Best Places to Eat in Edinburgh: Traditional Scottish Food and Where to Find It

Edinburgh’s Old Town is a great place to eat in Scotland, with traditional Scottish dishes, lively pubs, and casual spots along the Royal Mile and the narrow alleyways that branch off it. This guide covers the best places to eat in Edinburgh for traditional food and comfort classics, from Cullen Skink and haggis to the legendary fried Mars bar. We’ll also point you to the best bars and live music while you’re there.

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Best Places to Eat Traditional Scottish Food in Edinburgh

The Mitre Bar: Cullen Skink and 60/80 Shilling Beer

The Mitre Bar is located right on the Royal Mile, making it an easy stop if you are exploring the Old Town. We ordered the classic Cullen Skink, a creamy soup made with smoked haddock, potatoes, and onions. It was rich and filling, perfect for a cold evening or a rainy late summer day. We love to try local fish soup around the world and this one did not disappoint. In fact, this was the first of many times we had it on our trip to Scotland

To go with it, we tried 60 Shilling and 80 Shilling beers, two traditional Scottish styles. The names come from the old system of taxing beer in Scotland, when brews were priced according to strength. A lighter ale would be taxed at 60 shillings a barrel, while a stronger, maltier one would cost 80 shillings or more. The 60 Shilling was lighter and easy to drink, while the 80 Shilling had more body and depth, which paired well with hearty pub food.

Pro Tip: The Mitre is usually busy, especially in the evenings. If you want a quieter meal, try stopping in earlier in the afternoon.

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Where to Eat Haggis in Edinburgh

No. 1 High Street: Haggis and Cranachan

We stopped at No. 1 High Street for best pub food in Edinburgh. e checked off two classics: haggis and cranachan. The haggis was served with a creamy sauce that surprisingly did not overwhelm the dish. It was an excellent compliment and the flavors overall were creamy, peppery, savory, and much more approachable than we expected.

For dessert, we ordered cranachan, a traditional mix of raspberries, cream, oats, and honey. It was super creamy and a bit indulgent but made a great companion main dish.

Tip: If you are hesitant about haggis, order it here. The preparation was balanced and flavorful, and the setting offers a relaxed and traditional way to enjoy Scottish staples.

The Piemaker: Carb-Filled Comfort

The Piemaker is a small takeaway spot known for its wide range of pies. They have everything from savory fillings like chicken or steak to vegetarian options and sweet pies for dessert.

The mac and cheese pie ended up being our favorite. The creamy pasta inside flaky pastry sounds over the top carb-on-carb, but it worked. It’s also one of the most budget-friendly meals we had in Edinburgh.

Pro Tip: This is a great place to stop if you need something quick and filling between sightseeing stops. There are some limited seats available at the windows our you can take it to go. We loved supporting this small business and chatting with the team.

Castle Rock: You Must Try the Fried Mars Bar in Edinburgh

The fried Mars bar is one of those things you feel like you have to try in Scotland. We had ours at Castle Rock, and it was better than expected. The chocolate and caramel melted into a soft center while the outside stayed crisp.

Neither of us would normally order fried sweets, but this was worth it for the experience.

Pro Tip: One is plenty to share. It’s rich, but fun to try once.

Best Places to Eat Near Edinburgh Castle

Landy’s for the Best Fish and Chips in Edinburgh

Landy’s ended up being one of our favorite finds. Their fish and chips were excellent, with light batter, flaky fish, and generous portions. Everything tasted fresh and was served hot, which was exactly what we needed after a long day outdoors exploring the city.

Pro Tip: Definitely make this a priority. They served the best fish and chips we had all trip!

Burgers & Beers is a Great Casual Spot on High Street

For a casual dinner, Burgers & Beers Grillhouse on High Street was definitely a winner. We stumbled on it late one rainy night when most restaurants were already closed, and it turned into a great surprise.

They offer a wide range of styles with different toppings and sauces, and everything came out well-cooked and flavorful. The service here was especially friendly, which made the experience even better. It felt casual but done with care, and they also served excellent cocktails

Pro Tip: Open late. Come hungry. The burgers are generously sized and easy to customize.

Best Bars and Live Music in Edinburgh

For a night out, we had a blast at both Whistle Binkies and Stramash. They are good choices if you want live music with your drinks.

Whistle Binkies is tucked underground and has a fantastic 90s dive bar vibe, while Stramash is larger (and a bit cleaner). Both serve plenty of local whisky and beer, and the music made the nights memorable.

Pro Tip: Arrive a little earlier if you want a seat. These venues can get crowded, especially on weekends. Also be careful: these spots are so much fun, it’s easy to accidentally stay until closing and miss out on some sightseeing in the morning!

Best Brunch Near Edinburgh Waverley Station

On our last morning we had brunch at Brewhemia, which is located right by Waverley Station. The space is big, which made it convenient since we had all of our travel bags with us. We each ordered the avocado croissant with a poached egg, and it was fresh, filling, and one of the better brunch dishes we’ve had while traveling.

Pro Tip: This is a good choice if you need a sit-down meal before catching a train. There’s plenty of space, and service was fairly quick.

Edinburgh’s food scene gave us a mix of traditional dishes, comforting pub food, and original treats. Our favorites ranged from the hearty Cullen Skink at The Mitre Bar to the haggis at No 1 High Street and the classic fish and chips at Landy’s.

If you’re visiting Edinburgh, try a mix of pubs, quick stops, and a brunch or two before you leave. Quite honestly, we enjoyed all of this more than the pricier upscale meal we had on arrival.

Should You Do an Edinburgh Food Tour?

We did, and we highly recommend it. We booked a private tour through WithLocals and our guide, Mark, added context to every stop. We learned the history behind the dishes, the stories behind the pubs, and details we would have walked straight past on our own. You can absolutely do this route independently, and everything in this post is doable without a guide. But if it’s your first time in Edinburgh and you want to get the most out of a half day in the Old Town, the WithLocals tour is absolutely worth booking.

Our local food guide, Mark, was amazing!

Have you been to Edinburgh? What are your favorite spots to grab a meal or a pint?