Celebrate Edinburgh’s festive season with Dean Banks

The festive season in Edinburgh with Dean Banks

Edinburgh is world-renowned for its magical Hogmanay and Christmas celebrations and what better place to celebrate than at Dean Banks’ restaurants. Especially as Chef Dean is the only chef and restaurateur to have two restaurants with views of Edinburgh Castle and the spectacular Hogmanay fireworks display. Celebrating the very best of Scottish dining, The Pompadour by Dean Banks at The Waldorf Astoria and his brand-new restaurant Dulse have announced showstopping festive menus for guests to truly immerse themselves in the unique celebrations of the capital.

Photos by: Grant Anderson - www.grantanderson.me / @grantandersondotme

With a real focus on celebrating the seasonality of ingredients, Dean and his team have created outstanding Christmas menus that showcase sustainable, local luxury at its best. Throughout December, guests at The Pompadour can feast on the Christmas tasting menu (£105 pp), which includes gorgeous seasonal dishes such as Hand Dived Scallop, Daikon, Kaffir lime, braised Roe Deer Haunch, Roscoff onion, and a warming Sticky Toffee Pudding, embracing the luxurious indulgence that Christmas is all about.

At Dulse, guests visiting in December can experience some of Dean’s favourite seasonal dishes for just £35 pp for three courses or £45 pp for four courses. Festive dishes include the Dulse Fish Pie with charred winter greens or the delicious Roast Hake, Braised fennel, Dulse and Dill Sauce, with comforting desserts like Plum crumble, served with Nana’s custard.

For those wanting a seasonal tipple, look no further than downstairs in Dulse’s cocktail and wine bar, where some classic cocktails will be given an extra Christmas sparkle. These include a Nutmeg Espresso Martini and a Chocolate Orange Old Fashioned, available alongside traditional favourites such as warm mulled wine and cider.

Photos by: Grant Anderson - www.grantanderson.me / @grantandersondotme

Listed as one of the ‘Top 100 things to do before you die’, Hogmanay in Edinburgh truly is an ultimate bucket list activity and regarded as one of the greatest New Year celebrations in the world.

Having recently been shortlisted for Best Restaurant in UK at the prestigious Observer Food Monthly Awards 2022, The Pompadour is one of Edinburgh’s most established and much-loved fine-dining restaurants and is the perfect setting to welcome the New Year, with breathtaking views of the historic city and the spectacular fireworks for Hogmanay festival.

Continuing his passion for local produce, Dean has pulled out all the stops for an unmissable dinner menu that includes all of his favourite dishes. The luxurious eight course menu, priced at £250 pp, champions the finest quality Scottish produce, with dishes such as pan-seared Gigha halibut with Arbroath Smokie Cullen Skink, St Andrews Bay Lobster, Mirin butter and Dulse, as well as the mouthwatering Warrendale Wagyu, Gochujang, Ponzu, Black Sesame, all available on 31^st December only.

For those wanting all the festive fun and buzz, but a more laid-back, intimate style of service, Dulse offers incredible starters designed to share amongst the table alongside larger main dishes, which champion Scottish seafood, and the impressive Hogmanay tasting menu is no exception. Priced at £145 pp, guests can feast on Arbroath Smokie Tart, braised leek and cullen skink espuma and Tranche of North Sea Turbot with Hollandaise Sauce and Seaweed Potatoes celebrating Scotland’s abundance of fresh, high-quality produce. The Hogmanay menu at Dulse is available for dinner on 31^st December only.