Even after eight years of guiding guests at the Balmoral Hotel, Jan Streicher, originally from Hamburg, Germany, continues to explore and fall in love with Edinburgh's dining scene.
Jan’s Top Five:
Edinburgh’s latest dining hot-spots
Edinburgh’s culinary scene is buzzing with fresh spots that have captured my attention. Take Cardinal, for instance, the latest creation by Tomás Gormley - the former head chef and owner of the Heron restaurant. He's crafted an intimate fine dining experience where Scottish dishes get a modern makeover in a 13-course journey. I'm counting down the days until my visit!
We recently discovered Lyla, and it was an absolute delight. They offer a surprise tasting menu that highlights the best of Scottish Isles' line-caught fish and shellfish. And for anyone looking to soak up Edinburgh's lively night scene, Encore is the spot. It's a chic cocktail bar on Hope Street, making it a perfect destination for a night out on the town.
A dish to remember
One of my all-time favourite dishes can be found right here at the Balmoral’s Number One - the Balmoral Honey, Yoghurt and Honeycomb dessert. It’s a melt-in-your-mouth masterpiece that’s as beautiful to look at as it is to eat. It’s wonderfully presented - picture a glossy scoop of yoghurt mousse resting atop an intricately sculpted piece of honeycomb. And the honey? It’s our own, harvested from the apiary on The Balmoral’s roof.
Date night in the New Town
Whenever my guests are in the mood for a romantic evening out, I steer them towards Tipo. It's like stepping into a little slice of Italy, offering a cosy and relaxed ambience that's perfect for two. At Tipo, it's all about the joy of sharing, with a mixture of tasty small and large plates, and you can't leave without trying their signature soft serve.
A bespoke shared experience
At the newly opened eòrna, I had the pleasure of experiencing something truly special, crafted by talents from our Balmoral family: Chef Brian Grigor, who used to work in our restaurant Number One, and Glen Montgomery, our previous Head Sommelier. They've put together this amazing setup around a cosy bar table, where they host a surprise tasting menu for just 12 people. For a couple of hours, it feels like stepping into a whole new world of fine dining, chatting, and making friends over fantastic food.
Strolling through Edinburgh’s food markets
Just a few minutes from the hotel, we’re lucky to have a great array of vibrant food markets, perfect for families. The Edinburgh Street Food Market offers flavours from all around the world. Whether you’re in the mood for Asian, Mexican, or European, there is something for everyone.
Come the weekend, we're treated to Edinburgh’s Farmers Market, a haven of delicacies featuring the freshest, locally sourced ingredients. But, if I had to choose, Stockbridge Farmers Market would be my top pick. Open only on Sundays, it's where our guests flock to sample the finest Scotch eggs - a must-try speciality.
The Balmoral, 1 Princes Street, where Old Town meets New, a legendary hotel and landmark clock tower: a symbol of its city
Phone Number*
Address
1 Princes Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2EQ
Edinburgh EH2 2EQ
Edinburgh EH2 2EQ
The Balmoral, 1 Princes Street, where Old Town meets New, a legendary hotel and landmark clock tower: a symbol of its city
Phone Number*
Address
1 Princes Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2EQ
Edinburgh EH2 2EQ
Edinburgh EH2 2EQ
The Balmoral, 1 Princes Street, where Old Town meets New, a legendary hotel and landmark clock tower: a symbol of its city
Phone Number*
Address
1 Princes Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2EQ
Edinburgh EH2 2EQ
Edinburgh EH2 2EQ