Where Will Tom Eats! Eat in 2026?

Yes, I know I said that we wouldn't be back until February. But I can't let the month of January go by without wishing you all a very happy new year, and expressing once again my thanks for your support and feedback.

Feedback, in fact, is what I principally seek today. Places to eat which are new to Tom Eats! You know the criteria - somewhere to eat a good quality lunch or dinner. Breakfast and brunch don't really float our boat, and while there's nothing wrong with a good café, the lack of a sweet tooth may have something to do with our lack of enthusiasm.

You'll note that I said, new to this column. Unlike the folk who do this for a living, or indeed unlike my influencer friends, we are completely behind the curve. While I do get occasional offers of freebies for reviews - always declined - I'm not bombarded with press releases from PR people telling me about the latest openings. So where to go this year?

For obvious reasons we are Edinburgh-centric, though Glasgow is but a short bus hop along the M8. The rest of the central belt is not nearly as well explored as it should be. Help me, if you will, to make a list of places to visit. Places to pleasure you with written recreations and vicarious delights. (Cut the poncy stuff and get on with it - Ed)

OK, let's start with an aide-memoire to self. When folk say they are coming to town and where should we meet, my initial, and completely stupid, reaction is to say that I've been to everywhere in the centre of Edinburgh. That may be true if we're just talking about the simple grid of James Craig's original New Town, but, goodness me, how much more we have. Nearly two years ago, discussing tasting menus, I identified some big hitters. Lyla and Cardinal were two such, but still unvisited. As indeed are Perthshire's Glenturret Lalique, and Glasgow's Cail Bruich. Why? Well this writer has no expense account. A visit to a top notch place requires a glass of fizz for an aperitif and a bottle of good wine. Add on service charge and your taxi home, and you're unlikely to have much change out of six hundred quid.

So let's get real. And in Edinburgh, let's go literally down hill. I'm reminding myself that I haven't been to Taisteal Mark 2 in Forth Street, despite having loved its Stockbridge incarnation a good number of years ago On the other side of Broughton Street was the legend that was Rollo. I never got round to reviewing that one. It's now Frenchie, home to the very talented Monsieur et Madame Bouteloup, formerly of The Barley Bree in Muthill, Perthshire.

But let's head slightly west to the now trendy, once slummy Stockbridge. It's home to the Tom Eats! Restaurant of the Year 2025, eòrna. Just along the road sits the Stuart Smith inspired Captain Darling, where the Retired Captain of Industry and I failed to dine because of dodgy plumbing (theirs, not ours). Up a bit and left a bit to St Stephen Street. Where to begin?

In the spring, Purslane was very highly rated. Can't wait to try Paul Gunning's sister place Dùthchas in Leith. In the same street, the legend that was Bell's Diner is now Stockbridge Eating House, new home to the creative genius behind Gardener's Cottage and The Lookout. Another new kid in town, Henry Dobson at Moss. With his designer wife Akiko, he seems to be taking Scandi/farm to fork to new levels, or so the publicity says. And from even further afield, from Kansas via The French Laundry in California, comes Rodney Wages of Avery. He was awarded a Michelin star almost immediately. So much choice.

Heading to the southside of the town, I still haven't tried the mysterious one starred Condita in Salisbury Place, and I don't know of anyone who has been. I've been doing well keeping silent about daft names but who on earth thought that Nadir, sorry Nadair, was a clever name for a restaurant? They too forage a lot. But the reviews are great and I'll get there. I'm more enthusiastic after reading the menu at The Rabbit Hole nearby. One or other of these joints took the place of Sweet Melinda's, quite large shoes to fill.

I'm showing my crass ignorance of the south side, and of Leith and of your favourite little local, Help, please.

Already an overlong article without a jaunt to the Dear Green Place. Dishoom have now opened there. I'd travel further than that for their famous black daal. Mitchell Street is becoming the new Finnieston, but the latter is where you'll find Rocco's. In the Merchant City, SiSi Rooftop sounds intriguing. Mexican-American - possibly a bit trendy for the likes of us? For no discernible reason I've never been to Chez Nico, but I love the story of history of Studio Modou. Chef Modou Diagne came to Scotland as a refugee, got a job with Nico as a kitchen porter, and worked his way up. From there, Nico set him up in his own place. What a story.

But I'm ignoring the rest of the country. In Fife, my home county, The Kinneuchar Inn, near Elie, has been calling for some time now. I also hear great things about Dory in Pittenweem. For the Borders I am reliant on Ms T, journalist and chicken keeper extraordinaire. High time for a reunion there.

Perthshire, Stirling, Tayside, anywhere. I know there are great places out there: I just don't know where they are. Your favourites, Scotland wide. Tell me. And if you love food and eating out as much as I do, maybe we could go together.

Happy 2026. It's going to be a good year.

Tom Eats! will be back in February