6 Great Places To Eat Local Food In Edinburgh

It’s no secret that Edinburgh has some of the best food the UK has to offer. In fact, the Scottish capital has more restaurants per head than any other city in the UK.  Scotland’s larder is rich with flavour and variety, and therefore a popular foodie destination. But you don’t have to leave Edinburgh to experience the many flavours and local specialities that Scotland has to offer.

Edinburgh is the ideal city for a culinary journey. Hundreds of independent restaurants and dozens more cafés, bakeries, and bars make it a dream destination for foodies.

Sustainably-sourced ingredients are playing an ever-increasing role in the food industry these days, and discerning diners mean restaurants are serving up more of what’s local and seasonal. So if you’re on the hunt for some delicious local food – favoured by residents and visitors alike – then look no further than these 6 places to eat local in Edinburgh.

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1. The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant

The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant | Gardens entrance of the Scottish National Gallery

You will find this award winning cafe in the heart of Edinburgh City, as part of the Scottish National Gallery on the Mound with amazing views onto Princes Street Gardens. Owned by local legends, Victor and Carina Contini who also own Contini Cafe on George Street, are truly passionate about using local produce and ingredients. In fact, they still buy from some of the same producers their grandparents worked with. With over 70 local suppliers, the list is a little too long to include here, but you can be confident that nearly any dish you order will have some local ingredients, and maybe even one or two from their personal garden just outside of the city.

The cafe is a wonderful spot to enjoy an afternoon tea as you watch the world go by, or tuck into their always tasty, ever changing, soups on a chilly day before taking in the gallery works.

2. Bakery Andante

Bakery Andante | 352 Morningside Road

If fresh bread is your jam, then look no further! Bakery Andante offers another award-winning food experience in Edinburgh, this time in the form of artisan baking. Using locally sourced ingredients and generations of expert knowledge, their many loaves of bread, pastries, and croissants are made from scratch every day in their European-inspired shop in Morningside. Grab a loaf for later or your breakfast to go and enjoy it in the nearby Bruntsfield Links park.

If you’d like to explore this area, head on over to our post about 5 things we love to do in Bruntsfield & Lauriston to discover more.

3. Oink

Oink | 34 Victoria Street + 82 Canongate + 38 Hanover Street

From humble beginnings and four generations of farmers to a loyal following in the city, Oink is the place to go for locally produced hog-roast. They claim to sell “the best pulled-pork sandwich in Edinburgh” and whether you’re hungry for lunch or just a snack, you’ll be able to see for yourself at one of their three locations. They even sell a pork roll stuffed with haggis!

4. Edinburgh Larder

Edinburgh Larder | 15 Blackfriars Street

At the Edinburgh Larder café, you can expect honest ingredients, delicious seasonal food, and a warm welcome. Tucked away just off the Royal Mile, they’re regularly referred to as a ‘hidden gem’ in Edinburgh. This café is the ideal place to enjoy a locally sourced breakfast or lunch with made-to-order porridge, hearty traditional breakfasts, soups, and sandwiches. Sample the ‘Taste of Scotland’ platter, complete with all the local trimmings like cheese, cured meats, and smoked fish. They also make delicious cakes, including gluten-free options. Even the coffee is roasted in Edinburgh!

5. The Gardener’s Cottage

The Gardener’s Cottage | 1 Royal Terrace Gardens

Unpretentious fine-dining and locally sourced ingredients are at the heart of this intimate restaurant, tucked away at the foot of Calton Hill in a repurposed former gardener’s cottage. Their motto is ‘slow, seasonal, sustainable’ and here, you’ll enjoy brunch, lunch or dinner seated at long, communal tables. Their inventive and impeccable seven-course food & wine pairing meal will give you a taste of the finest local cuisine and a rare experience you won’t soon forget. As well as their main restaurant, they recently opened The Lookout on Calton Hill, where fine dining is paired with the most incredible views over the city.

6. Edinburgh Farmers’ Market

Edinburgh Farmers’ Market | Castle Terrace

The country comes to the city every Saturday at Edinburgh Farmers’ Market, situated beneath the beautiful Edinburgh Castle on Castle Terrace. Dozens of specialist producers come from all over Scotland to sell everything from the freshest meat and seafood to seasonal fruit and veg, cheeses, baked goods and more. If your stay in Scotland is short, this is a great place to sample what the country has to offer all in one place. Perhaps you’ll even find a few foodie-souveniers to take home! Made to order food and coffee is also available, making this a great place to enjoy a casual meal on a relaxing Saturday morning.

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If you’d like to indulge in more of Edinburgh’s incredible food scene, take a look at some of our favourite foodie blog posts below:

 

The 10 Best Places For Sushi & Japanese Food In Edinburgh

 

 

 

The Best Places For Vegetarian Food In Edinburgh

 

 

 

The Best Places For Afternoon Tea In Edinburgh

 

 

 

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Visiting Edinburgh this year?
We have a home away from home waiting for you!

93/(6) Morrison Street

Stay in this beautiful home on Morrison Street, in a fantastic central location in Edinburgh’s Fountainbridge. There are dozens of great cafés and restaurants on Morrison Street and around the area including Milk, Loudon’s and Shebeen. Also in the area, you’ll find theatres and independent art-house cinemas, as well as being close to Usher Hall. Haymarket Station where you can catch trains and the tram is a very short walk away too, as well as Princes Street. During the Edinburgh Festival, it’s easy to walk from here to popular areas like The Grassmarket and Cowgate. There are plenty of local supermarkets in the area, too.

Browse more of our beautiful homes here.