Six restaurants you need to know about in Edinburgh

Edinburgh’s food scene has never been better than it is right now. The Scottish capital is brimming with delicious foodie options, whether you fancy a deluxe sandwich or an elegant Michelin starred date night dinner. Inventive chefs are opening up exciting eateries in every corner of the historic destination – here are a few of the spots I’ve tried, tested and encourage you to taste for yourself.

Tipo

Tipo – A beautiful minimalist dining room in the centre of town, Tipo serves relaxed Italian cuisine. The small plates and homemade pastas deliver on flavour and aesthetics. Don’t miss the irresistable snacks – lamb fritte with white anchovy and zeppole with pecorino cheese, and the seasonal soft serve for dessert.

Spry –  This neighbourhood wine bar and bottle shop specialises in naturally made wines. ‍ The accompanying food menu is an ever-changing selection of dishes made with local, seasonal produce. I particularly loved the fresh cheese with olive oil and the leek dumplings (perfect for a chilly winter’s evening). The group also has a great bakery and coffee shop downstairs called Ante.

The Little Chartroom

The Little Chartroom – Roberta Hall’s bijou bistro serves modern European dishes in a charming little dining room. The menu showcases bold Scottish ingredients, presented confidently and creatively. The menu changes frequently but the Spenwood cheese & caramelised onion tart, pickled onion, beer vinegar was very memorable. Book a table at the chef’s counter to watch the kitchen at work.

Eleanore – Located on Albert Place, Leith, Eleanore is the second restaurant from the Little Chartroom team serving a fine dining, seasonal menu. The eatery and wine bar has high stool seating and bright monochrome décor and the service is wonderfully welcoming. Every plate was tastier than the last, with the Pork ‘Bo Ssam’, cashew, sesame and Cheese course particularly standing out.

Noto – Noto is an independent restaurant focused on food for sharing, small domaine wine producers & bespoke cocktails. Inspired by chef-owner Stuart’s time working in NYC, the restaurant is named after his eclectic room-mate there, Bob Noto. I loved the fusion style dishes, unexpected and full of flavour – ox cheek bao buns, onion, star anise and purple sprouting broccoli tempura, togarashi were a couple of my stand-out plates.

The Palmeston

The Palmerston – This much loved restaurant and bakery is always full of hungry locals and visitors. Housed in an impressive 19th-century building – a former Royal Bank of Scotland, it feels a bit like a classic Parisian bistro. The menu is full of tempting options, with comforting recipes like rich, slow-roast Tamworth pork loin with borlotti beans and black cabbage. It is a friendly, warm place to meet with friends or family and feast together.

Other restaurants I’ve loved on previous trips or have been highly recommended recently – Timberyard, Lyla, Heron, Pomelo, Mirin, Alby’s, The Gardener’s Cottage, Fhior, Kitchen Table at Twelve Triangles.

Art After Dark – 12 & 13th October

Autumn is here and the new season brings with it a fresh programme of cultural activities and events across the capital. Most excitingly one of my favourites is back, Art After Dark returns on the 12th and 13th October, transforming the West End with a giant public art takeover alongside 30+ galleries, art institutions, and a selection of bars and eateries across Piccadilly and Leicester Square open late for art lovers and culture seekers alike.

From award-winning cultural initiative Art of London, Art After Dark will exclusively present a screening inspired by iconic performance artist Marina Abramović on the Piccadilly Lights at 7pm on Friday 13th October to coincide with her major autumn exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts.

There will also be incredible free outdoor public installations including a new giant, inflatable sculpture titled ‘The Cornucopia’ by Claire Luxton, and an illuminated neon installation titled ‘The People You Love’ by Robert Montgomery in Leicester Square Gardens.

Taking place during Frieze, London’s busiest art week, hop between independent galleries such as the Stern Pissarro, Cristea Roberts, and Saatchi Yates, to soak up art and culture as the sun goes down on Thursday 12th October. The following evening, London’s most famous galleries will stay open until 9pm for a late-night cultural experience on Friday 13th October.

Last week I visited some of the highlights to add to your evening itinerary for Friday 13th October.

Art After Dark – 12 & 13th October

The National Portrait Gallery has recently reopened after a transformative renovation, with the impressive new entrance bringing in more visitors than ever before. It is really brilliant to see women at the heart of this revamp, with the National Portrait Gallery commenting that their three-year project ‘Reframing Narratives: Women in Portraiture’ aims to “enhance the representation of women in the National Portrait Gallery’s collection and highlight the often-overlooked stories of individual women who have shaped British history and culture. I was excited to wander round the permanent collection and see so many female artists exhibited and celebrated. One of the current exhibitions is ‘Yevonde: Life and Colour’ which tells the story of a woman who gained freedom through photography – as she experimented with her medium and blazed a new trail for portrait photographers. The exhibition features portraits and still-life works produced by Yevonde over a colourful sixty-year career, and draws on the archive of her work acquired by the Gallery in 2021, as well as extensive new research by the gallery’s team. Art After Dark is the final opportunity to visit ‘Yevonde: Life and Colour’ as the exhibition finishes on 15th October.

Art After Dark – 12 & 13th October

I also encourage you to check out the ‘Art of London Presents Take a Moment’ display downstairs, a striking collection of Ray Burmiston’s photographs depicting famous faces and members of the public, all with their eyes closed. The collection of pictures aims to raise awareness for mental health by allowing people to take a moment to be calm and collect their thoughts. The series has continued this year and my portrait (taken by Ray) will be on display on the Piccadilly Circus big screen on 10th October 2023 (World Mental Health Day).

Art After Dark – 12 & 13th October

All this culture is sure to work up an appetite, and The National Portrait Gallery now boasts the fabulous Larry’s Bar, a sophisticated spot for cocktails and food throughout the day and evening. Grab a table at one of the velvet-clad booths and order a ‘Larry’s’ cocktail accompanied by some tasty snacks, I loved the cheese and charcuterie boards.

Art After Dark – 12 & 13th October

With the National Gallery next door, I continued the theme of female artists by visiting the Paula Rego’s ‘Crivelli’s Garden’ exhibition which explores the relationship between Paula Rego’s monumental painting and the 15th-century altarpiece and National Gallery staff that inspired it. Thirty years ago, Dame Paula Rego, the National Gallery’s first Associate Artist, was commissioned to create a mural for the then new Sainsbury Wing Dining Room. The result, Rego’s ‘Crivelli’s Garden’ took its inspiration from an altarpiece by the 15th-century Italian artist Carlo Crivelli, ‘La Madonna della Rondine (The Madonna of the Swallow)’ painted after 1490 to tell the story of women from biblical history and folklore. It is a powerful and detailed painting that I really enjoyed seeing for the first time.

This exhibition is free to the public, and while you are here I also recommend wandering round the permanent collection.

Don’t miss this opportunity to admire London’s best art collections in the special Art After Dark series. And be sure to make an evening of it with food and drink at one of the area’s many brilliant eateries.

Paid Partnership with Art of London. More information here.

Beauty Brands to Make You Feel Good This September

Despite having the best intentions for my mental and physical state of mind at the beginning of the new School season, I always feel frazzled in September. This year a few trusted beauty brands have helped get my mind and skin back on track, and feeling ready for Autumn.

September beauty

Summer may be waning but SPF is a must all year round, the Ultra Violette ‘Preen Screen SPF Reapplication Mist’ is super easy and quick to incorporate into your daily routine, and the ideal product to use on the go. The final step of your skincare regime, just spray a layer over your make-up for protection from unwanted rays. Pair with the ‘Fave Fluid’ which delivers a soft, natural finish.

September beauty

My first try of Mirror Water did not disappoint, an award-winning brand which is all about self-care. The 100% Naturally-Derived Bath Salts and Smooth Body Oil are the perfect duo for an evening in this September. As the nights get cooler sooth your skin with a long warm bath followed by a generous layer of this daily body oil which will leave your skin feeling luxuriously soft and nourished.

September beauty

I’ve been on the lookout for a new serum and moisturiser duo to treat my skin to this Autumn. With the change of seasons my skin has felt dull and unloved. The Skinceuticals range has often rescued me before so I felt confident that the C E Ferulic high potency serum and Daily Moisture moisturiser would do the trick. Just a few drops of the serum worked immediately, diminishing the appearance of fine lines while also adding a glowy tone to my face. The lightweight moisturiser followed well, minimising the pores on my t-zone particularly well.

September beauty

I’ve always loved the Fresh skincare but never tried their bodycare selection before. The Rise Morning Body Wash and Body Lotion are the perfect duo for putting you in a good mood in the morning. Jump in the shower with this happy floral scented product and let the Vitamin C & E in the product cleanse without stripping your skin of goodness. Follow with the body lotion to stay soft and scented for the whole day ahead.

September beauty

Everyone raves about no-fuss brand CeraVe and now I know why. With the change of seasons and weather fluctuations my skin always suffers. The Blemish Control range has kept my break-outs to a minimum unclogging pores efficiently and delicately while also improving the smoothness of the skin. Both these products contain 3 essential ceramides, glycolic and lactic acids to improve your complexion, fast.

September beauty

Acqua di Parma are one of my favourite luxury Perfume brands for year-round use. The range of scents match the seasons with something to suit everyone. Lily of the Valley is a bright, citrusy scent, ideal for late summer days out… with powerful aromas of jasmine, magnolia and geranium coming through. For Autumnal evenings out I like the Oud & Spice, a lovely unisex perfume with more woody notes. When you first spray it on the skin I noticed hints of Raspberry and Rose (a combination I’ve always loved) but it mellows quickly and gives a lovely warmth to your skin as it matures.

September beauty

As the air gets cooler I like to wear warmer scents that keep me feeling comforted all day. The Ostens Patchouli Heart No. 1 is a aromatic perfume with notes of Amber and Patchouli in the base, with higher notes of lavender and pink pepper. I love the addition of liquorice to the perfume, it feels exciting and modern but sophisticated.

September beauty

Thameen‘s The Cora fragrance is inspired by The Cora Sun-Drop Diamond. Founded in South Africa in 2010, it is known as the yellow pear shaped diamond. A great trans-seasonal scent with an alluring recipe of Rose, Vanilla, jasmine and patchouli. The perfume lasted so well on my skin, evolving throughout the day with a feminine warmth.

September beauty

Victoria Beckham can do no wrong, her beauty line is as stylish as it is effective. The Highlighter stick is my new handbag essential, a slick golden wand offering a fresh, glass-like glow when applied (I put it below my eyebrows and on my cheekbone). Amber is the new shade, ideal for sunkissed September complexions. For a minimal make-up look pair with a neutral lip and a lick of the Victoria Beckham Vast Lash mascara which voluminises and lashes while also being smudge resistant and easy to remove. It ticks every box for me.

September beauty

I am a novice when it comes to probiotics, but I’m trying to learn more as the results are undeniable. The Seed brand is as stylish as it is effective. I love that the Seed products don’t need to be kept in the fridge (always a problem when you are a frequent traveller) and are suitable for kids too. This Pediatric Daily Synbiotic stabilises the bacteria in your gut promoting a healthier digestive system. These powder sachets can be stirred into water or food and begin to work within a few days, making you feel healthier without a major lifestyle change.

This post contains some press samples.