Grocery shopping in Edinburgh

1. 1

   Tesco Clubcard Savings

   essential

   Maximize savings at Tesco (e.g., Corstorphine, Meadowbank) by using your Clubcard for reduced prices on thousands of items. A 1L milk often costs around £1.20 with it.

2. 2

   Sainsbury's Nectar Deals

   recommended

   Utilise your Nectar card at Sainsbury's (e.g., Cameron Toll) for personalised offers and points. Their 'Local' stores are convenient but pricier; head to superstores for better value on your weekly shop.

3. 3

   Asda's Everyday Low Prices

   essential

   Asda (e.g., Chesser, The Jewel) consistently offers competitive pricing on essentials. Look for their 'Just Essentials' range for budget-friendly staples like a 500g pasta for about £0.80.

4. 4

   Morrisons for Freshness & Deals

   nice-to-have

   Morrisons (e.g., Ferry Road) boasts in-store butchers and bakers, often having good quality fresh produce and meat deals. A loaf of their own-brand bread might be £1.10.

5. 5

   Waitrose & M&S Reduced Items

   nice-to-have

   While premium, Waitrose (Comely Bank) and M&S Food (Princes Street) can offer excellent 'yellow sticker' bargains on quality goods nearing expiry, perfect for a treat.

6. 6

   Online Shopping for Budget Control

   recommended

   Use online delivery from major chains. It helps you stick to a shopping list, avoid impulse buys, and easily compare prices, often with first-order discounts.

7. 7

   Opt for Supermarket Own Brands

   essential

   Always choose supermarket own-brand products over branded alternatives. They are significantly cheaper and often provide comparable quality, saving pounds on your weekly shop.

8. 8

   Check Unit Pricing

   recommended

   Pay attention to unit pricing (per 100g or per litre) on shelf labels. This helps compare the true cost of different package sizes and brands effectively.

9. 9

   Bulk Buy Non-Perishables

   recommended

   For items like rice, pasta, or tinned goods, purchasing larger packs from bigger supermarkets often yields a lower price per unit over time.

1. 1

   Aldi: Unbeatable Value

   essential

   Aldi (e.g., Gorgie, Newington, Granton) is fantastic for budget shopping, offering significantly lower prices on most staples. A dozen eggs can be as low as £1.40 here.

2. 2

   Lidl: Fresh Bakery & Specials

   essential

   Similar to Aldi, Lidl (e.g., Dalry Road, Easter Road) excels in value, especially for fresh produce and its in-store bakery. Don't miss their weekly 'Middle Aisle' deals.

3. 3

   Farmfoods for Frozen Bargains

   recommended

   Specialising in frozen and chilled goods, Farmfoods (e.g., Gorgie Road, Leith Walk) is excellent for stocking up on freezer staples like frozen vegetables or ready meals at low prices.

4. 4

   Iceland's Bulk Buys

   recommended

   Iceland (e.g., Nicolson Street, Tollcross) focuses on frozen food, often with appealing multi-buy deals. Great for meats, fish, and ice cream on a budget.

5. 5

   B&M and Home Bargains

   nice-to-have

   These stores (e.g., Portobello Road B&M, Meadowbank Home Bargains) offer surprisingly cheap branded snacks, drinks, and household essentials, often significantly cheaper than supermarkets.

6. 6

   The Range for Household & Food

   nice-to-have

   While primarily a home store, The Range (e.g., Fort Kinnaird) often has a dedicated food section with discount branded items, particularly sweets and non-perishables.

7. 7

   Poundland for Pantry Fillers

   nice-to-have

   Poundland (various city centre locations) can be great for specific non-perishable pantry items, toiletries, and cleaning supplies at a fixed low price point.

8. 8

   Check Weekly Flyers

   essential

   Both Aldi and Lidl release weekly flyers highlighting their best deals and limited-time offers. Plan your shop around these to maximise savings.

9. 9

   Cash-Only Sections

   nice-to-have

   Some discount stores occasionally have special clearance sections that might be cash-only. Always carry some change for unexpected finds.

1. 1

   Edinburgh Farmers' Market (Castle Terrace)

   nice-to-have

   Held on Saturdays, this market offers high-quality, local produce directly from farmers. While sometimes pricier, the freshness and seasonality are unmatched.

2. 2

   Stockbridge Market for Artisanal Finds

   nice-to-have

   Every Sunday, Stockbridge Market offers a vibrant mix of street food, crafts, and some local produce. Great for unique ingredients or a weekend treat.

3. 3

   Tollcross Farmers' Market

   nice-to-have

   A smaller, community-focused market, also on Saturdays, offering a selection of local fruit, vegetables, and baked goods. Supports local growers directly.

4. 4

   Mathew's Foods (Asian Supermarket)

   recommended

   Located on Dalry Road, this is a treasure trove for Asian ingredients, spices, and fresh produce. Often cheaper for rice and specific international staples.

5. 5

   Lupe Pintos (Mexican & Latin American)

   nice-to-have

   On Tollcross Road, this shop is essential for authentic Mexican and Latin American ingredients, from specialty chillies to masa harina, at reasonable prices.

6. 6

   Polonez (Polish Supermarket)

   recommended

   With several branches (e.g., Easter Road, Gorgie Road), Polonez offers a fantastic range of Eastern European produce, meats, and deli items, often at great value.

7. 7

   Local Greengrocers & Butchers

   recommended

   Shops like Newington Market (greengrocer) or Findlay's the Butcher can offer competitive prices on specific fresh items and superior quality compared to supermarkets.

8. 8

   Bakery Bargains

   essential

   Visit local bakeries like Greggs (various locations) late in the day for reduced prices on unsold pasties and sandwiches, perfect for a cheap meal or snack.

9. 9

   Fishmongers for Fresh Seafood

   nice-to-have

   For fresh fish, consider places like Eddie's Seafood Market in Marchmont. While not strictly budget, quality for price can be excellent, especially for specific catches.

1. 1

   Plan Your Meals Weekly

   essential

   Create a weekly meal plan and write a strict shopping list based on it. This prevents impulse buys and ensures you only purchase what you need, reducing waste.

2. 2

   Embrace "Yellow Sticker" Reductions

   essential

   Hunt for reduced-to-clear items, identifiable by yellow stickers, typically found later in the day (e.g., after 5-6 PM) at all major supermarkets.

3. 3

   Utilise Too Good To Go App

   recommended

   Download the Too Good To Go app to rescue discounted "magic bags" of surplus food from local bakeries, cafes, and supermarkets like Scotmid.

4. 4

   Batch Cook & Freeze

   essential

   Prepare larger portions of meals like stews, curries, or pasta sauces. Freeze individual servings for quick, budget-friendly meals throughout the week.

5. 5

   Cook from Scratch

   essential

   Minimise ready meals and takeaways. Cooking from basic ingredients is almost always cheaper and healthier. Learn simple, budget-friendly recipes.

6. 6

   Check Food Waste Hubs

   nice-to-have

   Explore community food initiatives or food waste hubs in your area. Some offer surplus food at very low prices or for donation.

7. 7

   Shop with a Full Stomach

   recommended

   Never shop when hungry! Hunger can lead to impulse purchases and buying more food than you actually need, increasing your bill.

8. 8

   Compare Prices Per Unit

   essential

   Always check the price per 100g or 1kg on shelf labels, especially for items sold in different sizes, to truly identify the most cost-effective option.

9. 9

   Grow Your Own Herbs

   nice-to-have

   If space allows, growing basic herbs like basil or parsley on a windowsill can save money and add freshness to your cooking.

10. 10

    Student Discounts

    essential

    If you're a student, check for discounts (e.g., through UniDays or Totum) at certain supermarkets or local shops, which can sometimes save you a percentage off your total.

• Target "yellow sticker" reductions at Tesco and Sainsbury's around 6-7 PM, but for Asda and Morrisons, try slightly earlier, 5-6 PM, for the best selection before they're gone.
• Edinburgh's discount stores like Aldi and Lidl can be a bus ride away from the city centre; plan your route with Lothian Buses to maximise your large, infrequent shops.
• For incredibly cheap spices and bulk rice, bypass major supermarkets and head directly to Mathew's Foods on Dalry Road – their prices are unmatched.
• Join local Facebook groups like "Edinburgh Food Sharing" or "Freecycle Edinburgh" for opportunities to get free or low-cost surplus food from neighbours.
• Many smaller, independent greengrocers and ethnic stores offer better deals on fresh produce than city-centre express supermarkets, especially for seasonal items.

Edinburgh's unique blend of a large student population and a growing expat community means there's high demand for diverse and budget-friendly grocery options. The city's excellent Lothian Buses network makes accessing larger, cheaper supermarkets and discount stores on the outskirts much easier, ensuring residents aren't limited to pricier city-centre convenience shops. This guide leverages these local specificities to provide truly actionable advice for living economically in Edinburgh.

• Best neighborhoods
• Cost of living
• Moving checklist
• First month guide
• Student discounts
• Public transport
• Pet-Friendly living
• Expat community
• Coworking spaces
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• Registration guide
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