The Neighbourgood Market is a cheerful collection of local food stalls nestled in a corner of Stockbridge between Reaburn Place and the Sundial Garden, about a mile away from Edinburgh Waverley station. Being in cycle 2 of their vendors, the food ranged from tacos to Fish and chips to curries, with two fully vegan options available: the Happy Fish, a vegan chippy, and Antojito, a vegan taco stand. While the savory variety was great there was an imbalance of sweet treats being only ice cream and churros for desert. The alcoholic options were vast and diverse with beer, wine, gin, rum, and cocktails all from different vendors, but for those staying sober coffee or maybe a standard soft drink is all that’s on offer.
I wandered down on a cold but sunny afternoon after pottering about the Royal Botanical Gardens, which is also conveniently located nearby. The market itself was busy but not crowded, with ample seating and cute decorations, including a very Instagramable flower arch befitting the twee picnic vibes. For my visit, I opted for Pork and Chive dumplings from the Happy Dumpling company, a Cherry and Raspberry Margarita from The Raeburn, and Churros with dark chocolate from Loop and Scoop.
The Main
The dumplings were freshly made and well seasoned, with self-service toppings available to customize the spice levels to taste. Being freshly steamed, they took a few minutes to prepare, but I was given a buzzer, and so freed from the awkward hovering and allowed time to buy a drink and dessert. They were perhaps pricier than I hoped but definitely what I expected out of a market in Edinburgh, being £11.50. Great food, great service, a highlight of my market experience, and I will be giving Happy Dumplings another visit in the future.
The Drink
For my drink, I picked a summery raspberry and cherry margarita slush from The Raeburn. It was sweet and fruity, as expected, nicely presented, with quick service, and a pretty reasonable price for a cocktail, coming in at £7. It was served in a paper cup with a paper straw – more sustainable than the plastic norm, working perfectly well, but a surprise.
The Sweet Treat
The sweet treat options were lacking, being only ice cream and churros on offer. While sunny, it was quite cold, and I had already gone in for a slush, so I opted for churros with dark chocolate from Loop and Scoop. The pastry was well-made, crisp on the outside, fluffy on the inside, but a little too greasy for my taste; churros will inevitably have some oil as they are fried, but it was more so than is necessary. My biggest issue though was that they were coated in plain sugar. Generally, I expect cinnamon sugar or at least the choice, but in my churro experience, cinnamon is the standard. After a quick google of their regular location in Glasgow, it appears that this is a market-specific situation; however, they did not meet my wants or expectations. Not worth the £7.50 I paid – my advice is to get a second cocktail instead.
It was a lovely experience, with good food, music, a dash of sun, and a lively crowd, even at 4:30-5 on a Thursday. I imagine that on a sunny weekend, a table may be harder to come by, but a picnic blanket on the grass will not only suffice but also fit the vibe. If you are planning to go, skip looking at the website and head straight to the Instagram and Facebook pages, as both contain up-to-date information on the goings-on of the market. In addition to food, they offer trivia and rugby games, making the market not only a place to eat and gather as a community, but also a place to play. Disappointing churros aside, the community spirit and great food make The Neighbourgood Market the perfect ending to an afternoon out in Edinburgh.
Featured Image Credit: Spencer Haynes