Tag: food and drink

Kids eat free this summer at Canopy Kitchen & Courtyard

As families across Edinburgh search for ways to keep children entertained during the school summer holidays, Canopy Kitchen & Courtyard is launching a “Kids Eat Free” offer from 6 July to 6 August, creating the perfect family friendly day out at the Edinburgh Meadows.

Perched on the edge of one of the city’s most loved green spaces, within the historic Old Royal Infirmary, now The Edinburgh Futures Institute, Canopy Kitchen & Courtyard is perfectly placed for a family day out. Enjoy an afternoon in the park, a visit to the nearby playground, or simply some time outdoors before sitting down for a relaxed meal together. 

More than just a restaurant, Canopy Kitchen & Courtyard has become a creative community hub, where guests are greeted by a bright family friendly atmosphere, and fresh menu of locally sourced classics. While the menu changes to make the most of fresh seasonal ingredients, children can expect familiar favourites such as cream of tomato soup, fluffy pancakes served with fresh strawberries or grilled pork sausages with mashed potatoes, peas and gravy.

Open to both locals and visitors, the month-long offer is designed to make family dining a little more affordable during the school holidays, while giving families another reason to enjoy time together outdoors this summer. 

Available 6 July – 6 August. One complimentary children’s meal available with every adult main course purchased. Offer valid for children aged 12 and under. Subject to availability and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.

To find out more or book a table, please visit: https://www.canopyedi.com/ 

Come to Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre for Monday meals

Come along on Monday to our breakfast café, 9 – 10:30am for some tasty hot filled rolls and hot drinks.

We also have lunch on from 11:30am – 12:30pm. A firm favourite – baked potatoes on the menu!

The Monday Café is open to everyone, and all meals are free; a small donation is appreciated if you are able.

Vittoria Group donates £8k to its local community

Family-run restaurant group has donated £8,000 to local charities and initiatives over an eight month period

A charitable initiative launched by the family-run Vittoria Hospitality Group has donated over £8,000 in its first six months, supporting a range of Edinburgh-based charities and community organisations.

Established in November 2025 as part of the Vittoria Group’s 55th anniversary celebrations, the Giving Back programme supports grassroots organisations making a difference across the capital, helping people living with disabilities, those facing homelessness, and local young people.

Unlike traditional grant programmes, Giving Back focuses on funding specific items requested by organisations, ensuring donations have a direct and lasting impact.

In its first eight months, the initiative has provided vital, targeted support across the city, including specialist technology and sensory equipment provided to young people with complex or additional support needs at Teens+, Prospect Bank School, and Braidburn Special School.

The fund has also delivered essential supplies for women experiencing homelessness via Sparkle Sisters, supported youth development and literacy resources for the Pilmeny Development Trust and Craigmillar Literacy Trust, as well as sponsoring new sports kits for Redpath Albion FC and vital funding for Muirfield Riding Therapy.

In addition to the £8,000 donated by Vittoria Hospitality Group, one of its suppliers, JB Foods Scotland, contributed a further £1,000 in December.

Leandro Crolla, Director of Vittoria Hospitality Group, said: “When we launched Giving Back, we wanted to create something that would make a real difference to local organisations doing incredible work in our communities.

“Seeing the reaction from the charities, schools and groups we’ve supported has shown us how even relatively small donations can have a significant impact when they reach the right people.

“Edinburgh has supported our family and our business for more than 55 years. This programme is our way of saying thank you and helping strengthen the communities that have been part of our story for generations.”

Talking about the donation of a new football kit for the entire team, Bryan Maughan, coach at Redpath Albion FC, said: “The boys and parents loved them. We wore the matchday kits for the first time at Currie, and they certainly brought us luck as we secured a great 6–2 win in monsoon-like conditions.

“The boys haven’t forgotten the offer of a breakfast roll either, and we’re all looking forward to the visit.”

The initiative is led by the Vittoria Hospitality Group, one of Edinburgh’s longest-established family-run hospitality businesses, now in its fourth generation of family ownership. 

Recipients of the donation are chosen through a monthly staff vote, giving employees across the group’s venues the opportunity to nominate and support causes close to their hearts. Schools, charities, youth groups and community organisations across Edinburgh are encouraged to apply for future rounds of support. 

For more information or to nominate a local cause, contact:

givingback@vittoriagroup.co.uk.

Free pints up for grabs at iconic Newhaven pub this weekend

The Old Chain Pier, one of Edinburgh’s most iconic pubs, is celebrating a historic milestone following the implementation of the new Scottish Pubs Code.

The landmark legislation, which gives pub owners the right to request a rent-only agreement without being tied to a pub-owning business for stock supply, has empowered the venue to break free from restrictive purchasing obligations.

This newfound independence means the historic pub can stock a wider, more exciting range of beers and permanently slash the price of its house lager to just £5 a pint, as well as reduce the price of all its beers.

To mark the occasion, The Old Chain Pier is hosting a massive, week-long celebration from Monday, 29th June to Sunday, 5th July. Throughout the entire week, all pints poured at the pub will be reduced to just £5.

As part of the celebration The Old Chain Pier will also hand over its beer garden to three of Edinburgh’s finest local breweries, with free pints up for grabs.

The victory arrives at a critical time for the local hospitality sector. Edinburgh’s pubs and restaurants are currently navigating unprecedented financial pressures including high VAT, soaring business rates, road closures, rising Employer National Insurance Contributions (NIC), and the highest local authority charges in Europe for outdoor tables and chairs. 

Against this challenging backdrop, the Scottish Pubs Code provides a much-needed lifeline, finally allowing venues like The Old Chain Pier to operate fairly and pass those savings directly to customers and sell pints at true market prices.

January Watson, Area Manager for Malt Group, said: “The Scottish Pubs Code has been a massive relief for us. Operating in Edinburgh’s hospitality sector is incredibly tough right now with mounting taxes, rates, and the highest table and chair charges in Europe.

“Being able to step away from tied stock means we finally have the freedom to curate our own beer selection, support brilliant local breweries, and pass those savings directly on to our loyal customers with £5 pints.”

The week-long party promises fun for the whole family, two-legged and four-legged alike. Guests who book a table to dine from Monday, 29th June through Thursday, 2nd July will receive 20% off their food bill.

All week long, the pub’s famous beer garden will be transformed into a playground featuring giant Jenga, hopscotch, quoits, and cornhole. Additional festivities running throughout the week include live music performances, free face painting for all ages, and a pet fancy dress competition.

As the week progresses, Stewart Brewing Beer (Friday 3rd July), Newbarns Brewery (Saturday 4th July) and Campervan Brewery (Sunday 5th July) will take over the beer garden with free pints for the first 20 customers, complete with a garden BBQ serving up hot dogs, chicken kebabs, and more from 6:00 pm each evening.

More events and surprises for the week are still to be confirmed. Customers are encouraged to keep an eye on the pub’s website and social media channels for the latest updates.

For reservations and more information, please visit: https://www.oldchainpier.com/

Monday food at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre

Come along on Monday to our breakfast cafe, 9 – 10:30am – a great way to get the kids out and start off the summer holidays, with plenty of breakfast options for everyone!

We have beautiful gardens here that the young ones can play in afterwards, including the football/basketball dome, and there’s plenty of space for you to relax and take in all the beautiful flowers blooming.

We also have a lovely summery lunch planned, from 11:30am – 12:30pm. Italian Sausage Stew with Garlicky Mash, followed by Apple Pie for dessert!

The Monday Cafe is open to everyone, and all meals are free; a small donation is appreciated if you are able.

Please share to spread the word and help keep the centre busy this summer!

 Iconic Edinburgh pub permanently slashes pint prices

The Old Chain Pier, one of Edinburgh’s most iconic pubs, is celebrating a historic milestone following the implementation of the new Scottish Pubs Code. The landmark legislation, which gives pub owners the right to request a rent-only agreement without being tied to a pub-owning business for stock supply, has empowered the venue to break free from restrictive purchasing obligations.

This newfound independence means the historic pub can stock a wider, more exciting range of  beers and permanently slash the price of its house lager to just £5 a pint, as well as reduce the price of all its beers.

To mark the occasion, The Old Chain Pier is hosting a massive, week-long celebration from Monday, 29th June to Sunday, 5th July. Throughout the entire week, all pints poured at the pub will be reduced to just £5. As part of the celebration The Old Chain Pier will also hand over its beer garden to three of Edinburgh’s finest local breweries, with free pints up for grabs.

The victory arrives at a critical time for the local hospitality sector. Edinburgh’s pubs and restaurants are currently navigating unprecedented financial pressures including high VAT, soaring business rates, road closures, rising Employer National Insurance Contributions (NIC), and the highest local authority charges in Europe for outdoor tables and chairs. 

Against this challenging backdrop, the Scottish Pubs Code provides a much-needed lifeline, finally allowing venues like The Old Chain Pier to operate fairly and pass those savings directly to customers and sell pints at true market prices.

January Watson, Area Manager for Malt Group, said: “The Scottish Pubs Code has been a massive relief for us. Operating in Edinburgh’s hospitality sector is incredibly tough right now with mounting taxes, rates, and the highest table and chair charges in Europe.

“Being able to step away from tied stock means we finally have the freedom to curate our own beer selection, support brilliant local breweries, and pass those savings directly on to our loyal customers with £5 pints.”

The week-long party promises fun for the whole family, two-legged and four-legged alike. Guests who book a table to dine from Monday, 29th June through Thursday, 2nd July will receive 20% off their food bill.

All week long, the pub’s famous beer garden will be transformed into a playground featuring giant Jenga, hopscotch, quoits, and cornhole. Additional festivities running throughout the week include live music performances, free face painting for all ages, and a pet fancy dress competition.

As the week progresses, Stewart Brewing Beer (Friday 3rd July), Newbarns Brewery (Saturday 4th July) and Campervan Brewery (Sunday 5th July) will take over the beer garden with free pints for the first 20 customers, complete with a garden BBQ serving up hot dogs, chicken kebabs, and more from 6:00 pm each evening.

More events and surprises for the week are still to be confirmed. Customers are encouraged to keep an eye on the pub’s website and social media channels for the latest updates.

For reservations and more information, please visit: https://www.oldchainpier.com/

TODAY: Community Meal at Empty Kitchens Full Hearts

Menu for Friday 26th June 🥣

We are excited to share a delicious community meal with you tomorrow. We do our best to have a variety of options, including vegetarian and a delicious pudding.

What’s on the menu today:

Broccoli soup

Mexican beef stew with rice

Veggie haggis curry with rice

Please check the board or ask our volunteers about allergens.

And just a heads-up, our food is served until it runs out!

Do come along and enjoy. Thank you!

Tonight’s Morocco clash set to deliver £2.6m boost to Scottish Pubs

Scotland’s next World Cup clash is set to deliver a major boost to pubs across the country, with an estimated 520,000 extra pints expected to be sold for Friday night’s match against Morocco – worth around £2.6 million to the trade, analysis by the Scottish Beer and Pub Association (SBPA). 

The forecast follows a strong showing for Scotland’s opening match against Haiti, which is estimated by the SBPA and Oxford Partnership to have driven sales of at least 380,000 extra pints, worth around £1.9 million to pubs and bars across Scotland.

While Scotland’s opening game against Haiti kicked off at 2am BST on Sunday morning, Friday’s match against Morocco starts at a far more pub-friendly 11pm BST, giving licensees a significantly better opportunity to benefit from the occasion.

Paul Togneri, from the Scottish Beer and Pub Association, said: “Scotland’s return to the World Cup has given pubs a much-needed welcome boost, with early indications suggesting at least 380,000 extra pints were sold for the Haiti game despite the 2am kick-off.

“It’s an incredible result following an incredible match.

“With Friday night’s clash against Morocco starting at a much more pub-friendly 11pm we expect an even bigger boost, with over half a million extra pints to be poured in pubs and bars across the country.

“That would be worth upwards of £2.6 million to the trade, which is hugely welcome for venues still battling high costs.

“If you can’t be in Boston, there’s no better place than the pub. We’d urge supporters to get down to their local, back the team and cheer Scotland on together.”

Scottish family dairy celebrates eight decades of growth with Edinburgh tram takeover 

From horse and cart deliveries in Bridge of Allan to a twenty-first century tram in Scotland’s capital, Graham’s Family Dairy is celebrating more than 80 years of family heritage with the launch of a newly wrapped Edinburgh tram ahead of this year’s Royal Highland Show. 

The tram, which is now running across the capital in Graham’s Family Dairy branding, will transport passengers directly to the Royal Highland Show and other big events this summer. It marks the latest chapter in the story of the family dairy business that began with just 12 cows and doorstep milk deliveries in the 1930s. 

Today, Graham’s Family Dairy has grown into Scotland’s largest independent dairy, producing more than 70 different products and flavours across its range and delivering dairy products from Shetland to the Isle of Wight, as well as exporting to destinations like Dubai, Hong Kong and the Bahamas.

While the business has evolved dramatically over the decades, the new tram campaign celebrates the same family values and farming heritage that remain at the core of the company today.

At the heart of the campaign is Graham’s Family Dairy’s Chairman, Dr Robert Graham – who at 85 years old has built an unlikely following and string of viral videos on TikTok by educating a younger audience on all things agriculture. 

Carol, Dr Robert, Jean and Robert Graham in front of the Grahams Family Dairy farm house in Bridge of Allen, Stirling.

Dr Robert Graham, Chairman at Graham’s Family Dairy said: “When I was growing up, the business was built around local milk rounds and knowing every customer personally.

“Everything was done by hand, and deliveries went out by horse and cart from Bridge of Allan. To now see Graham’s Family Dairy travelling through Scotland’s capital on a tram really shows how far the business has come over the generations – what I’m even prouder of though is that we’ve kept that family feel engrained in everything we do. 

“Back then we were simply producing milk from a small herd of cows. Today, we make everything from milk and cream to cottage cheese, kefir, butter, yoghurt and protein products. Every one of those products represents another step in the journey of the business and another example of how we’ve adapted to what customers are looking for while staying true to our farming heritage. 

“What makes this year’s Royal Highland Show that bit more exciting for us is the opportunity to showcase the whole Graham’s Family Dairy range in one place. From the milk and cream that built the business to newer products like cottage cheese and our protein range, it tells the story of how we’ve grown from a small family dairy into the business we are today.” 

Carol, Robert and Dr Robert Graham on the Grahams Family Dairy farm in Bridge of Allen, Stirling.

Starting with just 12 cows, Graham’s Family Dairy now has approximately 170 vehicles at its disposal supplying retailers, cafes and customers across the UK, while continuing to invest in Scottish producers, innovation and traditional dairy farming. 

Graham’s Family Dairy has grown through three generations and today 70% of households in Scotland and 30% of the UK’s households buy Graham’s Family Dairy products, making them Scotland’s No.1 dairy brand. 

To find out more about Graham’s Family Dairy, please visit:

www.grahamsfamilydairy.com

Cheers! Betty’s dream comes true

Strachan House care home resident Betty Hardie had always wanted to learn how to pull a pint, so staff at the home made her wish come true. The amazing staff at the Scottish Engineer were more than happy to welcome Betty and teach her everything she needed to know to get the perfect pour!

Betty is at Strachan House on a respite stay and couldn’t believe that we had made her wish come true. Staff at the home were delighted to be a part of making Betty’s dream come true, as they knew how much it meant to her. 

Staff first found out about Betty’s dream after having a chat with her on her admission, ever since then, they have been dedicated to helping Betty achieve it. Christine, a fellow resident and Betty’s friend was also there to offer moral support and enjoy a beautiful pub lunch.

In response to this wonderful surprise, Betty, said: “It was such a wonderful day, I can’t believe that the home were able to make this happen!”

Fran Fisher General Manager at the home, said: “We believe that every moment is worth cherishing. 

“We want everyone we care for to know how important they are to us here even if their stay is short It is testament to the hard work and dedication of the team here in making our residents’ dreams come true and we couldn’t have done it without Lisa, Connor and the amazing team at the Scottish Engineer; we will be forever grateful”.

Strachan House care home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals. Strachan House  provides residential care, nursing care and dementia care for 83 residents from respite care to long term stays.