Whether you’re planning a day trip, a staycation or are visiting from further afield, the Scottish capital is set to get even more impressive this year, with a slew of brand new openings. And we’re giving you the lowdown on the city’s best eateries, hotels, bars and shops as they open their doors for the first time.
Step inside some of Edinburgh’s newest hot spots…
- Encore, Hope Street
Influenced by Paris’s Moulin Rouge and the Bohemian La République district, the newly opened late-night speakeasy, Encore Edinburgh, is decked out in rich, vibrant decor, making it a great choice for date night or an evening out with the girls. From their “Press for Cocktails” buttoned booths, to a dazzling Je Ne Sais Quoi light installation, this is undoubtedly a cocktail bar and lounge with the added wow factor.
Blending Scottish and French classics with their small plates food menu and fantastic array of cocktails, you can also expect musical performance nights to truly transport you to a world of glamour and extravagance. And don’t forget to commemorate the night in their vintage-inspired photo booth.
Visit encoreedinburgh.com
- Finch & Feather, Exchange Crescent
Our Editor recently took a trip to newly opened Finch & Feather for a skin treatment with impressive results. Nestled in the heart of Edinburgh’s financial district, you’ll find the new luxury skin, hair and beauty destination offering top-to-toe pampering, from HydraFacial’s and Dermalux LED light therapy, to massage and body treatments. The opulently designed salon also offers manicures and pedicures, waxing, as well as a host of hair services.
Founder Nicole noticed a gap in the market for a luxury salon that offered both high-end hair and beauty treatments in one single destination, she was keen to deliver a truly unrivalled customer experience ‘focused on luxury and indulgence’.
Truly indulge yourself by whiling the day away or pop in on your lunch hour for one of their express services, especially handy if you have a last minute event or heading straight out after work. It’s truly a one-stop for all your beauty and grooming needs.
Visit finchandfeather.co.uk
3. Jimmy Fairly, George Street
Parisian eyewear brand Jimmy Fairly is adding yet more French flair to the Scottish capital after recently opening their doors on George Street. Say goodbye to over-priced frames and boring styles. Whether you’re simply looking to browse in person or want to book in for an eye test or free frame adjustment, their opticians are there to help you find the best pair of specs based on your prescription and face shape.
And not only that, shopping at Jimmy Fairly enables you to do some good as you shop. From the brand’s inception, for every pair of Jimmy’s bought, the team finances a pair for someone in need. Their glasses aren’t just kind to the community either. They’re also aiming to improve sustainability in the eyewear market, with a commitment to mainly making their glasses from a plant-based and biodegradable material from 2023 onwards, while their stores, workshops and offices are powered by 100% green electricity. We love to see it!
Visit jimmyfairly.co.uk/pages/opticians-eye-tests-edinburgh
4. Cardinal, from Tomás Gormley, Eyre Place
Those looking for an intimate take on fine dining will find exactly that at Cardinal, Michelin starred chef Tomás Gormley’s first solo restaurant, this March. The 24-cover restaurant will offer a 13-course tasting menu served in the evening, and a shorter, more concise offering for lunch, with the menus moving with the seasons to highlight the bounty of Scotland’s natural larder.
If that wasn’t exciting enough, the celebrated Scottish chef will be taking a flavour-focused approach, with ingredients cooked over flame on Cardinal’s bespoke wood fired barbecue and an enthusiasm for fermenting and pickling. This, alongside a carefully-curated cocktail offering, a natural-led wine list and in-house soft drinks programme, have us beyond excited to pay a visit.
Visit cardinal.scot
5. Uniqlo, Princes Street
Scotland’s first Uniqlo store opens its doors this Spring on Edinburgh’s iconic Princes Street. And the two-story store, which will be housed in what was previously the BHS department store, will give Scottish shoppers a chance to discover a whole host of minimalist and practical fashion essentials from the Japanese brand.
From their viral Round Mini Shoulder Bag, to innovative fabric technologies, such as HEATTECH and AIRism, the high-quality designs and pieces will cater to all genders, children and babies. And if it’s anything like the Uniqlo stores that we’ve visited around the world, don’t be surprised if you find yourself spending several hours trying on everything from padded ultra light down jackets and activewear, to their 100% cashmere jumpers. Let’s just say, Uniqlo has got you covered come rain or shine, which is always very appreciated with Edinburgh often experiencing all four seasons in the space of a few hours.
Visit uniqlo.com/uk
6. RIO Brazilian Steakhouse, George Street
Set within the historic Assembly Rooms building on George Street, in what was previously Jamie’s Italian, RIO Brazilian Steakhouse will open on Friday, February 9. And it is the first time that the authentic Churrasco restaurant will serve diners north of the border.
Offering an array of Brazilian flavours, their service style creates some truly experiential dining, making it the ideal spot for date night or dinners with friends and family. A wide variety of meats are carved tableside in a traditional Rodizio style. Whereas non-meat eaters are catered to with a freshly prepared sushi bar and unlimited gourmet salad bar. And with prices starting £29.95 for lunch to £44.95 in the evening, this is the spot to come to with an empty stomach.
Visit rio-steakhouse.co.uk/edinburgh
7. Stella Lotycz, Queensferry Road
The mother daughter team of Stella and Klara Lotycz bring some captivating new fashion styles and designs to their very first store and studio on Queensferry Road, with the official opening launch of Stella Lotycz taking place on Saturday, February 3.
Stella immediately fell in love with Edinburgh after her very first visit and the pair have worked together to bring their dreams to reality in a space that they ultimately view as their workshop. Shoppers can witness their design process – of everything from waterproof coats and jackets, perfect for the unpredictable Scottish weather, to upcoming spring and summer patterns and shapes – and experience fashion in a completely different way. As their business grows, their vision of establishing a Scottish factory, in addition to their workshop, that promotes healthy working conditions and fair wages, is the next logical step that they hope to take.
Visit stellalotycz.com
8. Ozen Street Food, St James Quarter
Located directly outside St James Quarter on Little King Street, Ozen Street Food has just opened its first permanent location in the Scottish capital. Hoping to become the UK’s first national bao bun brand, they originally launched as a ghost kitchen in 2021 and have enjoyed plenty of viral moments, including a visit from Gordon Ramsay, in recent years.
With a team born and bred in Edinburgh, stop by for a quick lunch or grab some food for on the go. In addition to bestsellers like their Karaage chicken bao, red pork belly bao and halloumi bao, priced at £8 for one or two for £16, their notorious fries, coated in house pickled onions, melted cheddar, chipotle and garlic mayo and desert buns are not to be missed either.
Visit ozenstreetfood.co.uk
9. Gucci, Multrees Walk
While we don’t have an exact opening date just yet, Gucci is set to open its first standalone Scottish clothing and accessories store in the luxury shopping district of Multrees Walk later this year. What was previously Café Nero and Hugo Boss will now make way for an expansive store which will showcase the very best from the Italian fashion house.
For those who can’t wait until then, you’ll still be able to find Gucci at the neighbouring Harvey Nichols department store, where you’ll also be able to shop the likes of fellow luxury brands including Loewe, Saint Laurent and Bottega Venetta.
Visit gucci.com/uk/en_gb
10. Goose 73, Broughton Street
Former family run restaurant, Da Vinci on Broughton Street reopens this month as the new Goose 73 wine bar. Following a significant refurb, the bar will now be serving small plates instead of its previous three-course meal fare. So, if you’re looking for somewhere to dip into after work or grab some pre-theatre drinks and bites, the space is considerably more relaxed. Think tapas, bread, cheese and ham boards, new cocktails and beers, plus choose from up to 30 different wines by the glass.
The bar will be open from 4pm on weekdays and 1pm on weekends until close at 11pm.
