
06 Dec 2024
With the majority of Edinburgh schools breaking up on 1st July and re-convening on 17th August, parents have a long stretch of time to fill over the holidays. Clubs and getaways will get you so far, but what can you do and where can you go locally that’ll please not only the kids, but you too? From beaches to play areas, walks and green spaces, here are the best child-friendly spots to be (and eat) this summer.
Beaches and holidays go hand in hand. And Edinburgh is one of the few cities in the UK to have a number of sandy enclaves. Cramond, to the north, is less about lounging and swimming and more about rockpool exploring and shell hunting. It’s never long before little ones need a snack though. And while some seasides only have a dingy cafe on offer, Cramond has a beachside bistro. You can order breakfasts, light lunches and cakes to sit in or take away and ordering some of the bistro’s hot chocolates piled high with cream and marshmallows, will definitely get you some brownie points with the kids.
Let’s face it, it’s Scotland. There are going to be some rainy days this summer. And boy are they long if you don’t have a plan to occupy the family. The Fort is huge, with lots of shops for the little ones to spend their pocket money, plus a multiplex cinema and a playpark. Stay and have a meal at the diner-style Italian restaurant, Tony Macaroni. There’s an excellent kids’ menu including a main, pud (local Nardini’s ice cream or fruit salad) and a drink for just £6.95. Grown-ups have an enormous choice from the extensive menu of pizzas, pasta, salads, hamburgers, ribs, risottos and more. And if the sun does come out, you can take a seat outside.
Fresh air is the best way to tire the kids out and this stunning country park is never more beautiful than in the leafy summer months. There are so many nature trails and paths to explore on foot or two (non-motorised) wheels. Plus for little ‘uns, the enormous Fort Augustus play park is hours of active fun. And rather than a greasy spoon, there’s a classy eatery for more than a pit stop. Restoration Yard’s Kitchen serves breakfast and lunch, with views over the River Esk and Orangerie. A kids’ menu includes treats like pancakes, miniature fry-ups and fish and chips, while adults can enjoy dishes like hot smoked salmon Nicoise and BBQ pulled jackfruit taco. There are vegan, gluten-free and veggie options aplenty, with high-quality ingredients locally sourced.
If you have tweens and teens who are keen for their own space and get restless at the prospect of hours watching you down your prosecco, this is the solution. Right opposite Bruntsfield Links, you can all dine together on Black Ivy’s al fresco terrace, then let them scamper off and kick a ball around or hang with their mates on the Links. They can stay within sight, or wander off a little further, yet still stay within close proximity as you work your way through a few of the divine creations on the cocktail menu (try a summery Black Ivy Campfire, a Watermelon Sugar, or an Elderflower Champagne Spritz). After eating your meal as a family, they’ll have had a bit of independence and you’ll get a bit of post-dinner peace. Everybody wins. Now that’s a recipe for successful summer holidays.
As Edinburgh is engulfed with tourists come July and August, the city centre may be the last place you want to take your family. The suburbs are a welcome relief over the summer, with lots of gorgeous walks, great cafes and friendly pubs on district high streets. The 200-year-old Riccarton Inn is one such establishment, nicely placed for a meander along the pretty west end of the Water of Leith. It’s on the main road in Currie, en route to the hills and reservoirs of Balerno, and has a cracking beer garden that welcomes younger diners (the selection of children’s main courses include a soda, milk or cordial). The main menu offers lunch and dinner, and has plenty of seasonal dishes. Plus the Inn’s long standing signature faves. And you can bring your pet pooch along for the trip, too.
Kids at TGI Fridays get spoilt with choice, as they’re able to choose a dish and two sides from either the Little League or the Major League. The latter boasts kids’ favourites like Fridays Hotdog, Crispy Chicken Tenders, Bacon Cheeseburger and the all new Heinz Beanz Burger – a nutritionally rich plant based burger packed with all of the goodness of beanz, mushrooms and tomatoes. It’s served in a vegan bun with lettuce, vegan mayo, vegan cheese and tomato.
By night the candles are lit and this offers somewhat more of a grown-up ambience. But during the day it’s well suited for those of all ages; whether for some board games on a rainy day, or as a lunch stop on a sunny walk. The venue offers easy access to Arthur’s Seat, Holyrood Park and Salisbury Crags for charming walks. Take some bird food to feed the ducks and swans close by. And be sure to wear your hiking boots if you want to climb high for a panoramic view of the region. A good gourmet burger from Holyrood 9a will set you and the kids up nicely for this. If the weather isn’t kind, you can use the bar as your base for visiting the nearby Palace of Holyroodhouse and the Scottish Parliament. Vegan and veggie options are available, as well as craft beers for the mums and dads.
Planning to tour some of our historic city’s most iconic attractions this summer holiday? The UNESCO listed Old Town will be buzzing with tourists, and there’s nothing worse than hungry kids. So get ahead of the game by booking your group a table before you head out. It’ll save dragging round full to the brim restaurants and your gang will thank you when they get their gnashers around the tasty pasta at Terra Marique. Adults will love the fresh seafood on offer too. If you’re there on a Sunday, you can choose from a special lunch menu as well. Like all Italian establishments, this place is very welcoming of younger diners. Run by Ilaria Torre originally from Puglia and Fabrizio Babbucci from Tuscany, Terra Marique provides a seasonally changing menu made with local and imported Italian ingredients for authenticity.
If your school-age entourage is of the teenage variety you may find them hard to please. Or struggle to get them to go anywhere with you. The solution? One of the most Instagrammable spots in the city. This new cafe revels in all things pink, with a menu to match (the rose matcha latte topped with edible flowers is super pretty). A host of glittering disco balls, intertwined with floral displays covers the ceiling, while neon signage with cute quotations adorn the walls. Look out for the clear piano, pool table you can eat off (pink, of course) and quote-covered mugs. The menu has light snacks and brunch items, but really this place is all about the cakes, which are as photogenic as the decor. EL&N is attached to the new St James Centre, but it can be tricky to find; so top tip, head around to the left of the outside of the mall (as you stand facing it from the East End of Princes Street) and keep going till you hit the pink.
Something to celebrate? Go a little bit fancy with a meal together at Dine’s new venue on George IV Bridge. You’ll find it in the Radisson Collection Hotel. And as it’s home to Edinburgh’s first Champagne Heidsieck bar and terrace, this courtyard is the perfect classy venue to soak up the sun on a summer’s day (although you may prefer to do this with older kids and teens). As it’s part of a hotel, the venue is open for breakfast onwards, so it may be you choose to start your day’s activities in the city centre here, or stop by for lunch or a good value pre-theatre early evening menu. Dine’s brasserie-style menus have been winning awards and wowing diners for some time over on Lothian Road, so book a table and see what all the fuss is about, with a chic Scottish meal at Dine on the Royal Mile.
Another option for some beachside dining, The Espy is a veteran of Porty’s dining scene. Situated right on the promenade, it offers direct views of the beach and the Firth of Forth, with a waterside outdoor seating area where you can feel the welcome fresh sea breeze during these warmer months. It’s a great place to unwind, enjoy good food and drinks, and soak up the seaside atmosphere. The Espy welcomes families and four-legged friends and serves up a diverse menu of burgers, salads, nachos, curries, parmos and specials — all homemade.