Bonnie & Wild Scottish Marketplace

How it works

Instead of a single menu, there are about eight permanent food stalls plus pop-up kitchens, and you order from whichever you like and sit together. Names change over time; recent traders have included El Perro Negro, known for its burgers, and Kochchi, which cooks Sri Lankan-style street food. The marketplace caters for gluten-free, vegan and halal diners.

Who it suits

No booking is needed, even for large groups, which makes it a handy fallback when city-centre restaurants are full during the festival or at weekends. It works well for families and mixed groups, and for a quick lunch between shops in the St James Quarter. VisitScotland awarded it Taste Our Best accreditation in 2023. Because each kitchen cooks to order, it is easy to mix a quick snack for one person with a full meal for another, and to go back for dessert from a different counter.

Getting there and what's nearby

Waverley Station is just across the road, so it is an easy first or last stop on a day trip by train. Ka Pao, from the same building, is close by for South-East Asian food, and the Guildford Arms is a short walk away for a pint in a Victorian bar. The Balmoral and Princes Street are a few minutes downhill.

Highlights

• Around eight food stalls plus pop-up kitchens
• Level four of the St James Quarter
• Gluten-free, vegan and halal choices
• No booking needed, even for large groups

Good to know

• Walk-in only, so large groups can turn up without booking.
• Waverley Station is directly across the road.
• Traders change over time, so stall line-ups vary.

Frequently asked questions