Home » TRAVEL NEWS » New Edinburgh Restaurants 2025 Vinette and Vivien Debut with Wine and Cocktail Focus
Published on
October 2, 2025
In October ‘23, the Aizle group will open two new venues,Edinburgh, a wine restaurant, Vinette, and cocktail bar, Vivien, located on Broughton Street. Both venues aim to integrate Scottish cuisine with European cooking traditions to enhance the city’s nightlife and dining culture.
Vinette Wine Bar
Vinette will take over the site of the former Fhior restaurant at 36 Broughton Street. The space will reflect the convivial atmosphere of Parisian wine bars. The kitchen will serve seasonal sharing plates and bistro-style dishes rooted in European dining. Each plate will highlight local Scottish produce while pairing naturally with an extensive by-the-glass wine programme.
The menu will showcase ingredient-driven cooking with bold, flavour-focused plates. Expect options such as braised duck hearts on toast with pickled peppercorns, Iberico pork with cider-braised onions, and croquettes made from pig’s head. These dishes will be matched with wines curated from small-scale producers across the Old World and beyond.
Wine Programme
The wine list will focus on bottles that express terroir and craftsmanship. The by-the-glass menu will evolve regularly, encouraging guests to discover new flavours. Sourcing will emphasise artisanal winemakers from Europe while including rare selections from other regions. This approach ensures diversity and constant exploration for wine lovers.
Interiors and Design
Designed by Scarinish Studios, Vinette’s interiors aim to create a soft and inviting ambience. Minimalist details, crushed linen, and candlelit tables will establish a warm, relaxed setting. The goal is to balance sophistication with informality, encouraging long evenings of dining and conversation.
Vivien Cocktail Bar
Beneath Vinette sits Vivien, an intimate cocktail bar that adds a late-night element to the project. Named after poet Renée Vivien, the space celebrates her Belle Époque aesthetic and spirit of decadence. The bar will offer both signature and classic cocktails. Among them are The Strawberry Thief and Violet Subterfuge, complemented by inventive bar snacks. Guests can enjoy potato mille-feuille with beurre blanc or Ortiz anchovies with lemon butter.
Compact and moody, Vivien is designed for both pre-dinner aperitifs and after-dinner cocktails. Its lighting, bar seating, and ambience provide a discreet yet stylish space within Edinburgh’s growing nightlife scene.
Aizle Hospitality Group Expansion
These openings follow the closure of Aizle, the group’s debut restaurant. The rebranded Aizle Hospitality Group now includes Michelin-starred Lyla, as well as Noto and Tipo, both Bib Gourmand venues. Vinette and Vivien represent a strategic move to broaden the group’s portfolio while offering different dining and social experiences.
The group has expanded its leadership, with Stuart Ralston’s brothers stepping into key roles. Calum Ralston will lead Vinette’s kitchen, while Scott Ralston oversees the casual dining operations across the group. This team structure aims to ensure continuity and growth across the expanding brand.
Why It Matters for Travellers
For visitors to Edinburgh, Vinette and Vivien add two distinctive stops to the city’s food and drink trail. Travellers can enjoy authentic European-style wine dining at Vinette, paired with Scottish seasonal produce. Downstairs, Vivien offers a late-night cocktail experience inspired by literary and artistic heritage.
Both venues sit within walking distance of Edinburgh’s central attractions, making them convenient for those exploring the city’s cultural and historic landmarks. Their combination of refined dining and nightlife will appeal to tourists seeking both flavour and atmosphere.
Travel Guide TipLocation: 36 Broughton Street, Edinburgh, Scotland.Nearest Landmark: Short walk from Edinburgh Playhouse and St Andrew Square.Best Time to Visit: Evening hours for a wine-led dinner at Vinette, followed by cocktails at Vivien.Who Should Go: Wine enthusiasts, cocktail lovers, and travellers seeking modern Scottish-European dining in a relaxed setting.Edinburgh’s Dining Landscape
Eddinburgh’s reputation as a culinary capital of the UK has in the last few years been bolstered with the introduction of a number of restaurants and bars. To this end, the authentic, drunken Parisean inspired dishes served with a Scottish touch prosperity by Vinette and Vivien are most welcomed.
Dining and Cooking