Where to Eat in Edinburgh in 24 Hours: The Perfect Foodie Itinerary
We had just 24 hours in Edinburgh and one big question: is this actually Scotland’s best food city? So we built the ultimate one day guide of where to eat in Edinburgh—seven stops from pastries to pints—based on local tips, deep research, and a very serious appetite.
Whether you want quick bites between sightseeing or a full sit-down feast, this guide will help you eat like a local and make every calorie count in Edinburgh.
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Breakfast Stop #1 – Lannan Bakery (The Famous Pastry Line)
If you’re starting your day in Edinburgh, this is the bakery everyone will tell you about. It’s one of the most famous places to eat in Edinburgh. The line usually spills down the street, but locals, chefs, and even Vogue have called it one of the most exciting bakeries in the city.
Lannan was opened by a Scottish pastry chef who trained in some of the best kitchens in Europe. It’s known for buttery laminated pastries, creative flavors, and croissants that sell out fast.
What to order
- Cardamom bun
- Seasonal specialty pastry (like the yuzu meringue croissant)
Why it matters
- Often called the best bakery in Edinburgh
- A modern, globally inspired take on Scottish baking
- One of the most talked-about pastry spots in the city
The cardamom bun is soft, sticky, and just sweet enough, with a warm spice that feels like cinnamon’s more sophisticated cousin. It’s gooey in the center, lightly caramelized on the outside, and incredibly comforting on a cold Scottish morning.
The yuzu meringue croissant is the opposite vibe—bright, zesty, and dramatic. The meringue shatters when you bite into it, and the croissant underneath is crisp, flaky, and just slightly chewy. It’s messy, loud, and completely worth it.
Our take
Yes, the line is long. Yes, it’s worth it. If you want one memorable breakfast in Edinburgh, this is the place to start. It’s modern, exciting, and sets the tone for a very good food day.
Brunch Stop #2 – Society Bar & Kitchen (Local Favorite Brunch)
If pastries aren’t your thing or you want a proper sit-down meal, this is one of the most recommended brunch spots in the city. During our research, locals, guides, and reviews all pointed to Society as a must-visit.
It’s bright, modern, and right in the heart of Edinburgh. The menu blends classic Scottish ingredients with more contemporary brunch plates, so you can go traditional or a little more global.
What to order
- Smoked salmon toast with poached egg and cottage cheese
- Mediterranean breakfast (halloumi, eggs, flatbread, beans, and sausage)
Why it matters
- One of the highest-rated brunch spots in central Edinburgh
- Mixes traditional Scottish ingredients with modern brunch plates
- Great option if you want a slower, more relaxed breakfast
The smoked salmon toast is a protein-packed plate with crispy bread, creamy cottage cheese, a perfectly runny egg, and a generous pile of rich Scottish salmon. It’s simple, familiar flavors—but done really well.
The Mediterranean breakfast is a fun twist on the classic full Scottish. You still get the hearty elements, but with halloumi, flatbread, and more globally inspired flavors.
Our take
If you want a proper sit-down breakfast instead of a quick pastry, this is a great choice. It’s relaxed, satisfying, and gives you a taste of Scottish ingredients without diving straight into a full haggis-heavy breakfast.
Lunch Stop #3 – Alby’s (The Cult-Favorite Sandwich)
If you want something fast, filling, and seriously hyped, this is the sandwich stop everyone talks about. Alby’s has built a cult following for its big, hot, chef-driven sandwiches that change with the seasons.
Timeout has praised them, local chefs rave about them, and some people even call these the best sandwiches they’ve ever eaten in their lives.
What to order
- Whatever the seasonal hot sandwich is
- Fried chicken sandwich (if it’s on the menu)
Why it matters
- One of the most talked-about sandwich spots in Edinburgh
- Menu changes based on the chefs’ travels and inspirations
- Big, bold, creative flavors you won’t find in traditional pubs
There’s nothing traditionally Scottish about Alby’s—and that’s the point. The chefs take global flavors and turn them into over-the-top sandwiches that feel more like full meals than quick bites.
The fried chicken version we tried was enormous, crispy, juicy, and packed with flavor. It’s messy, indulgent, and exactly what you want from a hot sandwich.
Our take
If you need a quick, satisfying lunch between sights, this is the move. It’s creative, filling, and one of the most memorable bites in the city—even if it’s not traditional.
Lunch Stop #4 – Makars Mash Bar (Modern Scottish Classic)
If you want a hearty, sit-down meal that still feels approachable, this is one of the most loved restaurants in the city. Makars Mash Bar is known for its build-your-own Scottish comfort plates—and it’s consistently ranked among the top casual dining spots in the UK on TripAdvisor.
We’d actually eaten here on a previous trip, long before YouTube, and it was one of the main reasons we wanted to come back because we thought it had some of the best food in Edinburgh.
What to order
- Lamb shank with bacon and onion mash
- Any traditional meat with your choice of mash
Why it matters
- One of the highest-rated casual restaurants in the UK
- Classic Scottish meats with a modern, customizable twist
- Perfect introduction to hearty Scottish comfort food
The concept is simple. You pick your meat—like lamb, beef, or sausages—then choose your mash. You can go classic or try something more creative, depending on your mood.
The lamb shank was the star. It was slow-cooked until it practically fell off the bone, served over rich bacon and onion mashed potatoes with a deep, savory gravy. It’s the kind of dish that feels built for cold Scottish days.
Our take
If you want one proper, comforting Scottish meal in Edinburgh, this is a great place to do it. It’s traditional, filling, and incredibly satisfying without feeling too formal or fussy.
Dinner Stop #5 – Mirin (Modern Scottish Fusion)
If you want to see how traditional Scottish ingredients are being reimagined, this is one of the most exciting tables in Edinburgh right now. Mirin blends local meats and seafood with pan-Asian flavors, and it’s one of the best restaurants in Edinburgh if you want something modern.
The name itself is a fusion—mirin is a Japanese cooking ingredient, but it’s also a Gaelic name—so the concept starts before you even open the menu.
What to order
- Wild boar dumplings in spicy broth
- Monkfish cheek with bacon and passion fruit
- Haggis with sambal and pistachio
Why it matters
- One of Edinburgh’s buzziest modern restaurants
- Creative fusion using Scottish ingredients
- A completely different take on classic flavors
The dumplings were rich and meaty, swimming in a spicy broth with smoky bacon. Then came the monkfish cheek—smoky, sweet, tangy, and unlike anything we’d tasted before. It was one of those bites that makes you stop mid-sentence.
The haggis dish was the wild card. It came with pistachios, crispy bits, and a spicy sambal sauce. It sounded chaotic on paper, but it worked surprisingly well.
Our take
This is the place to go if you’ve already had traditional Scottish food and want something more modern and experimental. It’s bold, creative, and easily one of the most memorable meals of the day.
Dinner Stop #6 – The Scran & Scallie (Modern Scottish Gastropub)
If you want traditional Scottish ingredients with a polished, modern twist, this is one of the most respected gastropubs in the city. The Scran & Scallie sits in the charming Stockbridge neighborhood and has earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand for its high-quality, affordable cooking.
It’s run by a husband-and-wife chef team and built around the idea of “from nature to plate,” using the best local Scottish ingredients and letting them shine.
What to order
- Orkney scallops with pancetta
- House-cured Scottish salmon with mustard sauce
- Beetroot salad with crowdie cheese
Why it matters
- Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition
- Local, seasonal Scottish ingredients
- Modern take on classic flavors
The Orkney scallops were the star. Perfectly seared, sweet, and buttery, with salty pancetta and a creamy sauce tying it all together. It was the kind of dish that makes you instantly understand why Scottish seafood has such a strong reputation.
The cured salmon was silky and almost creamy, balanced with a zingy mustard sauce and crisp rye bread. Even the beet salad surprised us, thanks to the tangy, ultra-creamy crowdie cheese.
Our take
If you want elevated Scottish food without the formality of fine dining, this is the move. It’s refined, ingredient-driven, and easily one of the most satisfying sit-down meals in the city.
Drinks Stop #7 – Panda & Sons (World-Class Cocktail Bar)
If you want to end your day somewhere memorable, this is the spot. From the outside, Panda & Sons looks like a vintage barber shop, but step inside and you’ll find one of the most creative cocktail bars in the world.
It’s ranked on the World’s 50 Best Bars list, and the team treats cocktails like science experiments—using techniques like sub-zero freezing, lab-style prep, and multi-day infusions.
The coconut daiquiri was dangerously smooth. Toasted coconut, rum, acid, and white chocolate garnish came together in something that tasted more like a dessert than a cocktail—but with a serious kick.
Every drink felt thoughtful, balanced, and a little bit theatrical. It was the perfect way to wind down after a full day of eating.
Our take
If you only do one bar in Edinburgh, make it this one. It’s creative, fun, and feels like a true destination experience—not just a nightcap.
Can You Eat Well in Edinburgh in 24 Hours?
After a full day of pastries, brunch, sandwiches, traditional Scottish classics, modern fusion, and world-class cocktails, one thing became very clear: Edinburgh is absolutely a food city.
You can:
- Grab a quick pastry and coffee on the go
- Sit down for hearty Scottish comfort food
- Try modern, globally inspired dishes
- End the night at one of the best cocktail bars in the world
All within walking distance of each other.
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