Where to eat in Edinburgh this Easter

It seems there’s some festival or other happening pretty much throughout the year in this town. Easter welcomes the Science Festival to venues across the Old Town, particularly around the City Art Centre and National Museum. These (often free) educational events are the perfect solution to your school holiday dilemmas, as you can feel smug for helping boost your bairns’ brainpower. But all this learning and playing must be offset with plenty of carbs from somewhere close by. Cue Bertie’s on Victoria Street. It’s a family-friendly, ultra-fancy chippie, where you can tuck into Scottish-inspired dishes and proper fish suppers, in glamorous surroundings. While the sustainably sourced fruits of the mer are the focal points on Bertie’s extensive menus, there are plenty of options for plant-based diets, too. Kids have their own menus and you can order other chip shop classics, as well as the iconic deep fried Mars bar.

Nothing says Easter Sunday lunch like a roast lamb. And, while usually closed on Sundays, this restaurant usually makes an exception over Easter; guests can dine a la carte or tuck into a roast. The venue has previously collaborated with the likes of family-run Grierson’s organic, who have supplied Cannonball with organic beef, chicken and lamb. The slick eatery has a contemporary Scottish feel, with dishes presented beautifully. Cannonball is part of the Contini Group and is found in the heart of the Old Town, in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle.

Do you wish you had a magic wand when it comes to keeping the kids entertained during the school break? Well, there’s somewhere in the city where you can acquire one and do just that. The Cauldron offers an immersive afternoon tea experience where attendees use working (yes working) magic wands to brew their own interactive teas and potions. Can you imagine anything your Harry Potter-obsessed offspring and their mates will enjoy more? This is molecular gastronomy at its cleverest and there are vegan and gluten-free food options available, so everyone can partake. The magic wands also conjure up mysterious cocktails, so this is a fun couple of hours for those of all ages and stages and is ideal for a special celebration.

The city centre can be pretty full-on in the hols as visitors descend in their thousands. But thankfully Edinburgh’s residential neighbourhoods are full of delightful little haunts, like this one in Marchmont, that’s hidden from the tourist masses of the Old Town. As it’s big on baking, you may spot some hot cross buns at the Scandi-styled Argyle Place. The fresh-each-day specials counter is always so elegant and perfectly presented, with Insta-worthy bakes aplenty. And the roastery pours a mean cup of coffee (iced or regular). Argyle Place is dog-friendly too, so it’s an ideal stop-in for brunch. Take a stroll around the Meadows to admire the blossoms with your pooch this Easter weekend, then hang out at Argyle Place.

This fine dining establishment has a complete overhaul of its menus every quarter, and that means a brand new one coming this spring. Using locally foraged ingredients and the best seasonal produce, this is an apt choice for the fourth month of the year and for a bank holiday treat. Zoologist and forager Ben Robertson is responsible for searching out the most interesting nutritious items, while chef and co-owner Paul Wedgwood can also be spotted looking for special ingredients, like herbs and salad leaves, in the woods and riverbanks of the city. This may be fine dining (and one of the best restaurants in the city), but it’s unpretentious. Patrons are encouraged to take their time, in the friendly, non-obtrusive ambience of Wedgwood.

It’s one of the city’s most loved, family-friendly (and family-run) establishments in the city centre. Contini is run by Victor and Carina, and serves as their local chain’s flagship venue. Housed in a grand, columned building, the restaurant has a wide appeal and warmly welcomes bambinos. It’s a great choice for a classic Sunday lunch, usually serving Italian roast chicken with Amalfi lemon, rosemary and garlic potatoes. There will be children’s size portions available, too. These often include milk, an apple and ice cream (the latter usually comes with the added seasonal treat of chocolate mini eggs in honour of the holiday). Diners are required to book at least 48 hours ahead to ensure availability, and those reserving a table for the Sunday roast will be able to BYOB.

TGI Fridays has two locations in Edinburgh and will make a perfect outing for your kids (and their friends) if you’re treating them over the Easter holidays. With an array of tempting dishes, famous cocktails (hello parents) and amazing teams in either location, TGI Fridays has got all the ingredients to get the party started this Easter. Some of the most popular items on the kids menu are the fish fingers and the chicken burger.

Red Squirrel promises ‘great beers and a bite to eat’, but we believe it offers a lot more than that! Here at Edinburgh’s Red Squirrel, you receive an instant warm welcome from the minute you enter. There’s a very popular breakfast and brunch menu offering hearty meals to start the day right, while the lunch and dinner menu is equally impressive. This place is great for kids and is also vegetarian and vegan-friendly.