Foodie’s Guide to the Pleasance at the Fringe 25

The Edinburgh Fringe isn’t just about shows; it’s also a feast for the taste buds. The Pleasance Courtyard and its neighbouring venues, run by the Edinburgh University Students’ Association, are buzzing with some of the city’s best local food and drink vendors.

Here’s a rundown of what to expect at the festival this year.

Pleasance Courtyard

The Pleasance Courtyard is a hub of activity, with its traditional beer garden atmosphere perfect for catching the festival buzz. You’ll find a fantastic selection of food to fuel your Fringe day, including:

• Harajuku Street Food: The winner of “Best Street Food in Scotland” in 2018 is back with its famous Karaage Fried Chicken and Stir-Fry Yaki Udon Noodles. A must-try for any foodie.
• Smash and Stack Burgers: Located in the Front Courtyard, this gourmet burger stall serves up classic beef, chicken, and veggie burgers made with local ingredients.
• Mint: Get ready for the renowned Chicken and Halloumi Wrap, as well as a great selection of other meat and vegan options.
• Pizza Geeks: On a quest to find the perfect pizza? You can get a slice of geek with their freshly made, Neapolitan-inspired pizzas.
• Total Meltdown: Claiming to have the “best grilled cheese sandwiches,” these toasted masterpieces are made with sourdough bread and mature cheddar. They were even rated 10/10 by The Sunday Herald.
• Mimi’s Bakehouse: A city favourite returning to the Pleasance Courtyard Green. Expect mouth-watering baked goods, along with coffee, tea, and Luca’s ice cream. It’s situated by the Kid Zone, so it’s a great stop for families.

Pleasance Dome & Plaza

Right outside the Pleasance Dome, the Plaza is a top spot to grab a bite.

• Tender Love: On the Pleasance Plaza, you’ll find a delicious selection of chicken dishes from Tender Love.
• Bar & Kitchen: Inside the Dome, this spot offers a full food and drinks menu, making it an ideal pit-stop between shows.

Charles Street Lane

This street food hotspot is back after a year away! Tucked between the Pleasance Plaza and Appleton Tower, it’s home to a few Fringe classics.

• Mac Love: Serving up their popular mac ‘n’ cheese.
• Greek Street Food: Offering a variety of traditional Greek dishes.
• Churros Truck: Unsurprisingly, this truck is all about delicious churros.

Appleton Tower

Just across the lane, Appleton Tower has its own fantastic food and drink options, including Gilded Balloon’s new home.

• Bao Buns: Served just outside the Chapel Street entrance, these are described as the best bao buns in the UK. We’ve just published our Best Places for Bao in Edinburgh list, so we might have to put these to the test.
• The Little Parlour: Craving something sweet? This is the place for luxury gelato-style ice cream, sweets, and bubble waffles.