Edinburgh venues round-up: January 2024

Chotu

If you could do with some heating up this winter, then it’s worth paying a visit to Chotu, the new Indian cafe on Haymarket Terrace. Their Bombay Babu has all the staples of a full English breakfast, plus masala beans and potato tikki, and their bacon, sausage and egg roti is served with spicy ketchup. If the heat alone isn’t enough to perk you up early in the morning, the great flavours will do the trick – their dosas (grilled chicken, cheese masala, and red pepper) are a particular highlight, and you can always get a cup of chai to go. The best part about it, it’s right across the street from Haymarket station – a great breakfast joint like Chotu might make your commute a little bit more bearable. 16 Haymarket Ter, EH12 5JZ

Paz Taqueria

Even though their Roxburgh’s Court and Teviot Place locations remain, the news that El Cartel Thistle Street would remain shut was a blow to Mexican cuisine fans in the New Town. If you were as disappointed as we were, then you might consider this news a late Christmas present. Stuart McCluskey, the former owner of the Bon Vivant and co-founder of the Bon Vivant Group (which comprises El Cartel, the Devil’s Advocate, and more), has just opened Paz Taqueria, a Mexican restaurant in the same spot as the former El Cartel. In the words of their Instagram bio: walk-in taco lovers only. 64 Thistle St, EH2 1EN

Fat Patty’s/Mr Boney

Since opening last February, Edinburgh Street Food has become a hotbed for artisan scran, so group nights out will be buzzing to hear about the new additions to the family. Fat Patty’s is a cut above the average burger stand, with ingredients like truffle mayo giving them an edge against their myriad, mouth-watering neighbours. Other newcomers are Mr Boney, whose flagship dish is a 24-hour cooked bone-in-beef rib sandwich. They also offer a Sunday Roast (only on Sundays, of course) complete with Yorkshire puddings and gravy. Leith St, Edinburgh EH1 3AU