Here's our selection of exciting openings for Edinburgh and Glasgow foodies to look forward to in 2021

Anything would be an improvement on the annus horribilis that was 2020.

Graeme Cheevers

Try the Michelin contender that is Unalome

This exciting new restaurant is headed by Scottish chef Graeme Cheevers, who has worked at Etain, Martin Wishart at Loch Lomond and the Isle of Eriska Hotel.

It’ll be launching at 36 Kelvingrove Street in Finnieston (in The Sisters’ old spot) in February. Their ambition is to bag Glasgow’s first Michelin star since Gordon Ramsay’s now defunct Amaryllis at One Devonshire Gardens held one, 17 years ago. Watch this space.

Gleneagles Townhouse artist's impression

unalomebygc.com

Visit Gleneagles’ street smart sister

The five-star countryside resort that is Gleneagles is turning urban, with its first city outpost at the former Bank of Scotland building on St Andrew Square.

It'll have 33 bedrooms, in comparison to the original hotel's 232. Food-wise, the all-day restaurant will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, and there will be two bars featuring rooftop terraces. Expected to open in autumn 2021.

Johnnie Walker render

37-39 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh (gleneaglestownhouse.com)

Get into spirits

The scaffolding around the old House of Fraser, Edinburgh, will be coming down in spring 2021, for the opening of Johnnie Walker Princes Street. (It looks like the corner clock will still be there and, hopefully, working now). Sign up on their website for access to advance ticket sales and other perks. Also pending in spring 2021 are The Arbikie Distillery Experience, Lunan Bay, and the 8 Doors Distillery in John O’Groats.

johnniewalker.com

The Pitt sign

Re-discover your favourite hang-outs

After a quiet year (though they’re still open Saturday and Sunday, 12-6pm under phase three restrictions), this Edinburgh street food venue has launched a Pitt Pal Standard Membership, to help them get through the winter. For £20, you get a membership card, which includes a year’s worth of free entry (usually £2), once they reopen after a seasonal break, discounts and a chance to win food and drink tabs. If you’re reading this before December 21, vote for your favourite vendor (we like Wanderers Kneaded) to win the virtual Scottish Street Food Awards.

137 Pitt Street, thepitt.co.uk

Go plastic free

Stephanie and Matthew Foulds of The Eco Larder

Edinburgh’s Eco Larder, with its original zero waste shop and Sunshine Yoga studio, at 200 Morrison Street, has just opened a second branch at 19 Howe Street. Take your Tupperware and stock up on food essentials.

It’s also worth checking out The Leith Collective at Ocean Terminal, which sells the work of more than 120 artists and makers and will be going completely plastic free from January 1.

theecolarder.com

Explore the capital’s newest shopping centre

Not everyone is keen on the gilded oopsy design of the St James Quarter, which opens in spring 2021 and replaces the brutalist St James Centre.

We’re perching politely on the fence, but will definitely check out its new shops and restaurants, including & Other Stories, a LEGO store, the W hotel and Japanese, Peruvian and Brazilian eatery Sushisamba, which has branches in London.

St James Quarter

stjamesquarter.com

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