View C&E FESTIVE DINING BROCHURE 2026 DIGI (1) flipbook.
Festive Dining 2026 Seasonal menus. Memorable gatherings. Warm hospitality.
Christmas is the perfect time to bring people together over great food. From team lunches and client entertaining to Christmas celebrations with friends and family, our restaurants offer thoughtfully prepared seasonal menus, welcoming surroundings and genuine hospitality for every occasion. Whether you’re looking for contemporary dining, boutique elegance or a relaxed lunch in the heart of the city, you’ll find the perfect setting to celebrate the season. Celebrate the Season 2
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Located within The Scholar, Abacus celebrates Scottish produce through contemporary cooking in a vibrant neighbourhood restaurant. Whether you’re bringing colleagues together for Christmas lunch or catching up with friends and family over dinner, it’s a place where great food and good company naturally come together. With flexible spaces for both intimate gatherings and larger celebrations, Abacus makes it easy to enjoy the season, whatever the occasion. Contemporary dining, made for gathering. 4
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Tucked within the restaurant, this semi-private space offers a little more privacy while keeping you connected to the energy of Abacus. It’s ideal for smaller groups looking to enjoy the occasion together without feeling separate from the restaurant around them. Perfect for festive lunches, after-work gatherings and informal celebrations, it’s a comfortable space where conversation flows, glasses are raised and time around the table is well spent. Your Own Corner of Abacus Semi-private dining | Up to 10 guests 6
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Bright, contemporary and exclusively yours, The Living Room offers a flexible private space for everything from Christmas lunches and client entertaining to larger team celebrations. Designed with groups in mind, it offers the space and flexibility to bring people together in a way that feels effortless. With attentive service and thoughtfully prepared seasonal dishes, every detail is in place for a memorable occasion. The Living Room Exclusive private dining | Up to 30 guests 8
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Starters Celeriac & apple soup with sourdough (V, VG) Smoked salmon with pickled red onion, capers, lemon & blinis Beetroot tarte tatin with cranberries & hazelnut dressing (V, VG) Mains Turkey roulade with maple-glazed root vegetables, pigs in blankets, Brussels sprouts, roast potatoes & gravy Pan-roasted cod with potato terrine, spinach & white wine crab velouté Roast carrot & sunflower seed spelt risotto with pickled onion & baby leaf salad (V, VG) Desserts Sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream (V) Christmas pudding with brandy sauce & vanilla ice cream Dark chocolate ganache tart with cherry ice cream GF – Gluten Free | DF – Dairy Free | V – Vegetarian | VG – Vegan Please inform us of any dietary requirements or allergies at the time of booking. Full allergen information is available on request. Private dining room can be exclusively hired for £250, payable at the time of booking. Available for groups of 8 guests or more. Abacus Festive Group Menu Available 1–23 December Two Courses £28pp | Three Courses £35pp 10
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Located within The Scott, Bonnar’s offers contemporary Scottish dining in a setting unlike anywhere else in the city. Named after celebrated Scottish decorative artist Thomas Bonnar, the restaurant pairs beautifully prepared seasonal dishes with warm hospitality beneath its extraordinary painted ceiling. Every detail, from the historic surroundings to the carefully crafted menu, comes together to create a dining experience worthy of the occasion. Seasonal Scottish dining beneath one of Edinburgh’s most remarkable interiors. 12
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14 Elegant, intimate and beautifully designed, The Velvet Lounge offers a private setting for occasions that deserve something a little more special. Perfect for client entertaining, family celebrations and festive dinners, it combines refined surroundings with contemporary Scottish dining and attentive service. It’s a space that feels personal, unhurried and designed for memorable evenings together. The Velvet Lounge Exclusive private dining | Up to 14 guests
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16 Surrounded by rich wood panelling and original character, The Library offers an intimate setting for smaller gatherings and special occasions. Ideal for long lunches, festive dinners and celebratory evenings, it’s a room that invites guests to linger a little longer, enjoy exceptional food and make the most of time spent together. The Library Exclusive private dining | Up to 12 guests
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Starters Roast balsamic red onion tart with goat’s cheese ice cream & beetroot caramel (VG option available) Salt & chilli king prawns with Bloody Mary salad House-smoked duck breast with candied walnuts, chicory & caper dressing (GF) Mains Chard-spiced cauliflower with a mushroom & feta filo parcel, roast Jerusalem artichokes & leek purée (VG option available) Roast Scottish chicken galantine with pork & chestnut stuffing, roast potatoes, pigs in blankets, winter vegetables & red wine jus (GF) Pan-fried herb-crusted steelhead trout with Lyonnaise potatoes, almond green beans, roast garlic velouté & gremolata (GF) Pudding Bûche de Noël with all-spice crème diplomat Apple & quince tarte tatin with Madeira & cashew nut ice cream (vegan option available) Selection of Scottish cheese served with plum chutney & crackers GF – Gluten Free | V – Vegetarian | VG – Vegan Please let us know of any dietary requirements or allergies when booking. Full allergen information is available on request. Private dining rooms can be exclusively hired for £250, payable at the time of booking. Available for groups of 8 guests or more. Bonnar’s Festive Group Menu Available 1–23 December Two Courses £36 | Three Courses £44 18
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20 Set within the award-winning Edinburgh Futures Institute, Canopy brings contemporary dining to one of Edinburgh’s most distinctive buildings. Overlooking Middle Meadow Walk, its bright, biophilic surroundings provide a refreshing backdrop for Christmas lunches, team get-togethers and relaxed celebrations, where great food and good company take centre stage. Contemporary festive dining in the heart of the city.
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Starters Butternut squash & rosemary soup with sun-dried tomato oil & sumac croutons (VG) Scottish oak-smoked salmon with horseradish yoghurt, caperberries & Arran oatcakes Pressed ham hock with tomato relish, garden shoots & croûte Mains Festive roast turkey with crispy braised potato, seasonal sprouts, roast carrots, parsnip purée & gravy Roast coley loin with confit fennel, green lentil cassoulet & wild mushrooms (GF) Spiced cauliflower shank with harissa quinoa, pomegranate, labneh, beetroot hummus & crispy chickpeas (VG) Desserts Crème brûlée cheesecake with whisky & clementine compote (V) Selection of Scottish cheeses with grapes, chutney & water biscuits (V) Chocolate ganache tart with freeze-dried raspberries & coconut yoghurt (VG, GF) GF – Gluten Free | V – Vegetarian | VG – Vegan Menu subject to change. Canopy Festive Group Menu Available from 23 November Two Courses £29 | Three Courses £36 22
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24 Complete your evening with an overnight stay at The Scott or The Scholar. Whether you’re dining at Bonnar’s or joining us at Abacus, stylish accommodation is just moments away, giving you the freedom to unwind, enjoy another glass of wine and make the most of the occasion. Wake up to breakfast the following morning – the perfect ending to a memorable evening. Stay a Little Longer Why let the evening end there?
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26 Home to Bonnar’s, The Scott makes it easy to turn dinner into an overnight escape. Individually designed bedrooms, beautifully restored interiors and peaceful surroundings provide the perfect place to unwind after an evening well spent. Wake refreshed, enjoy breakfast and leave feeling rested, ready for the day ahead. Boutique hotel 36 individually designed bedrooms Complimentary parking (subject to availability) Boutique comfort, right where the celebration continues.
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28 Home to Abacus, The Scholar offers spacious four-star accommodation designed for a comfortable overnight stay. Whether you’ve joined us for Christmas lunch or an evening celebration, there’s no need to rush home when your room is just moments away. Wake refreshed, enjoy breakfast and make the most of a slower start to the day. Contemporary four-star hotel 72 deluxe bedrooms Complimentary parking (subject to availability) Contemporary comfort, moments from the celebration.
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Group Bookings Festive menus are available from 1–23 December. Minimum group size for private dining: 8 guests . A £20 deposit per guest is required at the time of booking. Menu pre-orders are required seven days before your reservation. Full payment is due seven days before your booking. A discretionary 12.5% service charge applies. Please let us know of any dietary requirements or allergies when booking. Full allergen information is available at conferenceandevents.mysaffronportal.com Everything You Need to Know Planning your festive celebration couldn’t be easier. Here’s everything you need to know before confirming your booking. 30
31 Whether you’re planning a Christmas lunch, entertaining clients or bringing friends and family together, we’d love to help. Get in touch to discuss your plans, check availability or reserve your table. Book Your Celebration Abacus T: 0131 651 2142 E: abacus@ed.ac.uk Bonnar’s T: 0131 651 2011 E: bonnars@ed.ac.uk Canopy Kitchen & Courtyard T: 0131 651 5652 E: canopy.reservations@ed.ac.uk Let’s Start Planning