If you’re heading to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this month, we’ve got enough inspiration to fill a wheelbarrow. Need to know the best restaurants? How about a great new opening? Or, are you looking for foodspiration outside of a restaurant? We’ve got you covered, so scroll this way for our guide.
Without doubt one of the best restaurants scenes in the UK, over the last year Edinburgh has continued to develop thanks to brilliant new restaurant openings. Here are three of our favourites:
Dine with Stuart Muir, Cambridge Street
When: Opened in late November 2015
What: A contemporary brasserie set within a striking, circular atrium above the Traverse Theatre, Dine also boasts Edinburgh’s first Champagne lounge. The evening menu highlights local ingredients – from ceviche of Loch Duart salmon to braised Borders ox cheek and dry-aged steaks – while express lunch and pre-theatre menus offer great value.
Where: Saltire Court, 10 (1F) Cambridge Street, EH1 2ED
Norn, Henderson Street
When: Opened in May 2016
What: The four- and seven-course menus at this stripped-back intimate restaurant constantly evolve, informed by seasonal Scottish produce and foraged ingredients. A concise wine list contains natural and biodynamic wines from small-scale producers. Already building a following, Norn is an enticing addition to Leith.
Where: 50-54 Henderson Street, Leith, EH6 6DE
The Printing Press Bar & Kitchen, George Street
When: Opened in October 2015
What: Occupying the former home of Scottish novelist Susan Ferrier, this bar and kitchen from restauranteur Des McDonald provides refined all-day dining in a Georgian townhouse. The menus from head chef Colin Fleming are focused on seasonal Scottish produce, from Eyemouth langoustines to Shetland black potatoes and Tweed Valley Scotch beef cooked on the Josper grill.
Where: 21-25 George Street, EH2 2PB
As you may have heard, we recently announced our UK top 100 for 2016 and Edinburgh came out on top. Yep, Scotland’s capital is officially the UK’s most delicious city outside of London, with seven restaurants on our list. Read all about Edinburgh and our UK top 100 restaurants 2016 here.
And now for something completely different…
The Edinburgh Gin Garden, St Andrew’s Square
Open until Wednesday 31 August, this boozy garden is a temporary home to the Edinburgh Gin Distillery. Last year, 92,000 gin-based drinks were served in the garden, so we imagine you’ll come across a few people who haven’t yet managed to make it home since 2015. Expect music and entertainment on the stage, an expanded range of gin cocktails and plenty of relaxation.
Kansas Smitty’s at Leith Biscuit Factory
In residence until Sunday 28 August, Hackney-based Kansas Smitty’s has sent its in-house jazz band to a, um, biscuit factory to celebrate the UK jazz scene and beyond. Expect cocktails, US soul food and late-night jazz parties. Find out more and buy tickets at kansassmittys.com.
Lunch at Underbelly, Cowgate
Well yes, of course lunch is a good idea. But this is food-based musical comedy, so it ticks many of our boxes. Entertainer and singer Luke Courtier talks Waitrose, Knightsbridge luncheons and the perils of a duck called Susan. Laugh until you’re hungry at 6.20pm every day until 28 August. For more info and tickets, go to tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/lunch.
For even more inspiration, take a look at our full list of the very best restaurants in Edinburgh here.
This article was published 5 August 2016