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HANAM’S 3 Johnston Terrace, Old Town, 0131 225 1329. Mon–Sun noon–11pm. www.hanams.com It is actually possible to eat at Hanam’s without realising they have a terrace, so be sure to ask if tables are available. Traditional Kurdish food contrasts with beautiful old town views, making the perfect culture clash. Shisha pipes available. TOWER RESTAURANT National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Old Town, 0131 225 3003. Mon–Sun noon–11pm. www.tower-restaurant.com One of Edinburgh’s great locations, hidden away on the roof of the National Museum of Scotland. Castle views plus fine dining does equate to high prices, so afternoon tea may be the best way to see the sights and save your pocket.
PETER’S YARD 27 Simpson Loan, Quartermile, 0131 228 5876. Mon–Fri 7am–6pm; Sat & Sun 9am–6pm. www.petersyard.com Right in the middle of the Meadows, this excellent artisan bakery has generous outdoor seating, or simply pick up a picnic and go and sit on a rug somewhere. Do not forget the cardamom buns. Seriously. They rule. PETIT PARIS 38-40 Grassmarket, Old Town, 0131 226 2442. Mon–Fri 7am–6pm; Sat & Sun 9am–6pm. www.petitparis-restaurant.co.uk The Grassmarket’s recent redevelopment led to much more outdoor seating as well as a more family-friendly atmosphere. Expect classic French bistro cooking, served in two large outdoor terraces. Open all day in summer – so perfect for a long, late lunch.
THE GATEWAY RESTAURANT AND TERRACE CAFÉ, ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS Gateway Restaurant, Inverleith, 0131 552 2674. Mon–Fri 9.30am–6pm; Sat & Sun 9am–6pm. www.gatewayrestaurant.net. Terrace Café, Inverleith, 0131 552 18 THE LIST 22 Jul–5 Aug 2010
THE BEACH HOUSE 57 Bath Street, Portobello, 0131 657 2636. Mon–Fri 9am–5.30pm; Sat & Sun 9am–6pm. www.thebeachhousecafe.co.uk Perfect little café with carefully sourced ingredients and a knock-out beach location making it well worth a trip on a sunny day. If you can’t get a seat, take out a slice of excellent cake, all made by local home bakers.
0606. Summer opening times: 10am–6.15pm. One of Edinburgh’s most beloved outdoor spaces, the Botanics now has two eating options. The more formal Gateway Restaurant is truly beautiful, with a curvy terrace overlooking banks of flowers and a tranquil water feature. The Terrace café is more informal and does a roaring trade in coffees and family favourites. Neither is particularly
cheap, but the picture-perfect settings make up for it. A ROOM IN LEITH 1c Dock Place, Leith, 0131 554 7427. Mon–Sun noon–4pm, 5.30–10pm. www.aroomin.co.uk With a large pontoon right on the water, this is one of the best spots for getting a sense of old and new Leith – there’s history, boats and people-
Peter’s Yard
watching right in front of you, as well as competent modern Scottish cooking.
LOCH FYNE RESTAURANT 25 Pier Place, Newhaven Harbour, 0131 559 3900. Mon–Fri 10am–10pm; Sat 10am–10.30pm; Sun 10am–10pm. www.lochfyne.com Watch water. See boats. Eat fish. See what they did there? Brilliantly connecting menu from experience to provenance, Loch Fyne serves carefully sourced, fuss-free fish in an old fishmarket, complete with a large deck and an on-site fishmonger. Poisson perfection. CHOP CHOP 76 Commercial Street, Commercial Quay, Leith, 0131 553 1818. Mon–Thu noon–2pm, 6–10pm; Fri noon–10pm; Sat 5–10pm; Sun noon–4pm. www.chop-chop.co.uk The second Chop Chop opened recently in Leith’s pedestrianised Commercial Quay. It’s the same authentic northern Chinese menu, albeit with a slightly more upscale style and atmosphere. Plenty of outdoor space for dumpling dunking is an added bonus.