New Venue Openings: Edinburgh, July 2019

Cheese Lounge by I.J. Mellis

It’s hard to imagine a better marriage of words than ‘cheese’ and ‘lounge’. Connoisseurs of all things fromage-y, I.J. Mellis are onto a winner with their new addition, a cosy nook at the back of their store where customers can enjoy the produce, along with a carefully selected glass of wine of course! Their accompanying menu is simple, delicious and lovingly-sourced from small-scale producers, with plump olives, rich French onion soup and burrata and pesto just a few of the options on offer. 330 Morningside Rd, mellischeese.net/cheese-lounge

Grazing by Mark Greenaway

"What's that wonderful smell?", you might ask as you enter The Caledonian hotel. That would be the fine smell of triple AA Rosette award-winning chef Mark Greenaway’s latest venture. After a hugely successful run with his North Castle Street restaurant, Greenaway is bringing his self-penned ‘grazing concept’ to a suitably plush West End abode. Sharing platters take centre stage here, where the concept is to 'relax, unwind and graze' in comfort, as you tuck into modern Scottish cuisine with lashings of flair. Princes St, markgreenaway.com/grazing-restaurant

Cold Town House

Barriest location? Cold Town House wins the prize. Hard not to when you have a beer garden overlooking the castle, after all. The newest addition to the already beer-saturated Grassmarket has done a grand job of making its presence known. Spread over three floors – one of which is dedicated solely to pizza and prosecco – this bar promises epic scenes with its spacious layout, steady stream of live entertainment and eponymous working brewery, which feeds directly into the bar below. It's sure to be a hit during the Fringe. 4 Grassmarket, coldtownhouse.co.uk

Fierce Beer

In their own words, Fierce Beer don’t do ‘boring’. This craft beer company hail from Aberdeenshire and, much like brewing legends BrewDog and six°north, have made a bit of a name for themselves with their Doric brethren. Thankfully for us Central Belters, they’ve also set up shop in the heart of the capital. Their Rose Street bar promises great vibes and fine tipples, with 20 of their own micro-brewed creations on tap, along with some fine collaborations to sample. Their beer comes in four categories: Hop Forward, Fruity/Sour, Stouts & Porters and Seasonals & Specials. Don't know where to begin? Try ‘em all! 167 Rose St, fiercebeer.com

Collective

Exciting things are happening atop Calton Hill. The City Observatory, once fallen to rack and ruin, opened its doors once again last year after a major five-year renovation. The occupiers? Collective, who since 1984 have been paving the way for Edinburgh’s emerging artists. Spread across a collection of historic buildings including the Playfair Monument, Observatory House, City Dome and Transit House, Collective have quite literally taken the contemporary art gallery experience to new heights. There’s also the Lookout by Gardener’s Cottage on hand if the climb up the hill works up an appetite. Trust us, the views are worth it. 38 Calton Hill, collective-edinburgh.art

Grow Urban

Serial plant killers of Edinburgh, fear not! Now there's an answer to all your wilting woes. It comes in the shape of Grow Urban, an urban plant shop with a difference. That difference being that they serve up a mean cup of coffee too; after all, plants need nourishment and so do you. Whether you’re naturally green-fingered or just want to brighten up that stairwell/balcony/window frame, Grow Urban stock a weird and wonderful range of botanicals, from Mexican Ponytail Palms to sprawling Strawberry Begonias. They’ve also got some nifty planting pots and gardening tools to satisfy the inner Charlie Dimmock in us all. Caffeine and foliage fun? Sold! 92 Grove St, growurban.uk