Independent · Consumer-first · Scottish

Town guide

Edinburgh food & drink

Scotland's food and drink capital, with the largest weekly market in the country

Edinburgh is Scotland's most food-and-drink-rich city by some margin. The weekly Castle Terrace farmers market is the largest in the country. The Stockbridge Sunday market is one of the city's quiet pleasures. The Edinburgh Food Festival in July and the Christmas Market in November–January draw serious crowds. Within an hour's drive: Glenkinchie distillery to the east, Auchentoshan to the west (just outside Glasgow but reachable), and a substantial cluster of craft breweries and gin distilleries inside the city itself — Edinburgh Gin, Holyrood Distillery, and Pickering's, plus brewery taprooms like Pilot and Vault City. The Christmas Market in East Princes Street Gardens runs from mid-November to early January and is one of the largest in Scotland.

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Plan a Edinburgh & Lothians trip

Full Edinburgh & Lothians food & drink guide — distilleries, restaurants, where to stay, when to go.

Continue your Edinburgh planning
Markets
6
Distilleries nearby
8
Breweries nearby
6
Festivals
4
What Edinburgh is known for
  • Edinburgh Farmers' Market (Castle Terrace) — Scotland's biggest weekly market
  • Pilot Brewery and Vault City Brewing taprooms
  • Edinburgh Gin and Holyrood Distillery within the city
  • Edinburgh Food Festival (July) and Christmas Market (Nov–Jan)

Farmers markets in & near Edinburgh

Whisky distilleries near Edinburgh

Breweries near Edinburgh

Scottish gin makers near Edinburgh

Food & drink festivals in Edinburgh & nearby

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Edinburgh food & drink FAQ

+What's the best farmers market in Edinburgh?

Edinburgh Farmers’ Market on Edinburgh (typically saturday). Next confirmed date: Saturday, 23 May 2026. We list every market within 50 km of Edinburgh on this page.

+Where can I taste whisky near Edinburgh?

6 distilleries within 50 km of Edinburgh are open to visitors. Holyrood, Port of Leith Distillery, Glenkinchie are the closest. Each has a full tour and tasting guide on its TasteSCOT page.

+When is the next food or drink festival in Edinburgh?

Crail Food Festival runs 13 June – 14 June at Crail, Fife.

+Where should I stay in Edinburgh for a food and drink trip?

Use the accommodation map below to find hotels, B&Bs, and self-catering within easy reach of central Edinburgh. For multi-day Scottish food and drink trips, Edinburgh is a sensible base if you want access to 8 distilleries and 6 breweries we cover in the surrounding 50 km.

+What is Edinburgh known for in Scottish food and drink?

Edinburgh Farmers' Market (Castle Terrace) — Scotland's biggest weekly market. Pilot Brewery and Vault City Brewing taprooms. Edinburgh Gin and Holyrood Distillery within the city. Edinburgh Food Festival (July) and Christmas Market (Nov–Jan).

Where to stay near Edinburgh

Hotels, B&Bs, and self-catering within easy reach of central Edinburgh.

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