To be stressing about Edinburgh trip?

[Detest]

Supposed to be taking DD15 to Edinburgh Christmas market 5 days before Christmas. Trains and hotel all booked, have been for months.
Its now occurring to me, with covid and it being Christmas week, I have no idea where we're going to eat because everything will be booked and I have no idea what the actual covid rules are.
For context, we're travelling from England. I want to cancel, DP says I'm stressing over nothing and DD will be devastated

There'll be a thousand little cafes and pubs open around Edinburgh who will take walk ins from weary, mask wearing travellers. You won't starve, surely?

Supermarkets and takeaways will be open, there’s loads in Edinburgh

I think unless you plan to be booking exclusive restaurants every night you'll be fine, surely?
Bratwurst and stroopwaffel at the markets, breakfast at the hotel or a coissant from a bakery, a little cafe or pub for tea.
Your daughter isn't expecting more than that is she?

To be honest the rules up here keep changing so have a look at the Scottish news online to see what’s going on. I don’t think you should cancel, at the moment we are all just wearing masks inside and using the hand sanitizers.

The rules to be introduced in England have been the rules in Scotland for months.
You’ll be fine!
Also, a lot of places in Edinburgh don’t take bookings in the week up to Christmas to avoid no-shows, you won’t struggle for choice.

You can't cancel, OP! There are millions of eateries, cafes, pubs in Edinburgh.
We've never stopped wearing face coverings up here so don't forget your masks. Have a great time!

Don't cancel. You will get in somewhere to eat.

If all else fails there is a Maccies and a BK on Princes Street. The market is only a 1/3 of its normal size.

I went to Edinburgh a couple of weeks ago and while it was gorgeous…it was a nightmare. We tried to find a cafe for a coffee on Saturday - no! You needed reservations for the tea rooms!
My advice book what you can for when you can!

I think you should go

If you want some restaurant recommendations try:

El Cartel
Civerinos
Kanpai
Dishoom
Locando di Gusti
Chez Jules

Oh and Mary's milk Bar if by chance you fancy an ice-cream in December.

Go and have a great time. Use opentable to book places to eat. Or have a chippy or market food or cafes etc. you’ll get places to eat definitely!

Was in Edinburgh a couple weeks back; had no problems finding places to eat (without a reservation).

Go, enjoy! :)

Most places in Edinburgh leave tables aside for walk ins… try down towards Broughton Street and up towards top end Lothian Rd/Brunsfield or up the Bridges (up near Edinburgh Uni). Or pop down to Inverleith by Botanics. Loads of wee places all over the place

You'll be fine, honestly. Seven of us went for lunch to a restaurant at Haymarket today and got seated with no prior reservation. I know it's midweek and it's not Christmas week yet, but there were a lot more of us!

There are plenty of places like Costa and Starbucks. They'll usually be able to squeeze people in at Wagamamas or Ting Thai Caravan. I've never seen the food places at St James Quarter (the new shopping centre) look particularly busy (although I haven't been there often) And there are loads of food stalls at the Christmas market - it's not all german sausage - there's mac n cheese, fish and chips, I'm sure I saw a place doing a veg stew and other dishes (although I didn't study the menu).

You'll have plenty of options.

I recently tried to book a lunch in Edinburgh and while a few restaurants were full up, a lot didn’t take bookings as they’re just open for walk ins and just take bookings in the evening. Try booking now if you’re worried but it will be fine. There are lots of places.

‘Everything will be booked’? In a capital city? It really won’t.

Also, if the trip has been booked for months, why has it only occurred to you now to book restaurants?

You've got to go. Edinburgh is fab and there are tons of places to eat. I think the restrictions there are the same as they were in the summer and it wasn't oppressive at all, nor was it enforced with an iron fist! You'll be fine. Carry a mask and watch what others do. Have a great time!

I live in Central Edinburgh and lots of the places close by are closed Monday and Tuesday because they are struggling to get staff. Lots are opening Wed-Sun

There's loads of options for eating out in Edinburgh.

For breakfast, I recommend Black Sheep Coffee. There's one on North Bridge, it's only just opened but I had the most amazing waffle for breakfast.

There's loads of places in the new St James Centre and McDonald's, Yo Sushi, Burger King and Pizza Hut are either on Princes Street or just off it. Theres also a lot of restaurants in the Omni Centre too.

Don't cancel though.

You are being a bit silly. I live in Edinburgh - there's lots of restaurants, cafes, takeaways. The rules are simply to wear a mask when entering/moving around.

There will be food somewhere even if you have to resort to a supermarket.

Don't worry about it, there's plenty of options for eating.
I took my DS to the ice skating in George St a couple of weeks ago and she really enjoyed it so recommended that too.

Don’t cancel OP! I live in Edinburgh - you’ll have a wonderful time and definitely find places to eat!

Bonnie and Wild is a fancy food court type place that is very popular that has opened in the new St James’ Centre off Princes Street. There’s sometimes a queue but it goes down quickly and we’ve never been turned away. It’s very quick service once you’re in though!

Papilo is a lovely Italian restaurant which we’ve just discovered in Bruntsfield (a nice part of town to explore) and we also love Chizuru Tei, a small BYOB Japanese restaurant near Haymarket. We normally book both on the day with no hassle.

Enjoy your trip!

I echo what others have said @Detest - while lots of places will be booked there are plenty of options. St James Centre has plenty of walk in options, and I imagine Bonnie & Wild would be quite cool for a 15 yr old. Dishoom for brunch one morning is a good option. El Cartel is another good suggestion from a PP - historically the one in Thistle St was walk in only though check their website for latest info. People are booking up places in advance, but most places have walk in space reserved and lots of no-shows. Don't cancel!

You may need to book restaurants for evening meals in advance as they are still limiting number of tables but there are plenty of cafes, tea shops and takeaways plus street stalls.