Best Café Near the Royal Mile | The Edinburgh Larder Edinburgh We were very sad when Salt closed down, but at least it was replaced by another of our favourite cafes, with its original branch on Blackfriars Street. Their focus is also on brunch, and dishes include chilli beef brisket benedict, or cold-smoked sea trout with homemade tattie scones, poached egg, dill creme fraiche, capers and pickled beetroot dressing. There’s also…wait for it…French toast, but made with brioche and including caramelised apple puree, creme patisserie and crumble. Hold my coat. Goran Pavlov 30/06/2025
Blank Street Nothing will replace our favourite coffee independents in the Capital. However, we are intrigued by this Generation-Z-friendly brand, which began in New York back in 2000, and, in the UK, now has 37 branches across London, Manchester and Birmingham. It’s taking a prime Old Town spot from January 25 on the Instagrammable Victoria Street, where it’ll serve drinks including its iced blueberry matcha. Goran Pavlov 12/01/2025
HOI AN The Bami isn’t the only new Vietnamese contender in town. We’ve also had the recent opening of this place at Tollcross. It also features classics of the genre, including those transparent spring rolls that are too pretty to eat, and crispy Vietnamese crepes, otherwise known as banh xeo, which are filled with prawn, chicken or tofu. Goran Pavlov 12/01/2025
The Bami It’s only a few months old, and we haven’t yet made it along to this Vietnamese restaurant. However, we have been eyeing-up the menu, which includes a honey chicken version of a traditional banh mi, and pho with rare beef sirloin. For the ultimate buzz, conclude your meal with some salted cream coffee. Goran Pavlov 12/01/2025
Mamacita’s Talking of Portobello, they’ve recently seen the opening of this Cuban sandwich joint, which also serves Latin bowls and empanadas. During January, they’re serving the vegan pata sucia (translating as dirty paws), which is filled with mojo jackfruit, vegan cheese, house mustard, shoestring fries and guava ketchup. Goran Pavlov 12/01/2025
Babyfaced Baker At the Scottish Baker of the Year 25/25 Awards, Babyfaced Baker won the Best in Scotland Gold Award for their croissant. Perhaps that’s why it’s so busy at their newest outlet in Portobello, where treats including hazelnut mocha bostocks and stuffed cookies. You’ll also still find them at their original three-year-old venue on Leith Walk. Goran Pavlov 12/01/2025
Moss The Stockbridge neighbourhood already has more than its fair share of great food destinations. However, on January 29, in the former premises of Satine Saint Stephen, they’ll also be taking delivery of Moss, from ex Noma chef, Henry Dobson. It’ll serve only Scottish produce, with meat sourced from the chef’s family farm, and British wines, beers and spirits. They’ll even be making their own furniture, which is hewn from fallen linden trees, with the shavings used to smoke duck. Goran Pavlov 12/01/2025
Landy’s It’s nearly time to reward yourself for, thus far, surviving the most depressing month of the year. We plan to sample the wares of this new fish and chip venue from the Crolla family’s Vittoria Group, who own Divino Enoteca, Bertie’s and Brunswick Book Club, among other favourites. I don’t know what would possess you to deviate from the classic battered haddock with chips, but there’s also a fishy ‘seadog’, served in a brioche bun and topped with crispy fried onions and all the trimmings. Also, for tourists only, the deep fried Mars Bar. Goran Pavlov 12/01/2025
Little Capo We know that a restaurant is going to be good, when its exterior is painted a cocky pink shade. This new place is from a team that includes Stuart McCluskey, formerly of The Bon Vivant Group, and serves a menu of ‘Italian-ish’ grub. These small plates might include tomato and fish bisque, with cod, mussels and potato and a wedge of focaccia, or beef shin ragu, pappardelle, celeriac puree and pecorino. Wash that down while bracing yourself against the cold with a Golden Martini, featuring sherry and vermouth Goran Pavlov 12/01/2025
Arthur’s Seat Arthur’s Seat, an ancient volcano, reigns as the principal peak among the hills of Edinburgh, Scotland, shaping the landscape of Holyrood Park. Robert Louis Stevenson aptly described it as “a hill for magnitude, a mountain in virtue of its bold design. Goran Pavlov 06/01/2025
Holyrood Park Explore Holyrood Park, an extraordinary city park with a history spanning millennia. Ascend Arthur’s Seat, the ancient volcano’s peak, for stunning panoramas of Edinburgh and beyond. Delve into the park’s rich archaeological heritage, from Iron Age forts to Bronze Age terraces. Don’t miss St Anthony’s Chapel, a captivating medieval ruin, or the serene waters of Duddingston Loch, teeming with waterfowl. Goran Pavlov 06/01/2025
Palace of Holyroodhouse Perched at the end of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, the Palace of Holyroodhouse welcomes visitors year-round, offering insights into its storied past intertwined with Scotland’s historic figures like Mary, Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie. Discover its contemporary role as a venue for official engagements by The King, bridging centuries of Scottish heritage with modern-day significance. Explore magnificent historic and State Apartments, the beautiful ruins of the 12th-century Holyrood Abbey, and remarkable royal gardens, all with a complimentary multimedia tour available in 10 languages. Goran Pavlov 06/01/2025
