The Perfect Summer Getaway to Edinburgh: Recommendations from Host Karly

Edinburgh, a breathtaking city full of greenery and charming pubs, is the perfect destination for your upcoming summer vacation! With all the tourist attractions, such as the castle and the Royal Mile, it can be difficult to determine which to make a priority during your visit.

What you may not know, is that Edinburgh is a great place for food enthusiasts due to its bustling culinary scene! This vibrant city offers a wide range of delicious dining options, from traditional Scottish dishes to cutting-edge cuisine.

At Eatwith, we believe the best way to immerse yourself in a city's culture is by sharing meals and dining with locals. We talked to our amazing host Karly, an Edinburgh local, and gathered some of her top recommendations of how to spend your summer getaway in Edinburgh!

Meet Local Host Karly

In 2019, Karly started her food and drink tour company, A Wee Taste of Edinburgh. At the time, she was still a high school teacher but her passion for the business skyrocketed and “it was apparent that she had tapped into something she truly loved.” Due to the success and positive feedback, she began to expand the routes of her tour to cover more of the city.

Unfortunately, because of Covid, those plans were postponed and she had to go back to being a full-time teacher. Fast forward to 2022, and Karly's dining experience is now a highlight here at Eatwith!

Hospitality is of utmost importance when it comes to being a host. To her this means “entertaining guests in a way that makes them feel taken care of.” Karly’s goal is to make her guests feel as if they are at home. She finds true enjoyment in “having people together in one group from different parts of the world, bonding over food and drink.”

A Wee Taste of Scotland: Intimate Dining Experience

Karly hosts traditional Scottish immersive dining event that will allow you to truly discover Edinburgh the local way! Taking place in a quaint neighborhood in Edinburgh, this experience will bring you on an authentic culinary journey. She serves various Scottish delicacies, such as scotch egg, flavorful charcuterie boards, chutney, and even edible flowers. The artistically crafted dishes are paired with whiskey or an alcoholic beverage of your choice.

For those that prefer something a little earlier and relaxing, Karly also offers a Scottish Afternoon Tea in the same location. Guests can snack on savory finger foods and an assortment of baked cakes and tray bakes while they sip on tea. As a qualified history teacher and food tour guide, she is happy to share knowledge about each dish and drink served.

Things to Do in Edinburgh This Summer

As many are well aware, Scotland is not known for its hot weather, but if you are lucky enough to experience it during the summer months, it is the most gorgeous place!

Karly’s favorite thing to do during the warm season is to “chill in her local park, The Meadows, soaking up the sun with some lovely Scottish cheeses and charcuterie.” It is Edinburgh’s largest green space and is a fantastic spot to play short hole golf, as it has one of the oldest golf courses in Europe!

Another recommendation from Karly is to visit Arthur’s Seat. This “old extinct volcano in the heart of the city center has breathtaking views of Edinburgh and the surrounding areas.” Making the trek up this 251 meter (over 800 feet) landmark is a truly rewarding experience. This site has been inhabited since at least 5000 BC, so the history is rich!

She also suggests “perusing the local neighborhoods like Bruntsfield and Stockbridge.” These areas are full of restaurants, bars, and independent shops that are definitely worth a gander.

Edinburgh is known to have an amazing array of thrift stores and vintage goods, and there is definitely something for everyone. Make sure to bring “good walking shoes and your adventurous food hat with you!”

Eat Like a Local in Edinburgh

There is no doubt that Karly is dedicated to showcasing Scotland's finest food and drink, and “A Wee Taste does that best by championing local businesses as much as possible.” Partnering up and eating with locals is the best way to try new foods and fully immerse yourself in the culture.

Eatwith is proud to offer a wide variety of dining experiences in Edinburgh, such as a food tour where you can stroll through the elegant streets of 18th and 19th century Edinburgh with a local guide and sample traditional, locally-sourced Scottish food. You can even try an authentic Scottish cooking class in a beautiful 200 year old home.