
06 Dec 2024
It’s seen as one of the top destinations for New Year’s Eve revelry in not only the UK but the world. In fact, the night is seen as such a big deal north of the border, that the last day of the year has its very own title: Hogmanay. Whether you’re visiting for a few days and want to hit up the hottest spots or you’re a local seeking some alternatives to the traditional city stalwart activities (street party veterans gather round), we have a range of suggestions to suit you and yours.
For Hogmanay at The Southern, there’s no need for tickets or entry fees — just head in for a lively night filled with music, great food and drinks, with the bar open until 1am. New Year’s Day is equally inviting, offering hangover-friendly dishes alongside craft beers and cocktails for those who want to ease into 2025. The festive set menu includes starters like sticky pork belly bites or clementine and chilli halloumi. Mains are served on brioche buns with house fries — choose from a turkey burger with pigs in blankets, a steak burger with Irn Bru BBQ sauce, or a vegan option with smoked cheese and buffalo sauce. For dessert, indulge in options like Christmas cranachan sundae or Oreo cheesecake topped with salted caramel popcorn.
If you want your night to go off with a bang, you’ll be in need of some great views this Hogmanay to catch the iconic annual fireworks. Cue the Cannonball Restaurant and Bar. The team will be hosting a New Year’s Eve celebration dinner comprising six courses and showcasing Scottish ingredients with its tasting menu, accompanied by homemade bread and petit fours. It’ll be served from 9pm through to 1am with enviable views of the illuminated Edinburgh Castle and those awe-inspiring fireworks at midnight. Cannonball has its own courtyard from which you can watch the display — so you won’t have to jostle for a spot on the street or wait for hours in the cold (and let’s face it, possibly rain) to gain a prime position. Those who already have street party tickets can pop by for the early bird sitting from 5.30-7.30pm. And if you don’t want a full-on meal, opt to book a place at the bar with a welcome bottle of Prosecco, three mini bowls per person and a celebratory fireworks cocktail alongside a 70% cocoa chocolate truffle. Tables book up quickly, so you’ll need to be quick off the mark to reserve your place.
At Radicibus, traditional Italian flavours meet the finest Scottish ingredients, with a focus on regional recipes. Expect homemade fresh pasta, wild mushrooms, game and seafood, all sourced from organic farms and local suppliers. The intimate 20-seat dining room, set in a Georgian building, makes this an ideal spot for an intimate New Year’s celebration. The artisan wine list is carefully curated to match the dishes, creating a meal that’s as thoughtful as it is indulgent.
Wedgwood changes its menus four times a year to celebrate the best of Scotland’s seasonal produce, and the New Year’s Eve spread is no exception. Think dishes like Avon Valley roe deer or haggis, neeps, and tattie terrine, all crafted with care. The creative twist continues with dessert — perhaps a rosemary and wild mint brownie paired with local forest berries. Wedgwood’s sophisticated flavours and attention to detail make it a top choice for a memorable New Year’s Eve.
Those living in the ‘burbs might find it an unnecessary hassle to navigate the masses to get home. But with Edinburgh being much like a series of mini villages forming one big city, there’s always a neighbourhood haunt to hit up. If you’ve got kids, it means you’re not leaving the babysitter so long and you can walk home, without standing in a taxi queue or constantly refreshing your Uber app. And as the community is a pretty big thing, you may even get the chance to catch up with some neighbours during your night out. Charwood is a restaurant and bar, found in Buckstone, on the thoroughfare from Comiston to the bypass. And as 2024 slips into 2025, it’s an ideal spot for locals to enjoy a meal and some drinks together without straying too far afield.
Why not see in the New Year in a sassy speakeasy? You’ll need to book a ticket to the bash and find your way into the vintage bar’s underground premises off Queen Street, but if you’re a local you’ll have no doubt figured its mysterious entrance out by now. Previous festivities at Panda and Sons have been accompanied by a barbershop quartet (how apt for a secret bar masquerading as a barber shop) and DJ sets. This is a great option if you want a buzzy atmosphere and a definite party vibe, but one that’s a little bit more low-key and hipster than some of the wilder nights in town. The cocktails are amazing, so arrive thirsty and curious, as many of the mixes will be unprecedented elsewhere. Panda and Sons’ recently created a whole new menu, Transcend, dedicated to freezing techniques (oh so apt for this time of the year). But you certainly won’t be cold in this warming and cosy venue.
For a warm and inviting New Year’s Eve meal, Howies is a classic choice. The menu features festive dishes such as traditional roast turkey with all the trimmings or a more contemporary pan-roasted salmon with tarragon potatoes and East Lothian kale. The dedication to Scottish ingredients shines through, whether you’re enjoying a Glen Lyon venison casserole or the comforting prawn cocktail with treacle brown bread! It’s a perfect blend of homely and refined, served in a welcoming atmosphere.
Seafood lovers will find their match at Dulse this New Year’s Eve. With a menu that highlights the best of Scottish waters, you can expect dishes like roast Orkney scallops and fillet of wild halibut paired with the finest wines. Early sittings start at £89, with later ones priced at £119. The sleek setting and well-curated pairings elevate this experience, while the tasting menu captures the essence of Scotland’s natural bounty in every course.
Nàdair’s eight-course Hogmanay menu is a culinary exploration, blending Scottish ingredients with inventive techniques. Dishes like crab muffin, venison with quince and earl grey, and a decadent 70% chocolate dessert with truffle make it a feast to remember! The set menu is priced at £85, with an optional £55 wine pairing that perfectly complements and elevates the experience. For a fresh and creative take on New Year’s dining, look no further!
An option for a New Year’s Day meal is just a little out of the city, on the water’s edge in the historic locale of South Queensferry. Orocco Pier’s huge picture windows over the Firth of Forth will give you a front-seat view on the annual Loony Dook, which takes place right beside it. Stay warm and dry, with a plate of seafood or a gourmet burger, as you and your family watch the dookers race into the North Sea wearing all manner of outlandish costumes. The contemporary restaurant and bar also has a terrace for a closer view and to hear the shrieks from the bathers. Or you might like to pop in for a lunchtime cocktail with friends, or a well-deserved cuppa and a cake after taking part in this invigorating tradition.
Each Hogmanay, The Voodoo Rooms takes on transformation for Vegas! The Grand Hogmanay Ball – an annual institution. Dress in your finery and prepare for some epic razzmatazz, live music, jazz tunes, showgirls, burlesque, cabaret and beats. The night takes over every space in the venue’s many glitzy rooms, for a fully immersive feel that whisks you back to the roaring 20s of the 20th century. It has a gloriously hedonistic feel, with plenty of escapism, which is just the ticket if you’ve had a tough year. Opt for a full dinner and club package, or club entry only — if you think eating’s cheating.
Every year this Stockbridge gastropub hosts a fancy knees-up. This Hogmanay you can indulge in the four course menu with a glass of bubbles on arrival in the restaurant, plus there will be live music to keep you going for the night. Tickets start at £70 per person. You also have the option to stay overnight at the 10 bedroom boutique hotel above by booking a deluxe room with Egyptian cotton bed sheets and a rolltop bath. Or if you’re lucky enough to live in the vicinity, you can come back the next day for The Raeburn’s epic New Year’s Day roast. Dating back to Georgian times — this building was once a mansion house inhabited by a family — The Raeburn has a homely, yet fancy feel. Its upper terrace allows you to nip outside and watch the fireworks at midnight, or take in the air and have a look at the stars awhile.
Go all out with a very special meal at Dean Banks’ restaurant, The Pompadour. Like The Raeburn, it’s part of a fancy hotel (in this case the historic Waldorf Astoria at the top of Lothian Road) so gives you the option of staying over to save the queue for an overpriced taxi later in the night. At £295 per person, you’ll be pushing the boat out, but it will be worth every penny to experience this level of finesse in fine dining on the most special night of the year. The Hogmanay tasting menu includes poached oysters, venison tartare, fermented trout and caviar, lobster and winter truffle. Add in a wine pairing to make it even better — there are standard and prestige options available via the sommelier. Each course will be a work of art to be savoured and remembered for many years to come.
It’s your last meal of the year, so make it a good ‘un. The party kicks off at 9pm and goes through to 1am at Contini with live music all night. For £150 per person you’ll be treated to a six course tasting menu of classic Italian dishes, with crostino, pane, antipasto, primi and dolci (both veggie and carne options) to tickle your taste buds. You’ll receive a glass of prosecco to toast the bells and there will be live music playing until late. If that’s a little too much for your budget or too late a night, you can also book an early bird sitting with a three course menu running from 5pm to 7.15pm and costing £60 per person. Set on George Street, you’ll be away from the crush of the street party, yet still bang in the centre of town.
Bring a Spanish twist to your New Year’s Eve at Café Andaluz in Stockbridge. This lively tapas restaurant offers a menu of Mediterranean favourites, from crispy calamari to spicy patatas bravas. With its warm and inviting atmosphere, it’s an ideal spot for groups looking to share a variety of dishes. The NYE offer includes three tapas and a dessert for under £30, making it a laid-back yet flavourful option for the occasion.