After two decades living on the Walk, Tracy Griffen has learnt that Leith’s best food isn’t always found in the newest openings. In this article, she identifies the long‑standing, weekday‑reliable spots that keep the neighbourhood fed. Leith is a hotbed of culinary talent. It’s tempting to rush around and try all the new openings, which means many established eateries get ignored. I’ve been living in Leith for over 20 years , and here are my favourite places for reliable, af

Minimalist, warm and quietly confident, Umi delivers a lunchtime escape where precision, comfort and serious flavour meet—at prices that feel almost implausible for the West End. We tumble into Umi on a chilly February lunchtime. With its minimalist wooden décor and cosy booths, it feels like a neighbourhood eatery you’d find down a side alley in Tokyo. The light wood, soft lighting and gentle buzz of conversation set the tone: this is somewhere you can happily linger over

The Beehive, an historic pub in the heart of the Scottish capital, officially reopened its doors to the public today (20 February) following a significant programme of refurbishment. Set at the foot of Edinburgh Castle in the Grassmarket, the flagship Belhaven pub has received a major £1 million investment to reinvigorate the pub’s interior and exterior whilst taking care to preserve its unique character. The Whisky Bar   The Beehive investment has created multiple jobs in th

Sponsored Post Low-Key Evenings Done Properly There's something deeply satisfying about an evening that doesn't demand anything from anyone. No elaborate plans, no pressure to be "on" just the gentle art of doing very little and doing it well. These are the nights that often end up being the most memorable, tucked away in the corners of memory where the best moments hide. The beauty of a proper low-key evening lies in its complete rejection of performance. Nobody's taking pho

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