Highly rated Edinburgh seafood fixture Ondine is to close temporarily at the end of the year, before reopening at an as-yet undisclosed location in the city centre – with a second branch launching in St Andrews on March 1st.

The move has been forced on its founder, chef Roy Brett, by protracted work on the building housing its long-time premises on George IV Bridge. The new 2025 Harden’s guide notes that the restaurant – “a rare oasis of quality in Edinburgh’s tourist centre” –  is currently “hidden behind scaffolding”.

Roy says he approached the move with “mixed emotions”. “In 2021, Ondine transformed the entire look and feel of the restaurant to emulate a ship at sea with a very clever window display. Due to unforeseen circumstances out of our control, the restaurant’s exterior was completely covered in scaffolding, forcing Ondine to change its entire appearance.

“Our landlord has advised works will now be ongoing for much longer than previously anticipated. This being the case we have reached the point where we feel our amazing team and loyal customers deserve better.

“So, after 15 fantastic years, we have decided that our time here must come to an end, and our final service will be our Hogmanay Celebration on December 31st.

“This is not a decision we have made lightly. Ondine means so much to many, not only to myself and my family but also to our customers, who have almost become family over the years. However, we are not going away, we will be moving to brand new premises within the city centre very soon and today we announce the exciting news that we will also be opening our first ever restaurant outside of Edinburgh in the Spring of next year.”

Ondine Oyster & Grill opens under executive chef Mark Drummond on March 1st at Seaton House, St Andrews, a new luxury hotel overlooking the West Sands and the famous Old Course.

Details of Ondine’s new Edinburgh location will be announced on the restaurant’s website as early as possible.