The 13 excellent Edinburgh restaurants and cafes that I'm most excited about trying in 2025

After a brief spell of half-baked New Year abstinence, we’re hoping to return to full gluttony soon.

These are the places that have caught our eye for first footing. They include some newbies, but also a few favourites that opened towards the end of last year, some of which we haven’t managed to visit yet. Let us remedy that, tout suite.

LITTLE CAPO

We know that a restaurant is going to be good, when its exterior is painted a cocky pink shade. This new place is from a team that includes Stuart McCluskey, formerly of The Bon Vivant Group, and serves a menu of ‘Italian-ish’ grub. These small plates might include tomato and fish bisque, with cod, mussels and potato and a wedge of focaccia, or beef shin ragu, pappardelle, celeriac puree and pecorino. Wash that down while bracing yourself against the cold with a Golden Martini, featuring sherry and vermouth

18 Howe Street, Edinburgh (Instagram @little_capo)

Little Capo | Contributed

LANDY’S

It’s nearly time to reward yourself for, thus far, surviving the most depressing month of the year. We plan to sample the wares of this new fish and chip venue from the Crolla family’s Vittoria Group, who own Divino Enoteca, Bertie’s and Brunswick Book Club, among other favourites. I don’t know what would possess you to deviate from the classic battered haddock with chips, but there’s also a fishy ‘seadog’, served in a brioche bun and topped with crispy fried onions and all the trimmings. Also, for tourists only, the deep fried Mars Bar.

29-31 North Bridge, Edinburgh, www.landysfishandchips.co.uk

MOSS

The Stockbridge neighbourhood already has more than its fair share of great food destinations. However, on January 29, in the former premises of Satine Saint Stephen, they’ll also be taking delivery of Moss, from ex Noma chef, Henry Dobson. It’ll serve only Scottish produce, with meat sourced from the chef's family farm, and British wines, beers and spirits. They’ll even be making their own furniture, which is hewn from fallen linden trees, with the shavings used to smoke duck.

112 St Stephen Street, Edinburgh (Instagram @moss_edinburgh)

Moss | Contributed

LANNAN

We’ll be returning to this bakery in 2025, especially since the consistently viral destination and winner of La Liste’s Pastry Opening of the Year in 2024, has had a mini refurbishment. They were shut through January, to add more kitchen space, and an office, and will be opening, refreshed and rejuvenated, to potentially offer a few additional treats.

29-35 Hamilton Place, Edinburgh (Instagram @lannanbakery)

BABYFACED BAKER

At the Scottish Baker of the Year 25/25 Awards, Babyfaced Baker won the Best in Scotland Gold Award for their croissant. Perhaps that’s why it’s so busy at their newest outlet in Portobello, where treats including hazelnut mocha bostocks and stuffed cookies. You’ll also still find them at their original three-year-old venue on Leith Walk.

219 Portobello High Street, Edinburgh, www.babyfacedbaker.com

MAMACITA’S

Talking of Portobello, they’ve recently seen the opening of this Cuban sandwich joint, which also serves Latin bowls and empanadas. During January, they’re serving the vegan pata sucia (translating as dirty paws), which is filled with mojo jackfruit, vegan cheese, house mustard, shoestring fries and guava ketchup.

128 Portobello High Street, Edinburgh (Instagram: mamacitas_portobello)

NOK’S

Nok’s Kitchen in Stockbridge and their other branch on Johnston Terrace are quietly dependable restaurants that consistently deliver wallet-friendly and dependable classics like pad Thai and chicken satay. They’ve just opened their third place on Morrison Street so you need never be too far from your holy basil fix.

192-194 Morrison Street, Edinburgh, www.nokskitchen.co.uk

PICCALILLI

Wine and cheese? Yes please. This bar and restaurant will be opening in the coming months and we will be first through the door.

1 Grange Loan, Edinburgh, www.piccalilliedinburgh.co.uk

BARRY FISH

Edinburgh’s favourite chef, Barry Bryson, will be opening his own restaurant soon-ish, in a section of Mimi’s Bakehouse at the Shore in Leith (it’s downsizing, so they’ll be neighbours).

After years of pop-ups, at venues including the capital’s recently closed Honeycomb & Co, as well as Jupiter Artland, he’s had plenty of time to refine his style. If previous dishes are anything to go by, they might be serving red mullet with mackerel orange and fennel, or octopus, labneh, green beans, pickle, and Greek olive oil.

62 The Shore, Edinburgh, www.barryfish.co.uk

THE BAMI

It’s only a few months old, and we haven’t yet made it along to this Vietnamese restaurant. However, we have been eyeing-up the menu, which includes a honey chicken version of a traditional banh mi, and pho with rare beef sirloin. For the ultimate buzz, conclude your meal with some salted cream coffee.

281 Leith Walk, Edinburgh, www.thebami.co.uk

HOI AN

The Bami isn’t the only new Vietnamese contender in town. We’ve also had the recent opening of this place at Tollcross. It also features classics of the genre, including those transparent spring rolls that are too pretty to eat, and crispy Vietnamese crepes, otherwise known as banh xeo, which are filled with prawn, chicken or tofu.

4-5 Bruntsfield Place, Edinburgh, www.hoianuk.com

BLANK STREET

Nothing will replace our favourite coffee independents in the Capital. However, we are intrigued by this Generation-Z-friendly brand, which began in New York back in 2000, and, in the UK, now has 37 branches across London, Manchester and Birmingham. It’s taking a prime Old Town spot from January 25 on the Instagrammable Victoria Street, where it’ll serve drinks including its iced blueberry matcha.

5 India Buildings, Victoria Street, Edinburgh, www.blankstreet.com

THE EDINBURGH LARDER

We were very sad when Salt closed down, but at least it was replaced by another of our favourite cafes, with its original branch on Blackfriars Street. Their focus is also on brunch, and dishes include chilli beef brisket benedict, or cold-smoked sea trout with homemade tattie scones, poached egg, dill creme fraiche, capers and pickled beetroot dressing. There’s also...wait for it…French toast, but made with brioche and including caramelised apple puree, creme patisserie and crumble. Hold my coat.

54-56 Morningside Road, www.edinburghlarder.co.uk