Meet the local: Khaleel

We caught up Khaleel, member liaison for Soho House Group here in Edinburgh to discover what he likes most about Scotland’s capital city.

1. Can you please tell us about who you are and what you do?

Hi, I’m Khaleel, I am an event strategist and community builder based in Edinburgh. Working across entertainment and hospitality, I am currently the member Liaison for the Soho House Group, my job is bringing together the wider Soho House ‘Cities Without Houses’ community in Edinburgh and across Scotland. Lots of networking, producing and occasionally partying.

Outside of work, I’m a self-proclaimed baklava connoisseur, board games enthusiast, and prone to going down daily YouTube rabbit holes.

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2. Which area do you love within Edinburgh the most?

Haymarket has quietly become one of my favourite parts of the city. There’s a rich cultural mix, great independent food spots, and a growing creative energy that makes it worth exploring. It also has the train station, which always helps when I’m running late, as I can get to Glasgow in 45 minutes or catch the tram straight to the airport.

3. Where would you go to have dinner, brunch, a coffee and a drink in Haymarket?

Haymarket’s full of gastro gems. For dinner, Pizzeria 1926 is a solid go-to - probably my favourite pizza in the city at the moment. I also love Vietnam House and Nok’s for warm, colourful dishes when the weather outside isn’t so great.

Brunch spots like Comb and Don’t Tell Mama have become regular Sunday pitstops. When it comes to coffee, we’re spoilt for choice - I probably spend too much time at Throat Punch Café and Milk.

Old Pal is the ideal Haymarket drinking spot (and that’s without mentioning the incredible Sunday roast).

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4. Where is best for a walk and a wander near or within Haymarket ?

This was so hard to pick as I have two go to’s but I will plump for this one, it starts at Haymarket Station with a coffee from Nomad, then down past The Playfair at Donaldson’s into Roseburn Park. It’s one of those rare spots that feels like a break from the city without actually leaving it - peaceful, full of dog walkers, and offering great views of Murrayfield. I usually stop at The Rosebean café for a bit of people-watching, with views towards the stadium and hills.

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5. Outwith Haymarket - what else do you like to do in Edinburgh?

If I’ve got friends in town, Café St Honoré is always my go-to dinner recommendation - it’s tucked away off George Street, with Parisian décor but serving insanely delicious Scottish produce. And for a day out, the Royal Botanic Garden is a classic - I still get excited to visit, especially for their exhibitions and festive events.

But if I want to show someone something more unexpected, Jupiter Artland is well worth the trip outside the city, with its gorgeous sculpture garden and amethyst cave.