Now we’re once again forgoing trousers, and seeing day-drinking as wonderfully eccentric, here are our TOP TEN suggestions on how to preserve your mental health throughout what feels like a never-ending lockdown: 

   

1. Have your cocktails delivered

After all, Edinburgh boasts some of the world’s best, not to mention award-winning, mixologists. See Edinburgh Booze Delivery for the great works of Panda & Sons, Hey Palu, and The Cocktail Geeks.

    

2. Make dinner a formal occasion, BUT …

On no account actually cook! Let that be the work of Hickory, Angels with Bagpipes, Leftfield,Haar at Home,Superico Restaurant, Shardana Food and Catering, Pinkerton’s Catering, Mamasan, Six By Nico, Whiskers Wine Bar, and MANY more.

   

3. Become a wine connoisseur

It’s a rather lush form of self-improvement you can achieve via the brilliant online tastings of Diana at Wine Events Scotland. The most important lesson of all: How to enjoy both quality AND quantity.

   

4. While you’re at it, order a cheeky grazing board

After all, what’s a few bottles of fine wine without a shedload of cheese, cured meats, or even gourmet hot dogs. We absolutely adore the grazing offered by Sprehd, Peri’s Kitchen, Tasty Treats Edinburgh, and Damiani Fine Dining.

    

5. Answer the age-old question: Who ate all the pies?!?

Hint: the answer will be YOU, ya fat bastard! Hint 2: Lishdishpies are beyond fabulous, AND they deliver.

   

6. FORGET baking your own banana bread 

INSTEAD, have the finest cakes, eclairs & pastries delivered to your door. Anything made by Millie’s little baked dreams, and Zest Edinburgh is heavenly!

    

7. Order a mouthwatering takeaway

Banish guilt, then dial + eat as often as your soul, or your belly, requires. Our absolute favourites include: The Khukuri Nepalese Restaurant & Takeaway, La Favorita Delivered, Butta Burgers, Victor Hugo Deli, Pomegranate, and Spitaki.

    

8. Coffee is a MUST!

In our view it’s an essential journey, but just in case the First Minister disagrees: pop on your designer joggers, and disguise your caffeine search as exercise. We LOVE ToastDi Giorgio Caffe & Bar, Lowdown Coffee, Casa Amiga, Gordon St Coffee Edinburgh, Cafe Gallo, GogoBeets, Artisan CoffeeSoderberg, Format Coffee, Fortitude, Roots, and Rose Theatre Cafe to name but a few!

   

9. Have one’s provisions delivered

While supermarket delivery is a god-send, we SO tire of the bruised vegetables. For household provisions altogether more fabulous see Good Brothers Wine Bar, IJ Mellis, Valvona & Crolla, and Real Foods

   

10. And finally, adopt our gin-soaked mantra:

Gin, gin, where do I begin? Having you inside of me, is like an old friend popping in. Our fave tipple: Fidra Gin – a dazzling mix of rosehip, sea buckthorn & lemon thyme that makes lockdown MUCH more fun.

   

See you on the other side fellow foodies!!