Edinburgh Street Food
| Edinburgh Street Food | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Location | Omni Centre, Leith Street, Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Coordinates | 55°57′21″N 3°11′11″W / 55.9559°N 3.1863°W |
| Opened | February 2023 |
| Technical details | |
| Floor area | 900 m2 |
| Other information | |
| Seating capacity | 550 (combined indoor and outdoor) |
| Website | |
| edinburgh-street-food | |
Edinburgh Street Food (ESF) is a year-round, covered street food market in central Edinburgh, Scotland. It was opened in February 2023 inside the Omni Centre on Leith Street.[1]
Edinburgh Street Food is part of Carlowrie Group.[2]
History
Prior to ESF, Edinburgh's street food scene relied on seasonal events such as the Pitt Street Food Market, which closed in 2021.[3] Former city residents Andrew Marshall and Ben MacMillan envisioned a weather-proof, European-style market that could operate year-round, and they developed it on a site in the Omni Centre that had been unused for over a decade.[4] It was officially inaugurated on 25 February 2023.[5][6] Due to his contributions to Edinburgh's street food scene, Andrew Marshall was included in The List Hot 100 2023.[7]
Venue
ESF occupies a self-contained corner of the Omni Centre with its own street-level entrance. More than 200 seats are provided in a neon-lit food hall, with a further 250 on the heated, covered terrace.[8] Three bars focus on Scottish craft drinks, about 70 percent of draught beer coming from Edinburgh breweries.[1]
Vendors and cuisine
At launch the market hosted ten permanent kitchens, among them include Junk, Bundits, Chix, What Le Duck, Antojitos, The Peruvian, House of Tapas, Homies, Fabbrica and SoftCore.[3] Subsequent additions include Razzo Pizza Napoletana, which opened its second city branch at ESF in 2025,[9] Sister Bao,[10] and Harajuku.[11] Guest traders and live events are programmed throughout the year, giving the roster a rotating character.[5]
Reception and recognition
Critics have praised the market in general. The Scotsman called it "a welcome, relaxed and efficient addition to the Edinburgh food scene."[3] Several resident traders have earned industry honours: Junk won the British Street Food Awards and the European title in 2022, Bundits was Best Newcomer at the 2022 Edinburgh Restaurant Awards, and Antojitos took the Scottish Street Food Award the same year.[1][12]
In 2024, ESF was a finalist in The Scotsman Scran Awards for Newcomer of the Year.[13]
References
- ^ a b c "Edinburgh's first permanent street food market launches Feb 25th". Bite Magazine. 14 February 2023.
- ^ Cardwell, Colin (11 March 2025). "Carlowrie Group's marriage of luxury & philanthropy is built to endure". The Herald.
- ^ a b c Erskine, Rosalind (10 September 2023). "Edinburgh Street Food review – vibrant dishes in busy surroundings at capital's only permanent street food location". The Scotsman.
- ^ Pope, Suzy (17 March 2023). "Edinburgh Street Food co-founder Andrew Marshall: 'There'll be no shopping-mall food-court chains here'". The List.
- ^ a b Flockhart, Gary (14 February 2023). "Edinburgh Street Food: Leith Street market will be 'foodies paradise' with bars and food stalls and live music". Edinburgh Evening News.
- ^ Erskine, Rosalind (28 February 2023). "Edinburgh Street Food: Location, opening times and vendors as new market launches". The Scotsman.
- ^ "The List Hot 100 2023". The List. 30 November 2023.
- ^ "Edinburgh Street Food – Case Study". NOQ Group.
- ^ Flockhart, Gary (18 March 2025). "Edinburgh pizzeria tipped to become 'instant hit' with locals as new venue opens". Edinburgh Evening News.
- ^ Soutar, Gaby (29 May 2021). "Restaurant Review: We try the buns for lunch at Edinburgh street food restaurant, Sister Bao". Edinburgh Evening News.
- ^ Flockhart, Gary (10 January 2024). "Edinburgh Street Food welcomes award-winning Japanese restaurant famed for sushi burritos and hot rice bowls". Edinburgh Evening News.
- ^ Soutar, Gaby (22 April 2023). "Edinburgh Street Food, review – we visit our favourite vendors at Leith Street's new eating destination". The Scotsman.
- ^ "Finalists".