11 Traditional Scottish Food Dishes to Try [+ Best Spots]

With influences from the sea, land, and sky, Scottish cuisine offers a diverse range of flavours with locally sourced ingredients often starring on the menu. From local game to fresh seafood, Scotland’s vibrant food scene has no shortage of delectable dishes to discover. 

Whether you’re sampling oysters on the Isle of Mull or tucking into venison in The Highlands, if you’re considering taking a foodie road trip across the country, you’ll find the perfect local accommodation nearby with our hotels. 

1. Aberdeen Angus Beef

Renowned worldwide for its exceptional quality and flavour, Aberdeen Angus Beef is prized for its tender, juicy, and richly marbled meat. The distinctive marbling, created by small fat deposits within the muscle, contributes to the beef's tenderness and succulent taste. Aberdeen Angus cattle are typically grass-fed, giving them a unique flavour profile. 

Best places to try: Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Edinburgh and Glasgow

2. Cranachan

A delicious regional dessert made with whipped cream, raspberries, honey, and a touch of whisky, Cranachan is a quintessential taste of Scotland. This delightful treat typically has a sweet and tangy flavour that, once combined with the warmth of the whisky, creates a truly unforgettable taste experience.

Best places to try: Highlands, Borders, Perthshire, and Aberdeenshire

3. Meat Pies

Is there anything more satisfying than sinking your teeth into a delicious and warming pie? Steak pie is traditionally enjoyed on New Year’s Day in Scotland but there’s plenty of options to enjoy all-year round if you fancy a more adventurous filling. 

There’s Scotch pie, traditionally filled with mutton, haggis pie, combining the iconic haggis with a pastry crust, and the iconic Forfar bridies which can be sampled specifically in Forfar and Rosyth.

Best places to try: Callander; the Main Street Bakery. Lochinver Lader on Lochinver Main Street. Or Scotland-wide; pop into your local independent butcher or bakery.

Experience the homemade, 8-Hour braised, shortcrust, Venison Pie with a side of creamy mash, tenderstem broccoli, and rich gravy at 1852, the restaurant located at The Balmoral Arms in Ballater. 

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4. Haggis

Likely top of the list to try for any food enthusiast, haggis is traditionally considered Scotland’s national dish. A savoury pudding made from sheep’s heart, liver and lungs, haggis might not sound immediately appetising but its rich and earthy flavour should be tried at least once in a lifetime. Best served with a side of mashed potato (tatties) and turnips (neeps). 

Best places to try:  Edinburgh, Glasgow, Highlands and Islands 

5. Venison

Leaner than beef but with a rich and gamey flavour, venison often graces the menus of fine dining establishments and traditional pubs alike. It can be served in numerous ways including as steaks, stews or even as a warming pie. It can be found in restaurants across the country, but if you really want to savour the locally sourced version, head to Highland regions.

Best places to try:  The Highlands, Edinburgh, and Glasgow

6. Lobster 

Sweet and tender, Scottish lobster is considered as one of the finest examples of seafood in the world. The cold, clear waters surrounding Scotland provide the ideal conditions for these crustaceans to thrive making the meat extra succulent.

You don’t need to dine in a five-star restaurant, however, to enjoy its fine flavour. There are a number of excellent local hotspots to try it, including small shacks and chip shops located in coastal towns and villages such as St Andrews, Cullen, Isle of Skye, Oban, and Crail. 

Best places to try: Coastal towns and villages or The Highlands

Indulge in the famed Scottish lobster at The Oban Bay Grill Room. Locally caught and served with your choice of garlic butter or Thermidor, Oban is known as the Seafood Capital of Scotland.

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7. Oysters 

 

If you need further proof that Scotland is a seafood lover’s paradise, you must sample local oysters which can be tried on a number of Scottish islands such as Lewis and Harris, famous for its crystal-clear waters. 

A visit to Scotland’s seafood capital Oban is also a must with its plethora of seafood restaurants to explore or make the Isle of Skye your next destination, home to the Oyster Shed found in the village of Carbost.

Best places to try: Scottish islands, Oban, Loch Fyne, Isle of Skye

Try local Oysters at Oran na Mara, at the Isle of Mull Hotel & Spa, made with wine shallots and lemon and served with a side of Tabasco.

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8. Gin and Whisky

 

You’re sure to find whisky sauce served with your haggis here in Scotland, but there’s no better way to compliment your culinary tour of Scotland than by visiting the country’s many distilleries that specialise in gin, whisky and everything in-between. 

Edinburgh is, of course, renowned for having a number of whisky attractions you can pop into for a ‘wee dram’ (a small drink of whisky!), but you’ll want to branch out across the country if you want to find some more gems. Speyside has a number of great distilleries, including The Glenlivet Distillery, or venture out to Orkney or Islay. 

Best places to try: Scotland-wide, but try Speyside, Edinburgh, Orkney or Islay

9. Neeps and Tatties

Comforting and delicious, you’ll find many servings of haggis or steak pie served with a side of neeps and tatties, also known as turnips and mashed potato. This distinctive side dish is often featured as part of a traditional Burns Night Supper or as part of First Footing celebrations.

Best places to try: Edinburgh, Glasgow and The Highlands

10. Shortbread 

Fancy a sweet treat following your haggis? Shortbread is a must-try for those who have a sweet tooth. A traditional biscuit or cookie with a buttery, crumbly texture, this treat has a rich history dating back to the 12th century but it’s often associated with Mary, Queen of Scots who was said to have enjoyed her fair share.  

Best places to try: Throughout Scotland or pop in to the dedicated Shortbread House of Edinburgh in the capital for traditional and innovative flavours. 

11. Clootie Dumpling

A delicious and traditional Scottish pudding made with dried fruits, spices, flour, breadcrumbs and sugar, the clootie dumpling can seem like a rare find nowadays, but can be found in traditional restaurants or cafes specialising in Scots cuisine. If you’re keen to get your hands on one, there’s a number of family run businesses such as Clootie McToot and The Clootie Dumpling Cafe in Dunkeld, Perth and Kinross, that are specialists. 

Best places to try: Perth, Edinburgh, St Andrews, Ballater

Crerar Hotels: Your Gateway to Scotland

Discover the heart of Scotland with Crerar Hotels as your gateway. Our collection of luxurious hotels and inns are scattered across the most iconic landscapes, from the rugged Highlands to the serene shores. 

Immerse yourself in the authentic spirit of Scotland, with warm hospitality, breathtaking scenery, and unforgettable experiences. Whether you seek adventure, relaxation, or a taste of history, our hotels offer the perfect base to explore this extraordinary country.

Explore More of Scotland

Discover more wonderful things to do in Scotland, and continue reading:

• Find the finest sightseeing spots Perthshire has to offer 
• Explore the best things to do in Glencoe for adventurous travelers 
• Discover the great outdoors with our best Scottish adventure activities to explore
• Go for a scenic drive with our guide to the best road trips in Scotland