Edinburgh may be known for its castles, cobbled closes, and whisky bars, but a growing street food movement is quietly transforming the way the city eats. From market courtyards buzzing with food trucks to late-night bites after a Fringe show, the Scottish capital’s hidden culinary gems deliver flavours as bold as its skyline. Let’s take a look at where and what to try if you want to uncover the best of Edinburgh’s street food scene.
The Pitt Market: ground zero for Leith street food
On weekends, a once-industrial yard in Leith comes alive as The Pitt Market. It’s one of Edinburgh’s pioneering street food spots, known for eclectic vendors, live music, and craft beer. Highlights include:
- Barnacles & Bones – seafood meets Italian flair, with lobster mac & cheese or seared scallops.
- Junk – indulgent loaded burgers and inventive fries.
- Babu Bombay Street Kitchen – Indian street eats, from kati rolls to fragrant curries.
The Pitt is where locals gather to graze, sip, and soak in the atmosphere.
Edinburgh Street Food (ESF) – a year-round food hall
Right by St James Quarter, Edinburgh Street Food (ESF) is an indoor hub with over ten rotating kitchens under one roof. Here you can jump between cuisines in a single meal – tacos from Homies, Korean fried chicken from Jimmy’s Fried Chicken, or Vietnamese banh mi from Bundits. With live DJs and craft cocktails, it’s street food with a vibrant, urban twist.
Scottish flavours, reinvented
Some local vendors like to put a modern spin on old favourites. Keep an eye out for:
- Haggis Bon Bons – crispy bites of Scotland’s national dish, often served with whisky cream sauce.
- Aye Love Real Food (often spotted at markets) – artisan Scotch eggs, including a haggis version.
- The Mac Man – gourmet mac & cheese, topped with everything from smoked bacon to truffle oil.
It’s comfort food, but elevated and unforgettably tasty.
Global inspiration, local produce
One of the strengths of Edinburgh street food is that it blends Scottish ingredients with global flavours. At Umami Spice Girl, bold Sri Lankan curries meet seasonal veg, while Pizza Geeks, a cult favourite, serves wood-fired pies inspired by comic book heroes; try the “Braveheart” with haggis and caramelized onions. And for a Mexican twist, Antojitos offers fresh vegan tacos with Scottish-grown veg.
Sweet treats on the go
No street food adventure is complete without something sweet. Key Edinburgh vendors to look out for include:
- Chulos Stuffed Cookies – giant cookies with gooey centres.
- Babyfaced Baker – decadent brownies and cakes, often sold from pop-ups.
- Fresh waffles and crepes at seasonal festivals, topped with Scottish berries and cream.
And yes… you can still track down a deep-fried Mars bar, the cheeky and potentially coronary-inducing classic made famous in Edinburgh.
Late-night Festival fuel
Every August, during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, street food stalls spill into the city’s squares and courtyards. Venues like George Square Gardens and Underbelly’s Bristo Square transform into open-air food villages, serving everything from falafel wraps and dumplings to loaded fries drenched in cheese sauce: perfect sustenance between shows or after a late-night comedy gig.
Edinburgh’s street food scene is as diverse as its history – a blend of traditional Scottish comfort, international influences, and playful innovation. Whether you’re grabbing bao buns in Leith, feasting on tacos near St James Quarter, or tucking into late-night fries at the Fringe, the beautiful Scottish city proves you don’t need a white-tablecloth restaurant to eat like a king.
