9 Edinburgh Food Tours, Compared

1.Edinburgh Food Tour with Scotch, Haggis, a Secret Dish & More

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,172 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $134Our pick

Spend about three hours walking Edinburgh with a local food guide, sampling haggis with neeps and tatties, Scottish cakes, cheese, whisky and a secret dish. The group is capped at 10. Guides such as Carlos, Nichola and Joanne have led lively tours that mix food with city stories. Start at St Giles’ Cathedral and finish near St Mary’s Street.

“Craig was a great guide - entertaining, informative, and helpful. We enjoyed learning the food history and etymology of phrases from Scotland. Lots of fun! We were full by the end. The only addition I'd make is perhaps one more (small) dish of a savory variety.”

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2.Edinburgh Food & Drink Tour with EatWalk Tours

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 561 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $163

Spend about three hours walking from the Grassmarket and Old Town toward the Royal Mile and New Town, tasting a full meal’s worth of Scottish food with paired drinks. Groups are capped at 12. Guides you may meet include Tilly, Tom, Tamara, Wag and Christy, whose stories connect local dishes with Edinburgh’s past.

“We had such a wonderful time on this tour. Tamara was an excellent guide and we learned so much about the history and culture from this experience. We've already recommended this tour to friends.”

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3.Edinburgh Cheese Crawl : Guided Food Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 231 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $48Best value

Walk from Comely Bank toward Stockbridge with a guide such as Jenny, Kieran or Xander, stopping at local cheese shops and a deli for a generous range of samples and a glass of prosecco. Expect neighborhood stories, time on your feet and tastings that may take place outdoors. The group is capped at 15.

“Totally worth it! I wished there was a bit more wine than just one medium glass each but tasting 7 cheeses is pretty good value for money still and I would definitely recommend!”

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4.Edinburgh Luxury Private Food & Drink Tour with Eat Walk Tours

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 223 reviews · 2 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $325

Eat Walk Tours takes your private group through Edinburgh’s West End, New Town, and Old Town, pairing a full meal’s worth of Scottish food with drinks for adults. Guides such as Tom, Wag, Julie, and Anastaziya mix local history with tastings, from haggis to whisky. Hotel pickup, a restaurant map, and discounts are included.

“The guide was knowledgeable, amiable and funny. Also he had earpieces so we could all hear him. The selection of foods and drinks was perfect.”

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5.Eating Edinburgh: Old Town Food & Drinks Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 177 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $134

Walk Edinburgh’s Old Town with a local English-speaking guide, stopping for Cullen skink, haggis with whisky marmalade, pub pie, Scottish cheese and a possible deep-fried Mars bar. Along the way, take in the Royal Mile, Victoria Street and castle views. Guides such as Ailsa, Luana, Andre and Emery have led the tour, but the lineup and tastings can vary.

“Awesome tour with Emery! She greeted us in a Philadelphia Eagles hat (go Birds!), so I knew it was going to be a great day :). Emery was very knowledgeable about Edinburgh and its history, and you can tell has a real passion for the city. Her narration and explanations were all very detailed, and her personality really made the tour fun. As for the locations and food itself, I enjoyed everything. The venues were all high quality with really interesting and authentic foods. The tour length of three hours was perfect (especially in hilly Edinburgh), and I highly recommend it.”

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6.Tailored Premium Edinburgh Food Tour with Highest Quality Dishes

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 128 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $165

Spend four to five hours walking Edinburgh’s Old Town and New Town with a local guide such as Skye or Nichola. Expect a generous lunch-sized spread, coffee or tea, at least one alcoholic drink for adults who drink, Scottish food stories, and stops chosen around your tastes. The group is capped at 10, and the route covers about two miles.

“Very fun food tour. Loved all the food. Skye was an amazing tour guide that gave us so much history of the city and took us to local spots that were not in the tourist areas. Highly recommended”

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7.Private Food Tour of Edinburgh with Haggis, Scotch & More

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 112 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $465

Spend about three hours walking central Edinburgh with a private English-speaking food guide. Taste haggis with neeps and tatties, Scottish cheese and cakes, a secret dish, and Lowland single malt whisky. The route begins at St Giles’ Cathedral and ends on St Mary’s Street, with famous sights along the way. Guides Nicola and Skye have led tours, though your guide may vary.

“Nicola was a great tour guide. She is knowledgeable, passionate about Scottish culture and funny. We enjoyed our tour immensely. Haggis, scones, whisky and ice cream were delicious.”

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8.The 10 Tastings of Edinburgh With Locals: Private Food Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 71 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $187

Spend about three hours walking Edinburgh with a private local guide, starting and ending at Royal Mile Whiskies. Expect Scottish food and drink, plus stops near Grassmarket, John Knox House and Lady Stair’s House. Guides have included Alec, Chris, Mark and Michelle. The route and food can be tailored, but the number and style of tastings may vary.

“Our guide, Alec, was fantastic—a born story teller with a tremendous love for Scottish history —we were captivated as we wandered around the Royal Mile and its many historic sites. We learned so much and it was such fun. Unknown to Alec, however, this tour is described as 10 tastings of Edinburgh—but there were actually only three. For sure, though, you’ll love haggis by the time you finish, if not the “fish and chips” —actually fried, stuffed pizza at one apparently popular eatery, judging by the long lines. All things said, this tour was still a highlight for us, despite the crowds from Fringe.”

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9.The Best Food Tour in Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 57 reviews · 2 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $154

At one traditional Edinburgh restaurant, a local guide introduces five Scottish dishes, from oyster, Cullen skink and haggis to fish of the day and sticky toffee pudding. Four drink pairings, including Scotch whisky and local craft beer, are included, with nonalcoholic options. The 2-hour-15-minute experience starts and ends at 145 Princes St.

“Food was good; you stay at one restaurant the entire time while your guide explains the food and how it relates to Scotland.”

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