Eating Edinburgh: My Review of Eating Europe’s Food Tour

On my recent trip to Scotland for Hogmanay (New Year’s), I was lucky enough to partner with Eating Europe and get the chance to try out their highly rated Eating Edinburgh Old Town Food & Drinks Tour.

Food has always been one of my favorite ways to connect with new cultures, and I knew I wanted to experience the most traditional—and iconic—Scottish dishes while I was in town.

…even if that meant finally trying haggis.

Eating Europe is one of the top culinary tour companies in Europe, and as of 2026, they run tours in 20 cities across the continent. Their mission is to help travelers experience a new culture through its food in the most authentic way possible—and trust me, they deliver on that promise.

If you’re considering booking a food tour in Edinburgh, spoiler alert: this one is absolutely worth your time and money.

**I want to extend a huge thank you to Eating Europe for gifting me two complimentary spots on the Eating Edinburgh: Old Town Food & Drinks Tour for the purposes of this blog post review. While this post is sponsored by Eating Europe, all opinions in this review are 100% honest and my own.

What is the Eating Edinburgh Food Tour by Eating Europe?

The Eating Edinburgh Old Town Food & Drinks Tour is a walking food tour through the heart of Edinburgh’s historic city center. My friend and I joined the tour during our Hogmanay trip, and it turned out to be one of the most fun afternoons we spent in Scotland!

Led by a local guide, Ailsa,—who was fantastic by the way—we wandered through the cobbled streets of the Old Town to visit a few of the city’s most beloved culinary gems…while also learning a bit of history along the way.

The tour is designed to showcase the best of Scottish cuisine—from traditional pub fare and Irn-Bru to fancy cheeses and battered-up, deep-fried desserts.

In fact, most of the dishes we tried are not things I would have ordered on my own. And if you’re a foodie like me, you’ll know that’s exactly the point.

Stops on the Food Tour

Now it’s time to get into the best part—what we ate.

This Edinburgh food tour had five stops, each one highlighting a different and unique taste of Scottish cuisine.

Get ready to get seriously hungry!

👉🏼 Click here to book your Eating Edinburgh food tour by Eating Europe🍴

1. Cafe Royal for Cullen Skink

Our first stop was Cafe Royal, an iconic seafood spot tucked just off Princes Street. The building itself dates back to 1861, and—fun fact—it originally served as a sanitation showroom (yes, it was literally filled with toilets).

Thankfully, it’s had quite the glow-up since then. The restaurant officially opened in 1826 and has become one of Edinburgh’s most historic spots, now known for its oysters, seafood, and ornate Victorian interior.

At Cafe Royal, we tried one of Scotland’s most traditional dishes: Cullen skink—which, in my opinion, is a terrible name for what really is a tasty soup.

It reminded me a lot of New England clam chowder in the sense that it was creamy, buttery, and comforting. Swap clams for smoked haddock, add in potatoes, onions, and milk and BAM—you’ve got Cullen skink.

The dish originated in the 18th century in the fishing village of Cullen, where it was originally made with beef. When beef became scarce, they swapped it out for haddock, and the recipe stuck—now it’s a staple of Scottish cuisine.

We were served a hearty bowl of Cullen skink alongside a thick slice of homemade bread, and it was the perfect way to warm up on a chilly December day in Edinburgh.

2. Arcade Bar for Haggis & Irn-Bru

Our second stop was Arcade Bar, tucked around the corner from St. Giles’ Cathedral on Cockburn Street. This cozy spot specializes in haggis and whisky.

Haggis is all over Scotland. You’ll find it on menus everywhere in all kinds of forms. My personal favorite from this trip was a cheeseburger topped with melted cheese, caramelized onions, and a fat scoop of haggis.

At Arcade, we tried haggis bon bons—which were a close second. They were deep-fried, crispy, warm, and served with a delicious raspberry-balsamic vinaigrette.

Honestly, haggis isn’t too bad if you don’t think about what it is.

Unfortunately for you, I’m about to tell you anyway 🤷🏽‍♀️. It’s made from sheep’s heart, liver, and lungs, mixed with oats, onions, and spices. Traditionally, it’s cooked directly in the sheep’s stomach, but nowadays it’s cooked in artificial casings.

We also got to try Irn-Bru, Scotland’s most popular soft drink.

Fun fact: Scotland is the only country in the world where Coca-Cola isn’t the top seller. Irn-Bru was originally invented for dockworkers who needed something to drink on the job that wasn’t alcoholic.

Personally, I think it tastes like a liquefied circus peanut. If that reference doesn’t land (no sweat—it’s a Midwest thing), think overly sweet cream soda. Honestly—not for me, but we did drink a bit more of it on our Isle of Skye tour.

👉🏼 Secure your spot on the Eating Edinburgh food tour!

3. The Royal Mile for Steak and Ale Pie & Tennent’s

Next up, we made our way to the Royal Mile, Edinburgh’s most iconic street, for one of Scotland’s most beloved pub dishes: steak and ale pie—plus a half pint of Tennent’s to wash it all down.

We stopped at a charming little bar called The Royal Mile Tavern (yes, right on the Royal Mile—it’s giving Temple Bar in Temple Bar Dublin vibes), and it was the quintessential classic Scottish pub—cozy, lively, historic, and full of character.

The steak and ale pie was incredible. Scotland really leans into the savory pie life, which works out perfectly for me because I’ve never been that into sweet pies back home.

This one was packed with tender, melt-in-your-mouth steak, roasted veggies, and a rich ale-based gravy, all tucked under a flaky puff pastry crust and served piping hot. Total comfort food—which we inhaled.

And then there was the Tennent’s. If you’ve been to Scotland, you already know this beer is everywhere. It’s such a cultural staple that people just call it “T” for short—which can get confusing if you think they’re referring to actual tea.

I’d be lying if I said this was my first pint of Tennent’s on the trip—it definitely wasn’t—but it still hit the spot.

4. Mellis Cheese for Local Cheeses

I’m a Wisconsin girl, aka a “cheesehead”—so you know I loved this next stop.

Next up, was Mellis Cheese on Edinburgh’s picturesque Victoria Street. Hopefully my photos do it justice, because I can’t even describe how adorable this cheese shop was.

We stopped here to try three different types of local cheeses: St. Andrew’s Farmhouse Cheddar, Clava Brie, and Smoked Anster. They were served with Scottish oatcakes—which is just a fancy name for really yummy crackers.

I firmly believe that, when it comes to cheese, the limit does not exist. The more, the better baby—and Mellis Cheese delivered.

👉🏼 Ready to eat your way through Scotland? Book your spots now.

5. Castle Rock for Deep-Fried Mars Bars

Last, but certainly not least, it was dessert time on the Eating Edinburgh food tour!

Now, I know some of you might think this is blasphemy, but I’ve never been much of a dessert person. When the dessert menu comes around, I’d honestly rather order an espresso martini or a cheese platter than a slice of cake… unless it’s gelato. (I’m a sucker for gelato, which is probably why I live in Italy.)

That said, I was pretty curious to try this particular dessert: the deep-fried Mars bar from Castle Rock. This over-the-top treat has become world-famous, but it actually started as a dare.

Back in the 90s in Stonehaven, Scotland, two friends dared each other to deep-fry a Mars bar at a local fish and chip shop. The guy working the fryer thought it was hilarious—and gave it a shot.

Word got out, the novelty caught on with tourists, and now you’ll find deep-fried Mars bars on dessert menus all over Scotland.

I wasn’t sure what to expect. I figured it would be super rich and that I’d tap out after a few bites. But somehow I devoured the whole thing. It was gooey, melty, chocolatey, and to be honest—a complete mess to eat on the go.

If you love chocolate and deep-fried desserts, you’re definitely going to eat this one up.

Tour Logistics

If you’re planning on fitting this Eating Europe food tour into your Edinburgh itinerary—which I highly recommend—you’ll need to note the logistics.

Where to Meet

The meeting point for the tour is right in the heart of New Town at the Melville Monument in St. Andrew Square. It’s centrally located, easy to find, and walking distance from all of the stops on the tour.

If you’re staying further away or just don’t feel like navigating on foot, Uber is widely available, randomly affordable, and super easy to use in Scotland.

Timing

You should plan to spend about three hours on the tour from start to finish. There are two time slots available daily—one at 11:00 AM and another at 3:00 PM—and the tour runs seven days a week.

If you want to lock in a specific date, I highly recommend booking at least a couple of weeks in advance, especially if you’re visiting during Scotland’s high season (summer).

👉🏼 Explore Edinburgh’s best bites—book your food tour here.

How to Book

There are a couple of easy ways to book this food tour. The most straightforward option is to book directly through the Eating Europe website, where you’ll also get free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.

You can also book the tour on Viator, which is my favorite platform for tours and experiences around the world. It’s user-friendly, reliable, and also offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before your tour.

Pros and Cons of the Tour

Like any experience, this food tour comes with a few pros and cons—but in this case, it’s heavily skewed toward the positive.

The tour was well-paced, thoughtfully curated, and genuinely super fun. I think the majority of Scotland tourists would absolutely adore this tour. There are only a few exceptions, which I’ll touch on in the sections below.

What I Loved

• Our guide, Ailsa: She had lived in Edinburgh for years and knew the city inside and out. You could tell right away how passionate she was about food and sharing Edinburgh’s culinary history. 10/10 for Ailsa—if you’re lucky enough to get her as your guide, you’re in for a treat.
• The group vibe: Everyone on our tour was super friendly and open to chatting. It felt like we were all genuinely interested in making new friends while simultaneously learning about Scottish food!
• The stops were really well balanced: I loved how they curated a mix of starters, mains, drinks, and dessert. It felt like a full teaser menu of traditional Scottish cuisine.
• Smooth logistics: Every stop was clearly prepared for us. We walked in, sat down, and food appeared. There was no waiting around or awkward coordination—just a seamless experience from start to finish.
• Easy walking distance: All the stops were close together, so while you should be comfortable walking, you definitely don’t need to be a marathon runner. It’s a very accessible tour, especially for travelers who might not want to cover huge distances on foot.
• Vegetarian options available: While no one on our tour was vegetarian, it’s great to know that they can accommodate this dietary preference.

Things to Keep in Mind

The biggest consideration with this tour is the price…

While I think it’s fairly priced for a high-quality food tour in the UK—especially one that includes drinks, a small group, and seamless logistics—the conversion from GBP to USD is a punch in the gut as of early 2026.

So while I do think the experience is worth the money if you have the budget for it, it’s probably not the most accessible option for every traveler, especially if you’re trying to keep costs down.

Also, keep in mind that this tour may not be a fit for all dietary restrictions. They can accommodate vegetarians, but if you’re vegan, gluten-free, or kosher, it’s a good idea to reach out in advance or look for an alternative.

Additionally, be aware that they cannot accommodate children younger than 7 years old.

The Story Behind Eating Europe

Eating Europe was founded by Kenny Dunn, a former world traveler who realized early on that his most meaningful memories abroad almost always revolved around food.

After years of traveling and collecting stories from places like Indonesia and Morocco, Kenny moved to Rome in 2009, where he started taking friends and family to his favorite neighborhood spots and introducing them to the people behind the dishes.

Like Kenny, I couldn’t resist the pull of Rome—and recently made the move back myself. So I think it’s safe to say we’re kindred spirits.

Those casual walks through Roman backstreets eventually turned into something bigger. In 2011, he officially launched Eating Italy Food Tours, which eventually evolved into Eating Europe. Today, the company runs food tours in 20 cities across Europe.

Is this Tour Right for You?

This is the perfect Edinburgh activity for you if…

• You’re an adventurous foodie and love trying new dishes around the world.
• You’re solo traveling and looking to make friends OR traveling with friends/family, but still hoping to make new connections.
• You’re fascinated by Scottish history and love connecting with a new culture through its culinary traditions.
• You have a decently padded trip budget and cost is not a major issue.

You might want to find some other things to do in Edinburgh if…

• You’re traveling on a very strict budget.
• You’re traveling with kids under 7.
• You’re vegan, kosher, or gluten-free.
• You’re a picky eater and don’t enjoy trying new foods or dishes that are outside of your comfort zone.

My Honest Opinion: Is it Worth it?

My honest review of the Eating Edinburgh Old Town Food & Drinks Tour? Yes—it’s worth it.

I’ve enjoyed food tours all around the world in scenic destinations like Cartagena, Seville, and (soon to be) Rome—as well as DIY food tours in all 34 countries I’ve visited.

So trust me when I say that this food tour was absolutely phenomenal.

Everything—tour guide, organization, bites, vibes—was ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. I would absolutely book a tour with Eating Europe again…and you should too 😜

Although I was traveling with my best friend this time, this would be exactly the type of tour I would prioritize if I was planning a trip to Edinburgh solo. It’s the perfect way to make new friends in a fun and friendly social setting.

Whether it’s your first (or fifth) time in Scotland, look no further than Eating Europe’s Eating Edinburgh food tour.

My Final Take on the Eating Edinburgh Food Tour

If you’re looking for a fun, delicious, and culturally rich way to explore the city, the Eating Edinburgh Old Town Food & Drinks Tour is 100% worth adding to your Edinburgh itinerary.

It’s the perfect balance of learning, eating, and just a wee bit of drinking. Which don’t worry, you can elaborate on once the tour is over 😉

I firmly believe there’s no better way to connect with a new culture than through their food, and—as cheesy as it sounds—each bite tasted better after learning the history behind it.

We left with a full stomach, a better understanding of Scottish food culture, and a few new contacts in my phone—which, let’s be honest, is exactly what a great food tour should deliver.

If you get the chance to book this one, do it. You won’t regret it.

Ciao for now ❤️

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