A look at how Scotland’s slice scene is evolving — from street‑food roots to Flùr’s modern take inside Bonnie & Wild. Street food remains one of the fastest‑growing forces in casual dining, driven by demand for affordable, high‑quality dishes that fit modern, on‑the‑move lifestyles. Food you can grab between the jigsaw pieces of daily life — whether that’s a streetside bao bun or a fold‑and‑go slice of Margherita. Pizza is a major player in this space. The global street‑pizza

Duck & Waffle Edinburgh is set to transport guests to the heart of Havana with the launch of the Eminente Terrace, a Cuban-inspired rooftop retreat created in partnership with Eminente rum. Set on the fourth floor of St James Quarter, the terrace offers views across Edinburgh’s historic skyline. It centres around a textured wild wall - a mix of tropical foliage and delicate, dried flowers, complete with a raffia Eminente sign - creating the perfect backdrop for photos. Other care

Bite Exclusives cuts straight through the hype and takes you to the places in Edinburgh that actually deliver — the spots that won’t fleece you, bore you, or waste a night out. Real flavour, real value, no mystery bills, no sad beige food. Just the restaurants and bars we’ve eaten in and would send our pals to without blinking. This is the first drop. More are coming — and they’ll only get better. Pinky promise. More info on all here Tanpin Tasting Night at Harajuku Kitchen E

Carlo Petrini’s impact on Scotland runs deeper than many realise. In her thoughtful tribute, Cate Devine traces how the Slow Food founder’s ideas have shaped chefs, growers, policymakers and communities across the country — a quiet revolution whose roots now reach from kitchens and markets to allotments, classrooms and culture itself. The steady flow of tributes from across the globe to Carlo Petrini, the Italian founder of the global Slow Food movement who died on May 21, wa

A few weeks ago, I went to the opening night for Uncle Tiger, a new Asian-fusion restaurant with a fun pop-up menu twist. Tempting delights floated through the crowd, and I was instantly addicted to the flavours and fancies on offer. As everyone’s “fun, favourite uncle”, keeping it fresh, fun and fascinating is what Uncle Tiger is all about. While I’m a creature of habit who frequents the same places and eats the same meals on repeat so I am intrigued by the concept of a rota

I recently took part in the Fish & Shellfish Day Course at Edinburgh Food & Drink Academy, a place best known for its rigorous professional training alongside an impressive range of recreational courses — relaxed, hands-on sessions designed for food lovers, groups and teams looking to cook, learn and have fun together. I chose this particular session because — let’s be honest — fish, bivalves and their armour‑plated, crustacean pals can be intimidating. Hard shells, sharp cl

Happy May, everyone — we hear the sun is about to make an appearance, and we’ve got plenty of sunshine‑worthy events and restaurants for you to look forward to. Our summer issue is online now and will be out in print from the end of May. Newsworthy Mutti Pasta Sauce Tour brings its Italian roadshow to Edinburgh — free pasta, free sauce, and a taste of Italy on Castle Street. Malones Edinburgh announces a £500,000 investment in a major Haymarket expansion ahead of the World Cu

Malones Edinburgh has announced a major £500,000 investment in the venue, building on a strong period of growth for the business and marking the next stage in its expansion near Haymarket. The half-a-million-pound investment will see the popular Irish bar create a brand-new 200-capacity function room, while also delivering upgrades across the existing venue. Work is due to take place in May, with the venue remaining open throughout the refurbishment and the new space expecte

Celestia has quietly become one of Edinburgh’s most exciting modern Indian restaurants — elegant, inventive, and rooted in deep flavour. Now, Celestia is opening its doors to Bite readers for an exclusive dining experience available Monday to Thursday, 6pm–7.30pm. For £29.95 per person (food only), guests can enjoy a curated selection from Celestia’s à la carte menu — the same dishes that have made it one of the city’s most talked‑about new openings. Drinks are paid separatel

Thursday nights just got a whole lot more delicious. Bite has teamed up with Harajuku Kitchen to bring you Tanpin Tasting Night — a weekly, small‑plate Japanese dining experience where you build your own trio of Tanpin favourites for just £21.95. Tanpin is Harajuku Kitchen’s signature small‑plate menu: vibrant, comforting, flavour‑packed dishes designed for mixing, matching and sharing. Tanpin Tasting Night gives you the freedom to explore Japanese cooking at its most playful

Edinburgh food lovers, clear your diaries. The Muti Pasta Sauce Tour is rolling into Castle Street on 26–27 May, bringing with it a beautiful Italian street kitchen on wheels — and thousands of free portions of pasta and jars of Mutti’s award‑winning sauce. The 127‑year‑old, family‑run tomato brand from Parma has become something of a quiet obsession among chefs, food writers and home cooks across the UK. Now, Mutti is taking that love on the road, visiting seven major cities

On a day that could genuinely pass for Spring, these sun-starved Bitches are happily soaking up the rays - and of course, an absolute shedload of Champagne - while attending the launch of the fabulous, and newly refurbished, Garden View Deck & Bar at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. A select soirée made all the more divine by its gloriously green outlook, exceptional food, and inspired collaboration with Maison Pommery & Associés - a family-owned Champagne house renowned

When Sabzi, a Punjabi restaurant, joins forces with the Portuguese-Chinese fusion of Macau Kitchen, the result is a pop-up experience that transcends simple dining. Hosted by Sabzi’s charismatic Stevie Singh and Macau Kitchen's masterful Chef Kei De Freitas, the evening feels like an intimate invitation into their shared culinary heritage. Chef Kei, a natural storyteller, guides us through the provenance of each dish, while Stevie ensures the hospitality is as warm as the spi

Contini George Street has launched a feel‑good Edinburgh collaboration this May, partnering with cancer support charity Maggie’s Edinburgh for a month‑long fundraising campaign that blends fashion, food and community spirit in the city. At the centre of the partnership is Maggie’s Boutique, a four‑day pre‑loved designer pop‑up running 14–17 May at the former Jo Malone store on George Street. More than 1,200 donated luxury items — curated with the help of Maggie’s Ambassadors

In a world where everybody seems to be stripping back to white marble benchtops, grey sweatpants, and cold facades, Pizza Geeks brings back a little bit of the whimsical we all need. As I always say, in geeks we trust. I may be somewhat biased, being a massive geek myself, but the moment I stepped into the Pizza Geeks instalment on Easter Road in Edinburgh, I was instantly at ease. Awash with black paint and brick layering, with pops of lights in the neon signs, it would be w

João’s Place, the discreet speakeasy perched on the 11th floor of W Edinburgh, has relaunched with a striking redesign and an expanded culinary offering, reaffirming its status as one of the city’s most coveted rooftop destinations. Hidden behind a gold door and known for its intimate atmosphere, the bar now unveils a refreshed and expanded space that blends understated glamour with the effortless hospitality. The relaunch follows a year of acclaim, with João’s Place earning

Stepping into the kitchen‑garden at The Cottage at Royal Terrace, the city seems to loosen its grip. The noise of modern life falls away as the path leads toward the 1836 Playfair cottage, part of the architect’s elegant Royal Terrace scheme. It’s a fairytale setting, and once inside, the chalky white‑walled dining room catches the last of the golden hour before settling into the soft glow of table lamps. It is a tranquil setting for what will transpire; precise cooking where

My experience of Champagne has been pretty limited so far – a rather depressing confession for someone in their 40s. While I am very happy to quaff glasses of posh fizzy stuff at drink receptions, I couldn’t have told you anything about what I was drinking. For this reason I was excited to attend the ‘Champagne & Sparkling Wine Around the World’ tasting at Papple Steading, a new arts and culture hospitality venture in the Lammermuir Hills in East Lothian. The tasting is the f

Glasgow’s Merchant City meets the heat of southern Brazil as chef Juliana Kipper unveils El Santo’s new summer menu — a celebration of subtle spice, smoky parrilla cooking and the shared footballing soul of two nations gearing up for a seismic June showdown. It’s the first time I’ve been back in Glasgow since the fire that destroyed the Union Corner Building next to Central Station. You’ll know the facade, even if you didn’t know it. That famous Irn Bru sign on the roof was G

As Six by Nico nears its tenth anniversary, chef Nico Simeone is stripping things back and starting again. Lennox — his most personal concept yet — marks a bold return to instinct, fire and flavour as he brings the project home to Glasgow. Chef Nico Simeone is redefining his culinary identity with the launch of his most personal restaurant concept to date: Lennox. Following a successful debut in Manchester in March, Lennox Glasgow will mark a homecoming for the chef in May 20

Edinburgh’s wine calendar is heating up, and one of the most anticipated tastings of the year is just around the corner. On 31 May, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Headquarters opens its doors for an immersive afternoon (2pm-5pm) dedicated to the wines of the Rhône Valley — a region celebrated for its diversity, character and remarkable consistency vintage after vintage. If you joined Rhône in White last year, you’ll already know this is an event that over‑delivers. And

As Howies celebrates 36 years in Edinburgh, the family-run restaurant group is reflecting not only on its history, but on the values that have kept it relevant in a city that has changed significantly over that time. The milestone comes as Scotts Kitchen, the group’s more contemporary venue on Victoria Terrace, unveils a thoughtful refresh completed in January this year. Founded in 1990 by David Howie Scott, Howies was built on a clear and enduring idea: serve honest, seasona

Chef Kaori Simpson is on a mission to make Japanese food as vibrant, vegetable‑forward and joyfully accessible as Ottolenghi made Middle Eastern cooking — and Harajuku Kitchen is the platform where that vision comes to life. “I want to be the Ottolenghi of Japanese food.” So declares Chef Kaori Simpson, the creative force behind Harajuku Kitchen, and it’s not a throwaway line. Ottolenghi took Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavours and made them vibrant, vegetable‑forward,

Patron Mohammed Abbas with Charlotte Gilbert Teenage Cancer Trust Celestia marks its first birthday with a one‑night charity celebration on Thursday 14 May, donating 50% of all food takings to Teenage Cancer Trust. The New Town restaurant, known for its modern Indian cooking and award‑winning approach, will serve a special set menu in support of young people facing cancer across the UK. Celestia, Edinburgh’s contemporary Indian dining destination, is celebrating its first bir

From sea‑sprayed grills in Paphos to the strawberry fields of the east, Cyprus reveals a culinary culture where history is eaten as much as admired — a journey Simon Walton charts through shared tables, slow traditions and island generosity. In the misty morning, on an island where they turned back time, Cyprus wakes up to a dusty breeze, the Sirocco bringing in a gentle pink dawn, laden with promise from the Sahara. Yet in the blooming springtime, this is no desert parched

Bowhouse’s monthly Artisan Market Weekends bring together a hand‑picked community of local growers, makers and producers under one roof. Recently awarded Farm Retail Association ‘Real Farmers Market’ certification , the market champions genuine field‑to‑fork provenance — with stallholders selling what they grow, rear, bake or make themselves. Expect fresh seasonal produce, small‑batch food and drink, and a vibrant indoor marketplace that welcomes around 4,200 visitors each mo

In all the turbulence of the Edinburgh hospitality scene, as we welcome exciting new ventures and bid farewell to old favourites, one restaurant has been quietly, and consistently, producing thoughtful, creative food at exceptional prices since it opened a decade ago. As I write, the latest round of actions by men with small minds and large armies has once again thrown the economy into turmoil. With less money for ‘luxuries’ like eating out, those restaurants that survive thi

Happy May, everyone — the sun might be out, the rosé is definitely open, and the Bite team have been everywhere except sitting still. Newsworthy The Gardener's Cottage has reopened and we will report back imminently Indian restaurant Celestia is giving 50% of food takings to Teenage Cancer Trust on 14 May. Go. Eat. Do good. Nico Simeone brings Lennox home to Glasgow after Manchester debut Howies has unveiled a refresh to mark its 36th anniversary The Sabzi family Reservations

Edinburgh’s much‑loved 'Neighbourgood' Market is back for its seventh year — and returning with it is Cold Town Beer, raising the bar once again with a packed programme of summer entertainment, great drinks and alpine‑inspired fun in the heart of Stockbridge. Running 1 May–2 August 2026 , the outdoor food and drink market will operate Wednesday to Sunday on the sports fields by Portgower Place and Raeburn Place, welcoming thousands of visitors across the season. Bigger prog

Pizza Geeks , the independent pizzeria well known throughout the city for their handmade Neapolitan inspired pizzas and their ‘Pizza for the People’ initiative celebrates their 10-year anniversary this month by announcing a brand-new menu and dough recipe across all locations, extensive plans for ‘Pizza for the People’ initiative, and their latest opening at St James Quarter in the capital. To celebrate, Pizza Geeks have created a new dough recipe with a 72-hour fermentat

A new café‑brasserie from The Rocca Group, Clarets pairs brasserie style cooking with panoramic views over the Old Course and West Sands — a relaxed, confident addition to St Andrews’ dining scene. Clarets , open May 1 2026, is the latest addition to The Rocca Group portfolio, perched on level one of The R&A World Golf Museum with sweeping views over the Old Course and West Sands in St Andrews. Sitting along from Managing Director Stefano Pieraccini’s fine dining restaurant

One of Edinburgh’s most unique dining destinations is set to open on Friday 1 st May, as The Cottage at Royal Terrace – a 19 th -century William Playfair building tucked within Royal Terrace Gardens – reopens as an intimate, seasonal restaurant. Peter Adshead - whose career spans Michelin-starred restaurants and Edinburgh's leading five-star hotels - takes on the role of Director as The Cottage at Royal Terrace puts down new roots. Originally built as a home for the Garden

Wahaca teams up with Tony’s Chocolonely for a limited‑run menu where bold Mexican flavours meet ethically sourced chocolate, turning a springtime visit into a double‑dose of feel‑good indulgence. This particular chocolate brand exists to make 100% slave‑free chocolate and it has taken over Thomasina Mier's Wahaca dessert menu until April 28. What could be better fun than tacos & tequila? My pal Melanie’s reply, to any such question - add chocolate! So who else could possibl

Discovering a neighbourhood gem hiding in plain sight, award-winning food journalist Cate Devine finds The Skillet in Glasgow’s West End delivering cooking of rare precision and flair under head chef Aamana McGivern — a restaurant she believes is destined for wider attention and even a Michelin Bib Gourmand. I’ve heard it said that sometimes it’s the people closest to you that you know the least. I reckon the same adage can apply to local restaurants and, especially, their fa

One of Edinburgh’s most photographed rooftop bars has just levelled up — and it’s ready to bring the party this Easter. Cold Town House , the Grassmarket hotspot famous for its jaw‑dropping Edinburgh Castle views, has unveiled a £500,000 makeover that turns its rooftop into a year‑round playground of cocktails, sunshine (when we get it) and seriously good vibes. Since opening in 2019, it’s been the go‑to for anyone chasing that perfect castle‑backdrop pint. Now, thanks to a

Ciccetta’s pops out on Bruntsfield Avenue like a burst of colour against Edinburgh stone. Butter-yellow walls, curling pink lettering, and a softly glowing interior promise something cheerful before you’ve even stepped inside. And inside, the promise is kept: peach-toned light warms the space, Italian posters line the walls, and stacks of branded takeaway cups sit ready behind the counter. It’s the kind of place that makes you pause and smile, even on a dull day. Opened in

Once a humble outpost for beat officers, the Leith Walk Police Box has become one of the city’s most distinctive tiny landmarks — a pocket‑sized space with an outsized creative life. These iconic blue boxes were once scattered across Edinburgh as essential communication points for police on foot. Today, the Leith Walk box has been reimagined as a micro‑venue for makers, artists, and community projects. Its compact footprint invites ingenuity: pop‑up shops, exhibitions, tasti

Bite’s interest goes beyond simply tasting and sipping on your behalf. Sometimes, as on a recent evening, we have the chance to explore where tasty ideas are hatched, and a new independent launch, The Cookbook Shop, situated on the lower section of Haddington Place, provides the opportunity to stoke some sweet and savoury dreams in this lavish repository of food & drink inspiration. Conceived by Martyn & Liz Bryson as a ‘community base’ as well as a prime resource for hospi

What makes East Lothian such a special county for food and drink? East Lothian has an extraordinary geographic, fertile farmland, a stunning coastline and rolling heather- clad hills, all within a compact area. This diversity shapes what we grow, make, catch, brew, and bake. Add this to a strong sense of community and collaboration and you have a food and drink scene that is high quality but also deeply rooted in place What can readers expect to find in the book? What started

Cate Devine finds that Finnieston’s former fine‑dining institution The Gannet has reinvented itself as Eleven Fifty Five, a warm, buzzing neighbourhood bistro where Irish roots, French classics and a new ease of service signal a bold and successful transformation. For an established fine-dining restaurant to address the challenges currently facing the hospitality sector by almost completely reinventing itself into a neighbourhood bistro-snug surely takes a hefty dollop of cou

Time for another nibble! On the Grapevine We hear that Mara on The Shore has been taken over by they folks at Nauticus and Dogstar! The rooftop bar at Cold Town House is having a glow up and a retractable glass roof will be put in place to keep the iconic castle views. Eleven Fifty Five the new restaurant from Peter McKenna and Kevin Dow has opened at 1155 Argyle Street. Duck & Waffle celebrates the return of Waffle Week! Two Edinburgh venues, McLarens on the Corner and Col

Bodega, Lucky Yu, The Captain Darling and now Uncle Tiger : the Edinburgh‑based hospitality firm Òir Group has launched its fourth new restaurant on Bristo Place. When I pull up with Simone to taste the Hong Kong edition of a rotating suite of Asian‑inspired menus , I recognise the space as the former Forest Café, then Checkpoint. The student‑cum‑fringe energy still hums through the industrial, cavernous room where the music properly thumps. Scarlet mushroom‑shaped table la

Waffle Week Monday 23 rd - Sunday 29 th March 2026 | International Waffle Day - March 25th Duck & Waffle Edinburgh marks International Waffle Day with a playful week-long menu that reimagines takeaway favourites as bold, indulgent waffle creations — from döner kebab riffs to over-the-top sweet treats. Running 23–29 March, Waffle Week brings big flavours, cheeky twists and plenty of fun to the capital. Duck & Waffle Edinburgh celebrates International Waffle Day with a week

Foodies Festival, the UK’s biggest touring food, drink and music festival, returns to Inverleith Park this August with its strongest Edinburgh line‑up yet. Now in its 21st year, the three‑day celebration brings together TV celebrity chefs, chart‑topping music acts, and hundreds of artisan producers, creating a full‑scale summer weekender for food lovers of all ages. This year’s headline names include: MasterChef 2025 Champion Harry Maguire MasterChef finalist Sophie Surgue Ma

Wine - Three Edinburgh Wine Lists Built on Passion

Sabzi is a genuinely unique Indian restaurant. Sitting on Ferry Road in a former Blockbuster Video, the family‑run spot began life as a COVID pop‑up — and the rest, as they say, is history. Acid‑bright rainbow colours and a bold, chubby font define the branding, which frontman Stevie Singh tells me was the result of a bit of bootstrap creativity in 2021. The family were twiddling their thumbs during lockdown, but Stevie’s dad had once owned The Far Pavilions restaurant and l

One of Edinburgh’s most iconic rooftop bars is getting a major £500,000 makeover in time for the Easter weekend from Friday 3 rd April. Since opening its doors in 2019, Cold Town House in the Grassmarket has established itself as one of the capital’s most popular rooftop bar experiences with a stunning backdrop of Edinburgh Castle. A two-month construction project is now underway to transform and elevate the venue even further with a state-of-the-art retractable roof,

After exploring twelve diverse regions across India in a nine month culinary journey, chef Dhaneshwar Prasad , of multi award-winning Dhoom Indian Streatery & Bar in Dunfermline has unveiled his latest menu. Named “Chef Prasad’s Desi Eats” , his 13th menu since launching Dhoom in 2018, the menu is an exploration of dishes that Prasad considers are some of the very best he's come across on his many travels. “As the name suggests, this menu is the “very best of the best,”

A Celebration of Sparkling Excellence From the moment the doors open at The Edinburgh Academy, corks will be flying and glasses will be clinking. Hundreds of Champagnes and sparkling wines — from iconic houses to boutique producers — will be poured by the people who know them best. Visitors can wander through two elegant halls, each filled with producers eager to share their craft. Whether you’re curious about the nuances of a grower Champagne, the crisp charm of a Prosecco,