Top Ten things to try out at the Edinburgh Food Festival

The Edinburgh Food Festival launches this week, so we asked the team behind the annual food event to pick out ten of the best things to check out.

Published 26th Jul 2017
Updated 8 th Aug 2023

Back for a third year, Edinburgh Food Festival celebrates the finest of Scotland’s food and drink offerings with artisan producers, stallholders and on-trend foodie talks and demos set to take place.

Free to enter the festival runs from the 26th - 30th of July in George Square Gardens, Edinburgh.

The organisers say they have a tasty mix of talks and stallholders but here is our Top 10 to look out for.

Edible insects

Are you brave enough? Picture: RH

The team said: "A taste for the unusual? Look no further!

"A trend ‘flying’ into the food industry at the moment is the phenomenon of edible insects. Regarded by some as an obvious source of natural proteins, millions around the world eat insects on a regular basis.

"Some insects are regarded as delicacies, whereas elsewhere, like here, the yuk factor looms large.

"Join us at 6pm, Saturday 30th for a talk on this wriggly topic, with the first 50 guests getting three juicy bugs to sample if they dare."

Poco Prosecco

Edinburgh Food Festival

Picture: Poco Prosecco

The team said: "Fizz on tap? Say no more! Poco Prosecco is bringing their vintage van to the gardens to keep that smile on festivalgoers faces.

"Drawing from Italian tradition and maintaining the joys of Italian culture, Poco Prosecco also offers the summer delight of classic Italian cocktails."

Groats

Picture: Groats

The team said: "A hearty breakfast is key when you have a long day of socialising ahead!

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"With tradition at its heart, Groats offers the Scottish classic dish of porridge to revelers all weekend long.

"Simmered in almond milk and topped off with a delicious range of toppings, this is a complete indulgence of the healthy kind. Who knew there was such a thing."

Drinking in the Gardens

The team said: "Kick back, relax, and soak up the atmosphere. George Square Gardens is the perfect suntrap to get yourself in the festival spirit with friends and family.

"With bars at each end of the gardens and various drinks stallholders dotted around the garden, you won’t be going thirsty this weekend."

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Chick + Pea

The team said: "There’s nothing like a little spice to heat things up even more on a hot summers day.

"Chick+Pea will be bringing their retro Citreon H van stocked with the incredible flavours of the Mediterranean and Middle East to add some pizazz to the Gardens offerings.

"Make sure you stop by to tantalise your taste buds."

Slow Food Taste Adventures Kids

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The team said: "Slow Food… but fast learning! Edinburgh Food festival welcomes kids of all ages to explore the wonderfully diverse food and drink offerings Scotland has to offer through a range of taste adventures provided by Slow Food Edinburgh.

"These take place on Sunday 30 th July, midday, in the Piccolo Tent. So grab your little foodies and  head on down."

Jüs

The team said: "Who wouldn't want to go and see a giant, nomadic orange, bringing fresh, fast and fun drinks around Scotland this summer?

"Jüs serve ‘raw soda’ exclusively on draught; this promises only
natural ingredients, raw organic cane sugar, and no artificial nasties.

"The result: delicious and guilt -free RAWSODA which can be enjoyed on its own, or with your favourite spirit."

Savoury ice cream

Picture: Chris Watt

The team said: "You saw it on MasterChef and now you’re seeing it here…savoury ice cream has arrived in Edinburgh!

"Join gelato experts, Jannettas Gelateria in the Piccolo Tent, 2pm on Thursday 27th July, for a discussion on this pioneering trend.

"Jannettas will be giving you an insight into the growing trend and tips on how you can start pushing boundaries in the kitchen."

Sunday Brunch

The team said: "By far the best meal of the day, brunch is guilt-free, indulgent and oh so satisfying. And what a brunch we have for you!

"On the cobbled streets of Edinburgh, just outside our lovely gardens, our stallholders will each be serving a brunch dish for the hungry hordes to eat at the Capitals best ever brunch on Sunday 30th , 11am – 2pm."

Alandas Scottish Seafood Grill

The team said: "Nothing says Scotland more than an array of fresh, Scottish seafood. Enter in Alanda’s, an Ed Food Fest regular, and rightly so for the fantastic range of treats she offers.

"Bringing beautifully cooked salmon, mouthwateringly fresh oysters, crab and lobsters its no wonder she’s a favourite amongst our visitors.

"This year she’s adding a touch of heat with her spicy Haddock tacos!"

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