Festival season is starting to swing into high gear here in Edinburgh, and I decided to kick it off with a few visits to the Edinburgh Food Festival. It goes from July 19th- 28th and is a must-visit event if you're lucky enough to be in the city this week (of course it's not too early to start planning next year's trip).
Located in George Square Gardens, the entry to the Food Festival is free. There are a wide variety of stands, vans, and tables that are a foodie's paradise, but here are some of the photo highlights from my 'research trips'.
Halloumi fries anyone? Chick + Pea offers Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food at their stand. They also serve up other offerings such as falafel and flatbreads.
How about some hot sauce made in Edinburgh? Or you might want to try some local breads, honey, or produce.
If you enjoy Indian food, then try some tasty curries from Leith favourite Punjabi Junction.
If you are looking for bread that is both delicious and good for the gut, you can try an open-faced sandwich from Genius. They offer topping options such as humous, guacamole, and kimchi. Their breads are gluten-free and full of healthy fibre.
Perhaps you are seeking an award-winning gelato- look no further than North Berwick's famous Alandas. Their milk and cream are sourced from their local dairy in East Lothian.
Poco Prosecco is lovely van that is pleasing to the eye and the taste buds. They serve classic refreshing Italian cocktails.
Or maybe you would like some gin. If so, try some small batch gin from Edinburgh's first 'exclusive gin distillery in over 150 years'- Pickering's Gin. Their selections include an inviting Grapefruit and Orange Granita.
You can also get a yummy dessert from #CookieDough. They offer such goodies as cookie dough, S. Luca ice cream, and milkshakes. With the upcoming, warm summer days this should be a wonderful way to stay cool and satisfied.
There are many more wonderful food options and a variety of cooking and speaking events (daily and scheduled) so make sure to visit the Festival's official website to learn more.
From my personal experience, I can attest to the delectable Mana Poke Bowls. I had the Firewater bowl with tuna and it was absolutely fantastic. The long line was a clear indication that this stand was popular for a reason. On a different visit, I sampled the poutine at Cargo Spud and was quite pleased with the pulled pork. There are so many more stands I want to try out, so a third (or fourth?!) visit is already planned for this week.
After you've thoroughly enjoyed yourself at the Food Festival, make sure to book a walking tour with us. You'll enjoy exploring our magical city while learning some entertaining stories along the way. And perhaps it will help you burn off some of the calories consumed at the Food Festival.
Until next time- Explore & Discover!
