The 'vibrant' new Edinburgh family restaurant opening in Mimi's Bakehouse waterside premises
There’s soon to be an exciting new addition to the Shore
We were all sad when the first branch of Leith institution Mimi’s Bakehouse, after a very good innings of 15 years in the same spot, closed its doors last month.
However, there was barely time for one of their scones to cool in the oven, before pan-Asian restaurant, Nami, announced that it will be slotting into the 63 Shore address on December 12. The best news of all is that this is a project from the Mimi’s Bakehouse family, with sisters Ashley Phillips, Natalie Togher and Gemma Clearie, taking the reins.
We asked one of the trio - their chief operating officer, Ashley - to tell us more.
Tell us about your hospitality background.
We are three sisters and we run Mimi’s Bakehouse with our parents. We wanted to use the space at the Shore to create something fun and new, and that was somewhere we’d genuinely choose to visit ourselves. Over the past few years, the Shore has shifted into more of a night-time destination. With the tram works, Leith Connections project, and reduced parking, it became harder for our Mimi’s customers to reach us.
Why did you choose the name?
Nami means ‘feminine wave’. It represents us - the three sisters behind the business - and our restaurant’s home right on the Water of Leith.
Why pan Asian food?
We all love this area, and we still believe in the potential of the site – and because we all love Asian food we’ve decided to transform the original Mimi’s space into something totally different. We wanted to reinvent the Shore space in a way that felt true to us. Rather than replicating another Mimi’s concept, we wanted to do something completely new – more of a lunch and evening venue – somewhere relaxed, vibrant, and full of flavour. We all love Asian comfort food, and when we started exploring ideas with Scott Smith from Blank Plate Creative, everything clicked. We’ve also brought on board some talented chefs with experience in fantastic Asian restaurants . They have helped us develop a menu full of bold flavour and proper comfort dishes, with a few twists.
Nami is fun, welcoming and built around sharing great food with the people you love – which is exactly the kind of vibe we wanted to create.
Why did you stick with the Shore?
This location is part of our story. Even though the site wasn’t working for Mimi’s in recent times, we didn’t want to walk away from the neighbourhood – it’s a huge part of our history. Ashley launched The Shore Collective last year to help champion the area, because we genuinely believe it has some of the best independent food and drink in the city.
We wanted to keep contributing to the Shore community, and opening felt like the perfect way to bring something new to the area, while staying rooted in a place that we care deeply about.
Do you think a pan Asian restaurant is something the area is lacking?
Absolutely. There are some brilliant Asian restaurants across Leith Walk, as well as Broughton Street and of course the city centre – but nothing like this on the Shore itself. We wanted to create a place that encourages people to visit this end of Leith again, somewhere we’d like to spend time ourselves.
What are you doing to the interior?
We’ve worked with Edinburgh based interior designer Fran Holden, alongside designer Richy Holden, to create a warm, cosy welcoming space with personality. There will be playful elements throughout, including a piece of bespoke artwork from a local artist (and our cousin!) Morag Donkin, and a wall filled with Asian art and mementoes from our own travels, along with pieces donated by friends and family.
Do you think it’s a good time of year to open?
We open for a private preview night on 11 December and for the public on 12 December. Hospitality is tough right now, so we’re not sure there really is a perfect moment to open – but we’re ready. The space is warm, the food is delicious, and the drinks list has been crafted with Three Marys and WoodWinters to complement the menu. We can’t wait to welcome people and introduce Nami to the Shore.
Tell us about the food – any signature dishes?
You can expect all the big, comforting Pan-Asian favourites: sharing plates, bowls of steaming noodles, bao buns, dumplings, crisp sweet-and-sour chicken, pad Thai, chow-mein style noodles, summer rolls, Thai salads and rich, slow-cooked curries. I’d say our signature dishes include our prawn cocktail bao bun, dan dan noodles, prawn toast and loaded tater tots. And of course, every table gets our signature prawn crackers the moment you sit down.
Will you offer takeaway as well as sit-in?
Yes – sit-in and takeaway will both be available.
Any interesting suppliers you’re working with?
S Luca for our matcha ice cream, and of course Mimi’s Bakehouse for the desserts.
Are you excited or nervous about opening?
Both. Hospitality is challenging just now, you can see this even this week with the closure of The Bon Vivant. We never, ever take it for granted when people choose to spend their time and money with us. That’s why the food, service and atmosphere matter so much. We do believe Nami offers something special, and we can’t wait to share it with locals and visitors to Edinburgh.
Nami, 63 Shore, Leith, Edinburgh, www.namiedinburgh.com - The restaurant will operate Thursdays from 5pm until late, and Friday – Sunday from 12pm until late, serving lunch and dinner.
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