Scotland dishes up its best food delights for August cravings
From steak to whisky, there’s a lot to scoff and quaff this summer
GALLOWAY COUNTRY FAIR
Celebrate all things bucolic at this annual shindig, which takes place on Saturday August 8 and Sunday August 9 in the grounds of Drumlanrig Castle. As well as rural pursuits, family entertainment, country sports, and shopping, there will also be food, glorious food, on the remit. Expect live cooking in the Galloway Demo Theatre, which is led by Nick Morris of Station House Cookery School, and the Craft & Food Marquee will feature products and street food offerings from The Crumbelologist, Dark Sky Spirits, Wee Knob of Butter and more.
HAWKSMOOR EDINBURGH
If you’re looking for a sturdy lunchtime or early evening feed, then head to this restaurant, which has one of the most beautiful interiors in the city. As part of the brand’s 20th birthday celebrations, they're offering their £20 steak and chips offer from noon until 5.45pm Monday to Thursday, or noon until 5pm on Friday and Saturday. This is part of the summer set menu deal, so you can also upgrade to two courses for £25 or three for £30. Additional dishes include a peanut butter shortbread dessert with salted caramel ice-cream.
28 W Register Street (0131 526 4790, www.hawksmoor.com)
PAESANO
You need not travel to Italy for the finest slice. In this year’s 50 Top Pizza Europe 2026 Awards, which are curated by pizzeria guide 50 Top Pizza, Glasgow’s Paesano Pizza, which also has a new branch on George Street in Edinburgh, came in at number 55 in a shortlist of 60. That’s all the more reason to sit in at the original 94 Miller Street outlet with their spinach and ricotta version, which is topped with the billed ingredients as well as mozzarella, smoked scamorza cheese, garlic, trifolati mushrooms and extra virgin olive oil.
LOCH LOMOND ARMS
This historic 17th-century Luss coaching inn has recently reopened after a complete transformation by “interior storytellers” Russell Sage Studio. Their whisky bar, the Map Room, has a ceiling that’s decorated with charts and maps, and the Stag and Two Hounds pub boasts an animal theme, including a hand-printed wallpaper by Dundee artist Freya Cummings. There’s also the Treasury Restaurant, featuring some priceless family treasures, and handmade slipware tiles by ceramicist Sean Kingsley. Expect an elevated menu with dishes such as beef fillet with cured treacle and chargrilled Bearnaise chips, as well as smoked lobster with Estate grown herbs and Orkney butter.
VELVET TIDE
Tapas bar Sol y Sombra in Broughty Ferry has got new owners - Kelly and Paul Fairweather, owners of The Selkie in Dundee and The Ferry Selkie - and has had a U-turn of a makeover to relaunch as Velvet Tide, which is a restaurant and bar that’s inspired by folklore, mythology and the traditions of Scotland’s coastal communities. It’s split into two spaces - The Merchant Bar downstairs and The Cailleach Dining Room upstairs. Dishes include venison stovie croquettes, and fresh local lobster with pomme Anna, with cocktails including Lachlan - a twist on an old fashioned made with Rum Bothy Rum and fresh lime.
27 Grey Street, www.velvet-tide.co.uk
Read more: “I'm always asked where to find Edinburgh's best Sunday lunch, now I know what to tell them”
Comments
Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.