Edinburgh’s food and drink scene is a revolving World of Wonder

It seems no sooner does one restaurant or food and drink establishment door close in Edinburgh then others are waiting in the wings to take their place.

Some recent casualties include the fabulous Aurora on Edinburgh’s Great Junction Street, which has recently announced that it will be closing its doors on 31 December as the owner prepares to “make room for more adventures” after seven years of service. I hope this won’t be the last we hear from Kamil and his team – the meal I had there was one of my standouts in 23 years of dining across the city – innovative, inventive, and out of this world. They will be sadly missed.

The ownership of sandwich shop ‘Fed’ on Forth Street, is now up for sale as the owner prepares to move on, after building up an “excellent reputation” in the capital.

Edinburgh cocktail bar, 63rd + 1st on Frederick Street which made a brief appearance for just over a year, is now replaced by Rosa’s Thai, a new concept of Thai dining. This is my review here.

What was once the nightclub Bourbon on Frederick Street has now been replaced with a new late-night bar Freddy’s with live music and DJs and an extensive cocktail selection.

Caledonian Heritable, which owns the Dome and Archerfield has opened Encore in the West End. Described as ‘spectacular and lavish’, this late-night speakeasy sits below the West End Brasserie on Hope Street. Encore echoes the Parisian vibe, taking inspiration from Paris’s Moulin Rouge and La République district, and promises a range of “vivid, playful drinks” and a signature menu of Scottish and French classics.

And exciting news recently announced and something to look forward to in the new year is RUSK & RUSK’s Spanish Butcher, famed for its distinctive Galicia meets Brooklyn proposition, is due to take on a starring role on North Castle Street in spring 2024.

It’s kind of Delicious and Wonderful

It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of whisky. Ever since I won the Best Reader’s Recipe at the Observer Food Monthly Awards in 2016 for my Whisky, Orange, and Almond Cake (yes, I’m still dining out on that accolade), I’ve been on a mission to try to get all my friends to appreciate Scotland’s national drink.

A technicolour world

I was invited by Glenmorangie to step into its technicolour world at their Wonder Hotline, an immersive pop-up which was at St James Quarter.

Transforming a classic British phone box into an imaginative whisky adventure, decorated in Glenmorangie’s bold signature orange, saturated further with kaleidoscopic colour, the experience was great fun, we were invited to strike a pose in the seriously Instagrammable orange phone box.

A Glenmorangie coin was dispensed which I then exchanged for a ‘Decadent Old Fashioned’ made with Glenmorangie Lasanta, which is aged for 12 years, and is finished with a combination of Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez sherry casks. It was full of Christmas flavour.

Signalling the start of Glenmorangie’s countdown as they bring in the festive season across some of the capital’s top bars with a measure of deliciousness, a dash of wonder and a journey of intrigue, they certainly transformed an everyday experience into a magical moment.

While the pop-up experience may be over, you can still join in with the fun with a Glenmorangie cocktail as 20 of the city’s best bars get ready for the capital’s season of celebrations. From the hidden gem, Nightcap (a particular favourite of mine), to the playful sophistication of Commons Club and the relaxed fun of Eve, both at Virgin Hotel, there are delicious and wonderful Glenmorangie cocktails on offer to enthuse your senses.

And for more decadent adventures head to any of these bars for some exciting more Glenmorangie cocktails.

The Glasshouse, 2 Greenside Place
Nightcap, 3 York Place
Hawksmoor, 23 W Register Street
Lady Libertine, 25 W Register Street
Bramble Bar, 16A Queen Street
Superico Bar & Lounge, 99 Hanover Street
Le Petit Beefbar at IHG Hotel, 21 George Street
Hoot The Redeemer, 7 Hanover Street
Herringbone Abbeyhill, Royal Terrace Gardens
Baba at IHG Hotel, 130 George Street
One Canon, 1 Canonmills
Commons Club at Virgin Hotel, 1 Victoria Street
Eve at Virgin Hotel, 18-20 Cowgate
Under the Stairs, 3A Merchant Street
56 North, 2 W Crosscauseway, Newington
Hey Palu, 49 Bread Street
Caley Bar at Waldorf Astoria, Princes Street
The Voyage Buck, 29-31 William Street
The Lioness of Leith, 21-25 Duke Street
Nauticus, 142 Duke Street

Merry Christmas!