Eating Edinburgh: Old Town Food & Drinks Tour
About this activity
Eat your way through Edinburgh's Old and New Towns on a 3-hour small-group food tour: haggis, Scottish cheese, a 200-year-old gastropub, and more, with stories tucked into every cobbled close.
Highlights
- Taste Edinburgh's finest haggis at a cosy Old Town restaurant, served as bonbons with raspberry whisky marmalade, a bold twist on a Scottish classic
- Raise a glass in Edinburgh's oldest gastropub, open since 1823, with deep roots in the medieval tenement that once stood here
- Visit the bakery that won Scottish Baker of the Year 2023, a beloved local institution famous for its incredible scones and cakes
- Sample a selection of Scottish cheeses from local farm producers at a tiny family-owned cheesemonger tucked along Victoria Street
- Wander the winding, colourful Victoria Street, a picturesque Old Town icon long cited as an inspiration for Diagon Alley in Harry Potter
Full description
Some cities reveal themselves slowly. Edinburgh does it over a plate.
On this three-hour small-group tour through the Old and New Towns, you'll eat your way through five carefully chosen stops that capture the best of Scottish food and the breadth of Edinburgh's history. The route takes you from the Georgian grandeur of the New Town into the medieval closes of the Old Town, past the Royal Mile and down the iconic Victoria Street, ending in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle at the Grassmarket.
You'll try haggis as it was meant to be enjoyed, full of character, served with imagination. You'll warm up in the city's oldest gastropub or over a bowl of Scotland's most comforting soup. You'll discover Scottish cheeses at a family-run cheesemonger where the passion is as evident as the produce. And you'll finish with something sweet that Edinburgh locals swear by.
Included / Excluded
- Scones with cream and jam - morning tour only
- Cullen skink (Smoked haddock soup) - afternoon tour only
- Haggis bon bons with whisky marmalade
- Fish & chips
- Scottish cheese selection
- Stuffed cookie
- Irn-Bru, Scottish beer & water
- Local English-speaking guide
- ‘Food & the City’ Insider Tips
- Gratuities / Tips for the guide
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Extra drinks
Meeting point
Start Location
Melville Monument, 42 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh EH2 2AD, UK
Melville Monument, 42 St Andrew Sq, Edinburgh EH2 2AD, UK
Your guide will be wearing a purple tote bag and will be standing near the monument, by the bench with Paddington Bear. Please aim to arrive 15 minutes early, so the tour can start on time. You do not need to print out a page to join the tour - showing us the confirmation email you will receive on your phone is fine!
Important information
Know before you book
- Have dietary requirements? Simply email us or add a note at booking, and we’ll do our best to accommodate vegetarians, gluten-free guests or other dietary needs where we can. For guest safety, this experience isn’t suitable for those with severe or life-threatening food allergies to ingredients found on the tour, and the company cannot take responsibility for any food allergies or intolerances.
- The tour is for ages 7 and above. Children under 7 may be refused entry due to vendor restrictions.
- This activity requires a minimum of 2 guests. Should this not be met, we will contact you directly to help you get rescheduled or reimbursed.
Know before you go
- Wear flat shoes – it is, after all, a walking tour, so be comfortable.
- Please bring a bottle of water – although we do have drinks stops throughout the tour, walking can be thirsty work.
- Come hungry. You’ll be tasting lots of food!
- Please note that the tastings mentioned are a selection of the delicious foods we often feature. Both offerings and tour stops may vary by day or season, but you're sure to enjoy a delightful array of local flavors!
Cancellation policy
A public tour can be cancelled with a full refund up to 24 hours before tour departure. A private tour can be cancelled and fully refunded up to 7 days before tour departure
Accessibility
- Wheelchair Accessible
- Stroller Accessible
- Service Animals Allowed
- Easy Public Transport
Reviews
So glad I booked this. The guide was great, the stops felt genuinely local, and the food was delicious from start to finish. Do this on your first day and come hungry!
One of the best Venice city food tour experiences we have ever done. The guide took us to authentic local spots, and every dish was fresh and flavorful. We especially enjoyed the cicchetti, the spritz pairings, and the delicious prosecco served with the polenta and polpetta di carne.
The best way to get to know a culture is to taste and learn about its food. My nephew and I had a great time on this tour, and I felt the expense was worth the experience. There was plenty of yummy food and drink, too.
Frequently asked questions
FAQs
Additional information
- Confirmation will be received at the time of booking.
- Wheelchair accessible, with some limitations. Contact us info@eatingeurope.com for more information.
- Stroller accessible.
- Near public transportation.
- This tour operates rain or shine