New Edinburgh steakhouse announces opening date

RIO Brazilian Steakhouse announces opening date of Edinburgh restaurant

The first Scottish venue opens Friday 9th February 2024

Edinburgh food lovers can now mark their calendars as RIO Brazilian Steakhouse announces its arrival to the capital for Friday 9th February.

The popular Brazilian Steakhouse offering an authentic Brazilian Churrasco dining experience will open its doors on George Street, within the historic Assembly Rooms building in a 150-cover space formerly home to Jamie’s Italian.

From early February, RIO will welcome guests to enjoy exquisite cuts of meat carved tableside in a traditional Rodizio style, while watching skilled chefs prepare authentic dishes from a stunning central sushi bar, with an unlimited gourmet salad bar lining the walls with an array of imported cheeses, meats and Brazilian flavours for diners to choose from.

The opening will be the restaurant’s first venue north of the border, bringing its non-stop meats concept to Scotland with a set price boasting a competitive alternative to other steakhouses in the city.

The expansion follows RIO’s success in England, marking the 8th location since the brand was established. Founded in Jesmond in November 2019, the Edinburgh site adds to its current locations in Jesmond, Newcastle’s Quayside, Middlesbrough, Durham City Centre, Warrington, Chester and York.

Rodrigo Grassi, Co-owner of RIO Brazilian Steakhouse, said: “It’s an exciting moment for us to announce RIO’s arrival into Edinburgh on the 9th of February, bringing our unique concept to Scotland for the first time.

“We look forward to welcoming our first guests through the doors in a month’s time in true Brazilian fashion, with plenty of good food, drink, and celebration!”

RIO Brazilian Steakhouse’s expansion into Edinburgh will also bring a range of employment opportunities, with recruitment underway for roles throughout the restaurant.

Interested applicants are encouraged to get in touch with their CVs by contacting careers@rio-steakhouse.co.uk, or apply online at https://harri.com/RioEdinburgh.

RIO opens from 5pm, Friday 9th February. Bookings are now open here.

Finishing line in sight as Meadowbank Sports Centre announces opening date

The City of Edinburgh Council and Edinburgh Leisure have announced that the new Meadowbank Sports Centre will open to the public on Tuesday 19th July.  

The new £47m project is a state-of-the-art community sports facility built on the site of the original Meadowbank, which closed in December 2017. The centre will support physical activity, sport, health, and wellbeing in Edinburgh for generations to come, whilst also recognising the legacy and heritage of the old Meadowbank. 

The new venue supports accessible participation and has improved indoor facilities with two multi-sport halls with seating, gym with triple the number of exercise stations and three large fitness studios.

City of Edinburgh Council Leader Cammy Day said: I’m delighted that we can now confirm when the doors for this fantastic new venue will open to the public.

“Meadowbank, I believe, is one of the country’s top community sports centres, and features some of the most state-of-the-art fitness facilities in Britain. I very much look forward to seeing it bustling with sporting activity through the wide range of activities and classes.

“Participation and accessibility is at the heart of the Centre and the huge physical, mental and social benefits Meadowbank will bring to generations of local people simply can’t be overestimated.

“Bright welcoming spaces are flooded with natural light, providing welcoming and versatile halls, where a real variety of sports and activities will take place. Meadowbank has been an important part of Scotland’s sporting history for many years and I’m sure the new Centre will build on this legacy.”

Commenting on the announcement, Edinburgh Leisure’s Chief Executive, June Peebles, said: “I’m delighted that the finishing line is in sight, and we are finally able to announce the opening of this new flagship venue. It’s been a long time coming but I promise you it will have been worth the wait.

“The forthcoming weeks before we open, will see Donald Goldsmith, the manager at Meadowbank, and his team getting the venue cleaned, prepped and ready for our public opening, including an extensive staff training programme to ensure that when the public walk through our doors for the first time that they get the Edinburgh Leisure welcome we are renowned for.

“The new Meadowbank will pick up where the old Meadowbank left off, providing countless opportunities for generations to come to participate in an extensive range of activities. New memories will be created, and we can’t wait to welcome the people of Edinburgh and beyond, into the new venue.

“This multi-million-pound investment will provide countless opportunities for Edinburgh citizens to be active and will undoubtedly contribute to the wellbeing of our City.”

The new Meadowbank has much to offer the local community and communities throughout Edinburgh and includes the following facilities:

  • An outdoor eight-lane athletics track with a 499-seat stand and outdoor throwing and jumps areas
  • A 60m six-lane indoor athletics track and jumps space
  • Two multi-sport halls with fixed and moveable spectator seating
  • A hall for trampolining and dance
  • Two fitness studios, which include world-renowned Les Mills programme of classes, smart tech bars and weights
  • A gym with Life Fitness equipment, dumbbells up to 50kg, Watt bikes, SkiErg, row and Cybex SPARC machines
  • A Cycle Studio with Life Fitness IC7 bikes and ICG myride and Les Mills RPM classes
  • Two squash courts
  • A combat studio for martial arts
  • A boxing gym
  • Two 3G (synthetic) pitches, including one with a 499-seat stand
  • A hospitality suite and event-hosting facilities
  • Cafe and meeting rooms

More detailed plans about opening times and how to buy memberships will be announced on Edinburgh Leisure’s website and social media in the coming weeks.