10 Best Breweries in Birnie Rocks

"What: Edinburgh Castle is one the city’s most recognisable sites and Cold Town House’s rooftop terrace offers some of the finest views you could wish for of the landmark. The après ski-themed outdoor area comes complete with gondola seats and vintage Nissan van-cum-bar, with food options at Cold Town House ranging from Neapolitan-style pizzas to hanging grills. Make sure to try one of beer’s brewed in-house with your food too.Where: 4 Grassmarket, EH1 2JU"

"Cold Town was born with Scottish history at its heart and is named in honour of the Calton Hill Brewery in Edinburgh – which in 1835 was the first in Britain to brew lager. Then known as Caldtoun, today we more commonly know the area as Calton Hill – hence the name Cold Town beer!. Bookings are now open for the Rooftop Terrace and should be made in advance on-line."

"Cold Town House, an après-ski-themed beer garden on the Grassmarket in the heart of the Old Town, is a relaxed urban venue, with views of the castle. Owned and run by local brewery Cold Town Beer, it serves its own craft beer, as well as prosecco and warming whiskies. Great value pizzas can be ordered from the vintage van parked on the pergola-covered rooftop."

"In 2007, founders James and Martin started BrewDog with a mission to make other people as passionate about great craft beer as they were. BrewDog’s HQ can be found in Ellon, Aberdeenshire. The state of the art Scottish eco-brewery is also home to Overworks Brewery, BrewDog’s testing lab for sour beer."

"Born and bred in Scotland, Brewdog is such a successful brand that it’s gone global, with 78bars spread around the world. Though founded in Aberdeenshire, three are located inEdinburgh. Choose between the Lothian Road or the Cowgate location (which is a little bit more central)."

"Offering some of the best beers in the city, BrewDog's Lothian Road is about both quantity and quality. A huge space boasting over 20 craft beers as well as a menu of hearty eats, from beefy burgers and healthy salads to delicious chicken and cauliflower wings."

"Perhaps a controversial choice as an essential Edinburgh craft beer, given that Paolozzi, the Edinburgh Beer Factory's flagship brew, only launched on October 18 - but in that short time, the crisp, sparkling lager has gained enviable comparisons (in our local bottle shop, anyway) to Munich's much-revered Augustiner Hell. Perhaps such a success straight off the mark is due to the wealth of experience behind it - the EBF is headed up by John Dunsmore, former boss of both Tennent’s owner C&C Group and macro brewing plc Scottish & Newcastle. Of course, the beautifully-labelled bottle (sporting designs by Leith-born Pop Art figurehead Eduardo Paolozzi) makes it a lovely drink to be seen holding as well."

"Combining old and new ideas and techniques, Edinburgh Beer Factory create beer inspired by the Edinburgh-born ‘Godfather of Pop Art’, Eduardo Paolozzi. Their brewery tours include a walkthrough of their lager-making process, from blank canvas to final product. You’ll even get the chance to taste the raw ingredients and the unfiltered brew!"

"Founded and operated by veteran brewer Andrew Barnett in the Summerhall former vet school, and on the site of the historic Summerhall Brewery (demolished circa 1913), Barney’s is a micro-brewery literally rooted in tradition. There’s no pasteurisation or filtration in the process, which is 100% natural. All of Barney's beers – including the humbly-named Good Ordinary Pale Ale plus a lager, a red beer and a dark porter – are cask-conditioned or bottle-conditioned."

"Barney’s Beer is a craft brewery located at the southeast corner of Edinburgh’s Meadows in Summerhall. Ranked as one of the best Edinburgh breweries, Barney’s Beer is housed in the stables of the city’s old vet school. Barney (Andrew Barnett) started working in his hometown brewery in Wolverhampton back in 1983 at 16 and has been in the industry ever since."

"Barney’s Beer offers public and private tours|Courtesy of Barney’s Beer. Housed at Summerhall in a former vet school’s stables, Barney’s has been brewing for the people of Edinburgh since 2010. The use of the Summerhall site as a brewery actually predates its use as veterinary college."

"Bellfield Brewery is the UK’s first craft brewery dedicated to producing quality gluten-free beer. The gluten-free craft brewery in Edinburgh is located a short walk from Holyrood Palace with plans to fully launch its tap room in summer 2019. Located in the historic area of Edinburgh alongside the mainline train track, with a birds’ eye view of the London train, visitors to Bellfield Brewery are able to enjoy beer in the sunny yard or indoor taproom."

"One of the best breweries in the city also happens to house of the best beer gardens. Bellfield is sure to have you coming back for more, with its range of award-winning craft creations, alongside gins, whiskies and organic wines for those avoiding the hoppy stuff."

"When it comes to humble beginnings, Paul Gibson certainly takes a top spot. His home-grown brewing project began in his garage out of a green VW called Olive. After heading out on the road across the UK and creating beers on a shoestring budget, Paul set up a permanent (and much larger) home for his microbrewery in Leith."

"Situated in Leith, on the Edinburgh coast, thisbrewery started life on the road as a “mobile brewery” in a 1973 VW campervan (hence thename). Today, having opened a permanent location in 2017, it’s still going strong. Their spacious taproom is laid-back and unpretentious."

"One of the best options in Edinburgh to sample fresh and flavoursome French cuisine. Duck's at Le Marche Noir also offers an impressive wine list."

"What: Edinburgh-born Martin Wishart is one of Scotland’s most famous chefs and this Leith flagship (he has another restaurant on the shores of Loch Lomond) has held a Michelin star since 2001. It’s not hard to see why: neutral furnishings and thick carpets look sleek and suave, though everyone is here for the sophisticated French-accented interpretations of Scottish ingredients, best sampled by first timers from a tasting menu that might include Orkney scallop with Jerusalem artichoke and sweet potato. There’s also a great-value lunch menu."

"A luminary in the British Michelin-Star scene, Edinburgh-born chef Martin Wishart cooks up a perfect storm time after time. As a pilgrimage site for food enthusiasts, his flagship eatery Restaurant Martin Wishart never fails to deliver imaginative dishes using finely-tuned French cooking techniques. Each taste, a testament to his complete mastery of craft, is humbled by the quality of the local ingredients."

"This friendly and casual bistro in New Town serves up French classics like coq au vin and escargots, as well as fun, modern delights such as the ‘macaroni cheese with ‘un twist’. Accompany your meal with a French wine from the extensive wine list, or stay true to Scottish roots with a Caledonian ale."

"Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account. Jules remember that Mother’s Day is coming!. We are getting ready to make all mums feel special and happy!"

"Loudons may seem like your average eatery from the outside but they have a speciality - and it’s homemade pancakes!. We’re talking everything from American style with layered bacon and baked banana topped with maple syrup, to the healthier, savoury superfood pancakes that are packed with lentils, veg and delicious garlic pea chutney. Located in Fountainbridge, it is the perfect location for a leisurely walk down the canal to digest your food, with a takeaway coffee in hand."

"For one of the best brunches in Edinburgh, you should definitely visit Loudons at the weekend, when their breakfast menu extends until 4pm. It’s a popular venue with visitors and locals alike, where you can relax and unwind, in a bright and cheery dining room. You can choose from a huge variety on their menu, including cooked breakfasts with Scottish elements like haggis and tattie scones, as well as traditional porridge with various toppings."

"Loudons is a stylish, spacious café in Fountainbridge that's ideal for getting some work done, or just relaxing on one of the comfy couches. They offer home-made breakfasts and cake, with gluten-free and dairy-free choices too. Their cooked breakfasts also come with a choice of brown and gluten-free bread."

"For special occasions, look no further than Liggy's Cake Company on Deanhaugh Street. They make the most incredible celebration cakes for weddings, birthdays, new babies, Christmas and anything else you can think of. All their cakes are freshly baked and you can choose the flavours, size and design to suit your event."

"Recently nominated for the Spirited Awards, the most prestigious competition in the global drinks industry calendar, The Bon Vivant (Thistle St) is the FIRST Scottish restaurant bar to ever be nominated for an award in the competition's seven year history. With an ever-changing cocktail list, a broad and accessible champagne list, a comprehensive wine list and a gantry stocked full of classic and rare spirits, it's easy to see why. The Bon Vivant takes a unique approach to its wine list by offering all 44 wines by the 175ml glass, 500ml carafe or by the bottle."

"The haggis bon bons are among the ‘must- try’ bites on The Bon Vivant restaurant’s menu. Wash them down with an exciting choice from its wine list, with everything available by the glass, carafe or bottle. Then head next door on Thistle Street to The Bon Vivant’s Companion bottle shop or to one of the group’s other bars, including the new Lady Libertine and The Register Club, both inside the swanky Edinburgh Grand apartment-hotel nearby."

"Candlelight reflected in the warm glow of polished wood makes for an intimate atmosphere in this New Town favourite. The food is superb value for this part of town, offering a range of tapas-style 'bites' as well..."