Gourmet goodies: National Picnic Week

A slice of the countryside in the heart of Edinburgh, it’s hard to imagine that The Meadows used to be a loch! It was in the 18th century that the area was landscaped and developed into the beautiful parkland so many people know and love today.

Its proximity to so many wonderful cafes and delis make it the perfect location to mark National Picnic Week.

Wondering what to take along to your al fresco lunch? We’ve saved you the hassle by speaking to local food and drink producers for their top tips for gourmet goodies perfect for picknicking.

Vino Wines - Edinburgh Royal cocktail

For a picnic at The Meadows, an Edinburgh Royal cocktail is a must. Add a small drop of Edinburgh Raspberry Gin to a champagne flute, then top up with Grand Cru family-grown Champagne. Garnish with fresh raspberries to make it extra special and voilà… you’re a Meadows mixologist!

Sainsbury’s - Welsh slate cavern aged cheddar

Swing by Sainsbury’s at Quartermile to pick up their new and exclusive cheese – Welsh slate cavern aged Cheddar. Carefully developed using an ancient maturing method, this cheddar is stored 500 feet underground in the Llechwedd Slate Caverns, Snowdonia, and allowed to mature for several months. This process gives the cheese unique characteristics, such as a firm body and depth of flavour, with rich savoury notes.

Peter’s Yard – Artisan Swedish Crispbreads

No cheese platter would be complete without Peter’s Yard’s award-winning crispbreads. Made using a traditional Swedish recipe with just five natural ingredients, they’re both high in fibre and delicious. They’re prepared using whole wheat flour, rye flour, fresh milk, honey and naturally fermenting sourdough, just as they would have been centuries ago in Sweden. Peter’s Yard, at Quartermile, sells both the large traditional crispbreads with the characteristic hole in the middle, as well as the bite-size mini versions, which are perfect for a picnic at The Meadows.

Starbucks – Moreish Meze Salad

Starbucks at Quartermile has the perfect healthy accompaniment for your picnic. Their Moreish Meze Salad contains sweet potato falafel, roasted vegetables, houmous, bulgur wheat and chickpea tabbouleh as well as mixed salad leaves. As well as being delicious, this vegan salad also makes up one of your five-a-day.

Macbeth’s Butchers - Minute steak

The Meadows has designated areas for barbecues, but Macbeth’s Butchers says we should look beyond the same old sausages and burgers and try minute steak instead. They’re ideal for barbecues as they cook quickly and are hugely versatile. You can either cook them as they are, or for extra pizzazz, marinade them before hand.

Macbeth’s minute steaks are cut from four week hung Aberdeen Angus cross Highland beef so are full of flavour. They’re based in Moray but you can order online and they deliver all over the UK!

Brew Lab – Iced coffee

Within walking distance of The Meadows, Brew Lab serves iced pour-over coffee using high quality single origin beans. Iced pour-over coffee is brewed in a concentrate and then diluted with ice to create a cold and extremely refreshing drink. Depending on the coffee on offer that day, you might be surprised to find subtle notes of blackcurrant or strawberries in your drink.

Mimi’s Bakehouse - Mimi’s cake ice cream

Every good picnic should end with an indulgent sweet treat and Mimi's cake ice cream ticks that box perfectly. You can pick up either a 500ml tub or cones from the Mimi’s Bakehouse store near The Meadows. Flavours include red velvet, banoffee pie, Victoria sponge, caramel shortbread, coconut jam slice mint Aero. The choice is yours, but we promise you can't go wrong with any of them!

For ideas on picnic style at The Meadows, take a look at our blog that looks at the perfect summer accessories.

Quartermile is within walking distance of The Meadows in Edinburgh and many of the apartments boast stunning views over the iconic park.