The last few months have been hard for the hospitality industry, but these new bars and restaurants are set to open in cities across Scotland.
From an Innis & Gunn bar in Edinburgh to a high end chippy in St Andrews and a new south Asian hotspot in Glasgow - here are some of the best newcomers to the food and drink scene in Scotland.
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This new South East Asian restaurant has opened on Ingram Street in the Merchant City in Glasgow, and is already getting rave reviews.
Due to open before lockdown, diners could finally enjoy dishes such as banana leaf-wrapped seabass and panang chicken on 15 July
Mamasan is the creation of Brad Stevens - the man behind Bar Soba and Pizza Punks.
Bookings are being taken now.
Picture: Innis & Gunn Beer Kitchen Facebook
Craft brewer Innis and Gunn is set to open its second bar in Edinburgh – in the popular Shore district.
The capital-based firm has submitted a planning application to put up new signage and carry out some repainting work at the former premises of popular cafe Finn and Bear on The Shore.
The latest opening will bring the firm’s total number of bars in Scotland to four, following the creation of the Innis and Gunn Taproom on Lothian Road and two other venues in Dundee and Glasgow.
The application for new light signage at The Shore venue, as well as a chalk board, looks set to be approved by city planners. Finn and Bear, which is owned by the team behind The Pantry in Stockbridge, announced its closure in March.
Picture: Ga-Ga Chicken
The team behind ever-popular Malaysian restaurant, Julie's Kopitiam, recently opened Ga-Ga Chicken at the newly launched beer garden, Ronnie's Bar & Kitchen at SWG3.
It's fair to say that customers are going ga-ga for the fried chicken outlet, with the Mamak burger being a standout favourite dish for many.
You can try Ga-Ga Chicken by booking a table at Ronnie's Bar & Kitchen - but be quick as they sell out fast.
Pic Alan Richardson Pix-AR.co.uk
Free to Use from V&A Dundee
Street food entrepreneurs Chris Heather and Melodie Paterson, in partnership with V&A Dundee, are now serving takeaway food and drink from a three-wheeled Piaggio van and converted horse box set up outside Scotland’s first design museum.
Specialising in serving seasonal Scottish food and drink at outdoors events and festivals, Heather Street Food will be positioned outside V&A Dundee from 11.00am till 7pm every Thursday to Sunday offering a selection of bagels, gelato and hot and cold drinks.
A menu of five bagel choices, including a plant-based vegan option and a V&A Dundee weekly special, are offered with prices from £3.50 to £5.50.
Coffee prices start at £2.50 and the artisan gelato comes in a variety of flavours served in a cone or tub with free toppings.
For those looking to enjoy an alfresco drink, a bar menu is also available from 12 noon serving locally brewed 71 Lager, prosecco, gin, cocktails and mocktails with locally foraged garnishes.
The customised street food vehicles have been wrapped with Mary Quant imagery in preparation for V&A Dundee reopening on Thursday 27 August with its first major fashion exhibition.
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With plans for a second Haar restaurant - which was due to open in Edinburgh - on hold, chef Dean Banks has focused his time and culinary skills on the popular Haar at home service, which launched during lockdown.
Keen to keep it going now that restaurants have reopen, the Masterchef finalist started a crowdfunding campaign last month for new premises for Haar at Home.
During a recent chat with us for our Under the Grill feature, Dean exclusively revealed that he has plans to open a high end chippy in St Andrews in September this year, which will be named HAARbour.
That's all we know for now but watch this space for more updates.
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The Neighbourgood Market, located at The Grange Club in Stockbridge, opened on 15 July, and is home to a range of local, independent vendors.
The market is open between 12pm and 7pm from Wednesdays to Sundays and traders include: Bross Bagels, Mana Poke Bowls, Mimis Bakery, Brew Lab, Innis and Gunn and Edinburgh Gin.
One-way demarcated walkways and designated circular seating zones for small groups to gather and socialise are in place along with the 100 per cent contactless payment system. Each circle will hold about five or six people and larger social groups would likely need to split up and use neighbouring circles.
The hope is to enable several local businesses to get back up and running post lockdown.
The duo behind The Neighbourgood Market concept, Preston Mommsen and Edward Wilson, have taken inspiration from other open-air markets set up during lockdown easing including Domino Park in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York, which overlooks the East River.
Picture: Facebook
Muss Bar and Kitchen is on Musselburgh High Street on the site of the former Habaneros Mexican takeaway, which closed two years ago.
The new bar and restaurant is a joint venture between Star Pubs & Bars and experienced business operator Anna Brudnowska.
Due to open before lockdown, the team set up a delivery service before opening on 15 July.
Muss Bar and Kitchen has a menu based around seasonal produce locally sourced from East Lothian farms and Musselburgh’s butchers and fishmonger.
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While not brand new, the Fat Pheasant only made its debut late last year and has been closed all of lockdown, only reopening on 22 July.
A traditional country pub, it serves 'healthy, heart warming food' - a menu of which is the creation of ex Cromlix chef Andrew Thomas Hughes.
Menu highlights include East Neuk Kiln House smoked salmon, slow cooked wild boar ragu and sticky toffee pudding.
More info and bookings can be found here.
Pretty bloody fantastic (and all organic) food being served until 8pm. Then we’re off until Wednesday. Menu online (find in bio)#edinburghpizza #edinburghfood #organicfood pic.twitter.com/OCoSLDywXM
— My Friend the Murderer (@MyFriendsBar) June 21, 2020
Named after an Arthur Conan Doyle story, this new bar was opened pre-lockdown and, on closing, quickly became a bottle shop and takeaway.
Cashless from the outset, My Friend the Murderer has a wide range of beers from independent UK breweries, and sourdough pizzas for those looking for a bite to eat.
Their website is under construction so follow them on Twitter for updates.
Picture: Facebook
While the trendy No.10 Bar and Restaurant isn't new, its outdoor terrace is.
No.10 on the Terrace was opened on 6 July, the date set by the Scottish government for outdoor hospitality to reopen.
The new outdoor area is located in the Queens Terrace Gardens, adjacent to No.10. Diners can look forward to seasonal dishes from the menu designed by head chef Andy Stephen.
There's also a kids menu and extensive cocktail and mocktail list for those looking to try something new.
Safety measures are in place and for more info and booking, please click here.
Chef Modou Diagne will open his debut restaurant, 111 by Modou on 21 August with a five course tasting menu that will continue showcase his culinary skills.
The twenty-six year old chef will offer guests a seasonal Trust tasting menu priced at £30 per person with a matching wine flight at £25 per person and available every Tuesday – Saturday.
Highlighting local ingredients, guests will choose from either black truffle or smoked mackerel for the first course; smoked ham hough, Loch Etive sea trout or tortellini for the second course and XO duck, grey sole or pink fir apple potato for the third course.
The fourth is a choice of confit lamb belly, Shetland cod or violet artichoke and the five course tasting menu ends on a sweet note with a dessert of golden peach, Perthshire strawberry or lemon.
There is also an optional cheese course, priced at an additional £5.
This popular Trust tasting menu concept has been available at the restaurant since 2018 and was pioneered by Modou and his team.
The Total Trust menu is also still available every Sunday, priced at £23 per person and offers diners a five course menu designed entirely by the chef’s choice of ingredients on the day.
The 46-cover restaurant will open with a reduced capacity of 28 and new features will include an open kitchen and stylish, contemporary artwork.
Picture: Glaschu
Glaschu, a new restaurant at the heart of Glasgow’s Royal Exchange Square, finally opened its doors at the end of July, almost five months later than planned due to lockdown.
Glaschu is located in the Western Club building and is being headed up by head chef Dion Scott, who previously trained in Blumenthal’s kitchens and some of London’s most famous eateries.
Diners can look forward to a menu designed to showcase the best of Scotland’s larder, supporting local producers, farmers and fishermen.
Restaurant owner, Andy McCartney said: “Glaschu will open on Thursday July 30 and we are now taking reservations for dinner on our website.
"The à la carte menu celebrates great Scottish produce and hosts stand-out dishes such as our Gigha halibut and pineapple carpaccio dessert. There are also fun nods to some local favourites within the menu; the house pickled mussels and cockles appetiser will evoke memories of trips to the Barras market for many Glaswegians.
"We’re delighted to announce that five pounds from every signature Beef Wellington sold in the restaurant will be donated to the STV Children’s Appeal, which supports young people affected by poverty in Scotland.
"Our chic new bar offers an excellent range of cocktails and premium wines available by the glass. We are the only bar in Scotland to host Tennent’s exclusive export range and we’re excited to still be able to welcome the people of Glasgow into the bar without dinner reservations."
The restaurant will open from Wednesday to Sunday from 12pm onwards with hygiene procedures and staff in PPE.
For more info and to book, please visit their website.
Picture: Whisky Forager
Whisky Forager opened its doors at the end of July and is aiming to pair Scottish whiskies with food in order to showcase chef patron, Colin Hinds', love of all things Scottish.
This latest project is a natural progression from Colin's last - the award winning seafood restaurant, Kilted Lobster.
The aim of Whisky Forager is to pair limited editions, silent distillery, single cask editions and hard to find old and rare whisky with seasonal Scottish produce to create a dining experience that is both unique and bespoke.
The five course tasting menu has been created with a whisky connoisseur in mind but will also appeal to those new to the world of whisky, with the emphasis on creating harmony or contrast to give a truly bespoke Scottish dining experience.
The tasting menu will showcase what’s best from the market, the fishmonger and the farmer each week, paired with drams, limited editions, distillery exclusives and all time favourites.
For those less inclined to our national drink, there will also be a gin menu to try.
The restaurant has been designed with social distancing in mind and thus will only seat 8-10 guests in one sitting per evening. Five course tasting menu with paired drams (or gins) will cost £69 per person and more information can be found here.
