5 Food Spots for Edinburgh Fringe Pit Stops
Words by
James Whitaker and Clara Taylor
14th August 2025
This year’s Edinburgh Fringe food scene is as creative and diverse as the performances themselves. From intimate tasting menus to street food with Michelin flair, there’s something to tempt every palate. This year’s culinary line-up proves the festival’s spirit of discovery extends well beyond the stage.
From Senegal to Scotland’s culinary spotlight — chef Modou Diagne brings his bold, no-menu dining experience to Edinburgh this Fringe.
Glasgow chef Modou Diagne brings his no-menu dining concept Trust to Fringe, taking over Somewhere by Nico on Charlotte Lane from 7–24 August. Guests share their dietary preferences — and let the kitchen do the rest. The result is a playful and precise procession of dishes full of quiet surprises, perfectly in tune with the festival’s spirit of discovery.
From arriving in Scotland from Senegal with just £200 to his name and working as a kitchen porter, to taking over Nico, Modu has truly made Trust his own. His refined, inventive cooking always comes with the excitement of unpredictability. This one-of-a-kind tasting experience is not to be missed. Spaces are extremely limited, so book as soon as possible edinburgh-popup
Valvona & Crolla
Plate of handmade pasta, fresh basil, and pistachio — Valvona & Crolla at its finest
Valvona & Crolla, Scotland’s oldest Italian delicatessen and wine merchant, is famed for its windows laden with prosciutto, Parmesan and Barolo. Each August, the scent of cured meats mingles with applause as the shop’s back room transforms into Venue 67 — the only 70-seat theatre in Edinburgh set within a working deli. The programme ranges from swing and jazz to Italian love songs, Scottish ballads and Italian theatre, performed just steps from shelves of olive oil and handmade pasta.
This year’s highlights include La Dolce Vita – A Celebration with Philip Contini, merging Italian and Neapolitan love songs with swing standards from the likes of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Ella Fitzgerald and more. The performance is backed by the Be Happy Band and is guaranteed to bring a smile to listeners. During the Fringe, the Caffè Bar extends its hours until 8 pm, serving dishes such as wild boar ragù slow-cooked in Barolo — the perfect pre- or post-show indulgence.
Philip Contini and the Be Happy Band bring a taste of La Dolce Vita to the Fringe
Dulse, Leith
Scotland is famed for its seafood and Dulse puts it front and centre. Their table-top broil is well-known favourite as it’s an immersive experience, complete with your own bib, gloves, and shellfish cutlery. Described as a “get-stuck-in-dining adventure”, you can crack, peel, and savour every bite.
Dulse's Scottish seafood served steps away from Princess Street.
Dulse’s latest offering this Fringe is a lobster crumpet lunch. The lobster, caught fresh from St Andrew’s Bay, is served in a beurre noisette, on top of an artisan crumpet, giving it a velvety richness. Dulse is just a short walk from Princess Street, so the lunch is a perfect way to break up a full day of performances. Plus, they have an oyster happy hour so you can always come back for more.
Tables can be booked at Dulse via dulseleith
Afternoon Tea at Sushisamba
With locations all over the globe, SushiSamba brings together the best of Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian cuisine and combines them to create delectable fusion flavours. This summer, they’ve launched a new edition of their signature afternoon tea, using regional produce. On the tenth floor of the five-star W Hotel, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the city over a glass or two of champagne.
The tea is served in bespoke iron stands sourced especially for the occasion from a local ironmonger and features a tempting combination of sweets and savouries. Think Wagyu tartar, sushi with yuzi caviar, black cherry choux buns, and strawberry lime cheesecake. Laurent-Perrier flows freely, joined by a selection of fine teas and hand-whisked matcha to complete the experience.
Afternoon tea runs from Monday-Sunday, 12-5pm and can be booked via sushisamba.edinburgh
COOP
Tomás Gormley’s COOP makes its much-anticipated return to George Square
Following a sold-out debut last year, Tomás Gormley, chef-owner of Edinburgh’s Cardinal and Skua brings COOP back to the Fringe by popular demand. The premise is simple: Michelin-level precision meets the bustle of festival street food, delivering bold, assured flavours without the white tablecloths.
Make sure to get there in plenty of time as last year queuing and daily sell-outs became the norm. This time around, they’re serving pulled pork shoulder, an aged beef and bone marrow burger, and of course, last year’s runaway hit – smoked lobster rolls. If last year’s lines are anything to go by, arrive early and with plenty of room for food.
COOP can be found at the heart of George Square, Edinburgh.
