In this restaurant guide, I’ll be sharing where to eat in Edinburgh, since food is a great way to explore this country’s culture. In this post, you’ll find traditional Scottish dishes, as well as restaurants, pubs, cafes, bars, and speakeasies I found while visiting Edinburgh. Plus, at the end of this guide, I’ve rounded up the best food tours and whisky tastings you can experience in Edinburgh! All of this so you can eat in Edinburgh like a local.
Traditional Cuisine to Try in Scotland
When I initially thought of eating in Scotland I imagined haggis, black pudding and greasy fish and chips – oh goodie. Although these dishes are traditional in Scotland, I was delighted to find Edinburgh offered a variety of delicious food options and modern food experiences outside of typical pubs. If you do want to try some traditional Scotish cuisine, look out for the following items.
Scottish Stovies
A poor man’s meal of mashed potatoes with onions and beef or sausage. A hearty and delicious dish on a cold winter’s day. Funny enough, my Scottish grandpa used to make these for me when I was young, so it was such a heartwarming surprise to see them on a menu and try them in Scotland.
Sausage roll
Different to the sausage rolls I’ve had in Canada, these are quite literally are sausages put onto a bread roll. #Genius! Some places serve them with melted cheese and ‘brown sauce’ (what I know to be HP sauce). Seriously, so good!
Scotch eggs
Soft-boiled eggs that have been wrapped with sausage, breaded and then deep-fried. Can’t be good for you, but damn they’re tasty!
Haggis
Being Scottish myself, I’ve had my fair share of haggis at family occasions. I have to admit that it doesn’t taste terrible, but it’s the idea of what it is that puts me off. If you are vegetarian shut your eyes and don’t keep reading…
For anyone who hasn’t heard of haggis before, to put it simply, it’s sheep organs, mixed with oats and vegetables, and then cooked in a sheep’s stomach lining. Ya, like I said, not the most appetizing sounding dish. But it is traditional, and a delicacy in Scotland, so you should try it once. Plus now they have organic, gluten-free and even vegan haggis, so that’s something I would consider trying!
Ok vegetarians, you can open your eyes now. 😉
Black Pudding
Another dish I’m not keen to try, but if you are an adventurous eater this is traditionally seen at breakfast. It is sausage pudding mixed with pork blood, pork fat, and oats. Fun fact, apparently it has now been deemed a superfood.
Neeps & Tatties
Mashed turnips & mashed potatoes
Gin
Gin has become all the rage in the UK after distilling taxes were recently decreased. I highly recommend doing a Gin Distillery tour/ tasting somewhere in Scotland.
We did Eden Mill’s tour in St Andrew’s and thoroughly enjoyed it! But after trying a few different gins during my stay, my all-time favourite gin is now Edinburgh Gin, which has flavours of rhubarb and ginger. It’s so good you can drink it straight on the rocks, and I normally never drink gin straight! Definitely, one to try when you are in town; most bars and restaurants have it, or you can go to the distillery to do a tasting and learn more about the distilling process. If you are interested in doing a tour, try to book a spot online ahead of time, as they do fill up.
Scotch Whisky
When in Rome, or in this case, Scotland, you must try scotch, at least once. And if you love scotch and whiskies this is definitely the country to try them in. Unfortunately, I’m not a huge scotch fan, so I can’t provide much insight here, however, my friend Yasmine of West Coast City Girl can! She did the Scotch Whisky Experience on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile and shares all about it in this blog post.
Take a Food Tour
Interested in trying traditional Scotish cuisine and whisky, but looking for some guidance? Hop on an informative 3-hour food tour with a local! I recommend this one on Get Your Guide which includes scotish delights, a secret dish and whisky and gin! Plus, they also take you past Edinburg’s Castle and share it’s history.
But if you’re comfortable trying some local dishes on your own, read on to discover where to go!
Where to Eat Breakfast, Brunch & Coffee in Edinburgh
The Pantry
If I could only recommend one place to eat in Edinburgh, it would be brunch at The Pantry (ok, and Maison Bleue Home, see below). Located right outside Stockbridge and beside Circus lane, this brunch haven was absolutely amazing. Since the Pantry is a known hot spot in Edinburgh for locals, be prepared to go early or wait for a table.
We tried their halloumi fries, Sunshine on Stockbridge dish, and one of the daily brunch specials, and everything was delicious. I loved that their food wasn’t heavy and greasy, like a lot of brunch dishes can be. We all left the restaurant feeling full, nourished and really happy with our experience. Their other locations also look adorable, so I’ll be checking them out on our next Edinburgh visit!
Stalkbridge Kitchen
A small cafe with sweet treats and a small menu. Highly recommend their traditional sausage rolls (as I explained above). Also, if you want to make it a heartier breakfast dish, ask to add a fried egg on top of your sausage roll.
Cairngorm Coffee
A modern cafe right downtown, which offers beautiful views of the city, making it a lovely place to rest your feet and recharge with a caffeine hit. Also loved that this cafe had complimentary iPads for customers to use. (Offers: GF goodies, vegan milk like almond and coconut)
The Pastry Section
A hip café that offered strong coffee and tasty baked goods. If you have a sweet tooth make sure to try their gold millionaire bar: a shortbread base, gooey caramel filling and a golden milk-chocolate coating – it’s essentially a freshly baked chocolate bar on steroids.
The Elephant House
Probably the most famous café in Edinburgh, as it is “the birthplace of Harry Potter“. This is the cafe where J.K Rowling came and wrote the first book while staring off at Edinburgh’s castle in the back room. Definitely a magical experience!
Where to Eat Lunch and Snacks in Edinburgh
Hula Juice Café
Located right in Old Town right off Grassmarket square, this trendy health café serves up everything from smoothies, to poke bowls, fresh salads and soups. Hula Juice Cafe even has a variety of raw treats and cakes, that all look delicious. I tried their salmon poke bowl and their raw chocolate caramel cake and was happy to eat something that was healthy, while still tasting yummy. A great spot to refuel for lunch or a snack after site seeing! (Offers: healthy options, raw foods, vegan, vegetarian, GF)
Mary’s Milk Bar
Located in Grassmarket Square of Old Town, this ice cream parlour is so popular that there’s always a line-up out the door. Tested and tried, Mary’s ice cream lived up to its popularity. Something that caught my eye in this adorable shop was the speckled counters and stools, which we then learned were made out of recycled milk bottles – love when businesses come up with clever recycling methods that fit their brand.
The Raeburn
A hotel located in Comley Bank with a large and lively patio, which gets busy on sunny weekends. Also offers food if you are in need of a bite!
Where to Eat Dinner in Edinburgh
When it comes to dinner, Scottish people typically eat early (around 5pm-6pm) and call dinner, ‘tea’! Because of this most restaurant kitchens close at 10 pm in Scotland, which didn’t bode well for our bad habit of eating very late. Learn from our mistakes and don’t go looking for dinner past 9:30 pm, as most kitchens, will be closed, and you’ll be left #hangryAF.
Sunday Roast at The Queen’s Arms
Traditionally in the UK & Scotland, families enjoy a long roast lunch on Sundays either at home or at a pub. These normally start around 1 pm and can go into the evening. We found a set roast menu for 35 pounds for two people, but it included all the fixings: veggies, roast, Yorkshire puddings, roast potatoes, dessert, and coffee. We went to The Queen’s Arms for our roast lunch, and really enjoyed it; however, the service was very slow. Tip: for a Sunday roast anywhere, make a reservation in advance.
Maison Bleue at Home
Another one of my favourites meals on this trip, and not just because it was my 30th birthday dinner. This restaurant checked all the boxes: valuable set menu, delicious food, outstanding service, and stunning décor. But what really made this restaurant stand out for me was their heartwarming “pay it forward” program. They give 100% of their profits back to feed the homeless, and fund training and employment programs to break the cycle. This restaurant also hosts weekly lunches for the homeless to come in and experience the same incredible meal and service anyone else has when they dine here. Talk about incredible!
Maison Bleue at Home is famous in Scotland for hosting celebrities, like George Clooney, who want to help give back too. There are other locations of the Maison Bleue chain, but only one of these locations has the “pay it forward” charity program. If you want to make your meal count and give back, make sure to visit the restaurant on 7-8 Queensferry St; however, all locations are beautiful and offer similar menus.
Hectors
A comfy pub to stop in for a drink and pre-dinner finger foods. Recommend trying their olives, scotch eggs, yam fries and calamari; however, I would also come back here for dinner or a Sunday roast.
Chez Jules
A dimly lit French bistro, which offered delicious food at reasonable prices. Also, served fresh bread and salad complimentary with our meal! A great spot for a romantic date night or to go with a group of friends. We were happy with the restaurant’s upbeat vibe and delicious seafood tower!
Prestonfield House
The perfect place to splurge on a special occasion dinner, or if you are on a tighter travel budget, stop by for a drink to enjoy this stunning property. Pretonfield House was originally built in 1687 as a family estate and then converted into a five-star hotel in 1960. This grand property is filled with original tapestries, 16th-century artwork, and ornate furniture purchased from the original family. Even if you aren’t a guest of the hotel, you can still stop in to enjoy a drink or dinner in one of the unique sitting rooms.
Prestonfield House is definitely a more luxury experience, perfect for a romantic evening or anyone who loves antiques and historic architecture. One of the unique offerings of this property is their beautiful garden, that has peacocks and the only two highland cows in the city. So in case you haven’t made it to the highlands on this trip, this offers a great way for you to see the adorable cows and snap a pic!
Scran & Scallie
A Gastro Pub, which I’ve learned is essentially fancier pub food. Would love to try this restaurant in Comely Bank for a Sunday roast. Definitely recommend making a reservation in advance, as this place was always busy.
Speakeasy’s, Wine Bars & Pubs in Edinburgh
Panda and Sons
What looks like an odd barbershop from street level, is actually an underground speakeasy bar. Walk down the stairs, and pull at the decoy bookshelf to find a hidden 1920’s style speakeasy (no password required). Their cocktails were pricey but delicious. If you really want a drink to impress your guests, I recommend ordering the Tiki Takeout which is served in a Chinese takeout box, or the Birdcage cocktail, that comes out smoking!
Wee Pub
As the name perfectly describes, this teeny-tiny bar is actually known to be the smallest pub in Scotland; however, this pub is secretly attached to a bigger pub called Biddy Mulligans – definitely one of the more lively pubs in Grassmarket, that offered live music. Highly recommend it for a pint and sing-along!
Fiddlers Arm
A more laid back pub in the grass market area that had live acoustic music (love that live music is a common thing in Scotland). If you are looking for a place to sit and enjoy catching up with friends, this is the spot as it isn’t too loud.
Bramble Bar
An intimate underground cocktail lounge, right around the corner from Chez Jules. This dimly lit space had creative cocktails and a DJ spinning house beats.
Rat Pack
Perfect for a fun night out with friends. This Piano Bar was an absolute blast and played incredible music all night long! Bonus, their cocktails were reasonably priced and strong! Also, there was no cover charge, and we went on a Saturday night.
Try a Whisky or Food Tour & Tasting
Interested in trying traditional Scottish cuisine or whisky, but looking for some guidance? Try a food tour with local guides that will show you where to eat in Edinburgh. I typically use GetYourGuide when I want to uncover new things to do, have unique experiences, or find hidden gems with a local. They’re easy to use and book with, and I’ve had amazing experiences with their tours. Here are a few I’d recommend.
The Scotch Whisky Experience Tour and Tasting
Embark on a guided whisky tour that takes you through the captivating story of Scotland’s renowned spirit. Explore one of the world’s largest collections of Scotch whisky, with an impressive array of nearly 3,500 bottles. Learn about the production process, maturation, and the distinct characteristics of single malt Scotch whisky, and delve into the art of blending. Upgrade to the Gold Tour for a unique tasting experience, comparing and contrasting regional single malts in the relaxing McIntyre Gallery, accompanied by expert guides. It’s an immersive journey that will leave you with a deeper appreciation for the world of Scotch whisky.
Whisky Tasting with History and Storytelling
Enjoy a whisky-tasting experience on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, where you’ll enjoy four single malt scotch whiskies representing different regions of Scotland. Delight your taste buds with a range of flavors, from delicate Lowland whiskies to bold Islay expressions, and receive tasting cards with detailed notes. Immerse yourself in traditional storytelling and discover the cultural importance of whisky while enjoying a private and spacious venue dedicated to this memorable evening.
Secret Food Tour in Old Town
Explore the vibrant food culture of Edinburgh during a captivating 3-hour guided tour, beginning with a taste of authentic haggis paired with “neeps and tatties.” Capture stunning photos while strolling past the renowned Edinburgh Castle, learning about its rich history. Indulge in the world of Scotch whisky, savor creamy Scottish cheeses, and discover the allure of Edinburgh gin. Delight in a secret dish exclusive to tour participants, and conclude this unique experience with a traditional afternoon tea, complete with delectable Scottish scones.
Chocolatarium Tour, Tasting & Chocolate Making
Calling all chocoholics! Come indulge your senses with an interactive chocolate factory tour at Edinburgh’s Chocolatarium. Experience the journey from cacao tree to delectable Scottish chocolate bars, smelling the roasting cacao and sampling chocolates at different production stages. Get hands-on in the Chocolate Kitchen, creating your own personalized bar, and savor a tasting session in the Tasting Room, where you’ll learn about Scottish chocolate makers and enjoy fine single-origin chocolates. It’s a delightful experience for chocolate enthusiasts seeking a sweet adventure.
Holyrood Distillery Whisky and Gin Guided Tour
Embark on a guided flavour-forward adventure at Holyrood Distillery. Here you’ll delve into the art of crafting gin and whisky. Discover the meticulous distilling methods, learn about the production process, and indulge your senses in the delightful aromas and tastes. Immerse yourself in the world of craft distilling, gaining a deeper appreciation for these beloved spirits at Holyrood Distillery.
Have I missed your favourite restaurant or cafe? Please share where you love to eat in Edinburgh in the comments below!
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