Local’s street food guide to Edinburgh’s Christmas Market – 2025

First up as you enter the Christmas Market from the main entrance is Chulo’s Cookies.

This Scottish artisan bakery, founded in 2021, specialises in decadent, baseball-sized stuffed cookies—each one handmade, packed with bold flavour combos, and sporting cheeky pop-culture names like Hips Don’t Lie or Red Velvet Underground. Expect rich fillings, generous mix-ins, and a real sense of fun.

On our visit, both of those were on the menu, alongside the Milky Trinity (think Milky Way), Sticky Toffee Chulo’s, Triple Threat, and Biscoff Brookie. Each colossal cookie is £5.50, or go big: 3 for £16, 6 for £26.

What’s the verdict?

We’ve seen Chulo’s around everywhere—most recently at the Fringe—but always gave them a wide berth, assuming the whole thing would be a tooth-aching sugar bomb. This year at the Christmas Market, we finally gave in to the hype. The names are playful but not always intuitive (“Hips Don’t Lie” is adorable, but what is it?). The lovely woman at the stall happily talked us through the line-up: that particular cookie is stuffed with milk and white chocolate chunks and hazelnut spread, topped with chocolate and a Kinder Happy Hippo.

We opted for the Sticky Toffee Chulo’s. Tried it immediately, standing right there, and it certainly lives up to its name—there’s toffee everywhere. They are big, and the first bite is a bit of a mission: the outer crust is surprisingly firm, almost scone-like. But once you’re through, the inside is soft, malty, and dangerously moreish. The caramel is deep and sticky without tipping into sickly sweetness. It leaves that cosy, sit-down-with-a-cuppa flavour that makes you want to linger.

Which we did. We took it home, reheated it in the oven after dinner, split it between the two of us, and it made a genuinely delicious dessert. Consider us fully converted. These are very good—and now that we’ve learnt that we’re surrounded by Chulo’s locations (Stockbridge, Bonnie & Wild in St James, and now the Christmas Market), this could get dangerous fast.

So popular it’s nearly impossible to get anywhere near their stall, never mind close enough to actually read the (absolutely tiny) menu. The crowd alone put us off on our first pass — a mistake we now regret.

Part of the confusion is that we didn’t immediately clock who they were. We’ve given them a glowing mention in our Fringe street food guide, where their Vietnamese specialty coffee is an absolute win. But their Christmas Market setup isn’t instantly recognisable, and when the queue blocks the menu you’re relying entirely on insider knowledge. Give us a sign we can actually see!

They’re an Edinburgh-based coffee roaster, known for their Vietnamese beans and cult hot chocolate, so it’s no surprise they’ve drawn one of the biggest queues in the whole Market.

Since you (and we) can’t read the menu in person, here’s what’s actually on offer…

The star of the show is their Proper Hot Chocolate (£6.80). This is Belgian chocolate melted into Scottish milk, topped with toasted marshmallows, mini marshmallows, a dark-chocolate swirl, cinnamon, and chocolate flakes. Proper indulgence. The vegan version gets just as much attention: Belgian dark chocolate, oat milk, vegan/halal marshmallows and the same garnishes, also £6.80.

There’s also a fresh salted caramel brownie for £4.

And then there’s the coffee — easily the best-priced (and, let’s be honest, probably the best-quality) coffee in the whole market. £3.60 for an Americano or £4.20 for a latte. If you fall in love, they’re selling beans too — £16.50 a bag — so you can take some Vietnamese-Edinburgh magic home with you.

One of the ambiguous, no-name stalls that pops up exclusively for the Christmas Market, where the name name tells you exactly what’s on offer: coffee, loaded strawberries, and donuts.

They’re offering classic ring donuts at £5 for 3 or £7 for 5, with a loaded option of 5 donuts for £10 — your options are Nutella & Oreo, Biscoff, white chocolate, or chocolate & fudge. Iced matcha is available for £8, and iced coffee for £6  — if you’re committed to drinking something colder than the weather. Tea and coffee starts at £3 and £4.50, a price that’s hard to justify when Uplands Roast to your right is serving genuinely excellent coffee at lower prices.

You’ll also find their take on the current “loaded pot” trend: pick your base — brownies (£7), strawberries (£8), or marshmallows (£6) — then add sauce and a topping, with the option of cream on top.

Festive Fries are back, offering exactly what you’d expect — plenty of variations on fries. Choose between skin-on or curly, then pick your topping. Options range from an extravagant full Christmas-dinner version at £13 to super cheesy chips (cheese sauce, cheddar and mozzarella) for £10. There are simpler choices too: fries on their own are £5 for skin-on or £6 for curly, with curry sauce or gravy available for an extra £2.

The classic swing grill is back — one of the Market’s most recognisable sights, with sausages slowly cooking over a charcoal fire and drawing steady crowds with that unmistakable smoky aroma. This year you’ve got three bratwurst options: pork & herb, smoky bacon, or cheese-filled, all priced at £9.50. Toppings are £1.50 each (crispy onion, grilled onion or cheese), and French fries come in at a reasonable £5.

What’s the verdict?

We didn’t re-sample the swing grill this year, but our experience from last Christmas still feels relevant. The setup is undeniably impressive, and the smell wafting off the open flame is sensational. When we tried them, the bratwurst had a great bite and was well cooked, but the flavour was surprisingly mild, and the rolls — kept warm on top of the grill — were dry. The onions were buttery but not particularly punchy. If you’re tempted by the theatre of the swing grill (and it is tempting), we suggest loading your bratwurst with cheese and sauce to give it a bit more character.

There are a few bars dotted around the Market, all offering the same drinks menu. You’ll find draught beer from Innis & Gunn and cider from Dundee-based Lost Orchards, with pints starting at £7 — edging into the pricey side, even for Edinburgh. There are two reds and two whites available, plus a rosé served in small, large, or by the bottle (we’re not entirely convinced anyone needs a bottle of wine while wandering the Market…). Prices begin at £6.20 for a small glass and £8.80 for a large. There’s also a novelty option: sparkling wine in a 250ml can — white or rosé — for £10. Spirits are limited and expensive, with house singles at £5.50.

The bars are your go-to for winter warmers. Mulled wine, mulled cider, spiced malt whisky, and their orange-and-spice variation are all £6.50, with a classic hot toddy at £7.50. Hot chocolate is a very reasonable £4, and this is where things get festive: make it boozy with Baileys for £7.50. It’s a true Edinburgh Christmas Market staple — everyone we speak to mentions grabbing a Baileys hot chocolate while wandering under the twinkling lights.

If Baileys isn’t your style, there are other options to spike your hot chocolate: Talisker, Disaronno Amaretto, Cherry Brandy, Fireball, and Jägermeister.

You’ll find Roseberry Chocolate’s Chocolate & Strawberries as you come up the sweeping hill into the main Christmas Market. Fun fact: they’re the team behind Wholly Waffles! (See both last year’s and this year’s guides for our rave reviews). Their chocolate Christmas Market offering taps straight into the current trend: loaded strawberries and Dubai-style chocolate.

The main draw is strawberries in a cone, covered in milk chocolate for £9.50. The cones look fantastic, and given who’s behind them, we’d expect them to taste fantastic too. You can customise with extra toppings for £1.50 each — Biscoff, marshmallows, dark chocolate, or white chocolate.

There’s also their Dubai Chocolate Special at £13.50, which adds pistachio sauce and crispy kadaif for maximum dessert glamour.

What’s the verdict?

We were fully prepared to try these, but noticed the cones sitting out already filled with strawberries. Once that happens, the cone will lose its crispness — and at this price point, we weren’t quite ready to take the gamble. If you’re planning to indulge, we strongly recommend a fresh cone so you get the full experience.

Raclette cheese is beloved by Mrs QR — when melted it becomes a silky, stretchy wonderfulness with a mellow, nutty flavour and a savoury depth that’s dangerously moreish. So seeing a dedicated raclette stand at the Christmas Market was a very welcome surprise. The dish itself is simple and classic: boiled baby potatoes topped with molten raclette cheese scraped straight from the wheel..

There are a few variations on Raclette offer, all priced at £10: the classic version, or options with bacon, cured meat, or truffle. Each includes Raclette cheese, baby potatoes, finished off with herbs and cornichons.

What’s the verdict?

The stall has the full theatre of raclette — the half–wheel warming under the heat, the molten layer being scraped off — it’s great fun to watch. Unfortunately, the reality takes some of the joy out of things. The staff looked a bit defeated, there was an unexpected amount of faff behind the counter, and the wait was long enough to dull the excitement.

The cheese itself is excellent quality, no notes there. But there are issues. There’s no knife, which makes tackling the beautifully stringy raclette and potatoes a challenge. The potatoes themselves were undercooked and unseasoned, so you’re relying entirely on the cheese for flavour. A mouthful of raclette and herbs is lovely — but that’s really where it peaks. The cornichons didn’t bring much brightness either; they lacked tang and were a little soft.

We left disappointed. Raclette deserves better, and so do the people who haven’t yet had the chance to fall in love with it. We’re hoping this was a one-off — because when raclette is good, it can convert anyone.

See our Zone 1 write-up for the full bar breakdown.

The crêpes and waffles stand is back in its usual spot beside the Scott Monument. The offering looks much the same as in previous years: French crêpes (£7), French galettes (£7.50), and Belgian waffles (£7) with a generous range of toppings.

There are at least 16 sweet toppings, priced from 50p to £2.50 (maple syrup, hot cherries and fresh strawberries being the top end). There are eight savoury toppings too, including pesto, mushrooms, ham and cheese.

Top tip: if you’re after a galette, pick a savoury filling. The galette toppings list is inside the stall on the back right, and easy to miss.

What’s the verdict?

Watching them make the crêpes and galettes is genuinely delightful — proper food theatre — and the team running the stand are a joy as always.

We ordered a galette, as Mrs QR is a big fan of these slightly savoury buckwheat pancakes. For those with allergies, they’re a great choice: made with soy milk and naturally gluten-free. We opted for fresh strawberries, mostly because the savoury options weren’t visible until you were right at the counter. 

Unfortunately, it wasn’t our best decision. The team were clearly having some trouble with the galette batter, and ours ended up a little elastic in texture. The strawberries weren’t great hot, and the filling overall wasn’t sweet enough (which is surprising for strawberries!)— predictable, in hindsight, given the galette is the ideal vehicle for savoury toppings.

Between their batter issues and our misguided topping choice, it wasn’t a great combination. That said, we’d absolutely go back for a cheese and ham galette. These folks clearly know what they’re doing — we just caught them at the wrong moment and ordered the wrong thing.

Many people will be delighted to know that Christmas Crumbles is back again, bringing its full school-dinners nostalgia with it. We didn’t enjoy the crumble last year (think super-sweet lava), but it was unquestionably a hit with locals — people couldn’t stop talking about it. In fact, it was the single most-mentioned treat after Baileys hot chocolate and the eye-watering price of mulled wine.

So what’s on offer? A selection of fruit crumbles — apple, strawberry, cherry, plus a daily special (rhubarb when we visited). Each one is topped with Walkers shortbread crumble, and you can upgrade to loaded crumbles if you’re feeling bold. Then comes the finale: a generous pour of custard, chocolate, or Biscoff sauce. It’s a sugar-lover’s dream.

The menu is a little hard to read through the enthusiastic Christmas decor, but prices start at around £9.

What’s the verdict?

This one is for people who truly, unapologetically love SUGAR. 
As mentioned, we weren’t fans last year — it was too sweet and lacked texture — and our recommendation stands: if you’re going for it, ask for only a small amount of custard to help keep the sweetness in check.

The neighbour to Christmas Crumbles, Street Burger — along with their super-shiny van — is back at the Market. As with last year, burgers and hot dogs start at £9, with fries from £5. There are a few burger variations, including a Christmassy brie and cranberry option at £11.50 (we remain unconvinced on pairing that with a burger, personally).

What’s the verdict?

This year, we thought we’d ease in with the “maple ’n’ chilli pigs”, which Street Burger recommends as a side with practically everything on the menu. On paper, they sound great: mini sausages wrapped in bacon, glazed with maple, finished with a sprinkle of chilli. The reality was disappointingly flat. We received four tiny sausages, the bacon wasn’t especially crisp, and we struggled to find any real maple or chilli flavour. The sausages themselves had a nice taste, but they were dry (probably because they’re tiny).

It left us unconvinced enough that we didn’t go back to try something more substantial. Perhaps the hot dogs are the safest bet here?

Roast has also returned to the Market this year, serving their take on a full roast dinner wrapped inside a Yorkshire pudding. These wraps are incredibly popular — the stand is constantly surrounded, and they’re one of the most frequently spotted foods being carried around the Market. We think the price point is £12, though the enthusiastic décor makes the signage a little hard to read.

What’s the verdict?

We tried these last year, and our experience wasn’t a great one. Think boiled-to-death frozen veg, mystery meat and Bisto, all inside a Yorkshire pudding that had become more sponge than delicious Yorkie. Visually, they look fantastic when people walk past holding them — that part they absolutely nail — but the flavour and texture do not do it for us.

We’ve heard similar feedback from a handful of other people who tried them, although it’s clear from the constant queue that many Market-goers do enjoy them. They simply weren’t for us, and we’re genuinely curious about what keeps them such a crowd favourite.

A staple every year, the Coffee & Donuts stand is back — doing exactly what it says on the sign. There’s a straightforward range of coffees and flavoured syrups, all sitting around the £4 mark (very competitive for the Market). Their hot, fresh donuts are £7 for four, dusted with sugar and cinnamon. If you want to take things up a level, you can go fully loaded with sauces and toppings — including Nutella, Biscoff and Kinder Bueno — for £11.

A long-standing favourite at Edinburgh’s Christmas Market, the mini pancakes are back once again. These fluffy little treats are a hit every year — and a nostalgic throwback to childhood birthdays and festive fairs for the half-Dutch Mrs QR. Watching poffertjes (their Dutch name) being made is part of the joy: rapid-fire flipping on a sizzling hot plate, all in perfect rhythm.

There are eleven topping choices, but take it from the Dutch side of the household — the classics are the way to go: icing sugar, cinnamon, Nutella, or cream. Mini pancakes don’t need much embellishment to shine.

Prices sit at £7, with extra toppings at £1.

What’s the verdict?

We haven’t had them yet this year, but historically they’ve never let us down — reliably warm, fluffy, and exactly what you want from a festive Market staple.

For your essential Christmas Market mulled alcoholic beverage, head to Great Glen. The stall is run by the distillery owners themselves — Scotland’s smallest — and they’re as charming as ever. Their mulled gin is £6.50 a cup this year (cheaper than last year!) and comes in at a rather festive 15% ABV, guaranteed to warm you straight through.

What’s in it? A base of fresh pressed apple juice with no added sugar, infused with Christmas spices and finished with frankincense and myrrh for an extra seasonal note. It’s gently heated on the stall so you get it steaming and aromatic. If you’re unsure, they’ll offer you a taste first. Then you’ll probably want a full cup. And once you’ve fallen in love, bottles are available to take home for £17.

Opposite Great Glen, Pilgrims are also back at the Market with their festive warm drink: a mulled punch, available in both 5% and 0% versions. If you love it, you can take a 1-litre vat home for £20.

Salt & Chilli Chicken return to the Market in their festive red bus, serving the same simple, reliable menu built entirely around their signature salt & chilli seasoning.

You’ll be pleased to know that they’ve not hiked their prices up! You can enjoy crispy chicken and chips (£12) or just chips (£8), both loaded with peppers, onions, and their gorgeous curry sauce. You can also opt for solo chips, or add cheese (thought we’re not really sure why you would).

Good news: their prices haven’t jumped this year. You can get crispy chicken and chips for £12, or chips on their own for £8 — both loaded with peppers, onions, and that gloriously comforting curry sauce. There’s also the option to have just chips, or to add cheese on top of your curry sauce (though we’re not entirely sure why you’d want to).

What’s the verdict?

This was our most-visited food stall last year — we ate a lot of salt and chilli fries in the end. Our review from last year definitely still stands:

“We went all in with the chicken and chips—a perfect choice for sharing! The combination of tasty, well-cooked chips and a wonderfully balanced curry sauce is just lovely. Crunchy red peppers and onions add extra flavour, though they are a little awkward to pick up with a tiny wooden fork. The tender, crunchy-coated chicken strips could use a little more seasoning. Unless you’re an avid chicken fan, we recommend ordering a portion of chips and lots of sauce!”

Mac Love return to the Christmas Market, ready to deliver their signature brand of cheesy comfort. A long-time favourite of Mrs QR (during the Fringe and the Christmas Market), this is the place to go when you want something reliably delicious and properly warming.

Their signature three-cheese macaroni with crispy onions and Parmesan is £10, and the rest of the menu sits around £10.50–£10.75. Options include the Mexican, bacon, a fancy truffle version, and even one with black pudding and blue cheese.

What’s the verdict?

If you’re craving comfort food, Mac Love is still the safest, cheesiest bet in the Market.

The roasted chestnut stand is back, with portions at £7.50 or £9.50. As with last year, we found the usual warm, nutty aroma of chestnuts to be strangely absent — and without that, it’s hard to feel excited about spending the money. The experience still feels lacking.

This is the second of the three crêperies at the Market. Compared with the Crêpe & Waffles stand in Zone 3, this one has less of the visual theatre — everything is set higher up and a bit further back, so you don’t get the same joy of watching the crêpes being made. Prices are similar at £7 per crêpe, with a slightly shorter toppings list but the same general price range.

Ultimately, it’s up to you which one wins your vote.

A long-standing staple of Edinburgh’s Christmas Market, the smoked salmon stand remains one of the most eye-catching — and best-smelling — spots in the whole place. The sight of full sides of salmon slowly cooking over wood and embers is mesmerising, and this year the aroma was genuinely incredible: warm smoke, gentle sweetness, and enough to make us pause. 

The menu is still eclectic, ranging from an £11.50 salmon sandwich to salmon with potato salad (£15), and salmon with mac & cheese (£16.50) — easily one of the priciest dishes in the Christmas Market. There’s also a salmon soup at £11, which continues to baffle us a little. 

You can also get mac and cheese solo — just don’t get this mixed up with Mac Love.

The resident food hut in East Princes Street Gardens is open again for the full run of the Christmas Market. Expect the classics here: bratwurst, currywurst and cheese frankenfurters. We think prices start around £9, but it’s so busy that we’ve not managed to get close enough to confirm.

Sitting right at the transition between the main walkway and the space in front of the RSA, Hector & Harriet’s is the Market’s main dedicated hot drink stand. The menu for hot drinks is extensive, and the counter is lined with an impressive selection of baked goods behind glass.

They take their hot chocolate seriously here. Prices start at £5.20 for the “perfectly simple” version, rising to £7.20 for the deluxe offerings — think Jaffa Orange, Peppermint Gingerbread, or Salty Caramel. They look properly indulgent and absolutely Instagram-ready. It’s giving us Hotel Chocolat hot chocolate vibes.

The coffee menu is equally broad and refreshingly well-priced, with classics from £3.50–£5.50, plus a range of speciality infused lattes at £5.50. If you want to get even colder, there are iced coffees and iced matcha lattes at £6.20.

They also serve a good range of teas — including decaf — at £3.50, making this one of the more versatile spots for warming up as you wander the Market.

A familiar presence at festivals across the UK, Pizza Pitch are back in their usual central spot at the Market. They offer 10-inch stone-baked pizzas (from £11), four chicken tenders (£7 on their own or £12 as a meal), and loaded fries (from £7).

What’s the verdict?

The smell from the stone-baked ovens was incredible when we visited — properly irresistible — so we gave in and ordered the Sweet Heat: tomato, mozzarella, pepperoni, jalapeños, all finished with hot honey. It’s lovely to watch the pizzas cook and the speed was very welcome in the cold.

But our excitement dipped quickly when we saw just how much cold honey was drizzled over the pizza — and the box. With a sticky, box, we ended up covered in honey, which is never ideal, and especially unfortunate when wearing gloves, a hat and a scarf.

The pizza itself was a mixed experience. The dough was excellent — smoky, chewy, properly done — but the tomato sauce leaned quite sweet, lacking the depth or tang you want. And the toppings? We could barely taste them, as the honey overwhelmed everything else.

This was a real anticlimax.

There’s a second Glühwein stand beside Pizza Pitch, instantly recognisable by its more exotic twists on mulled wine and the cute traditional cups they serve it in. Like last year, prices here still start at £6.50, making it the more affordable option — and, in our view, the more charming one.

Big Angus return in their usual huge spot beside the RSA, impossible to miss and reliably one of the Market’s most extensive menus. Their main items — the Angus burger, chicken burger, bratwurst and vegan dog — are all £9.50 this year. You’ll also find cheeseburgers, corn dogs, corn on the cob and even stovies, though some of the signage was tricky to read so we couldn’t confirm every price.

A new addition is their Belgian hot chocolate with whipped cream and marshmallows for £5, which feels like a bit of a bargain in this market.

What’s the verdict?

We tried one of their burgers last year and it was great — meaty, oniony and exactly what you want from a burger. 

But it’s their iconic Chip Stix — spirals of potato on a stick — that remain the real centre of attention: cute, eye-catching and responsible for some of the best fryer aromas in the whole place. The custom seasoning choices are a fun touch too. Last year ours was a little undercooked and over-seasoned (the stall was also battling electrical hiccups. They still look like a crowd-pleaser this year.

A sweet new addition to the Market this year is La Crêperie, founded in 2025. Their stall is genuinely charming, stacked high with jars of Nutella and strings of bananas, and their menu keeps things simple: just nine classic crepe combinations, priced from £7–£10.

They’ve also joined the strawberry cup trend, with options from £8, including a Dubai-style chocolate version at £10.

The only downside — and absolutely not their fault — is their placement. They’re right beside a drainage gully that wasn’t working when we visited, leaving a pool of pale grey water around the area. It’s an unfortunate bit of location luck rather than a reflection on them.

A new Alpine classic has arrived at the Market this year: spaetzle (or spätzle) — small, irregular egg dumplings designed to soak up sauce and cosy winter flavours. The menu lets you keep things simple or go full on indulgent: there’s creamy garlic spätzle (£8.50) or the cheese and creamy garlic version (£9.50), or go richer with mushroom, garlic and truffle oil (£12.50). If you’re after something heartier, there’s beef ragout (£14.50) or chicken escalope (£13.50) served with your spaetzle.

If spaetzle isn’t your thing, there are also little rösti bites with the same sauces: cheese and garlic (£8.50), beef ragout (£14.50) or currywurst (£13.50). 

You can add bacon bits or cheese to everything for £1.50. 

And for dessert, they offer an apple streusel tart for £7.50. (One of the best things in life, in our humble opinion.)

What’s the verdict?

This was a genuine standout for us. We kept it simple with the creamy garlic spaetzle and added bacon bits. It came topped with chives and crispy onions and was spot on: saucy but not swimming, garlicky and rich without being heavy. The spaetzle had great texture — soft with the occasional crisped edge — and the crispy onions added exactly the right extra crunch. Our bacon bits weren’t particularly crispy, but they were thin, good-quality bacon, so we didn’t mind at all.

A real joy. We fully expect to be back multiple times this season, and we wholeheartedly recommend you go too.

A Christmas Market favourite returns: Jarvis Pickle, the Eyemouth pie specialists with more awards than seems reasonable (46 British Pie Awards and counting). They’ve brought six pies this year, many of them award-winning. The lineup includes a proper Christmas Pie (chicken, cranberry sauce, chestnut, Brussels sprouts and bacon), beef shin & ox cheek, a very Scottish Macsween haggis pie, two vegan options (cauliflower curry and plant-based Macsween haggis), and a new addition — a butter chicken curry pie.

All pies come with a side — mash, fries or mushy peas — for £12.95, with extra sides available for £2. And they haven’t stopped at pies. There are pigs in blankets (6 for £5 or 12 for £9 — better value than Street Burger’s), fries (£6.50), posh Parmesan fries with garlic truffle mayo (£8.50), pigs in blankets on fries (£9.50), and even a sticky toffee pudding (£7.50). For the record: sticky toffee pudding is not a pie!

What’s the verdict?

We’ve eaten a lot of Jarvis Pickle pies by now, and they never miss. Their pastry — vegan or not — is consistently exceptional: crisp, structural, deeply satisfying. And the fillings are second to none.

We couldn’t resist trying their new one: the butter chicken. The smell alone was incredible — sharp with spice and very savoury. The filling is essentially pulled chicken in a rich, mild curry sauce. Does it taste like classic butter chicken? Not exactly, there’s none of the ghee buttery goodness — but it’s gorgeous all the same. We took ours home and split it for dinner, and it was 100% the right call.

We also tested the sticky toffee pudding, just to see if their talent extends beyond pies. It does. The sponge is beautifully soft with that proper steamed pudding texture, the sauce is sticky without being cloying, and the date-and-toffee flavour is spot on. A little cream on top and it vanished instantly.

Jarvis Pickle continues to be one of the Market’s most consistently excellent food stalls. If you’ve already eaten, why not take a pie home?

Regulars at the Christmas Market, Wholly Waffles are the UK’s first caramel waffle bakery. This is theatre, watch in awe as the waffles are pressed and toasted right before your eyes. It’s genuinely mesmerising. A freshly baked waffle is £9, with your first topping for £1 (and just 50p for a second).

What’s the verdict?

These were one of our highlights from last year’s Christmas Market. Watching the team expertly toast the dough to crenellated perfection before slicing and filling it with molten caramel is a mouth-watering delight. The resulting crispy discs might lack the chew of a traditional stroopwafel softened over coffee (the perils of asking this Dutch person their opinion on a stroopwafel…), but they’re still absolutely delicious — especially with Biscoff.

The churros here were one of the true stars of last year’s Market: perfectly crisp, fluffy inside, entirely plant-based, and honestly some of the best churros we’ve ever eaten. We loved them so much in 2024 that we went back again and again — and even brought friends specifically to try them. They never once let us down.

Churros are £7 for 5 or £9 for 7. Sauces range from £1.20–£2.50, with extra toppings for 80p–£1.

Alongside their excellent churros, they also serve freshly brewed Favela coffee (from £3.50) and a range of hot chocolates and lattes (from £5.50). They’ll even do you an Irish coffee!

What’s the verdict?

Our first churros of the year were the Dubai Chocolate — churros topped with pistachio sauce, chocolate sauce and crispy kadaifi. The churros are as perfect as ever: hot, crunchy, light. The sticky sauces add sweetness without overwhelming things, but the real revelation is the kadaifi, which brings a second layer of crisp texture that works beautifully.

We also tried their Baileys hot chocolate, knowing how iconic this is for many Market-goers. They do not hold back — it’s strong, very Baileys-forward (possibly reduced a little too much), and topped with cream, a flake and a marshmallow. It looks adorable, but it’s very sweet. After the marshmallow, we were done. This one is definitely for serious sugar lovers only.

The churros, though? Still outstanding. Still one of the Market’s best food offerings.

The Market’s second swing grill offers the same bratwurst lineup as the one near the main entrance — pork & herb, smoky bacon, or cheese-filled, all £9.50. The key difference here is the addition of baked potatoes, starting at £8.90. Think classic Spud-u-Like vibes: simple, hearty, and hard to get wrong. There’s a wide range of fillings and toppings too, including beans, chilli, turkey, cheese and bacon.