New bar and restaurant takes centre stage ahead of Edinburgh Festival

A new brasserie-style bar and restaurant has opened its doors on Hamilton Place in the Edinburgh neighbourhood of Stockbridge just in time for Festival season in August.

Article Source: The Captain Darling
Last Updated: 22 July 2025 14:51

Following months of planning, the team behind ‘The Captain Darling’ has now unveiled the venue as a social hub for the whole community on the local high street, as well as festival goers in search of a more relaxed dining experience away from the city centre crowds.

A dedicated bar space has been created for people to drop in for a leisurely drink and snacks seven days a week from lunchtime until late.

Edinburgh chef Scott Smith has teamed up with Òir Group to oversee the kitchen at The Captain Darling and help with the launch phase of the new venue. The focus of the menu is on classic, well-made, seasonal dishes that are created to be full of flavour.

A separate dining area is now serving an all-day brasserie-style menu. Starters include Cumbrae oysters; prawn cocktail, Caesar salad and haggis croquettes. Highlights of the main menu include handmade savoury pies and a selection of meats cooked over coals.

The Captain Darling Sunday roast with all the trimmings is another star of the show, including rare breed pork porchetta; dry aged sirloin roast beef and confited chicken leg finished on the barbecue.

People with a sweet tooth can enjoy lemon posset; sticky toffee pudding and milk chocolate mousse.

The Captain Darling is the latest addition to the Edinburgh-based Òir Group, an independent hospitality company that has operated restaurants like Bodega and Lucky Yu within the city for over a decade. A series of other new venue openings is being lined up by the group over the next nine months.

John Howard, owner and director of Òir Group, said:

“This is an extremely proud and exciting moment for our whole team. After months of planning and preparation, the doors are finally open to Edinburgh’s newest brasserie-style bar and restaurant, just in time for the start of the Festival in August.

“Located right in the heart of Stockbridge, we really want The Captain Darling to feel part of the local neighbourhood. Open seven days a week, we’re offering a warm and relaxed welcome to everyone to either drop in for a drink, catch up with friends, or sit down for a good meal. Small and friendly dogs are welcome too!”

“We’re also planning some other new ventures around Edinburgh over the coming months, so watch this space.”

The Captain Darling is located at 16-18 Hamilton Place, Stockbridge, Edinburgh, EH3 5AU

For more information on The Captain Darling, go to www.thecaptaindarling.com

Òir Group also owns and operates Lucky Yu on Edinburgh’s Broughton Street and Bodega at Albert Place on Leith Walk. For more information on Òir Group, go to < www.Òir-group.com

Image credit: The Captain Darling, Stockbridge, Edinburgh:

Got a story to share? Send us an email at hello[@]whatsonnetwork.co.uk

Latest Edinburgh News

New bar and restaurant takes centre stage ahead of Edinburgh Festival

A new brasserie-style bar and restaurant has opened its doors on Hamilton Place in the Edinburgh neighbourhood of Stockbridge just in time for Festival season in August.

Flight Club Reveals its Line up of Fringe Festival Treats

Flight Club, the cocktail and Social Darts bar, has a load of great offers and live music to retreat to if you’re all Fringed out!

The Sweetest Berry Spots in Scotland this Summer

For those looking for something to fill their summer days, couples, kids, and everyone in between, these spots are perfect for picking Scotland’s most delicious berries.

OMNi Celebrates 20 years of Iconic Giraffe Sculpture with Edinburgh Zoo

Edinburgh’s OMNi Centre is marking the 20th anniversary of its beloved giraffe sculpture, Dreaming Spires, with a line-up of colourful celebrations.

Nishiki, A Japanese Izakaya, to open in Edinburgh this summer

A first of its kind for the city, Nishiki, a Japanese-fusion Izakaya is due to open in August, by the team behind Yamato, one of Edinburgh’s leading Japanese restaurants.

Common Tongue returns to Scottish stages with autumn tour

Common Tongue by Fraser Scott is to tour Scotland this autumn with a fourteen date tour in September and October.

Edinburgh International Film Festival announces special In Conversation event

Edinburgh International Film Festival announces special In Conversation event with Ken Loach, Paul Laverty & Rebecca O’Brien at this year's Festival.

New venue to open at Bristo Square ahead of Edinburgh Fringe

New joint venture by Paradise Palms, Gilded Balloon and Kelburn Garden Party will see bar and club host music, comedy, theatre and events.

Autumn Programme Launch at Edinburgh Open Workshop

Following a sell-out spring term, Edinburgh Open Workshop is excited to unveil its brand-new Autumn Course Programme, running from September to December 2025.

Edinburgh International Festival To Be First Charity on Net Zero Pathway

Edinburgh International Festival has become the first charity and the first arts organisation in the UK to achieve the British Standards Institute’s (BSI) Net Zero Pathway verification.

Bombay Sapphire unveils Gin & Gelato at The Dome, Edinburgh

Following the hottest June on record, Bombay Sapphire announces the coolest pairing of the summer - Gin & Gelato - launching at The Dome, Edinburgh on Friday 18th July.

Foodies Festival, the biggest touring celebrity food & music festival in the UK, returns to Scotland next month

The UK's biggest touring celebrity food & music festival celebrates its 20th year - announcing star-studded line-ups and exciting new features in Edinburgh and Glasgow!

Assembly Festival relaunches Local Residents Ticket Offer

Fringe Tickets for Just £6.50: Assembly Festival re-launches Local Residents Ticket Offer for EH, FK, G, KY, ML & DG postcodes.

Edinburgh charities to receive funding to help put a stop to child poverty in Scotland

Three Edinburgh based children's charities have been named among 11 Scottish organisations as partners of STV Children's Appeal's newly launched Ignite Fund.

Duck & Waffle Edinburgh launches exclusive Veuve Clicquot summer terrace

This summer, Duck & Waffle Edinburgh turns up the heat with the launch of its brand-new Summer Terrace in partnership with Veuve Clicquot.

Edinburgh restaurant makes UK top 100 debut

An Edinburgh restaurant has earned its place on The Good Food Guide's UK-wide list of ‘100 Best Local Restaurants 2025’, just five months after its launch.

Forth Awards open nominations for local heroes across Edinburgh, Fife and Falkirk

The Forth Awards, presented by Livingston Designer Outlet, has opened nominations for its local hero awards, aiming to celebrate the very best of Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and Falkirk.

Grow Your Own flowers, fruits, and veg at Dobbies Garden Centres

Dobbies Garden Centres is hosting a free Grow Your Own workshop this August, where attendees will learn top tips for growing fruit, vegetables and flowers at home.

Gnoss release stirring new single Emily ahead of international festival run

Acclaimed Scottish folk four-piece Gnoss are back with a brand-new single ‘Emily’ set for release on Friday 25th July!

Gilded Balloon launches Postcode Pals

Gilded Balloon launches a rewards scheme with £6 tickets now available for local residents for some of the Fringe's biggest shows - including Rosie O'Donnell, Jack Docherty, Kim Blythe and more!

Summer savers tickets at the Edinburgh Playhouse

ATG Entertainment launches their Summer Saver campaign with discounted tickets to over 100 shows including several at the Edinburgh Playhouse!

Sheila Fleet Jewellery celebrates grand opening of new Edinburgh retail premises on Hanover Street

Sheila Fleet is thrilled to announce the opening of her contemporary two-storey jewellery shop at 4 Hanover Street, just off Princes Street.

Calling artists and makers!

Leith Makers is excited to invite you to be a part of their upcoming collaborative exhibition: Leith Connections, running from 6th - 31st August.

Dinosaur Day at Dobbies

Children attending Dobbies Little Seedlings Club will get the chance to travel back hundreds of millions of years to learn about prehistoric plants and talk about their favourite dinosaurs!

Manran to headline as Innis & Gunn bring the best of Scotland to the Mound for Fringe 2025

Scottish trad supergroup Mànran will headline a one-off live show on the Mound this month, as part of the return of Innis & Gunn's popular Edinburgh Festival Fringe takeover.

SUSHISAMBA Edinburgh launches the summer edition of its famed Champagne Afternoon Tea

SUSHISAMBA Edinburgh launches its famed Champagne Afternoon Tea, with a refreshing summer spin, whilst guests enjoy unparalleled views from the restaurant’s home on the 10th floor of W Edinburgh!

Traverse Theatre announces Autumn 2025 season

Hot on the heels of a thrilling TravFest25 programme, the Traverse Theatre has announced the first details of the exciting work audiences can look forward to seeing in the venue from September.

New Edinburgh hotspot, The West End Garden, opens in the grounds of St Marys Cathedral

Edinburgh's West End has welcomed an exciting new destination as Don't Tell Mama, the beloved local coffee shop, officially opens The West End Garden.