Edinburgh is a city where food traditions run deep, and you’ll find some of the best pub food from hearty classics to sweet treats on almost every corner. I‘ve spent plenty of time exploring the city’s food scene, and I can tell you that trying traditional Scottish dishes are comforting. Yes, some sound a bit odd at first, but trust me on this: once you taste them, you’ll understand why locals are so proud of their culinary heritage.
Here’s your Edinburgh foodie bucket list. Dive in and try some of these local heroes. You might just find a new favourite 😉
1. Haggis, Neeps & Tatties
Let’s get started with my favourite. Don’t ask what’s in it (at least not at first). Just know that it’s a rich, peppery, savoury mix of… stuff… that is utterly delicious. I wasn’t so sure about haggis before trying it, but it is so tasty and now one of my favourite dishes. Served with “neeps” (mashed swede or rutabaga) and “tatties” (mashed potatoes), it’s the national dish for a reason.
Don’t let its ingredients frighten you! Great comfy food can be found at Fiddler’s Arms.
2. Cullen Skink
Cullen Skink is a creamy, smoky soup made with smoked haddock, potatoes, and onions. It’s the most comforting, flavourful bowl you can imagine, especially on a chilly day.
Think of it as Scotland’s answer to chowder, but in my opinion better. The smoked fish gives it an incredible depth of flavour, and the creamy broth is thick enough to warm you right through. A perfect Scottish hug in a bowl. This dish originated in the fishing village of Cullen on the northeast coast, but Edinburgh’s chefs have perfected it. Some add leeks or a splash of cream for extra richness.
3. Scotch Pie
These small, hand-held meat pies are a Scottish institution. The pastry is sturdy and slightly crumbly, and the filling is usually minced mutton or beef with a peppery kick.
Scotch pies are proper comfort food. They’re the kind of thing you grab from a baker’s shop and eat while walking through the streets, or you’ll find them at football matches where they’re practically mandatory. The best ones have a thick, golden crust that can hold the filling without collapsing, and the meat inside should be well-seasoned and juicy.
Take-away pie advice 😋
Head to Mòr Bakehouse on Princes Street or the Royal Mile for excellent artisan pies. The Pie Maker is another solid choice for traditional versions. These places know their pastry, and you can grab one to go for a quick, satisfying snack.
4. Steak Pie
If Scotch pies are the quick street snack, steak pie is the sit-down, knife-and-fork affair. We’re talking about tender chunks of beef in rich gravy, encased with crunchy pastry.
This is classic pub grub at its finest. The meat should be fall-apart tender, the gravy thick and savoury, and the pastry should have a proper crunch on top. Many pubs serve it with mashed potatoes and peas or seasonal vegetables. It’s hearty, filling, and exactly what you want after a long day of walking up and down Edinburgh’s hills.
5. Fish and Chips
Ordering fish and chips from a proper local “chippy” (chip shop) is a rite of passage. Freshly fried haddock in crisp batter with a mountain of chips, all doused in salt ‘n’ sauce (a mix of brown sauce and vinegar unique to Edinburgh). It might not be fancy, but it’s so good. The batter should be light and crispy, never greasy, and the fish inside should be flaky and fresh. Edinburgh takes its fish and chips seriously, and the best chippies source their haddock from Scottish waters.
Don’t skip the salt ‘n’ sauce. It’s an Edinburgh thing, and locals will tell you it’s the only way to eat chips. The tangy, slightly sweet sauce is oddly addictive.
Look for busy chippies with queues out the door. That’s usually a good sign. Leith, Edinburgh’s port area, has some excellent options, and many places near the shore pride themselves on serving the freshest catch.
6. Scotch Egg
A Scotch egg is a soft or hard-boiled egg wrapped in seasoned sausage meat, coated in breadcrumbs, and deep-fried or baked until golden. The good ones have a perfectly cooked egg in the centre (ideally with a slightly runny yolk), flavourful sausage meat, and a crispy coating. They’re excellent for picnics or as a pub snack with a pint.
7. Cranachan
The king of Scottish desserts. It’s a glorious, decadent jumble of toasted oats, fresh raspberries, honey, a generous splash of whisky, and thick whipped cream (or crowdie, a soft cheese). It’s simple, rustic, and absolutely divine.
Cranachan traditionally appears at celebrations and gatherings, but you’ll find it on dessert menus across Edinburgh. The toasted oats add a lovely nutty crunch, the raspberries provide tartness, and the whisky gives it a grown-up kick.
PS: If you can get your hands on the cheesecake version, go for it. Some restaurants and cafés make cranachan cheesecake that combines all those classic flavours in a creamy, indulgent form.
8. Sticky Toffee Pudding
Let’s talk about my favorite dessert🤤. While its origins are debated, Scotland has claimed this dessert as its own, and you’ll find it on almost every pub menu. A dark, rich date sponge cake is drowned in a sinfully buttery toffee sauce and served with vanilla ice cream or custard. This is pure comfort in dessert form. The sponge is moist and dense, studded with chopped dates that add sweetness and texture. The toffee sauce is the star, though: thick, buttery, and dangerously addictive.
It’s incredibly rich, so come prepared. You might want to share one, though I won’t judge if you keep it all to yourself!😉
9. Scottish Porridge
Start your day with a bowl of Scottish porridge. Made with oats, water or milk, and a pinch of salt, this breakfast is simple yet delicious. Why is Scottish porridge special? Because of its creamy and hearty texture making it a nutritious meal. Whether you go for plain or topped with fruits, nuts, or a drizzle of honey, a bowl of porridge is the perfect way to fuel yourself for the day ahead.
10. Black Pudding
Black pudding (blood sausage) might sound intimidating, but it’s a breakfast staple in Scotland and absolutely delicious when done well. Good black pudding is rich, earthy, and slightly spiced, with a crumbly texture. It’s often served as part of a full Scottish breakfast alongside eggs, bacon, sausages, mushrooms, tomatoes, and tattie scones.
If you’re new to black pudding, try it as part of a full breakfast rather than on its own. The other components balance it nicely, and you can see how it fits into the meal. Many people who think they won’t like it end up pleasantly surprised.
11. Tablet
Scottish tablet is a standout when it comes to traditional Scottish sweets. Scottish tablet is a traditional fudge-like sweet with a crumbly texture but melt-in-your-mouth goodness. If you are a Sweet Tooth? You need to try this delicious candy.
12. Shortbread
No food list for Edinburgh would be complete without shortbread. These buttery, crumbly biscuits are a Scottish classic and make perfect souvenirs. Real shortbread should have just three ingredients: butter, sugar, and flour. The best versions are thick, rich, and melt in your mouth. They’re not overly sweet, which makes them perfect with tea or coffee.
13. Irn-Bru 🍊
Pronounced “Iron Brew,” this is Scotland’s “other national drink.” It’s a bright orange, fizzy drink with a flavour that is famously hard to describe: bubblegummy, fruity, and slightly metallic. It’s a bit to sweet for my taste, but you have to try it at least once. Scots are fiercely loyal to Irn-Bru, and it outsells Coca-Cola in Scotland, which tells you something about its cultural importance.
The drink is particularly popular as a hangover cure, paired with a greasy breakfast. Whether it actually works or not is up for debate, but it’s part of the ritual.
Everywhere. Seriously. Every corner shop, supermarket, pub, and restaurant will have Irn-Bru. Grab a cold can or bottle and see what you think.
14. Scottish Cheese
Scotland produces some fantastic cheeses, from sharp cheddars to creamy blues and everything in between. 🧀
Look for Caboc (a rich, creamy cheese rolled in oats), Lanark Blue (Scotland’s answer to Roquefort), or Isle of Mull Cheddar (a firm, tangy cheese with real depth of flavour).
15. Dram of Whisky 🥃
You can’t come to Scotland and not try its most famous export: whisky. Don’t be intimidated by the choice. Go to a good pub, ask the bartender for a recommendation for a beginner, and sip on a single malt. Let it warm you from the inside out.
Scottish whisky ranges from light and floral to rich and smoky, depending on the region and production methods. Edinburgh has some brilliant whisky bars where knowledgeable staff can guide you through a tasting.
Our insider tip
Whiskeys we like and just fits our taste are Sheep Dip & Monkey Shoulder
Start with something approachable, perhaps a Speyside malt, which tends to be smoother and sweeter. You can work your way up to the peaty Islay whiskies once you’ve developed a taste for it. Many pubs also offer whisky flights, which let you sample several different styles in smaller measures. This is a great way to explore and figure out what you like.
