Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re in Edinburgh Scotland talking about food! One of the biggest surprises for many people who visit Scotland is the quality of the food! It’s not all weird stuff that you can’t identify; Scottish cuisine is actually pretty good! That’s why I want to give you a head’s up on what you should eat when you visit Scotland.
Haggis, Neeps, and Tatties
This is the holy trinity of food in Scotland, for both tourists and locals alike. Haggis is probably the most notorious Scottish food as it’s made with all of the innards and organs of a sheep or calf, mixed up with oats and spices and then cooked inside of an intestine. Sounds yummy, right? When done well, haggis actually can be really tasty. Neeps are turnips, and tatties are potatoes. These are pretty common side dishes you’ll see in Scotland. Potatoes show up in many different forms with every meal.
Black Pudding
This is another Scottish food that actually tastes pretty good, it’s the ingredients that scare off most people. Black pudding is part of traditional Scottish breakfast and looks like a sausage patty. It’s also sometimes called blood pudding because it’s made with blood. Doesn’t sound so appetizing, does it? You can also get white pudding, which is made with fat instead of blood.
Scottish Porridge
In the States, we call it oatmeal, but in Scotland, it’s called porridge. Scottish porridge is really good. My kids love it and even ask for it. It is made really thick and you can sweeten it up if you’d like.
Scottish Salmon
For lunch or dinner, one of the best things to eat in Scotland is the salmon. You will see a lot of salmon on the menu, from smoked salmon appetizers to a salmon filet for the main course. The salmon in Scotland is amazing and you will pay a lot for it back home, so I try to fill up when I visit Scotland.
Fish & Chips
Besides salmon, you can get all kinds of great seafood in Scotland. Of course, fish & chips are popular and you should try it at least once when you visit the UK. It’s usually made with cod or haddock, and of course, no meal in Scotland is complete without potatoes. In this case, it’s the fries or the chips.
Scottish Pub Grub
Eating at pubs in Scotland is a tradition and we definitely make the Scottish pub food part of our Scotland travels. The beer in Scotland is pretty good, too. They have national brands, but I always like to try the local brands of Scottish beer. Of course, whiskey is the national drink of Scotland, so be sure to try some whiskey during your trip. A favorite pub dish in Scotland is Bangers & Mash, or sausages and potatoes.
Keep in mind, if you are visiting Scotland with kids, pub rules vary. Some pubs don’t allow kids at all, some pubs allow older children and other pubs are very family-friendly. For the most part, after 8:00, children are no longer allowed in the pubs. So, plan ahead to have an early dinner if you want to have pub grub with your kids.
Scottish Pies
Scottish pies are something else you should try when you visit Scotland. These aren’t sweet pies, they are savory. A Scottish pie is like a little pot pie, with meat and vegetables inside. You can eat several for a meal, or just snack on them. They are pretty tasty!
Fried Pizza
Yes, this is also a thing in Scotland. They take a slice of pizza, fold it in half and then deep fry it. They like to fry things in Scotland!
Scottish Food to Go
If you are on a road trip or just need food to go, there are plenty of Scottish foods you can eat on the run. Of course, sandwiches and rolls are popular. A bacon butty is basically bacon on a roll, with butter. It’s simple, cheap and tasty!
Scottish Sweets
Not all Scottish food is savory. They have some pretty good sweets as well, so always save room for dessert in Scotland. A few of my favorite sweets in Scotland are:
- Fried Mars Bar – just what it sounds like; a deep-fried Mars candy bar
- Sticky Toffee Pudding – a chocolate sponge cake with caramel sauce on it
- Scottish Shortbread – this makes a great souvenir to take home as it’s found everywhere in Scotland.
- Cadbury is also a common brand you’ll see all over the United Kingdom
- Tablet – these are pretty popular candy bars that come in a big block that you break pieces off
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Scottish Beverages
Besides whiskey and local beer, there are a drinks you should try when you visit Scotland. Irn Bru (pronounced like Iron Brew) is one. It looks like orange soda, and my son says it tastes like Inca Cola (bubble gum) and oranges. It’s an acquired taste, but you might love it! Coffee and tea are also widely available in Scotland. And do not worry, the Scottish Ales will keep your whistle wet each time you visit the pub.
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When to Eat in Scotland
Scottish meal times are pretty close to what you’d expect in the United States. Lunch is served between 12:00 and 1:00. Dinner is usually between 5:00 and 8:00.
Scottish Service
Servers and bartenders in Scotland are always super nice, but it’s not always the fastest, most efficient service. Plan for some extra time to get your food and enjoy the meal. If you are really hungry, you might order a beer and a starter so you can get something in your stomach while you wait for the main course.
Tipping in Scotland
If you are at a sit-down restaurant, you are expected to tip in Scotland. Usually, around 10% is sufficient for tipping in Scotland. If you are paying your bill with a credit card, you have to add the tip before they run your card; it’s not something you can write in on the receipt.
Dinner Reservations
If you visit Scotland during high tourist season, you will need dinner reservations in some of the smaller towns. Some towns may have only a few restaurants, which can easily be overwhelmed by one or two bus tours. So, if you’re in a small Scottish town, with few restaurants, make sure you make dinner reservations when you get to town.
Scottish cuisine does not deserve the bad reputation it has. As a family, we ate really well in Scotland. I hope this helps you decide what to eat in Scotland. Don’t be scared to try something that seems “weird” to you like haggis. You might be surprised at some of the Scottish foods that you end up liking. Looking for more tips on what to eat while traveling? Check out some of these other blog posts!