Eat Walk Edinburgh

Eat Walk Edinburgh is a food and drink walking tour run by Eat Walk Tours Limited, a local company based on Bread Street. The tour describes itself as a walking tour with a foodie difference: rather than simply listing sights, it uses food and drink to tell the story of the city as it moves between the New Town and the Old Town.

The tour visits four restaurants and pubs, with roughly five to 15 minutes' walking between each stop. Along the way, guests taste local cheeses paired with wine, Scottish cheese and beer, and a single malt whisky. By the end, the amount of food and drink adds up to roughly a full lunch or dinner, so it is best to arrive hungry and not plan a big meal straight afterwards. The tour lasts about three to three and a half hours.

Dietary needs are well covered, with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free options available if you let the company know in advance. The tour is described as partially suitable for visitors with limited mobility, since it involves walking between venues on Edinburgh's hilly streets; contact the team before booking if you have concerns. Check meeting points and start times with the company when you book.

Eat Walk Edinburgh suits food lovers, couples, solo travellers and friends who want to understand Scottish food and drink beyond haggis and shortbread. It works particularly well on the first day of a trip, as it introduces several restaurants and pubs you may want to return to later. Because alcohol is included at several stops, check the company's policy if you are travelling with children or prefer not to drink.

The tour is a good alternative to a sit-down dinner and a useful way to see both halves of the city centre in one afternoon or evening. Wear comfortable shoes, bring a layer for the walks between stops and allow time afterwards to explore. The company's base on Bread Street is in Tollcross, close to the West Port and the Grassmarket, and the tour itself covers the central Old Town and New Town, so it fits easily into a stay in any central hotel.