Eat Out Edinburgh

EAT OUT EDINBURGH

March Each Year  |  EatOutEdinburgh.com

Eat Out Edinburgh is Essential Edinburgh’s flagship annual hospitality campaign, held every March to encourage locals to rediscover the vibrant culinary scene in the city centre.

Since its launch in 2022, the initiative has grown significantly, with the number of participating venues more than doubling. In March 2026, 55 restaurants, bars, and hotels across the city centre offered exclusive set menus and special deals, making it a must-visit event for food lovers and city explorers alike.

Thanks to the enthusiastic participation of our hospitality partners and the support of the community, the campaign brings a welcome boost to the city centre, celebrating local flavours and encouraging people to dine out.

Here are some of the key benefits city centre businesses experienced from the 2026 campaign:

• Estimated attendance of 32,000 with 16,600 bookings
• £170 average spend per booking, with 69% using two or more Eat Out Edinburgh offers
• 11% increase in bookings and 13% increase in hospitality sales year-on-year for participating businesses in March 2026
• 57% of Eat Out Edinburgh participants also went shopping in the city centre, spending an average of £197 per person
• 83% of attendees are highly likely to revisit the restaurant(s) again this year
• For every £1 of BID-levy spent, £182 was spent in BID Businesses. 

We are already planning for March 2027, so keep an eye on www.eatoutedinburgh.com for the latest updates.

Eat Out Edinburgh generated more than 51,000 bookings between 2024 – 2026, with an average spend of £165 per booking and a further £166 in city centre shops