Edinburgh Food Tour: Savouring the City with ‘Eat Walk Edinburgh’

It didn’t take very long for me to notice that Edinburgh is a foodie city. Whether you’re walking the streets of the New Town or the Old Town, you can’t go more than a few steps without a coffee house, local eatery, fudge shop, cozy pub, or gourmet restaurant catching your eye.

I did my fare share of eating and drinking while in Edinburgh, and one experience that stands out was a guided food tour of the city with Eat Walk Edinburgh. They offer tours that combine food sampling with a bit of sightseeing, so that you can get to explore the city and also enjoy its unique flavours.

Edinburgh Food Guide: Walking To The Best Eats in Edinburgh, Scotland

Eat Walk Edinburgh offers two different tours and I did the Canongate tour which runs along the lower part of the Royal Mile and lasts roughly 3 hours. Along the way we got to meet shop owners, try new foods, and explore some little side streets that we wouldn’t have otherwise found. Here’s a quick breakdown of that tour:

Itchycoo

Our tour started out at the Itchycoo Bar & Kitchen inside the Radisson Blu. The Itchycoo which has a modern feel and looks out onto the Royal Mile. Here, we were met by our guide and had a quick introduction as to what the day would hold. Since this is a food tour, it wasn’t long before we had some food in front of us! First up, we had mini haggis sliders as well as grilled skewers with mushrooms and tomatoes. I paired this with a virgin Bloody Mary since it was still quite early in the morning!

Address: 80 High Street

Cranachan and Crowdie

From there we walked down to Cranachan and Crowdie, a little shop along the Royal Mile that works with more than 300 suppliers from across Scotland to bring you some quintessential Scottish food and drink souvenirs. If you have any foodie friends or family back home and you want to get them a cool souvenir, you’ll definitely find it in this shop! They have jams, chutneys, chocolates, shortbread cookies, teas, cheeses, and so much more. If you’re looking for something unusual bound to give people back home a giggle, pick up a bag of ‘Puffin Poo’ – it’s really white chocolate rolled in coconut and it comes from the Shetland Islands.

Address: 263 Royal Mile

The Fudge House

Now this next one is for anyone with a sweet tooth. The Fudge House specializes in one thing alone and they do it well! They have 27 different types of fudge in the store, each handcrafted to perfection. I bet you want to know the flavours, right? Some of the ones that caught my attention include: Chocolate Rocky Road, Marzipan & Amaretto, Lemon Meringue Pie, Highland Cream, and Maple Pumpkin Spice. I ended up ordering the Peppermint Chocolate Fudge, which was gloriously sweet and refreshing.

Address: 197 Canongate

Cadenhead

After filling up on fudge, we continued on to Cadenhead, which is a whisky shop and tasting room. Cadenhead is Scotland’s oldest independent bottler and if you’re a bit of whisky connoisseur, this place will be right up your alley. Their whisky is all single cask, it has no added colour, and it is not chill-filtered. We didn’t do a tasting while we were there, but we did walk away with a bottle of Campbelltown Loch Scotch blended whisky.

Address: 172 Canongate

Hemma

Our next stop was a Scottish-Scandinavian fusion restaurant by the name of Hemma. The first thing that struck me was the bright yet cozy design; Hemma means ‘at home’ in Swedish and it really had a warm vibe from the minute we stepped in. While we had been snacking and sampling food at all of the previous establishments, this was our lunch stop and we had a giant Smörgåsbord to make you drool! There was potato salad, smoked salmon, beetroot salad, pickled herring, smoked ham, soft hard-boiled eggs, and lots of bread and butter to add to the mix. After all the walking we did around Edinburgh, we dove right in. Another thing I liked about this restaurant is that they are pet-friendly, which means I got to play with the pups!

Address: 73 Holyrood Road

Holyrood 9a

Last but not least, we walked over to Holyrood 9a. The name of this establishment is the same as its address, so it’s pretty easy to track down. Having just finished lunch and thinking our previous stop was our last, we were stuffed beyond belief. Here we enjoyed a platter of Scottish cheeses as well as beers. Holyrood 9a offers 20 beer and ale varieties from across Scotland and around the world, so it’s a nice place to enjoy a pour or two. At this point in the tour, our guide bid us farewell and our group was free to hang out at the pub for as long as we wanted.

Address: 9A Holyrood Road

And that concluded our Edinburgh food tour with Eat Walk Edinburgh. We visited a total of 6 establishments on our tour, but there is a list of 8 that are covered on rotation, so if you do this tour you may experience a slightly different route. Our guide Julie was very informative and aside from introducing us to new dishes, she also filled the walks from one venue to the next with lots of stories. If you’re looking for a taste of Edinburgh, Scotland be sure to check it out!

A Tasty, Practical Food Guide to Eating Your Way Around Edinburgh

What to Eat in Edinburgh (So You Don’t Miss the Good Stuff)

Haggis 101 (and Friends)

If your food tour gave you a haggis taster, go back for the full plate. You’ll see:

• Haggis, neeps & tatties: Peppery, savoury haggis layered with turnip (neeps) and potato (tatties).
• Haggis bon bons/sliders: Gateway haggis for the timid—crisp outside, soft within.
• Vegetarian haggis: Oaty, nutty, herby, and honestly delicious in its own right.

Sea, Salt, and Scottish Shellfish

The east coast bounty is real:

• Cullen skink: A smoky, creamy soup of haddock and tatties—comfort in a bowl.
• Langoustines and scallops: Often simply griddled with butter and lemon.
• Fish suppers (fish & chips): Ask for “salt ’n’ sauce” if you want to sound local (it’s a tangy brown chippy sauce).

Cheeses, Oats and Sweet Treats

• Scottish cheese boards: Blue, cheddar, and creamy crowdies—pair with oatcakes and chutney.
• Shortbread & tablet: Buttery crumb vs. fudgy sweetness. Pace yourself at the fudge counters!
• Cranachan: Cream, whisky, honey, toasted oats, raspberries—Scotland in a glass.

Speyside to Small-Batch Sips

• Whisky: From honeyed Speysides to peaty Islays—try a flight to find your style.
• Gin: Edinburgh rides the UK gin wave—expect local botanicals, playful garnishes.
• Beer & ale: From dark porters to modern IPAs; many pubs pour both cask and keg.
• Tea & coffee: Specialty cafés are thriving—perfect for a mid-drizzle warm-up.

Two DIY Food Crawls (Easy to Follow, Delicious to Finish)

Crawl A: Old Town Comforts (2–3 hours, mostly flat)

Theme: Heritage bites, cosy drinks and sweet endings.

1. Royal Mile Amuse-Bouche
   Pop into a traditional café for scones with clotted cream or a full Scottish (black pudding optional, curiosity encouraged).
2. Soupy Interlude
   Order cullen skink and share a cheese & oatcake board.
3. Whisky Stop
   Sample a three-dram flight (light to peaty). Add a splash of water to open aromas.
4. Pub Classic
   Split haggis, neeps & tatties or a steak & ale pie—you’ll be glad you did.
5. Sweet Farewell
   Finish with cranachan or fudge tasters along the Canongate.

Crawl B: Stockbridge to Leith (3–4 hours, bring your appetite)

Theme: Market nibbles, artisan treats, then seafood by the water.

1. Stockbridge Start (Sun = Market Day)
   Graze from stalls: hot smoked salmon, baked goods, local cheeses.
2. Coffee & Cake
   Specialty brew + shortbread or slice of Victoria sponge.
3. Cheesemonger Dash
   Pick a couple of Scottish wedges and oatcakes for a pocket picnic en route.
4. Leith Seafood Finale
   Sit down for langoustines, scallops, or a seafood platter.
5. Gin or Beer Nightcap
   End with a Leith gin & tonic or a craft beer flight on the Shore.

Tasting Experiences Compared

Old Town vs New Town (Where to Aim Your Appetite)

Bookings, Budget & Busy Times (So You Eat More, Queue Less)

When to Book

• Popular restaurants: Evenings & weekends—reserve.
• Tastings/tours: Book time slots; small groups fill fast.
• Afternoon tea: Always pre-book (dietaries noted at booking).

What It Might Cost (Per Person, Rough Guide)

• Pub mains: £14–£22
• Seafood mains: £18–£35 (more for platters)
• Whisky flight: £12–£25
• Gin flight: £12–£18
• Coffee & cake: £5–£8

Easy Savings

• Lunch over dinner: Many spots run set menus.
• Share plates: Especially with pies and desserts.
• Market grazing: Fill up on small bites in the morning.

Mini Checklists

Food Tour Prep

• Comfy waterproof shoes
• Small umbrella/hooded jacket
• Reusable water bottle
• Light daypack (leave room for snacks)
• Note or photos app for favourites

Market Day Kit

• Cash card (most take cards, but small stalls vary)
• Napkins/tissues
• Hand wipes
• Reusable cutlery (optional eco-bonus)

Whisky/Gin Tasting Etiquette

• Eat first (truly)
• Sip, don’t shoot
• Water on the side
• Ask questions—hosts love sharing

Guided Tour vs DIY Crawl

Edinburgh Food Tour FAQ

What’s the best day/time to take a food tour?

Mid-week, late morning or early afternoon strikes a lovely balance—venues are calmer, you’ll have room to chat with makers, and you can still book a cosy dinner later if you’re somehow hungry again.

How hungry should I arrive?

Moderately! Eat a light breakfast (fruit or a scone), then pace yourself. Tours are designed as a progressive meal—nibbles at the start, heartier dishes in the middle, sweets or drinks to close.

I don’t drink alcohol—will I still enjoy it?

Absolutely. Most tours and venues offer non-alcoholic pairings: seed-lip style mocktails, specialty sodas, posh tonics, or just a very good coffee or tea. Flag it at booking and remind your guide on arrival.

Do I need to tip the guide?

Gratuities are appreciated for great experiences (customarily 10–15% of the tour price in the UK is generous but not mandatory). If a guide really made your day, a heartfelt thanks and a review also go a long way.

Is haggis safe for dietary restrictions?

Traditional haggis isn’t GF and contains offal; vegetarian haggis options exist and are often the easiest accommodation. If you’re celiac, ask about gluten in oats/spices. Many places can adapt neeps & tatties to suit.

Where can I buy edible souvenirs that travel well?

Oatcakes, chutneys, Scottish jams/honey, tea, coffee, small-batch chocolate, and vacuum-packed smoked fish. Keep whisky and gin in checked luggage; check your home country’s allowances.

What’s the difference between Old Town and New Town dining?

Old Town leans heritage and hearty (think pubs, whisky bars, fudge), while New Town tends stylish bistros and cocktail bars. Both have gems—choose Old Town for cosy comfort, New Town for a dress-up dinner vibe.

How pricey is seafood in Leith?

It ranges. You’ll find excellent fish & chips at modest prices, bistro mains in the mid-£20s, and splurge-worthy platters that climb higher. Lunch specials and shared starters keep costs friendly.

Can I bring kids on a food tour?

Many tours welcome children (ask in advance), and Edinburgh is wonderfully kid-friendly for food: soup, scones, fish & chips, tablet and ice cream are reliable hits. Alcohol tastings are for adults, but non-alcoholic swaps are common.

What should I wear for a food tour in changeable weather?

Layers, waterproof shoes, and a light rain jacket with a hood. Edinburgh weather loves a dramatic entrance; you’ll be in and out of venues, so easy on/off layers keep you comfy.

Any etiquette tips for pubs and tastings?

Order at the bar unless table service is obvious, return your glasses if there’s a rack, keep voices low near live music, and never feel obliged to finish a pour—your palate will thank you.

How do I keep exploring after my tour?

Follow one of the DIY crawls above, hit a Sunday market, book an afternoon tea, or pick a theme (cheese, seafood, or gin) and build your evening around it. Edinburgh rewards both planners and wanderers—just keep a tote bag handy for “accidental” cheese.

Have you done a food tour in Edinburgh?
Do you have any favourite Scottish dishes?

This trip was made possible in partnership with Visit Britain and iambassador.