Mr Foodie Two nights in the Scottish capital discovering new food
Super Break has been specialising in short break getaways for the last for 30 years. They offer all sorts of trips from theatre tickets and attractions to railway/Eurostar journeys, flights, mini-cruises and more.
We recently embarked on our first Super Break trip which included a food safari walking food tour during a two-night stay in Edinburgh with a choice of hotels. We chose Hotel Indigo on York Place as it was closest to the starting point of the food safari.
So what exactly is a food safari?
A food safari is a walking food tour led by Nell Nelson, the Edinburgh-born food writer, cookbook author and TV presenter whom you may have seen on The woman who ate Scotland. Each tour starts at 1pm and lasts for 3 hours covering at least 6 eating and drinking stops but if the thought of walking doesn’t appeal to you then don’t fret as there is more eating than walking as this tour is limited to Broughton Street, and just off it, in Edinburgh’s Georgian New Town (the tour may change depending on time, business opening hours etc.).
The accommodation
But before you embark on the food tour check into your hotel!
Hotel Indigo room
Hotel Indigo is ideally situated at the terminus for trams so if you’re coming from Edinburgh airport this is quite possibly the best place to stay in the city as you’ll be first on for the journey back to the airport! Note: there are 2 Hotel Indigos in Edinburgh so this hotel should not be confused with the other one on Princes Street!
Our room was modern and cosy with a decent-sized TV at the foot of the bed. A selection of tea/coffee and hot chocolate was provided.
The en-suite was clean and modern with a great raindrop effect walk-in shower. Toiletries were by Aveda and their rosemary mint shampoo and conditioner is among some of the most soothing and relaxing hair products I’ve come across!
Hotel Indigo Breakfast
The buffet breakfast was plentiful with cereals, cheese, salads, fruit and a selection of muffins and pastries so both sweet and savoury tastes are accommodated. The cooked breakfast was also exceptionally good, I had the full Scottish, which was a proper Full Scottish as it featured haggis, Lorne sausage and potato scone, while the missus had poached eggs and avocado on toast, mmm! There’s also a bar should you want to return for a drink or two later!
The Bohemian Broughton and Beyond food tour
Our food safari tour was the Bohemian Broughton and Beyond, which began just a short walk away.
Stop 1. Barony Bar
The Barony Bar is a popular and historic pub near the top of Broughton Street, which features many ornate features inside.
In here we were treated to vegetarian haggis – a meat-free version of Scotland’s national dish featuring pulses, oats, mushrooms, sunflower and pumpkin seeds and traditional spices of black pepper allspice, salt, nutmeg and mace. This was served with a red onion marmalade and a local beer, on this occasion a pale ale from Stewart Brewing who brew at Loanhead, just south of Edinburgh.
The Barony Bar
81-85 Broughton St
Edinburgh
EH1 3RJ
Tel: 0131 558 2874
Stop 2. Something Fishy
The next stop was a traditional Scottish fishmonger for delicious dry-smoked salmon that is marinated and smoked over oak chips in a smokery at the back of the shop. No drink is included on this stop.
Something Fishy
16a Broughton Street
EH1 3RH
Tel: 0131 556 7614
Stop 3. Brandons
Keep walking down Broughton Street until it becomes Rodney Street and you’ll find our third stop, an independently-owned bar and restaurant in the Canonmills area for a selection of Scottish cheeses with quince paste. On our plate are the following cheeses: Loch Arthur cheddar with membrillo, a goats cheese and Lanark Blue. No drink is included on this stop but you’re welcome to buy one.
Brandon’s of Canonmills
1 Canonmills
Edinburgh
EH3 5HA
Tel: 0131 558 7080
Stop 4. The Other Place Bar and Kitchen
We actually visited the fourth stop many years ago when it was an old man’s pub called The Stag’s Head, it’s all changed since then as it now stocks craft beer and delicious food. We ate mussels from the north west of Scotland, cooked in cider and bacon. So we ordered a local cider to accompany it!
The Other Place
2-4 Broughton Road
EH7 4EB
Tel: 0131 556 1024
Stop 5. The Marshmallow Lady
The Marshmallow lady, our fifth stop, sells a selection of fancy flavoured marshmallow and we’d tasted some of her goodies before at markets etc. But what could possibly be better than gourmet marshmallows? Gourmet marshmallows that have been freshly made and then toasted and we doubt you’ll have tasted marshmallow as fresh and tasty as this! We sampled a variety of flavours, such as Key Lime Pie, Chocolate Mousse, Prosecco & Rose, Maple Bacon and Millionaire Shortbread. The majority of the Marshmallows are gluten-free, wheat free, dairy free and low-fat! We also got a taste of a toasted marshmallow hot chocolate.
The Marshmallow Lady
14 Rodney Street,
EH7 4EA
Tel: 07843699790
Stop 6. Casa Angelina
The sixth stop is hidden in a basement just off Broughton Street, where we were treated to freshly-made scones served with jam & cream and Scottish Blend afternoon tea from Edinburgh-based company Eteaket.
Casa Angelina
42 London Street, EH3 6LX
Tel 0131 558 1002
Stop 7. Pickles
Our seventh stop, Pickles, is also hidden in a basement location, directly underneath the French restaurant L’Escargot Bleu. Here we sipped a Scottish single malt whisky! We especially liked the Hobbiton-esque drinking den (literally) above!
Pickles
56A Broughton St
Edinburgh
EH1 3SA
Tel:0131 557 5005
Stop 8. Joey D
Our last (bonus) stop was to the upcycling fashion shop Joey D, above and next door to Pickles. Here you will find one-off designs for items including kilts, bags and jackets. My favourite was a bag made out of a Harris Tweed jacket! Each piece is unique so you’re guaranteed not to experience “clothing clash” should you purchase an item on your visit! And on your visit, Joey himself will treat you to one last tipple, a shot of Arbikie gin which is one of the few gins to be 100% made in Scotland.
Joey D
54 Broughton St
Edinburgh
EH1 3SA
Phone: 0131 557 6672
The food safari is a lot of fun and we got to visit a number of places that we didn’t know about. The tour may vary and there are others available on the Edinburgh Food Safari website so even if you live in Edinburgh you’re bound to find a few hidden gems on this tour!
Details
Food Safari tours run Wednesday – Saturday and the meeting point will be either The Bearded Baker, 46 Rodney St, Edinburgh or the Barony Bar, 81-85 Broughton St, Edinburgh. Once signed up you’ll receive confirmation of the start location.
Planning a trip to Edinburgh soon? Book the Edinburgh Food Safari Superbreak here: http://www.superbreak.com/events/edinburgh_food_safari-event-2664
Should you already live in the Edinburgh area, or only want to book the food safari (and not the hotel) then you can do so here: https://www.edinburghfoodsafari.com
Disclaimer: we were given a complimentary stay and tour but Fred says we iz trustworthy hoomins.
