Paul and Katie of 21212's top Foodie places to visit during the Fringe

Festival fans Paul Kitching and Katie O’Brien, who run the 21212 restuarant, have put together a list of their top recommendations for places to eat throughout Edinburgh during the Festival.

Published 22nd Aug 2016
Updated 8 th Aug 2023

However, some of them will still be around long after the Festival has left town.

For indulgence...if you have the time, and are in need of a full on theatrical treat with food:

1. 21212

Trout & Scallop

(Of course...!) and we are a restaurant that’s centrally located and close to the heart of the festival, so it’s ideal.

We want our guests to leave feeling as though they’ve had a full culinary experience, not just sated their hunger, so a dining event to match the wonderful shows you’re taking in.

Our tasting menus change weekly and you can select the number of courses you’d prefer, ranging from 3 courses (from £65) up to 5 courses (from £79). However, if you’d prefer to join us for lunch, you can enjoy 2 courses for only £24! Hope to welcome you soon…

2. Number One at the Balmoral

Number One

We ate there a couple of weekends ago and it was quite superb. Definitely an experience to remember.

Some Edinburgh stalwarts in the heart of Festival-land:

3. Hotel du Vin

Try their tapas in the bar, if you are between shows: 3 for £13.50 and it’s wonderful! Proper ‘see-you- through-the- day’ food and delicious, too!

READ MORE: Looking to check out some new bars and restaurants while in Edinburgh for the Festival? We can help.

4. Harvey Nichols in St Andrews Square

21212 (27)

12 of the best places to eat in Speyside - including ‘hidden gem’ Thai restaurant, pub classics and Michelin recommended fine dining 

Always a lovely place and a bit of serenity sitting in the restaurant sipping a French Martini and watching the world go by underneath.

5. The Signet Library, Colonnades

A beautiful building and an iconic venue, which serves a wonderful afternoon tea, so if you’re looking for a bit of classic British elegance, look no further. Definitely worth booking because it gets busy, specially during the Festival.

Festival Street Food:

6. This is the best…the food is as exciting as the shows.

I can’t recommend any particular vendor, as it's all great, but the fact you can get such diversity is wonderful. Burgers are always great, but it's not all about the burgers! In a row outside George Square you can have a meal of lobster (Alanda’s), a baked potato (Cargo Spud) and a glass of bubbly (The Prosecco Palace), then pop around the corner and get a cake from Mimi’s and coffee from anywhere.

Last year (and I have not found them this year…yet) there was a van in George Square and the lady did the best apple crumble – where is she?? Seriously though, just the most exciting time for eating.

Ice Cream Delight and Sweeties:

7. Bains Retro Sweets

Head to the Grassmarket to this old fashioned sweetie shop and fill your boots with all sorts for the day ahead! They have row upon row of every traditional sweet you can imagine, so you’ll be sure to find something to take you on a trip down memory lane…or even try something new.

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

8. Mary’s Milk Bar

Trout & Scallop

Further along in the Grassmarket you’ll find this small, retro ice cream and gelato bar. Their sorbets are delicious (especially the apricot and rose) and so refreshing; their dill ice cream was wonderful, too – not your normal flavours, but lovely. Even without the sun!

Relative newcomer to Edinburgh:

9. Byron Burgers

Whilst not being a vegetarian myself, I would like to give a shout out for their bean patty, which is very tasty.

And their ‘Hard Shakes’ – go for the vanilla with spiced rum, died and gone to heaven. There’s one on Lothian Road and another on North Bridge, so you’re never too far from one during the festival, wherever you end up.

• Paul Kitching and Katie O’Brien run the Michelin starred 21212 restaurant with rooms in Edinburgh’s Royal Terrace.

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