Edinburgh does festive food and drink properly. Whether you want a cocktail under a towering Christmas tree, a traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings, or a hot toddy to thaw out after the market, this is where to eat and drink your way through winter in the city.
Festive Cocktails at The Dome & Twenty Twenty
When The Dome winds its lights around the Graeco-Roman pillars of its George Street façade, you know the festive period has started in Edinburgh. It is a tradition for many locals to grab a cocktail underneath the bar-to-ceiling tree, and the venue also puts on a magical afternoon tea with seasonal sandwiches, warm scones, Christmas pies, and sweet treats. Everyone talks about the Christmas scent that fills this institution – good luck working out what is in that magical potion.
For something more low-key, Twenty Twenty is a wee hidden gem across from Waverley Station whose windows span the city. Watch the Star Flyer light up while you sip a Strawberries and Steam or a classic cocktail.
Eat a Traditional Turkey Dinner
No, Scots don’t eat haggis at Christmas. A traditional meal here means turkey, sometimes ham, potatoes, vegetables, and everyone’s seasonal favourite – pigs in blankets, those cheeky wee sausages wrapped in bacon. Christmas dinners are served at many of Edinburgh’s hotels and restaurants through December, so book a table early.
Rooftop Bars with a View
Make it a date night or gather your pals for drinks at one of Edinburgh’s rooftop and beer-garden bars – with heating, of course. Drink with views of Edinburgh Castle at Cold Town House or Nor’ Loft, both of which stay open and cosy through the cold months.
A Monster Marshmallow Hot Chocolate
The Marshmallow Lady makes outrageous marshmallows and serves them in extravagant hot chocolate cups for takeaway. Warm up with a toasted gourmet marshmallow the size of your palm plopped into a warm pool of hot chocolate. Packed marshmallows are also sold at the shop in Bonnington (14 Rodney Street), which is close to the Botanic Garden – easy to combine with the light trail. Highly recommended, 10/10.
Warm Up with a Hot Toddy
Even if you don’t like whisky, you might like a hot toddy – it is akin to a hug in a mug and considered medicinal in many Scottish households. The ingredients are simple: hot water, whisky, honey, and lemon. Most whisky pubs have hot toddies on the menu by autumn when the temperature drops, or you can pick up a kit and make your own at home.
Whisky Experiences: Scotch Whisky & Johnnie Walker
If it is your first visit to Scotland, don’t miss an educational 4D tour at The Scotch Whisky Experience on the Royal Mile. You will learn about the country’s whisky-producing regions, see how the water of life is made, and visit one of the world’s largest collections of Scotch.
A short walk away, The Johnnie Walker Experience on Princes Street whisks you through the brand’s history with actors, tests your personal taste using science and technology, and finishes with a whisky or a highball if you prefer some mixology. Even confirmed non-whisky-drinkers tend to enjoy it – it is one of the city’s most popular winter attractions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get a festive cocktail in Edinburgh?
The Dome on George Street is the classic choice, with cocktails served under a huge Christmas tree and a seasonal afternoon tea. Twenty Twenty near Waverley is a quieter alternative with city views.
Do Scots eat haggis at Christmas?
No. A traditional Scottish Christmas dinner is turkey (sometimes ham), potatoes, vegetables, and pigs in blankets. Haggis is more associated with Burns Night in January.
What is a hot toddy?
A hot toddy is a warm mix of whisky, hot water, honey, and lemon – a Scottish winter staple. Most whisky pubs serve them from autumn onwards.