Situated in the heart of Edinburgh – a city not short of fabulous places to eat – The Bonnie & Wild Scottish Marketplace is billed as a ‘food hall’, but it is so much more than that. Located on the fourth floor of the new, multi-million-pound St James Quarter development, Bonnie & Wild showcases the best in modern Scottish cuisine, cooked up by some of the biggest names in the country’s food industry.
What’s on the menu?
With eight chef-led food stalls, four speciality retailers and three bars, Bonnie & Wild’s Scottish Marketplace is one of the biggest and most exciting venues to open in the city in recent years.
From the finest and freshest Scottish meat, fish and shellfish to hand-made pasta and pizza. From a Scottish twist on fresh fried chicken and East-Asian delights, to artisan ice-creams and award-winning patisserie, there’s something to suit every taste and budget.
On the shopping side, Bonnie & Wild is home to the first retail offerings from national drinks wholesalers Inverarity Morton and renowned butcher MacDuff 1890. The Cheese Club, the latest venture from the team behind Six By Nico, is running the venue’s deli counter.
Make no mistake, Bonnie & Wild offers the best of Scotland on a plate, in cool, comfortable, and very stylish surroundings – and not a hint of tartan in sight.
Big names, big flavours
Renowned chef Gary Maclean, Scotland’s National Chef and the winner of the BBC’s MasterChef: The Professions in 2016, has a seafood stall called Creel Caught. Peter McKenna and Ivan Stein, of Glasgow’s award-winning The Gannet, and BBC chef Jimmy Lee, who owns Glasgow’s famed Lychee restaurant, have each taken key concessions at Bonnie & Wild.
Vegans and vegetarians are also well catered for, with Erpingham House serving up sustainable and healthy plant-based dishes that are refined and delicious.
There’s such a common purpose here – all of us care passionately about promoting and supporting the Scottish food and drink industry.
The venue’s Operations Director, Ryan Barrie, says: “The overall food and drink offer is of exceptional quality. There’s something for everyone here.
“We have produce from across the country, whether that’s shellfish from Lerwick, beef from the Borders, cheese and fresh fruits from the Clyde Valley and Perthshire or cured venison from the Highlands, the list goes on.
“On the drinks side, we have whisky and gin from distilleries across Scotland, and beers and ciders from local craft breweries. Combined, they give our guests an unrivalled offering of Scottish fare, a unique and fantastic vision of Scottish food and drink.”
Are you sitting comfortably?
With three bars, a private dining area, a demonstration kitchen and multi-purpose events spaces, Bonnie & Wild offers a myriad of seating, eating, and drinking options; allowing diners to pick and choose and build their own menu options.
Ryan adds: “There are so many different spaces with their own ambience and feel: some more open and lively, others quieter and more intimate, some with commanding views of the St James Quarter, other areas are perfect for watching the different chefs putting on a show.
“We want guests to see the effort behind the food and drink being served in this beautiful, friendly and accessible venue. We want them to have the opportunity to meet the chefs, chat to them, understand where the food comes from, see it being made and prepared.
“It’s easy for us in Scotland to overlook the fact we have some of the best food and drink in the world and that it’s sought after by chefs the world over.”
What are you waiting for?
With the doors now open, the team at Bonnie and Wild can’t wait to welcome guests, to show off the best of Scotland’s larder and Scottish hospitality.
As diners and visitors begin to venture out again, Bonnie & Wild is sure to become a destination venue and a star attraction on the capital’s ever-changing food scene.
The venue is open daily, 9.30am until late. To find out more, visit Bonnie & Wild | Scottish Marketplace | Edinburgh, Scotland (bonnieandwildmarket.com) or take a peek at their Instagram page @bonnieandwildmarket