Average Food Cost in Edinburgh per Day

Edinburgh’s food scene offers something for every budget, from hearty pub meals and affordable takeaway spots to elegant fine-dining experiences. The cost of eating out varies widely depending on where and what you want to eat.

If you’re a budget-conscious traveler, you might be able to get by spending less than £25 per day. However, for a high-end Edinburgh culinary experience, your daily food cost can exceed £75 per person. It often makes sense to eat cheap for two meals of the day, so you can splurge on a special experience later.

To help you dial in the budget for your next Edinburgh food tour, I thought I’d bring the cost of breakfast, lunch and dinner into sharper focus.

Quick Overview of Food Costs in Edinburgh

If you’re a budget-conscious traveler, you can expect to spend around £15–£25 per day. However, a day of mid-range dining experiences might cost you from £30–£50. If you want to pick a day to splurge on a high-end Edinburgh culinary experience, your daily food cost can exceed £75 per person.

Average Cost of Breakfast in Edinburgh

The cost of breakfast in Edinburgh will vary depending on what you want to eat and where. A simple Scottish breakfast of things like oatcakes, fried eggs, and toast in an Edinburgh café or pub will cost you around £8–£12 ($10–$15). If you prefer coffee and pastries for breakfast, you might be able to get by at a bakery or coffee shop for £4–£7 ($5–$9) per person.

Hotel buffet breakfast or a posher breakfast at a sit-down restaurant can cost you anywhere from £12–£20 ($15–$25). This includes dishes with multiple classic components like baked beans, blood pudding, fried egg, bacon, and toast.

Budget Tip

Supermarkets and bakeries in Edinburgh often offer cheap grab-and-go options. This is a great way to put a little something in your stomach in the morning at the start of a walking tour.

Average Cost of Lunch in Edinburgh

Lunch in Edinburgh is typically a casual affair enjoyed at a pub, but often, a take-away lunch makes more sense in the middle of a walking tour.

A casual lunch in a pub or café will cost around £10–£18 ($13–$23). This includes dishes like steak & ale pie or haggis with neeps & tatties. Whereas fish and chips or a similar Edinburgh street food lunch from a takeaway spot might run you around £5–£10 ($6–$13).

Lunch at a sit-down restaurant or a café at a popular Edinburgh tourist attraction could run you as much as £15–£25 ($19–$31). This could feature a la carte options like macaroni and cheese or a Scottish venison burger.

Budget Tip

The best way to save money on lunch in Edinburgh is to look for set lunch menus and avoid tourist-heavy areas. Many times, a humble takeaway lunch of fish and chips hits the spot and saves you time on a walking tour while saving money on your food budget!

Average Cost of Dinner in Edinburgh

The average cost of dinner in Edinburgh can vary wildly, as it’s the meal you’re most likely to splurge on. Yet, if you’re tired from a long day of touring, a quick fish and chips dinner on the way back to the hotel might save your food budget for the next day.

If you stick to a budget-friendly dinner of fish & chips or similar casual eats, dinner might only cost you £10–£15 ($13–$19). Whereas dinner at a mid-range restaurant will likely range from £20–£40 ($25–$50).

If you want a fine-dining supper, a tasting menu experience or supper at one of Edinburgh’s best restaurants, the cost starts at around £60 ($75). However, it could easily go over £100 or more, not including wine.

Budget Tip

In Edinburgh, you’ll find the best dinner deals on early bird menus and pre-theater deals that are offered by top restaurants early in the evening. This is a great way to save money on day one, to have extra room in the budget to splurge on day two!

Cost of Drinks & Snacks in Edinburgh

In Edinburgh, the average cost for a coffee ranges around £2.50–£4 ($3–$5). This is what you’d expect to pay at a basic coffee shop, casual café or bakery.

In a typical pub, you can expect to pay £4–£6 ($5–$8) for a pint of beer. Whereas a typical cocktail or a glass of mid-range wine will cost around £8–£14 ($10–$18).

Popular Scottish snacks like shortbread pastries, Scotch pies, and similar bakery items cost £2–£5 ($3–$6). Vending machine snacks can range from £2.50–£4, depending on the brand and location.

Tips for Saving Money on Food in Edinburgh

One of the best ways to save on your food cost in Edinburgh is to eat like a local at small, independent cafés and pubs while avoiding meals in expensive tourist hotspots. Supermarkets like Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Marks & Spencer offer affordable meal deals on ready-made sandwiches, salads, and snacks. These are perfect for a quick bite on the go.

When possible, try to take advantage of lunch specials, as many restaurants offer set menus at a lower price than dinner. For budget-friendly yet delicious options, explore food markets like Stockbridge Market or The Pitt. It’s a good way to enjoy gourmet street food at reasonable prices while soaking in the city’s lively atmosphere.

Final Thoughts: Budgeting for Food in Edinburgh

In Edinburgh, there are tons of budget-friendly meal options available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. By spending frugally at key points in the day, you’ll be able to save more money in the budget for occasional splurges.

Opting for local cafés, pubs, and supermarket meal deals can help keep daily costs low while still experiencing authentic Scottish flavors. Taking advantage of lunch specials and food markets provides an affordable way to try gourmet dishes.

However, setting aside a little extra for a special dinner often makes sense. I think it’s nice to spend a little more on a high-end traditional Scottish meal or a fine-dining experience. It often makes the trip even more memorable while letting you make the most of your Edinburgh food tour.