Celebrating the May Bank Holiday in Edinburgh

Timberyard is a family-run restaurant in the heart of Edinburgh. Set in a warehouse dating back to the 19th century, the inside is spacious and airy. Expect ingredient-led cooking, created with respect to nature and produce, sourced from local, artisan suppliers. Real highlights include the mussels with cider and butter, wood pigeon with quince and lardo, and the raw scallop with sea kale, kelp, and pickled fennel seed. The food is deliciously fresh and light – perfect for a spring meal. Polish off your meal with the Amalfi lemon, yoghurt, and olive cake and relax into the chilled-out ambience. For a bank holiday in style, look no further.

Nothing says weekend fun more than indulging in a tasty Indian meal. Mother India’s Café is certainly the place to do so: the restaurant offers affordable and tasty sharing plates, perfect for big groups. The experienced team of talented chefs work constantly to expand and refresh the menus, offering specials created with the finest seasonal produce, like Monkfish and Aubergine Tikka. Of course, there’s also plenty of established favourites like Prawn Biryani, and Butter Chicken, both of which manage to be hearty and fresh. The atmosphere is laid back and the staff always endeavour to make you feel welcome. Most dishes come in at below £10, making it the perfect budget bank holiday destination.

Bank holidays are all about al fresco dining (as much as the weather allows!). Come rain or shine, you’ll want to head to The Pitt – Edinburgh’s pioneering independent street food and events venue. With live music on Saturdays, dozens of food stalls, and plenty of outdoor seating, you’re guaranteed a good time. The atmosphere is electric and with such tasty grub on offer, it’s no wonder why. From the Buffalo Truck, serving up buttermilk fried chicken burgers, to the seasonal and local Scottish street food with a creative twist at Ròst (alongside several weekly changing guess traders), there’s something to suit all tastebuds. There’s even a 100 per cent vegan and veggie stall, ‘Free the Chili’, who pride themselves on serving food that celebrates flavours from around the world. No bank holiday is complete without a drink: happily, The Pitt is home to an offshoot of the Smith & Gertrude wine and cheese bar in Stockbridge. The little wine bar offers a changing selection of wines by the glass, plus a diverse range of options by the bottle.

So, you’re looking for fuss-free bank-hol fare? We’ve got you covered. La Favorita is famous for its authentic, freshly made pizza – all of which are cooked in log-fired ovens, giving them a special crispness and unmistakeable smoky flavour. The staff are friendly and the atmosphere is relaxed and unpretentious. You can even create your own pizza, with over 50 toppings to choose from! Prices are reasonable considering the quality of the ingredients and hover around the £13 mark. If you’re feeling extra decadent, why not treat yourself to a homemade Italian dessert, like the torta caprese – a flourless almond chocolate cake served warm with cream and ice cream. Yum!

A prohibition style speakeasy guised as a vintage style barbershop – doesn’t that sound like a fun way to spend the weekend? Opened in 2013, this bar was built to create a place where everyone would feel welcome, whether it would be for one of the deliciously creative cocktails, wide range of craft beers, or a wine from the impressively diverse collection. With several awards under their belt (including a spot in the ‘World’s 50 Best Bars’), the team here know how to look after you. You’ll feel miles away from the bustle of everyday life as you sink into one of the plush leather chairs and sip away at an expertly made drink. From classics like a negroni, to more original numbers like the Paolo Appletini (made with olive oil washed grey goose and clarified apple), no one will be feeling left out. The perfect location for a bank holiday drink with a difference.