Sustainability-focused fish and chip restaurant opens at Edinburgh Zoo

19/07/2022 in Edinburgh Zoo

A brand-new restaurant has opened at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s (RZSS) Edinburgh Zoo, celebrating the wildlife conservation charity’s first animal species: the gannet.

Offering a range of traditional Scottish fish and chip dishes, from Cullen skink to vegan haggis, Restaurant Associates’ new venture as part of their partnership with RZSS has already proved a hit with visitors.

Named after the first animal to be cared for at the zoo, The Gannet fish bar offers the country’s only ‘fully Scottish’ chip - grown within 50 miles of the zoo, chipped in Dunfermline and cooked fresh at Edinburgh Zoo.

Ben Supple, director of engagement and business development at RZSS, said, “It is wonderful to be expanding our food offering here at Edinburgh Zoo, in partnership with Restaurant Associates.

“Sustainability is at the heart of what we do, so ensuring we used local suppliers who share our values was incredibly important.

“From MSC certified fish to Scottish potatoes and award-winning batter from The Bay in Aberdeenshire, we want to present our visitors with some of the best of what Scotland can offer.

“This kind of collaboration between local businesses and communities is an essential part of making our charity's wildlife conservation work possible. Together, we can all create a world where nature is protected, valued and loved."

Ben Cochrane, general manager at Restaurant Associates, said, “Seeing visitors enjoy our delicious new dishes during its first week has been wonderful and the opening of The Gannet fish bar truly is a huge celebration for Restaurant Associates Scotland.

“Not only is our partnership and support of RZSS incredibly important to us, launching a new restaurant with a focus on sustainability directly feeds into our Climate Net Zero target, which is industry leading.”

The Gannet fish bar is open to zoo visitors seven days a week from 11:30am to 4pm and brought together 442 Design, BJM Interiors and Procast to help create the newly refurbished vibrant eatery.