Latest news with #EdinburghStreetFood
Edinburgh Reporter
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
Popular Polish kitchen returns to Edinburgh Street Food
Edinburgh Street Food is welcoming back Bar Mleczny, a popular family-run Polish kitchen, from 29 May to 15 June following their successful pop-up earlier this month. The Polish eatery returns by popular demand, bringing with them traditional homemade comfort foods made from cherished family recipes passed down through generations, along with some exciting new offerings. Diners can look forward to Bar Mleczny's signature hand-pinched pierogi dumplings with various fillings, including: Potato, Cheese & Onion served with sautéed onions (Vegetarian) Pork & Root Veg topped with crispy pork lard Haggis paired with a rich whisky sauce Wild Mushrooms & Sauerkraut served with mushroom fricassée (Vegan) Bar Mleczny has also hinted at introducing several new menu items for this return to Leith Street. The family-run kitchen's authentic Polish cuisine proved to be a hit during their previous appearance, with their distinctive take on Scottish-Polish fusion particularly popular among Edinburgh foodies. Food enthusiasts are encouraged to mark their calendars for this limited-time return and experience these traditional Polish delicacies before the pop-up ends on 15 June. Edinburgh Street Food is located at Leith Street, Edinburgh (next to Omni). Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Reporter
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
Let ESF Entertain You – during the Robbie Williams weekend
Edinburgh's popular food hub Edinburgh Street Food (ESF) is set to transform into a tribute venue for Robbie Williams fans this weekend, offering the perfect pre-concert experience ahead of the star's Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium show. On Saturday, 31 May, from 12-4 pm, ESF will be hosting a special Robbie Williams-themed extravaganza, allowing concert-goers and fans alike to immerse themselves in the charismatic performer's greatest moments before the main event. The venue's big screen will showcase a series of Robbie's most memorable live performances throughout the afternoon, beginning with 'Live at the Albert' at 12pm, followed by 'What We Did Last Summer: Live in Knebworth' at 1:15pm. The entertainment will conclude with a compilation of Robbie's greatest hits from 3pm. Food vendors across ESF will be offering special Robbie-themed menu items and drinks for the occasion, providing fans with the opportunity to fuel up before dancing the night away. Located just five tram stops from Murrayfield Stadium, ESF is perfectly positioned for concert-goers looking to start their celebration early, so it's the perfect place to kick the party off in style before the stadium action. And for those who weren't fortunate enough to secure tickets to the sold-out concert? As Robbie himself might say, 'No Regrets' – ESF welcomes all fans to join in the festivities, enjoy the food offerings, and soak up the vibrant atmosphere. With Edinburgh expected to be bustling with excited fans throughout the weekend, this food and entertainment hub promises to be a highlight for both locals and visitors looking to make the most of Robbie Williams' return to the Scottish capital. Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Reporter
22-05-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
Edinburgh Marathon Runners to receive free pizza at Edinburgh Street Food
The popular Leith Street venue offers complimentary Neapolitan pizza to Edinburgh Marathon participants running this Sunday. Marathon runners crossing the finish line at this year's Edinburgh Marathon Festival will have another reason to celebrate – a free pizza waiting for them at one of the city's most popular food destinations. Edinburgh Street Food, the permanent street food market located beside the OMNi Centre on Leith Street, will be offering complimentary margherita pizzas to all half and full marathon participants this Sunday, May 25th, from 3 pm to 10 pm. The initiative, run in partnership with newly arrived vendor Razzo Pizza Napoletana, aims to reward the thousands of runners who will complete either the 13.1-mile half marathon or the full 26.2-mile course through Edinburgh and the surrounding areas. 'Community is at the heart of everything we do at ESF, and what better way to give back to the brilliant runners raising awareness and donations for worthy causes, than to invite them down for what's widely regarded as Edinburgh's best pizza – on us!' says Andrew Marshall, CEO and Co-Founder of Edinburgh Street Food. Razzo Pizza Napoletana, which joined the Edinburgh Street Food family in March, specialises in authentic Neapolitan-style pizza made with quality Italian ingredients and traditional aerated dough techniques. The timing couldn't be better for hungry runners seeking post-race fuel. To claim their free pizza, runners must wear their official 2025 EMF finishers' t-shirt to the venue. Upon arrival, they'll collect a token from the host, which can then be exchanged for either a classic or vegan margherita pizza at the Razzo counter. Additional toppings and upgrades will be available for purchase. The street food market, which can accommodate over 600 diners across indoor and outdoor seating areas, will be operating as usual from midday on Sunday. With 11 food vendors and three bars under one roof, it provides ample space for runners to celebrate with friends and family while enjoying the post-race atmosphere. The venue's central location on Leith Street (EH1 3AU) makes it easily accessible for runners finishing at Musselburgh, providing a convenient spot to unwind after the challenging course through Edinburgh's streets. This community-focused gesture reflects Edinburgh Street Food's commitment to supporting local events and participants, particularly those fundraising for charitable causes through their marathon efforts. The offer runs until 10 pm, giving runners plenty of time to make their way to the venue after completing their race. For those still hungry after their complimentary pizza, the full range of vendors and bars will be available throughout the evening, making Edinburgh Street Food a natural gathering point for the marathon community to celebrate their achievements. Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Reporter
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
From queue anxiety to culinary delight – Edinburgh Street Food's comeback story
I'll admit it: when Edinburgh Street Food (ESF) first opened in February 2023, I ran in the opposite direction. The queues snaking out the door triggered my university canteen PTSD – that dreaded fear your preferred option would vanish before you reached the counter. Two years later, I'm eating my words (and much more) after giving this vibrant food hub another chance. Tasked with finding somewhere to accommodate an old Bass colleague from 35 years ago and his rugby-mad sons before a Six Nations match, ESF's location and diverse offerings made it the perfect choice. In fact, I've become something of a convert, visiting twice in just one week. My first return was purely accidental – playing tourist in my own city after the Tartan Day Parade left me famished. Despite the glorious weather drawing crowds to both their indoor and outdoor seating areas, I easily secured a spot. L-R Gail Porter who hosted the after party at the Usher Hall with Grand Marshal, Kyle Dawson President of National Tartan Day New York Committee, and the Rt Hon Lord Provost Robert Aldridge What struck me immediately was the welcoming atmosphere for solo diners. I found myself sharing a table with a young Australian traveller from Adelaide who had chosen noodles from Harajuka Kitchen. We struck up a delightful conversation that transformed a simple meal into a memorable half-hour exchange. Service runs with impressive efficiency under George, a familiar face in Edinburgh's hospitality scene, who expertly commands his energetic young team. The ordering system offers welcome flexibility – scan a QR code, flag down a blue-shirted server, or order directly from vendors. My positive experience prompted another pre-theatre visit before catching Moulin Rouge at the Playhouse. On a Tuesday evening, ESF hummed with energy without feeling overwhelming. This time I sampled those Harajuka's Stir-Fry Udon Noodles with Vegetables and Karage Chicken that had tempted me on my earlier visit, while my companion tackled Fred's Back Your Barbecue's gloriously messy Texas Whole Hog Sandwich and Fries with San Marzano Ketchup from Fat Patty's. The venue isn't just about everyday dining – it's becoming an events hub too. Their Eurovision party on Saturday promises European-inspired street food alongside cocktails and big-screen viewing of all those questionable performances and political voting patterns. They're even taking bookings for groups of 10+ specifically for this glitter-filled extravaganza. ESF's genius lies in accommodating diverse tastes within one location. My friends remain baffled by my pizza aversion, but here everyone finds something to satisfy their cravings. The new seasonal menu offers mouthwatering options like Street Food Sessions' Crispy Shredded Chilli Beef with Szechuan sauce and egg noodles, Bundits' Instagram-worthy Tornado Potato (a deep-fried spiral-cut whole potato on a skewer), and Antojitos' Crispy Enoki Tacos. For meat lovers, The Peruvian's Lomo Saltado – stir-fried steak strips, spring onions, tomatoes and coriander, served with chips and garlic rice had me hooked and satiated, while Fred's Backyard Barbecue Alabama White Sauce Chicken Drumsticks with just the right kick, and Street Food Sessions slow-roasted Char Sui Pork Belly in soy caramel glaze, both came a close second choice. Sweet tooths won't be disappointed with SoftCore's Sundae. I loved by Miso Caramel and choclate with honeycomb bits or you could go for a diabetic coma and try one of their very sticky, candy floss encased SoftCore's cones. Not for me but the kids around me seemed to be loving it. Whether you're catching a show at Edinburgh Playhouse, heading to Edinburgh Rugby, or simply seeking somewhere to enjoy sunshine and good food, Edinburgh Street Food deserves another look. I'm genuinely glad I set aside my initial queue-phobia and rediscovered this gem. In a city renowned for its culinary offerings, ESF has carved out a special niche – casual yet high-quality, bustling yet accessible. It's the perfect solution when dining with friends who can never agree on what to eat, or when flying solo and open to conversation with fellow food enthusiasts. So next time you're in the neighbourhood, do what I didn't do two years ago – look past any queues and dive into the vibrant world of Edinburgh Street Food. Trust me, this time it's worth the wait. Edinburgh Street Food, Leith Street (next to Omni), Edinburgh Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Reporter
15-05-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
Edinburgh Street Food Revolution: Top Markets and Must-Try Dishes Transforming Scotland's Capital in 2025
Why 2025 Is the Year Edinburgh's Food Scene Went Curb-Side Ten years ago the city's informal eats consisted of late-night chippies and a handful of festival pop-ups. Fast-forward to 2025 and Scotland's capital is being hailed by The Times as the UK's 'leading foodie capital,' thanks largely to a surge in chef-driven street food that feels as curated as any tasting-menu restaurant. Local councils have relaxed licensing, developers have repurposed empty warehouses, and a younger generation of chefs—many trained in Michelin kitchens—now see street stalls as creative labs rather than stepping-stones. Photo by Clem Onojeghuo: Mapping the Movement: Edinburgh's New-Look Markets Edinburgh Street Food (ESF): The Omni Centre Flagship Opened in 2023 and expanded twice since, ESF is a neon-pink food hall packed with 11 permanent vendors and three craft-beer bars, open 12 p.m.-10 p.m. daily. Diners can move from Malaysian laksa to Viet-Scot haggis dumplings in the time it takes the tram to glide past the front door. What sets ESF apart is tech: an in-house app pushes two-hour flash specials based on real-time footfall, and a 'zero-queue' pickup shelf has cut average wait times to six minutes. Expert view: Emily Tan, former R&D chef at Momofuku, notes that the predictive-menu system 'lets independent vendors test flavour combinations overnight, see data by lunchtime, and pivot before dinner—no white-tablecloth restaurant iterates that fast.' The Pitt, once a weekend event on a windswept Leith street, relaunched in December 2024 on Granton Prom and has just unveiled a 50,000-square-foot covered warehouse. Besides 20 food trucks and a rotating brewer-in-residence, the complex includes live-music stages, a kids' adventure zone and Edinburgh's first on-site composting unit. In May 2025 it also hosts the Scottish Street Food Awards, underscoring its role as the movement's beating heart. Personal take: I visited during opening week; the smell of peat-smoked brisket mingled with Korean gochujang wings, while a Ceilidh band sound-checked thirty metres away. It felt like a Highland games, a music festival and Borough Market rolled into one—minus the London prices. Community Staples: Stockbridge, Leith & The Neighbourgood Sunday strolls through Stockbridge Market remain essential for wild-venison sliders, cold-smoked trout tacos and raw-pressed cider. Leith Market extends the shoreline vibe with seafood paella ladled straight from 70-centimetre pans. And the summer-only Neighbourgood Market in Stockbridge has teamed up with ethical-coffee roasters and zero-plastic cutlery suppliers to become the city's most sustainable outdoor feast. Plates That Define the Revolution Global Fusion at ESF Satay-Haggis Bao from Bundits: Scottish offal meets Singaporean peanut sauce in a steamed cloud bun. from Bundits: Scottish offal meets Singaporean peanut sauce in a steamed cloud bun. Ube & Irn-Bru Doughnuts by Dr Dough: a wild colour-wheel mash-up that tastes better than it should. Each stall sources at least 60 % of produce from Scottish farms, a stipulation written into ESF leases to keep supply chains local. Sea-to-Shore at The Pitt Hand-dived Scallop Ceviche garnished with foraged sea buckthorn. garnished with foraged sea buckthorn. Brisket Stovies Bao slow-cooked over reclaimed whisky-barrel staves for an oak-sweet finish. Chef Callum MacInnes says the low-overhead kiosk model lets him 'serve a £4 scallop snack that would be £14 in a restaurant, yet still pay divers properly.' Vegan Vanguard at Stockbridge Look for Tempura Nettles with Black-Garlic Mayo and Miso-Caramel Apple Crêpes—proof that plant-forward cooking is no longer fringe. Nutritionist Dr Leila Gordon notes these markets have cut the gap between indulgence and sustainability, citing a 30 % uptick in veggie orders versus 2023. While you wait for your order, make good use of the downtime by grabbing a quick casino welcome bonus on your phone. Numbers Behind the Nosh: Economy, Tourism and Talent Jobs and Revenue Edinburgh Council reports that street-food enterprises now support 1,800 direct jobs and contribute £96 million annually to the city economy, up 44 % in two years. Vendor permits have outpaced traditional restaurant licences for the first time, and many graduates from local culinary schools choose a container kitchen over a brick-and-mortar lease. Festival Effect During August's festival season, footfall at ESF averages 9,000 visitors a day, while The Pitt's ticketed music-and-food nights sell out in under an hour. Tourism chiefs credit street food with extending visitor stays by 1.2 days on average—a meaningful bump for hotels still clawing back post-pandemic occupancy. Culinary Brain Gain High-profile chefs such as Stuart Ralston (of Lyla) moonlight with limited-edition street-food pop-ups, blurring lines between haute cuisine and kerbside creativity. The result: a 'brain gain' that keeps talent in the city rather than haemorrhaging to London. Sustainability & Social Impact Zero-Waste Kitchens The Pitt's new composting hub processes 800 kg of food waste monthly, turning it into fertiliser for on-site herb planters. ESF mandates biodegradable serviceware, and the Neighbourgood Market operates a 'Bring-Your-Own-Box' reward: stallholders give a 50-pence discount if you refuse single-use packaging. Community Outreach Leith-based charities partner with vendors to run 'Pay It Forward' vouchers; customers buy an extra meal token that frontline workers distribute to those facing food insecurity. Local NGO Cyrenians holds monthly cooking masterclasses—from Singaporean street staples to Korean comfort food—at their Leith cook school to promote cultural exchange through cuisine. 2025's Must-Attend Street-Food Events Insider tip: Many events release 'secret code' discounts 48 hours ahead via Instagram Stories—set alerts for @edinburgh_streetfood and @thepittstmarket to snag early tickets. Navigating the Scene: Practical Advice for Hungry Travellers Timing & Transport Weekday afternoons (before 6 p.m.) mean shorter queues and easier seating at ESF. (before 6 p.m.) mean shorter queues and easier seating at ESF. Cycle or tram to Granton Prom; parking near The Pitt is tight on event nights. to Granton Prom; parking near The Pitt is tight on event nights. Many Leith vendors close by 5 p.m. on Sundays, so start your crawl midday. Budgeting Your Bite Expect £6-£9 per dish at markets—still cheaper than comparable gastropub plates. Download multi-vendor apps where available; they often bundle a drink-and-dish combo for under £10. Dietary Diversity Gluten-free? Vegan? Halal? Look for coloured stall markers: green (vegan), blue (gluten-free), purple (halal). Stockbridge boasts the widest vegan variety; The Pitt's seven-day schedule makes it easiest to plan allergy-friendly outings. Looking Ahead: What's Next for Edinburgh's Curb Cuisine? Tech-Driven Personalisation ESF is piloting a loyalty programme that uses AI to suggest dishes based on weather, time of day and past orders. Think hot ramen recommendations on rainy evenings and gelato alerts at 24 °C. Regional Pop-Ups Plans are underway for month-long residencies by Aberdeen's Asian fusion truck Wok & Roll and Glasgow's smash-burger icon El Perro Negro, creating an inter-city flavour exchange. Michelin's Radar Industry rumours hint that the Michelin Guide may introduce a 'street category' for the UK, mirroring Singapore's hawker stars. If so, Edinburgh's disciplined approach to hygiene, sustainability and chef-led stalls gives it a competitive edge. Final Whistle: Why Edinburgh Deserves a Place on Every Food Map Street food here is no longer an off-shoot of high-end dining—it is the vanguard. The city's nimble chefs, data-savvy organisers and community-minded markets have created a scene where a £4 bao can showcase local terroir as proudly as a £120 tasting menu. For visitors, it's democratic gastronomy; for locals, it's proof that cultural evolution can start with a shipping container, a fryer and a fierce desire to feed people well. Whether you're plotting a festival pilgrimage or just hungry after a hike up Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh's 2025 street-food revolution offers a one-stop tour of global flavours rooted in Scottish soil. Bring an appetite, a reusable fork—and maybe a spare stomach—because missing even one stall feels like leaving before the encore. Like this: Like Related
