Scottish Food and Drink
Edinburgh is traditionally more of a drinking town than an eating town, but there is a wide variety of both eating and drinking places.
If you’re interesting in sampling or learning more about local specialities, there are plenty of places in Edinburgh to choose from. One of Scotland’s most renowned products, whisky, can be studied in depth at the Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre, close to Edinburgh Castle. They have a multi-lingual tour, and of course a bar and shop as well as a restaurant.
Scottish products such as whisky, haggis (including the tasty vegetarian variety) can be bought in any one of countless souvenir shops within tourist attractions and along the Royal Mile.
Restaurants
Like most UK towns, Edinburgh has a wide range of restaurants serving international cuisine, including some fine and authentic Italian restaurants. But you don’t have to go far to find good traditional – or modern – Scottish food. Along the Royal Mile you’ll find a range of restaurants and cafes, mostly aimed at tourists but many serving good food at reasonable prices. There’s also a fish and chip shop for those who enjoy the other face of traditional British food.
For a more sophisticated taste of what Edinburgh has to offer, try one of the city’s new and classy restaurants serving modern twists on Scottish cuisine. David Bann (56-58 St Mary’s Street) is a stylish vegetarian restaurant/bar which offers a highly-recommended vegetarian haggis dish.
The Museum of Scotland building boasts a (rather expensive) eatery, the Tower Restaurant, with superb views over the Edinburgh skyline. Also in the Museum are a couple of cafes which serve tea and light snacks.