Edinburgh, the Scottish capital, is known for its historical landmarks, cultural significance, and exceptional traditional cuisines. Many of the Scottish dishes are passed down through generations. The Scottish city of Edinburgh is a destination that celebrates its rich culinary heritage. If you are someone who is visiting Edinburgh soon and wants to know about the best traditional dishes you must try, this article is for you. It brings you the top Scottish food and drink recommendations for your next visit to Edinburgh.
Top Scottish Food And Drink Recommendations In Edinburgh
Following is a list of a few food items and drinks you must try on your next visit to the Scottish capital.
Haggis
Haggis is famous as one of the most popular national Scottish dishes. The United States of America has banned Haggiis in the country. However, the traditional recipe of Haggis is not that terrifying. It is basically lamb pluck that is cooked with oats, suet, and a blend of various seasonings. It also uses lamb’s stomach as the casing to cook it in. Haggis is then steamed with and served with neeps and tatties. Vegetarian Haggis is also available in Edinburgh.
Porridge
Porridge, which is generally a part of the morning meal in Scotland. It is famous as oatmeal in the rest of the world. The recipe of Porridge includes dried oats traditionally heated with milk or cream and a pinch of salt as well as sugar. It has established itself as a high-fiber breakfast in Edinburgh, especially for laborers and manual workers.
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Salmon
Salmon is also one of the popular traditional Scottish food items from Edinburgh. It is cultivated across the highlands and smoked before serving. Salmon is one of the most-served starter dishes in the city. In the main course, grilled salmon tastes best with potatoes and vegetables.
Cullen Skink
Cullen Skink is another one of the traditional dishes from Edinburgh. The dish originated from Cullen town in Scotland. However, it quickly gained popularity in the rest of the country as well. Although, Skink means a lizard in the Scottish language. It has nothing to do with lizards. Instead, Cullen Skink is basically a traditional Scottish soup containing Cullen skin (smoked fish) along with smoked haddock, potatoes, onion, milk, and cream.
Seafood
Seafood dishes like oysters, lobsters, and langoustines are also a part of the list of traditional dishes in Edinburgh. Small villages in Edinburgh are located along the Fife coast and serve these dishes the best. Scottish langoustines are the best all across Europe. Currently, many cafes like the Cafe Royal located in the New Town and White Horse Oyster Bar located at the Royal Mile serve the best seafood.
Square Sausage
Square Sausage is a popular morning meal in the city of Edinburgh. It is basically a beef sausage cut in square and deep fried. You can enjoy the sausages along with the traditional morning rolls in the city.
Whisky
A Scottish food and drink recommendations list is definitely incomplete without a mention of the Scottish Whiskies. It is popularly known in the city as Scotch. It is made through the distillation of malted barley. A whisky needs to mature for around 3 years to be called truly Scottish. You may find around five varieties of Scottish whiskies in Edinburgh, namely Highlands, Lowlands, Campbeltown, Islay, and Speyside.
Shortbread
Shortbread is also one of the most popular traditional Scottish biscuits in Edinburgh. Those who love sweet things will definitely love shortbread as well. Homemade shortbread, of course, does not have any comparison. However, Walker’s is the brand that sells the best-commercialised shortbread in Edinburgh.
Irn Bru
Irn Bru, pronounced as iron bru in Scotland, is also considered one of the most famous national soft drinks in Edinburgh. It is also famous for curing hangovers. However, we have no scientific findings to prove that claim. Irn Bru is the drink that has surpassed the sales of Coca-Cola and Pepsi in Scotland.
Cranachan
Cranachan is also one of the most popular dessert options in Edinburgh. However, if you are looking for it in the menu cards of restaurants you might have to face disappointment. This is because Cranachan is a dish that tastes the best when fresh. It consists of toasted oats, whipped cream, raspberries, honey, and a splash of whisky. Burns’ Supper serves the best Cranachan in town.
Tablet
Tablet is also one of the most popular Scottish sweet dishes. Its recipe includes cream, sugar, as well as vanilla flavouring. The texture of Tablet is traditionally grainier than a fudge. You can enjoy the sweet treat with coffee on your next visit to Edinburgh.
