Edinburgh Food Review
by Jackie Follano
on 16/03/2026
I travel with a love of finding interesting streets and beautiful shop fronts, and as a graphic designer I can’t help noticing logos on coffee cups, bakery packaging and restaurant interiors. But if I’m honest, the real motivation is always finding great food!
Emma (middleweight designer), Chloe (account manager), and I from Eat with Your Eyes travelled to Edinburgh together as colleagues and good friends. Söderberg was our first stop, a Swedish bakery where choosing felt impossible. Everything looked good, so we grabbed a small selection to share as we journeyed to Swanston Farm to see the famous Highland cows… the pastries were flaky, buttery and delicious, and the cows were fluffy, photogenic and completely worth the trip.
Back in the city we stopped at Zebra Coffee Co for what might be some of the most dangerously tempting deep-filled cookies I’ve seen in a while. We went for pistachio and a ‘Happy Hippo’, paired perfectly with hot chocolates – indulgent and slightly ridiculous in the best way.
That evening we headed to the Johnnie Walker tour…
“I don’t know much about whisky, nor do I like it much – but I left the Johnnie Walker Signature feeling like I wanted to join this super cool whisky drinking club. The tour started with asking you what flavour profiles you enjoy and then we were each given a coloured wristband – which becomes relevant later as you begin your journey through history. With props, lights, moving picture frames and a dramatic treadmill, a lively team member in ‘top hat and tails’ tells the story of the brands 200+ year history. Each room you’re led through is a delight for all your senses – the visuals, lighting, smells and narration surrounds you – telling the story seamlessly. The experience concludes with two whisky drinks in a more traditional bar area, where you can try a dram of 18-year-old whisky or indulge in a Creamy, Fruity, or Spicy themed cocktail. The whole experience was a feast for the senses; from education to great taste to full-on theatrics.”
Emma Di’Iuorio
After the tour we made our way to the 1820 Rooftop Bar, which might have one of the best views in Edinburgh. The castle was glowing in the distance and the atmosphere felt effortlessly cool. The cocktails were the highlight… whisky sodas reinvented with bold flavour combinations, like passionfruit with chipotle, and apricot with tagine spice that somehow worked brilliantly.
Dinner at Paz Taqueria, was exactly the lively flavour-packed meal we needed after a long day. Of course, we couldn’t order just one thing each so the table quickly filled with a feast of meat and fish tacos, tasty side dishes and margaritas. Everything was fresh, vibrant and packed with Mexican personality!
Day two started with a casual breakfast at Cairngorm Coffee, I ordered my favourite a chai latte (delicious!) and a perfect avocado and bacon on sourdough. Exactly what you want before climbing steps up to Edinburgh Castle. Halfway round I tried a can of Rapscallion, a dry lime soda that completely hit the spot after a lot of exploring.
Lunch at The Pantry might have been the foodie highlight of the trip. We shared two dishes: a cinnamon French toast topped with lemon ricotta cheesecake, roasted plums, mini croissants and almond crumb (which felt dangerously close to dessert) and the ‘Sunshine on Stockbridge’ roasted sweet potato, smoked paprika tomato, grilled courgette, smashed avocado, sriracha and perfectly poached eggs.
After lunch we wandered Victoria Street. The most colourful and bustling street in the city, where we stopped at Knoops, I ordered a 70% hot chocolate with homemade marshmallow and it was rich, smooth and deeply chocolatey without being overly sweet.
Dinner that evening was at Little Capo…
“The one eatery we booked in advance, I knew this was the spot I wanted to spend my birthday evening. Taken in by the rich, warm décor that was straight out of my dream home Pinterest boards; the small restaurant with cool wrap-around bar was my ideal vibe. The small seasonal menu was perfect for sharing over wine. We picked classic favourites to start with Perello Olives and Buratta (I can’t skip a Buratta that appears on ANY menu); before venturing to new territory for mains. Three of us couldn’t help but opt for the Gnochetti Sardi with sausage, saffron, fennel seed, tomato ragu and Parmesan. Meanwhile, the fourth member of the gang went for a ‘Cioppino’ hake, mussels, brodo and orzo with samphire. We just managed to share a couple of desserts including a surprisingly light but moreish deconstructed lime pie. Our verdict? Gorgeously rich dishes, presented beautifully and the perfect mix of comfort and pizazz. Little Capomarket themselves as ‘Italian-ish’ which I think sums up their fun, cool brand perfectly.”
Chloe George
Even while eating my way around the city, my designer brain spotting a few more interesting brands including Whisky Me – a modern whisky subscription brand sold in little pouches, which felt like such a clever contrast inside a very traditional whisky shop. We also saw Butta Burger, Slab Shop and Oink while wandering around, each with branding that immediately caught the eye.
By the end of the weekend, we’d managed Swedish pastries, stuffed cookies, whisky cocktails, tacos, speciality coffee, brunch that bordered on dessert and some of the best pasta I’ve had in a long time… and while Edinburgh might be famous for its castles, history and traditions, if you ask me, it’s just as good as a food destination. A word of advice – arrive hungry!
Jackie Follano – Senior Creative Designer
With 18 years’ experience in the creative industry, Jackie loves to work closely with clients to deliver innovative solutions.
