The food and drink events not to miss in Edinburgh this autumn

Autumn is upon us and Edinburgh has more than a few exciting food and drink events heading its way over the new few months.

Published 2nd Oct 2017
Updated 6 th Oct 2023

From a meat and music festival to a pizza and prosecco party there's no shortage of fun food and drink filled events to try out this autumn.

Here are eleven of the best:

Drink focused festivities

Gin Festival Edinburgh 2017

(The Corn Exchange, Edinburgh, EH14 1RJ, Friday 6th October - Sunday 8th October)

Food and drink events

Picture: Gin Festival Facebook

Described as "the UK's biggest gin festival", this touring event is making its way back to Edinburgh for its annual visit, bringing over 100 different gins from all over the world to the capital.

This year, there'll be even more exclusive gins and in line with Scotland's reputation for being the biggest producer of gin in the UK, a dedicated Scottish gin bar.

Hosted over four sessions, expect live music, food, cocktails and plenty of masterclasses.

What you need to know: Drinks will be served using a token system (£5 per token for a gin and mixer).

You'll be given a Gin Festival Copa Balloon Glass and a gin brochure on entry.

Edinburgh Cocktail Weekend

(Various bars and venues across Edinburgh, Friday 6th- Sunday 8th October)

Picture: The Edinburgh Cocktail Weekend

The organisers believe this new festival will be Scotland's biggest
ever cocktail event when it takes place this month, with 7,000 people expected to attend.

Island cafe with stunning views to team up with Michelin-recommended Edinburgh restaurant for one-off supper club

More than 50 cocktails have been specially curated for the weekend and all you need to do is purchase your wristband for £6 and gain access to all of the aforementioned cocktails for £4 across the cream of the crop of the capital's best bars.

You can also get access to free masterclasses and tastings, pop-up spaces (such as the incredible SKY bar) and free entry to some of the city's best late night venues.

Oktoberfest Comes to Edinburgh

(ATIK, 3 W Tollcross, Edinburgh EH3 9BP, Saturday 7th October - until 3am)

Picture: Oktoberfest Facebook

For the beer fans out there, Oktoberfest rolls into town for a day of German beers, bratwurst and lederhosen.

Expect Oompah bands, authentic German food stalls, German Beers in Steins and of course a Bavarian style beer hall.

New Scottish restaurants added to the Good Food Guide

Cocktails in the City

(The Mansfield Traquair, 15 Mansfield Pl, Edinburgh EH3 6BB, Thursday 12th to Friday 13th October)

https://www.instagram.com/p/BZjHtePBmYR/

It's all go for cocktail fans this month with Cocktails in the City also making their annual return to the capital.

Celebrating their 5th anniversary in Edinburgh, CITC brings together some of the city's best bars - including 56 North, Hoot the Redeemer and The Voyage of Buck - and the country's best drinks brands - with the likes of Arbikie and Edinburgh Gin making an appearance - all together under one very picturesque roof.

What you need to know: Tickets are £12 and include a cocktail on arrival.

El Perro Negro and Ka Pao team up for kitchen takeover in Glasgow 

Additional cocktails are £6.50.

Edinburgh Coffee Festival

(The Corn Exchange, Edinburgh, EH14 1RJ, Saturday 14th October)

Picture: Pexels.com

Bringing together 40 speciality coffee and tea exhibitors and some of the best coffee cocktails, street food and cakes around, the Coffee Festival, which is returning after a hugely successful past few years, will see 300 java lovers head for the Corn Exchange to celebrate their love for Edinburgh's burgeoning coffee scene.

What you need to know: Edinburgh-based Vegware will furnish all exhibitors with fully compostable cups, so there's no need to worry about harming the planet while enjoying yourself at the festival.

Pizza & Prosecco Festival Edinburgh

(Venue yet to be announced, Saturday 28th October)

Pizza. Prosecco.

Pizza and Prosecco.

There's not much more to be said really, other than the fact that the P & P festival will offer locals and visitors to the city alike the chance to enjoy a massive range of local pizza traders serving up slices, and of course 20 different types of Prosecco.

 

Edinburgh Festival of Wine

(The Balmoral, 1 Princes St, Edinburgh EH2 2EQ, Saturday 4th November)

events

Picture: Edinburgh Wine Festival Facebook

Wine expert Tom Cannavan has created an unmissable day for Auld Reekie’s wine lovers, with over 300 brilliant wines on offer for tasting – all included in your ticket price.

There's also some fantastic discounts if you choose to buy some bottles to quaff at home, and a superb programme of masterclasses meaning you'll have fun regardless of whether you are a novice or are closer to the sommelier side of the scale.

Edinburgh Tequila Festival

(ATIK, 3 W Tollcross, Edinburgh EH3 9BP, 18 November)

Picture: Thinkstock

On the Saturday the 18th of November, Edinburgh's residents will be able to embark on a Tequila tasting journey with over 30 Tequilas to try out at the ETF.

The organisers have also promised a huge array of live entertainment including traditional Mexican dancers and a Mariarchi band and plenty of authentic Mexican Street Food stalls.

What you need to know: Tickets cost £20 and on arrival each guest will be handed a complimentary shot, and a Tequila Bible to guide them through their tasting experience.

Food focused festivities

Scotland Food and Drink Show

(Royal Highland Centre, Lowland Hall, Edinburgh, Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th October 2017)

The Scotland Food and Drink Show is a two day event showcasing a superb range of vendors from across Scotland. A great event for all Foodies, you can sample products, meet the makers and learn more about where your food comes from.

The show will also feature Cooking Demonstrations, talks from Scotland’s top chefs and influential people within the sector, Masterclasses,  a Children's Area, and a Careers’ area.

All of that and more and did we forget to mention that it's free?

Meats & Beats Festival

(Assembly Roxy, 2 Roxburgh Pl, Edinburgh EH8 9SU, 20th-22nd October)

events Edinburgh

So unique, the organisers had to coin the term meatylicious to explain it.

Think amazing meaty street food paired with music (from the past five decades) and you're about half way there.

Throw in Sizzling steaks, sauce-dripping tower burgers, racks of sticky ribs, buckets of chicken wings and add a dash of disco, 90s dance and plenty of pop and you've got yourself a formula for a great day out.

Scottish Vegan Festival

(Corn Exchange, 10 New Market Rd, Edinburgh EH14 1RJ, Sunday 22nd October)

Picture: Pixabay.com

Following a hugely successful event last year, the city that's won more awards for being vegetarian and vegan friendly than we can count will once again play host to the Scottish Vegan Festival.

A chance for vegans, vegetarians, flexitarians and omnivores to celebrate all things vegan, there will be thought provoking talks, stalls, cooking demos and of course plenty of delicious plant-based food - both hot and cold.

Driven by a passion for all things drinks-related, Sean writes for The Scotsman extensively on the subject. He can also sometimes be found behind the bar at the world famous Potstill bar in Glasgow where he continues to enhance his whisky knowledge built up over 10 years advising customers from all over the world on the wonders of our national drink. Recently, his first book was published. Dubbed Gin Galore, it explores Scotland's best gins and the stories behind those that make them.
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