10 Best Breweries in Westquarter

"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"

"This new pub and brewery caused quite a stir when it opened on the Grassmarket at the start of 2019. Cold Town House is one of the few places in the city where you can sip a cocktail on a rooftop bar with a cracking view of Edinburgh Castle. Based in a former church, its arrival revives the Grassmarket brewing tradition which dates back to the 16th Century."

"Cold Town House is one of Edinburgh's prettiest outdoor restaurants with an incredible space that overlooks the castle. Make your way through their menu of droolworthy pizzas and refreshing craft beers while topping up your tan in amazing surroundings."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"Tucked away in Edinburgh’s Old Town, the Urbane Art Gallery is one of the most cutting edge spaces in the city. It covers a range of artists and mediums, but the majority of work has a hint of urban delight about it. Visit the gallery’s website."

"Located at the east end of Princes Street, you’ll find the newest edition to Edinburgh’s shopping centres – St James Quarter. From beauty to clothing, electronics to footwear, this 4-storey centre covers 1.7 million square feet and includes restaurants, cafés, bars, shops, public spaces and leisure venues. A Roomzzz aparthotel where guests can stay for one night, one week, or even up to a year, as well as Edinburgh’s first boutique Everyman cinema will open during future phases."

"Serving up classic Italian treats in kid-friendly portions, this restaurant lets your little ones get stuck in to spaghetti and meatballs and mozzarella and ham pizza with a free frothy chocolate delight. The adults a la carte menu is as tasty as it is extensive. 126 Cowgate, Glasgow, G66 1HF"

"From the jolly striped awning out front, to the eye-popping primary colors inside, to the retro hip-hop on the stereo, Civerinos Slice practically oozes joy and fun. If you're looking for the best pizza in Edinburgh, you'll find it here. There are white pizzas like the Polar Bear, which comes with a pistachio crumb; deeply meaty options like the Scarface, which has Manuka honey and smoky, crispy bacon; and imaginative vegan options with fennel and sugo."

"Edinburgh has many Italian restaurants, but Civerinos offers something a little different. Situated beside the Royal Mile in the heart of the Old Town is has a great location. The interior is chic and understated with long wooden benches lit by large brass bell lanterns, and the plates are made of paper."

"One of Edinburgh's best pizza restaurants, Civerinos is home to a world famous selection of slices, from the classic pepperoni and four cheese, to philly cheese steak and delicious calzones. On top of that you'll find boozy slushies and delicious desserts to complete your meal."