Scotland's unique dishes are certainly not limited to the likes of haggis and blood sausage. The cuisine of this ancient country is one that goes back centuries but in modern times, many of those flavors have evolved into something truly brilliant. It's a delight for the senses to be able to stroll through an Edinburgh market and try various bites, and it's a surprisingly popular activity in this Scottish capital.
In recent years, the food scene in Edinburgh has exploded, with new markets to explore and new vendors to meet. If everyone's taste buds are ready, this is what a true food adventure looks like in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Head To City Markets For Local Flavor
There's no 'one' place to enjoy Edinburgh's finest street food but there is a right way to experience it. In some countries, such as Istanbul, it's easy to find street vendors somewhat randomly on popular streets. In Edinburgh, the majority of the city's best vendors will be congregated at its open-air markets. That's not to say that vendors won't be manning their carts and trucks in the streets, but anyone looking to get a diverse taste of Scotland's street food is better off visiting markets.
The Pitt Market
Home to roughly 40 vendors who show up every Saturday in Leith, Culture Trip refers to this as a 'kingdom' of food trucks. To that effect, it's definitely not wrong - this has become the place to be when it comes to finding some of Edinburgh's best flavors all in one spot. On the regular, this market is alive and kickin' until 10 PM and offers a wide variety of flavors and dishes, from sweet to savory and everything in between. To keep the party going, live music is often part of any trip to The Pitt.
Some frequent vendors include:
- The Buffalo Truck: Home to the best buttermilk fried chicken burgers in Edinburgh. They're also three-time award-winning!
- Ròst: Scottish dishes with a modern twist, often including local and seasonal ingredients to make those flavors really pop.
- barnacles&bones: Seafood and unusual cuts of meat that are sure to please the senses and delight the tastebuds. Steak on fries with gremolata is a popular choice!
- Free the Chili: Spicing up choice cuts of meat and veggies in dishes such as Nam Nam Naan, surely bound to light up (literally) anyone's palate.
- SPOT.: A chef-run cafe that curates specialty desserts, supporting small dessert businesses and featuring a variety of sweet treats with homemade shakes, to boot.
*Note: Temporarily postponed at the time of writing.
Waverly Market
On Fridays at Platform 2, Waverly Market is another great option for those looking to jazz things up. It's easy to find for those who can navigate their way to the train station, and it's a lively bunch of 40+ vendors who are ready to share their best dishes with all who visit. Anything from artisanal pastries to hot dinners can be found at this market - and it's a great excuse to delay jumping on a train. Additionally, craft vendors often set stalls up at Waverly Market, so it's a great time all around for newcomers to Edinburgh who are looking for one-of-a-kind keepsakes, as well.
The market itself is open from 11 AM - 7 PM, so for those wanting to catch a train midday, this is a great place to grab a semi-early bite to eat beforehand. This is also a great place to try those more traditional Scottish foods that have been transformed into on-the-go snacks.
Street Food Fridays
At Fountainbridge, visitors to Edinburgh will be delighted to see many of the same vendors that attend The Pitt at a market called Street Food Fridays. With a name this specific, it's bound to be amazing, right? And it really is.
This open-air fest of street food vendors goes from 11 AM - 5 PM on Fridays and often includes the best vendors in all of Scotland. That's a pretty alluring deal for the true foodies out there, and it's a great alternative for those who can't get to The Pitt on Saturday nights. While this market does see the usual suspects in its stall spaces, each week brings with it the promise of new food vendors, as well. So each week, it's an exciting new array of flavors just waiting to be tasted. Some popular vendors who make weekly appearances are:
- Babu Bombay Street Kitchen
- Steampunk Coffee
- barnacles&bones
- French Connection Creperie
Of course, Edinburgh offers plenty more markets throughout the year than these three, and many are seasonal. For those looking for a full experience and the most diversity, however, these should be added to every foodie's calendar when visiting Edinburgh.