8 Reasons to visit the Edinburgh Restaurant Festival

The Edinburgh Restaurant Festival is back and better than ever! The festival runs from the 5th-25th of February and there’s a wonderful range of fun and unique experiences on offer – such as the Moveable Feast and the Secret Dining Experience. Plus, many of Edinburgh’s best restaurants have created special edition cocktails, great offers, and exciting new additions to their menus, which will run throughout the festival. We thought we would round-up our top 8 highlights to help you start to plan your outing at The Edinburgh Restaurant Festival!

Full list of participating restaurants and tickets are available at www.edinevents.com/edinburgh-restaurant-festival

1) The Secret Dining Experience

• When:  15th February – 1pm and 3pm
• More info: www.eventbrite.co.uk/the-secret-dining-experience.com

Let’s start with a new addition to the Edinburgh Restaurant Festival, the Secret Dining Experience. As the name suggests, this is no regular dining experience, guests will meet near the Melville Monument in St Andrew Square on the 15th of February, then escorted to an unexpected and exciting venue. Once there, they promise you will be delighted and intrigued by your surroundings and your taste-buds will be tickled. So, if you enjoy a little intrigue then this may be a fun event to attend!

2) The Moveable Feast

• When: 6th, 13th & 20th February – 6pm
• More info: www.ion.ticketbud.com/the-moveable-feast.com

Due to popular demand, Moveable Feast is back! It serves as the main event for the Edinburgh Restaurant Festival and runs every Tuesday throughout the festival. The unique and exciting element of this event is you’ll get to visit five different venues and enjoy a different course at each. You’ll begin your culinary journey at Voodoo Rooms for welcome drinks and canapes, then move onto your next location to enjoy a starter and paired drink at the luxurious Argentinian steak restaurant, Gaucho. Next, indulge in Mackies tea sorbet to cleanse your palate at eteaket before heading along to the newly refurbished Rose Street restaurant, The Rosehip for a delicious main course and drink. Lastly, hit George Street for dessert at the one and only Tigerlily before enjoying a night cap at the Scandi-inspired Hyde & Sons. Doesn’t that sound magnificent! But, remember to get your tickets beforehand!

3) Dishoom’s Special Dish

• When: 5th-25th February
• More info: www.dishoom.com

Ever since Dishoom has opened in St Andrews Square it has proved popular with locals. Therefore, we’re sure you’ll be excited to hear that Dishoom is offering a special dish for the Edinburgh Restaurant Festival called the Lamb Raan Bun – which includes seasoned lamb in a strong sourdough bun, along with pickles and onions! To wash down your delicious meal they are also offering a Robert Burns Whisky tipple for lunch and dinner for the duration of the festival.

4) The Ivy on the Square

• When: 5th-25th February
• More Info: www.theivyedinburgh.com

A recent addition to St Andrews Square, The Ivy on the Square is taking part in the Edinburgh Restaurant Festival by offering a special-edition cocktail, The Discovery, priced at £12.50. The cocktail incorporates elements of an Old Fashioned and a Manhattan to create a sophisticated drink. It’s made using Shackleton Scotch Whisky, Barolo Chinato Vermouth, honey and rosemary syrup, and Peychaud’s Bitters.

5) Contini George Street

• When: 5th-25th February
• More info: www.contini.com

Don’t we all enjoy getting something complimentary? Well, during the duration of the Edinburgh Restaurant Festival Contini on George Street are offering a complimentary Bomboloni with warm caramel toffee cream and limoncello if you order a starter and main from the a la carte menu. Yum!

6) Hyde & Sons

• When: 5th-25th February
• More info: www.hydeandson.com

Arguably one of the most aesthetically pleasing rooms on George Street, Hyde & Sons has become the backdrop for many Instagram snaps. Thankfully, here’s another great reason to revisit or visit for the first time, as Hyde & Sons are offering a bespoke Edinburgh Restaurant Festival cocktail.

7) Gaucho

• When: 5th-25th February
• More info: www.gauchorestaurants.com/edinburgh

Having just opened last November, Gaucho is relatively new to Edinburgh and the is the first of the Argentinian steak restaurant chain to open in Scotland. If you haven’t had a chance to visit yet, there’s no better time as all you need to do is quote ‘Edinburgh Restaurant Festival’ and you’ll receive a complimentary glass of Chandon Brut NV upon arrival.

8) Beer Dining Experience at 1780

• When: 15th & 22nd February 2018 – 7.30pm to 10pm
• More info: www.1780restaurant.com

Last but certainly not least, here’s one for all you beer fans. 1780 Restaurant are are teaming up with The Ferry Brewery and Cross Borders Brewing for a fantastic night of delicious food and tasty beer. Priced at just £25, you’ll have the option of either choosing a three course meal or a four course tapas-style meal, and the special treat is, each dish is paired with a different beer!

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