10 Best Breweries in River South Esk

"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 is a newly launched pub that has brought brewing back to Edinburgh’s Grassmarket. Located the former Robertson Memorial Church, Cold Town House revives a brewing tradition a street which dates back to the 16th century. Cold Town Beer launched in April 2018 with Brewmaster Ed Evans focussing on a capacity driven distribution program."

"Situated below Edinburgh Castle, Cold Town House is one of the best places to celebrate Hogmanay. Alongside a gorgeous roof terrace offering you prime views of the fireworks, this Grassmarket bar and restaurant will be serving up Neapolitan pizza, craft beer and plenty of prosecco all night long."

"Brew Dog was established in 2007 by two young men who were passionate about craft beer and tired of uninspiring industrially produced beers and ales. They began to brew headline grabbing beers such as Tactical Nuclear Penguin (with an astonishing 32% ABV) and Sink the Bismarck (an incredible 41% ABV -the result of a beer arms race between Germany and Scotland). They opened their first bar in Aberdeen in 2010 and the following year opened a Brew Dog pub in the heart of Edinburgh which quickly became a local sensation."

"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."

"If you’re planning a road trip of Scotland we suggest celebrating your arrival into Edinburgh Airport by immediately sipping suds at Edinburgh Beer Factory. The brewery is located a short 8 minute drive from Edinburgh Airport, making it the perfect first or last stop on a Scottish beer tour. Edinburgh Beer Factory first opened in November 2015."

"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."

"One of Scotland's great country houses, Traquair House has a power­ful, ethereal beauty, and exploring it is like time travel. Odd, sloping floors and a musty odour bestow a genuine feel, and parts of the building are believed to have been constructed long before the first official record of its existence in 1107. The massive tower house was gradually expanded but has remained virtually unchanged since the 17th century. Traquair is about 6 miles southeast of Peebles."

"Situated in leafy Bruntsfield, a quiet haven away from the city centre, Montpeliers is a slick and stylish brasserie with a continental flavour and a strong reputation for inventive food. Breakfast menus are served from 9am, and the freshly-baked pancakes, topped with blueberries, raspberries and maple syrup, are the perfect way to kick start your morning. Excellent value for money too."

"Montpeliers is located in the heart of Bruntsfield and is an excellent spot for both breakfast and lunch. The trendy yet cosy bar/restaurant is popular amongst locals, as are their pancakes!. There’s a selection of delicious pancakes to choose from, ranging from crispy bacon & maple syrup to caramelised banana with butterscotch."

"Montpeliers is a Bruntsfield institution, with every square inch perfect for an Instagram backdrop both inside and out. Having mastered the combination of amazing looking AND tasting, these pancakes will be sure to make put anyone else’s pancake day pics to shame."

"Best for Exploring Leith and its food scene In a nutshell Leith is Edinburgh’s most exciting neighbourhood, having transformed in the last decade from a rough-round-the-edges port district to a buzzing going out destination. Malmaison Edinburgh (not to be confused with the newly opened, Malmaison Edinburgh City in St Andrew’s Square) is in a converted Seaman’s mission dating back to 1883. Perched right on the docks this was in fact the chain’s first hotel and set the tone for its glamorous cool vibe.Don’t miss Malmaison Edinburgh is perfectly located to discover Leith’s food and drink scene."

"With a striking castle-façade and a gorgeous Georgian waterfront location, Malmaison is set within this former Seaman’s Mission in dockside Leith. It’s an on-fire foodie fave, with nearby pedigree provided by Edinburgh’s two most fabulous restaurants – Michelin-starred darlings The Kitchin and Martin Wishart are a brisk walk away. For crustacean lovers, there are also bumper-to-bumper restaurants where you can pick over the day’s catch."

"Property Location With a stay at Malmaison Edinburgh in Edinburgh (Leith), you'll be convenient to Royal Yacht Britannia and Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre. This 4-star hotel is close to Palace of Holyroodhouse and Arthur's Seat. Rooms Make yourself at home in one of the 100 air-conditioned rooms featuring minibars and flat-screen televisions."

"Harajuku Kitchen is a light and bright Japanese bistro with a touch of magic in the air and food that it could have been teleported in from Tokyo. At first glance, the menu may look a little pedestrian—most of the usual suspects are here, including gyoza, sushi rolls, sashimi, and yakisoba noodles—but once the plates arrive, it's clear that there's a pro in the kitchen. The flavors sing, and everything tastes fresh and light but decidedly moreish."

"This multi award-winning Japanese restaurant and takeaway serves a variety of sushi, tempura, teppan and more. The food is outstanding, and the restaurant's elegant interior and ambience makes it the perfect date night restaurant for sushi lovers. As with all the best restaurants, we advise you to book in advance."

"If you’re going to visit one sushi restaurant in Edinburgh, make it Kanpai. It’s the most expensive restaurant on this list, but it’s also easily the best sushi in the city. The presentation of their food is superb, and the menu is full of inventive dishes."

"Italian is ever so popular, but finding a good quiet place is never easy. However, at Mia this ticks all the boxes; a quiet relaxing atmosphere, good fine Italian wine, and great Italian food makes this place the ultimate restaurant to have a BFF date. Making it extra special is the quaint layout looking out onto the Dalry area, so there’s a lot to see and talk about."

"Located: 96 Dalry Road, Edinburgh EH11 2AX & 394 Morningside Road, Edinburgh EH10 5HX. Website: mia-restaurant.co.uk. Image: Mia Italian Kitchen website"

"Situated in leafy Bruntsfield, a quiet haven away from the city centre, Montpeliers is a slick and stylish brasserie with a continental flavour and a strong reputation for inventive food. Breakfast menus are served from 9am, and the freshly-baked pancakes, topped with blueberries, raspberries and maple syrup, are the perfect way to kick start your morning. Excellent value for money too."

"Montpeliers is located in the heart of Bruntsfield and is an excellent spot for both breakfast and lunch. The trendy yet cosy bar/restaurant is popular amongst locals, as are their pancakes!. There’s a selection of delicious pancakes to choose from, ranging from crispy bacon & maple syrup to caramelised banana with butterscotch."

"Montpeliers is a Bruntsfield institution, with every square inch perfect for an Instagram backdrop both inside and out. Having mastered the combination of amazing looking AND tasting, these pancakes will be sure to make put anyone else’s pancake day pics to shame."