table, simply finding a free space in which to stand and watch the street performers is becoming increasingly difficult.

Happily 5pm is on hand to ensure that culture vultures don't miss out on their meals out. You can browse Edinburgh dining offers here and there is the option to refine your search by date. The following offers were all available for Tuesday 23rd August. New availabilities update all the time.

Steak frites

At the rather lovely Twenty Princes Street (see main pic taken from restaurant Facebook), diners can book in via 5pm and tuck into two courses from the prix fixe menu plus a glass of Prosecco for £20. The menu changes regularly but we like the sound of the flat iron steak frites with triple cooked chips, house salad, peppercorn sauce. On the other hand, it wouldn't take much to persuade us that the fillet of sea bream with mixed grains, tender-stem broccoli and a lemon and herb dressing was the best course of action.

At Vesta on Queensferry Street - handy for shows at the Trav and Royal Lyceum - their Big Summer Dine Out deal means guests can select two courses from the lunch menu for £14.50. We know we should order the superfood salad with chickpeas, avocado, red onion, quinoa, tomato, spinach, pomegranate and a citrus dressing. But we know that in reality we will go for the beer-battered haddock with mushy peas, chips and tartare sauce.

Afternoon tea with fizz

If we wanted to treat ourselves then we would book into Le Monde on George Street where £23 will bag us afternoon tea plus a glass of fizz. However, we are also dangerously partial to a Ruby Murray and at The Everest Nepalese and Indian Restaurant in Tollcross we can make the most of a 20% discount on the à la carte when booking via 5pm. Hello chicken achari!

Cocktails at St Andrews Square

Finally, we bring you news of a Big Deal on cocktails with optional small plate add-ons at ibis Styles Edinburgh in St Andrew Square. Very handy for the films being shown in the Square.

For £12 two people can each enjoy a cocktail such as an Aperol Spritz, Bellini, Mojito, Martini, Daiquiri, Amaretto Sour, Old Fashioned or Dark Whistle. There are also options to add on sharing small plates such as halloumi sticks with sweet chilli sauce, jumbo BBQ wings with whisky BBQ sauce, crispy calamari with garlic aioli or loaded hummus with tomato salsa and toasted pitta.

Find your own festival favourite here.