Edinburgh’s hospitality sector is entering one of its most turbulent periods in years, and as the foodie podcast Eating and Waiting to Eat closes its first season, host Carlos Miranda reconnects with Mirin’s Sharif Gergis to take stock of where the industry stands in 2026. From rising labour costs to shifting diner behaviour, he offers a clear-eyed view of the pressures reshaping restaurants across the city — and the opportunities that still give operators reason to stay hope

Traitors UK Champion Jake Brown Fronts Six by Nico’s Sherlock Holmes immersive menu experience Six by Nico is launching its latest immersive tasting menu,   Sherlock Holmes , a six-course murder mystery dining experience inspired by the world's most famous detective. Running from  9th March to 19th April 2026 , the new menu invites guests to step inside a live investigation, where each course reveals a new clue and advances the story of a suspected murder clouded by superstit

​ Edinburgh’s wine calendar is overflowing this spring — and Bite readers are getting first pick. From generous walk‑around tastings to expert‑led masterclasses, here are three unmissable wine fairs  landing in the city, each with an exclusive Bite offer. Great Grog Big Spring Wine Fair — Sat 18 April Greyfriars Charteris Centre, Pleasance Edinburgh’s most generous wine tasting returns with 100+ wines , producers pouring on the day, and a relaxed, roam‑as‑you‑like format. Bit

On the Grapevine Edinburgh is buzzing . Margarita Mile  is a six‑week citywide celebration running from 18 Feb–31 Mar . Salt rims at the ready. Panda & Sons   are going full agave with a one‑night mezcal takeover  for National Margarita Day , 22 Feb . Vittoria Group  are importing a little Italian glamour, bringing Amorino®’s luxury gelato  to Scotland for the first time. Uncle Tiger   has landed on Bristo Place , shaking up the late‑night scene with rotating Asian flavours

Between Kinross and Balado, tucked just off the M90 along a potholed private road, sits The Grouse & Claret . Opened in 1992 by Vicky and David FuTong , it’s a restaurant that has held its ground for more than three decades by serving classic dishes with the occasional Asian flourish. Set among meadows and lochans, the place feels almost suspended in time. We arrive on the first crisp, sunny day after what feels like weeks of relentless rain; snow still clings to the distant

This World Margarita Day ( Sunday 22 February ), Edinburgh cocktail institution Panda & Sons hosts a one-night takeover from acclaimed London bar Dram , with bartender favourite Zacal Mezcal at the centre of the celebration.  Recently named Best Mezcal of 2025 [1] , Z acal Mezcal sits at the heart of the one-night-only cocktail menu, created by Dram’s Chris Tanner, who joins Panda & Sons’ Nicky Craig behind the bar for the evening. Following a successful first collaboratio

Edinburgh is deep into its sandwich renaissance — a city happily obsessed with bread engineering and filling integrity. We have seen Wahaca team up with local dough deities Twelve Triangles for a Dusty Knuckle special; The Alby roll into The Spence with a bespoke breakfast sanger; and Mootz rocked up in Stocky late summer circa 2023, after research in Florence and Brooklyn ready to hand you a sandwich so gigantic you briefly reassess your life priorities. Mootz, co‑owned by A

This Spring, Edinburgh’s Crolla family have announced plans to introduce the internationally recognised luxury Italian gelato brand Amorino to Scotland for the first time. The family, which has been operating the Vittoria Hospitality Group in Edinburgh for over 50 years, has secured a franchise agreement with Amorino and will open its first Scottish location on North Bridge, just steps from the city’s iconic Royal Mile. The new venue will sit right beside Vittoria Group’s

Stepping into The Spence feels like rediscovering the quiet thrill of eating out — where a historic room, confident cooking and Elliot Hill’s produce‑led touch turn a simple dinner into something genuinely special. From the opening pages of Jeremy King’s Without Reservation , I’m struck by how precisely he captures the often overlooked pleasures of eating out — the way restaurants create space for real conversation in a life increasingly dominated by screens, and the viscera

A new restaurant opening on Edinburgh's Bristo Place this February is offering diners something a little different — a place that changes its culinary destination every six weeks, without changing its character: retro Asian canteen meets supper club afterparty.  Uncle Tiger w ill run a rotating line-up of night-time sessions, inspired by some of the most exciting food cultures across Asia. Each one focuses on a single destination, bringing together chef-led dishes, inventive

When the glitz and razzle of a Friday and Saturday night are over and you want a quiet meal out, no drama; to wear something low key …chill but ever on trend, and you want a space with some cachet, comfort and good fare too, the issue is where, for “Man does not live by bread alone” and all that!! Neighbourhood restaurants vary and Sunday nights in Edinburgh can be dismal, especially if you are the only diners… never the case in London of course with its plethora of cool, bud

Edinburgh’s top bartenders and mixologists are getting set to shake things up with the city’s first ‘Margarita Mile’ for Margarita Month.   From Wednesday 18 th  February until Tuesday 31 st  March, five bars across the capital are teaming up with tequila brand, El Jimador, to celebrate the iconic margarita cocktail and National Margarita Day on Sunday 22 nd  February.   The Basement on Broughton Street, The Boozy Cow on Frederick St, Badger & Co on Castle Street, Copper Bl

Typically hungover and feeling utterly wretched, these impeccably dressed reprobates drag themselves to Bistro Du Vin’s Jazz Sunday Lunch—only to be resurrected by pâté, pét-nat, and the dangerously charming Alexi. Typically hungover, and feeling UTTERLY wretched, these Bitches have risen from the dead. Despite the pain, odd dizzy spell, and inability to focus, we somehow find ourselves impeccably dressed, and seeking solace at Bistro Du Vin’s Jazz Sunday Lunch . Ding Dong!

I moved to Scotland from Canada so long ago that homesickness is a bit of a dull ache I rarely notice: until I walk into Down the Hatch. It’s hard to define what makes a burger place Canadian, but I know it when I find it.  Walls are decorated with hockey jerseys, Canadian stickers, flags and ice skates. The big screen is showing Hockey Night in Canada. An older couple at the adjacent table was visiting from the south of England. She hadn’t been “home” in 10 years and was em

The original idea was to send out this update weekly, but it seems to have developed a rhythm of its own. I think it’s been almost two weeks since the last one — but in fairness, there is a lot happening. The snippets below are just a handful of highlights from our inbox. We’re in danger of drifting into full‑on Bite rather than Nibble territory. On the Grapevine The Beehive in the Grassmarket has had a refurb — we’re heading over soon. A Scottish Cheese Academy has launched

The Scottish Cheese Academy aims to give Scottish Cheese the global status of Scottish Whisky Tanny Gill, Scotland’s only World Cheese Awards judge, today announces the launch of The Scottish Cheese Academy. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, the Scottish Cheese Academy has been created to fill a gap in professional education, help cheese lovers learn more about Scottish cheese, and help give Scottish cheese the cultural status and global reverence of Scottis

There’s something inherently theatrical about watching a great bartender at work, and at Dine’s Martini Experience that role belonged to Will — part‑mixologist, part‑historian, part‑future‑lawyer, and entirely captivating. We’d booked a girls’ treat for the 4pm cocktail hour at Dine , perched above The Traverse in Edinburgh’s theatre district — a fitting setting for an evening built on performance. Once settled into our comfortable bar stools, perfectly positioned at the pol

It took 2500 bookings before it even opened, and as a result the owners felt compelled to close their new restaurant to walk-ins for the first few days. What, you might wonder, was the attraction? An expertly-curated social media campaign? That obviously helped, but the location of Kochchi, Glasgow’s new Sri Lankan restaurant, must surely have played a part. It’s situated down a very cute mews lane off Byres Road in the city’s bustling West End , is close to the University

Scotland’s bakery sector came together on january 26 at Fife College, Dunfermline in a spectacular celebration of skill, creativity and jam filled ambition at the Scottish Baker of the Year 2026 Empire Biscuit Challenge . The event marked the official launch of the Scottish Baker of the Year Awards, which will take place in May 2026 .  Company Bakery, McGhees, Harry Gow, John Gillespie & Sons, Lesley Cameron, Peter Sawkins Hosted by Great British Bake Off winner Peter Sawkin

For those of us who work full time and not in the centre of town, a weekday lunch out is a rare treat, and this is often where the best deals can be found. Though a well-known name to me, my only previous experience of Harajuku Kitchen was the excellent gyoza stall at Stockbridge Market, and I learn that this is where the company started out originally, before opening their award-winning restaurant in Bruntsfield in 2013. Authenticity is very important in the growing world

Dishoom is a UK‑wide restaurant group celebrating the Irani cafés of twentieth‑century Bombay — the bustling institutions founded by Zoroastrian (Iranian) immigrants. Their Edinburgh outpost also nods to the visionary town planner Patrick Geddes , appointed Bombay’s first Professor of Sociology and Civics in 1919. Geddes frequented the city’s cafés, suppor ted the independence movement, and advised on planning during his years living there. Dishoom folds this local connect

Left to Right: Claragh, Nicola, Jacob and Jaynie Kean A family‑run Lowland distillery steps into a new chapter as Jackton prepares to reveal the single malt that has quietly shaped its identity from day one. Six years after filling their very first cask, the team at Jackton Distillery are finally ready to lift the lid on their inaugural RAER Single Malt . And in true Jackton style, they’re doing it with a Burns Night gathering on the former family farm. Between 23–25 January

Tea Scotland has won the 2025 Pioneer Award  at the internationally recognised Leafies Tea Awards marking a major moment for Scotland’s fast‑growing tea sector. The network, which supports the commercial cultivation of Camellia sinensis   across the country, was praised for producing rare, small‑batch, traceable teas shaped by distinctive Scottish microclimates that echo high‑altitude terroirs. The Awards ceremony commended Scottish Tea Companies The Leafies —organised by t

Wahaca brings big flavour and easygoing charm to plant‑based dining, with vibrant small plates, standout tacos, and a zero‑proof drinks list that makes Dry January feel like a celebration rather than a compromise. Sometimes you just have to treat yourself. I’m not talking about a Michelin starred, white tablecloth kind of treat, more the kind that warms your stomach and ignites a spark in you at the same time. That’s Wahaca. Visiting our local restaurant in Edinburgh, with

One Week On… Just when you think the days are stretching and the chill is easing, Scotland reminds you—firmly—that winter isn’t done with us yet. Luckily, the Bite team has been out gathering plenty of ways to stay cosy in Scotland’s brilliant restaurants, cafés and bars. 🍇 On the Grapevine Scottish wins at The Leafies    A strong showing for Scotland at The Leafies —affectionately known as “the Oscars of the tea world”. Bacaro 42     A new Venetian wine bar has opened at 4

Cold outside? Get your skates on to Hawksmoor Edinburgh to catch their January meal deal! They’re offering their steak‑and‑side deal from as little as £16, and Bite is in there quick to sample Hawksmoor’s specials. The basic deal includes a 35‑day dry‑aged Scottish rump steak with a choice from four sides. Add on a second course and the total of £19.50 still keeps it keen. So much so that my dining companion feels a celebratory Cava is a suitable aperitif, and it’s a delici

Celestia raises the bar for Edinburgh’s midday dining, pairing sharp technique and contemporary Indian flavour with a lunch menu that’s both polished and properly priced. Celestia , Edinburgh’s contemporary Indian dining destination on Eyre Place, has unveiled a new lunch menu designed to deliver bold flavour, refined technique, and exceptional value — and early visits suggest it succeeds.  Priced at £15.95 for vegetarian and £19.95 for non‑vegetarian, the menu invites gue

Giovanna Eusebi has revealed that keenly-anticipated plans for expansion of her popular award-winning family-run Italian restaurant Eusebi Deli in Glasgow’s West End by taking over a derelict bank across the road in Gibson Street to create a new wine bar and restaurant, are on hold - just days after hearing she had been granted new planning permission after two difficult years.  Speaking exclusively to Bite , patron Giovanna Eusebi, whose family has been operating in Glasg

Mowgli brings its trademark sparkle and home‑style Indian cooking to a grand Hanover Street bank building, but while the sauces shine, uneven execution and chain‑style service leave Edinburgh’s independents firmly in the lead. Mowgli Street Food is a UK restaurant group built on Indian home‑style cooking and the lived experience of its founder, Nisha Katona. A former child‑protection barrister, Katona left a 20‑year legal career to open the first Mowgli in Liverpool in 2014.

Edinburgh’s most generous wine tasting returns this spring as Great Grog opens the doors to its Big Spring Wine Fair  on Saturday 18 April 2026 , offering two relaxed, discovery‑driven sessions at the Greyfriars Charteris Centre  on Pleasance. With 100+ wines  to explore and producers pouring on the day, it’s one of the city’s most convivial ways to taste widely, chat freely, and find new favourites. This year, Bite readers get something special: 4 pairs of tickets for each s

One of Scotland’s leading chefs will be hosting a collaborative ‘Captain’s Table’ experience onboard Edinburgh’s five-star luxury floating hotel, Fingal, on Wednesday 4 February .   For one night only, just ten diners are being offered the chance to step aboard the world-class foodie destination to enjoy a bespoke five-course menu created by Michelin-acclaimed guest chef, Barry Bryson from Barry Fish at the neighbouring Shore area of Leith.   The exclusive pop-up dining ev

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A decade after its last outing, The Buckstone returns with daytime charm, vintage motorsport flair, and some of the most relaxed views in Edinburgh. Ten years. Where does the time go? It feels like yesterday, but it is nearly four thousand days since I last set foot in The Buckstone. It was once a sports bar (of which more later), it was once a casual diner (also of more later), but what is never in doubt is the exquisite location . It’s been here since before Tenzing Norgay

2025 If your palate’s been sleeping on Australian wine, 2026 is your wake-up call. On Saturday 21 March, The Edinburgh Academy’s Main Hall  transforms into a tasting fairground for the 100 Best Australian Wines Festival , curated by none other than Matthew Jukes —the UK’s most trusted Aussie wine whisperer in collaboration with Wine Events Scotland 🍷 Corks will pop at Aussie Wine Fair This isn’t your average swirl-and-sip. Jukes has spent over two decades spotlighting the b

A much-loved Belhaven pub in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town is set to ring in the New Year in style with a brand-new look and elevated offering as it undergoes a significant programme of refurbishment.   Recognised as a true landmark in the Grassmarket , and set in the shadows of Edinburgh Castle , the Beehive Inn has been an iconic building in the capital for over 400 years and remains a vibrant hub for locals and tourists alike. This flagship Belhaven pub will temporar

I have to confess that before my invitation to visit Glasgow’s new city‑centre sushi restaurant, I am beginning to weary of the East Asian culinary influence that’s been trending across the country for months. But Sticks’n’Sushi , Scotland’s first outlet from the popular Danish‑Japanese restaurant group based in Copenhagen, forces me to confront this niggling aversion with what can only be described as a deep dive into a completely new experience. If it’s true that we eat fi

Kris Sandlan , community manager at  Cairngorm Coffee , talks to Bite contributor Kirsty Wilkins about creating connections and the Scottish coffee culture. How did Cairngorm Coffee come about? Cairngorm was founded by Robi [Lambie] in 2014 around a kitchen table in Newtonmore. Back then the goal was simple: to make the best coffee we could without alienating people. Fast-forward over 11 years and we’re still exploring the ever-evolving world of coffee. We’re proud to be par

Lidl is ruffling the feathers of Christmas dinner tables nationwide with the launch of Turkey Wine - a limited-edition rosé designed to prove once and for all that pink deserves a seat at the Christmas table. With only 500 bottles available and priced at £6.49 , this exclusive release is set to become the unexpected star of the Christmas spread. Shoppers can snap up a bottle from 10:00am on Wednesday 17th December exclusively at www.lidlturkeywine.com , while stocks last, w

👋 Hello from Team Bite We’ve had a busy and delicious week, and we’re excited to share it with you. From press trips and cocktail tastings to new openings and festive treats, there’s plenty happening across Edinburgh and beyond. Think of this as your friendly catch‑up over Saturday morning coffee. Chicken Liver Parfait in Sea Buckthorn at Station Road at The Lovat, Fort Augustus Where we sipped & savoured We went to Pizza Posto which Anne Pia reviewed earlier this year Also,

Sean Kelly’s cooking confirms what we all already know: Scotland has the finest larder in the world.   Nestled above the Caledonian Canal in The Lovat Hotel, this Highland retreat is where Sean forages, crafts and experiments with a deep respect for Scotland’s culinary past. His avant-garde tasting menu recalls volumes such as A Caledonian Feast by Annette Hope , yet feels utterly of the moment.   He tells me he would like to “not cook with lemons at all,” responding to

The Cairndale Hotel offers 86 rooms, and an award-winning spa, in the heart of Dumfries. Family-owned for more than 40 years, it has grown from humble beginnings in a butcher’s shop into a thriving hotel and built on stewardship, expansion, and deep community connection. Its latest investment includes 12 new luxury rooms in the Burnock Wing, a £250,000 project featuring eclectic artwork, bespoke headboards, Nespresso machines, and Roberts DAB radios. The highlight is a Signa

A bold new culinary concept led by chef Jason Wright Lost Shore Surf Resort — home to Europe’s largest inland wave pool — has officially unveiled Lost Food , its brand-new food and drink concept. For the first time, the resort is bringing dining in-house, with internationally renowned chef, restaurateur, and hospitality consultant Jason Wright  at the helm as Head of Food and Beverage. The Outlets Lost Kitchen  – all-day dining, soon to expand into a curated evening menu of s

Edinburgh’s only independent Spring Wine Festival returns to the Assembly Rooms in 2026 with a fresh line‑up of global flavours, engaging workshops, and a very special guest. Edinburgh Uncorked, hosted by Wine Events Scotland’s Diana Thompson , is a celebration of discovery—bringing together hundreds of wines from across the world, including exciting bottles from lesser‑known regions. Special Guest This year, Diana is joined by Joe Wadsack, one of the UK’s most charismatic w

If you’re looking for the perfect Christmas cocktails to end a festive office day out, impress visiting friends or celebrate with your favourite people, I’ve got just the spot. Head to 56 North on West Crosscauseway , get yourself warm and comfy in one of their booths, and browse their cocktail menu. 56 North has over 400 gins and a dedicated South Loch Distillery producing its own spirits right inside the venue. There are two 50L copper pot stills in the bar. I couldn’t re

From cosy pubs to sparkling rooftop bars — the Bite team is gathering plenty of seasonal inspiration. Whether you’re planning comfort food, cocktails, or a winter escape, here are some highlights to spark your own plans. Where Team Bite Ate This Week Mrs Bite and Eleanora revisited an Edinburgh favourite: Kampong Ah Lee - perfect food for this cold weather Comfort food and cocktails at The Bonnington Pub - try the Haggis Bon Bons with a cheeky dash of HP sauce. Kerry, Th

Founded in 1868  by George Baxter in Fochabers, Speyside, Scotland, and starting as a small village grocery stor e, fourth-generation family-owned Baxters brand has a spectacular selection of gourmet gifting options this Christmas.  Focusing on the comforting taste of tradition the company has a delectable selection of hampers and gift boxes. Each jar and tin carry the essence of family gatherings, crackling fires and the unmistakable aroma of a delicious soup bubbling on

On a crisp November evening, The Bonnington glows on its corner spot on the eponymous road, inviting locals in with the promise of comfort food, beer, wine and cocktails. Run since 2024 by Carlo Carozzi —also the force behind the award‑winning street food venture The Peruvian —this neighbourhood pub has quickly become a welcoming hub. The no. 11 bus stops right at the door. Once inside, the pub manages to be both spacious and cosy at the same time. In the main bar there are

Sophisticated, that's the word that springs to mind to describe The Tollhouse. In another life, this same spot in Canonmills was one of the original entry points into the city. It’s here, along the Water of Leith , where merchants stopped to hand over their levies, before continuing on to sell their wares in the city. I wonder what they’d have thought of the glass-fronted, modern building now standing in its place.  The Tollhouse is one of four local restaurants from Stuart

A Newington staple It’s with blush cheeks that I confess my first visit to Kampong Ah Lee , the acclaimed Malaysian restaurant that has quietly thrived in Newington for two decades. How it has eluded me until now is a mystery. A Sri Lankan–German friend, when asked for the city’s best Malaysian spot, answers without hesitation: Kampong Ah Lee. She is right. Another antipodean pal comments that KAL is her 'go to' for Laska. The restaurant is small and narrow, its walls alive