From drinks businesses to butchers to tropical plants, a variety of traders have braced the current economic climate and popped up in the Capital during lockdown.
In case you haven’t caught sight of them already, we thought we would list a few of some of the new faces in town.
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1. Umai - ramen and sushi restaurant
Umai, in 6 Queensferry Street, serves ramen and sushi along with other delicious classic dishes inspired by Japan's dining scene. It opened mid-September despite coronairus restrictions holding a grip on the city's hospitality industry. Staff pride themselves on the fact that all the ingredients are fresh, including the ramen broths and noodles, which are homemade with rye. Photo: Supplied
2. Passey's in Portobello
Foodies and coffee lovers have been queuing up outside Passey's Coffee Company since it opened in Portobello High Street. It's a new boutique-style cafe serving a full menu that caters for all dietary types including vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free. It even includes a full roast option on Sundays. The business, which was was previously Italian cafe Al Mare, opened for the first time today, September 9, after three weeks of renovation works. Owners Gary and Nick Passey said it's been their dream for years to open a cafe together. Photo: Gary and Nick Passey
3. Nuisance nettle drink
An entrepreneur who quit his job in finance to set up a drinks business has made a unique thirst-quencher entirely from one of Scotland’s most prolific weeds – the stinging nettle. Hugo Morrissey, from Edinburgh, launched his product idea just before the pandemic hit the UK in March and despite business shutting down left and right, the 27-year-old didn't let lockdown restrictions hold him back. He's been busying away making his sparkling nettle drink and now has it stocked in multiple cafes and shops across the city. Photo: Hugo Morrissey
4. Catalogue Spirits
Two Edinburgh pals came up with a solution during lockdown that has certainly kept spirits high while restrictions on alcohol have come into play. Flatmates Harvey Ferguson and Johnny Lyall started a delivery cocktail service for the Capital in June. The two drink experts whizz up a refreshing alcoholic beverage of your choice from their menu of seven classics to deliver straight to your door. “We offer a simple product - classic cocktails - done well at a good price,” said Johnny, 26.(pictured left) “All you need to do is give it a shake and pour it.” The freshly made drinks come in a 75cl bottle, the size of a standard bottle of wine, which produces about six cocktail servings. Photo: Harvey Ferguson