Two of the hottest openings since last Fringe are a mere 15-minute stroll from each other but couldn’t be further apart stylistically. Dogstar is a former old-boy pub sympathetically restored into a tiny, buzzy restaurant, jointly led by the Nauticus team and James Murray (ex of Timberyard). Murray’s food is set loose in this bistro-type setting, where everything’s made for sharing and resolutely Scottish. That plays out as plenty of shells, game and fish; a sort of fever-dream of food that sits right on the boundary of casual and fine dining. Fabulous (do not neglect to order the focaccia). The same crew pop-up again back along the Shore in The Keelson, a brand new pub devoted to cocktails, beer, wine and rotisserie chicken alongside one of the biggest, sunniest terraces in the whole city. We’re here for it. 

Butter-yellow Norah, slap-bang on the Newhaven shore, is a wee café dedicated to chef and co-owner Claire Hanrahan’s Irish grandmother. Rarely open for dinner, it’s been enthusiastically adopted by the neighbourhood not least for its wholesome breakfasts and always-on main of sausage, egg and chips. Two wines (red and white) on tap complete a picture of warmth and generosity; it’s like a wee spa break for your tummy.  

Eleanore isn’t exactly a new opening, but a recent refurb and refocus means it more than qualifies as fresh for 2026. Gone are the small plates; in their place is a two or three-course set menu with a trio of choices for each course. Lunch and pre-theatre especially offer a chance to sample Roberta Hall-McCarron’s trademark precision for a remarkably fair price. Not far away is The Cottage At Royal Terrace, a tiny fairytale house and garden brought back to life by Peter Adshead and Jamie Stapleton. Expect lots of home-grown produce served by candlelight on communal tables. Finally, eagle-eyed returning diners will no doubt be lamenting the loss of Aizle, Stuart Ralston’s fine dining restaurant. But worry not: he’s been busy with Vinette, a French-inspired affair on Broughton Street, and next-door Vivien, a cocktail bar with-snacks.

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