A Guide to Local Food & Drink Deliveries in Scotland
With the world on pause, and so much of life shrunk to the size of our living rooms, one of the biggest joys (and consistencies) remains cooking and eating. With things being so upside down, now is more important than ever to support local businesses, many of whom have had to completely pivot their entire structures in a matter of weeks to adapt to this strange new world, offering new services and figuring out logistics on the fly.
So to make life easier (and to help you avoid scrolling to p22 of a Google search.. thanks algorithm of doom), I’ve rounded up local businesses, indys and start-ups offering home delivery across Scotland (as well as those currently just operating in Glasgow, Edinburgh or East Lothian) to tide us over while we stay home to keep each other safe from COVID-19.
So whether you are exploring new dishes (hello bread-making), getting creative to substitute ingredients you can’t find at the moment or just baking the ubiquitous lockdown banana cake on a Groundhog Day loop, here are some of the loveliest places to order food and drinks in Scotland, to keep you fed and watered.
P.S. I’ve only included businesses currently taking on new customers - there are loads of fantastic farms and services usually offering deliveries but who aren’t able to expand their customer base just yet due to unprecedented demand. Keep checking back as I’ll update this list as I go along! If you yourself are offering a delivery service in Scotland, please let me know - I’d love to hear from you! xxx
Delivering Across The Central Belt (& further afield)…
Romaine Calm
With backgrounds in farming, food and wine, entrepreneurs James & Jeremy quickly saw a real need for a service to connect local producers directly with consumers at home during the current lockdown via impressive Fruit & Veg boxes. They work with an ever expanding range of local suppliers to provide tasty add-ons like fresh sourdough and pies - yumm. Current delivery times are Edinburgh: 1-2 days / Glasgow, Perth + East Lothian: 2-5 days.
Charles Stamper
Charles Stamper Fruit & Veg is a local, family run business based in the centre of Edinburgh, currently delivering fresh fruit and vegetables throughout the central belt. They are adding new products to their online shop every day and scaling up delivery days to accommodate an increase in demand.
The Cheese Lady
Based in East Lothian with a beautiful physical cheesemongers in Haddington, The Cheese Lady is currently offering delivery across East Lothian and the Rest of Britain (double check the website for varying courier costs). Championing artisanal and farmhouse cheeses to inspire slow, joyful living, The Cheese Lady sends delicious cheeses and accompanying accoutrements straight to your door.
Website / Insta / +44 1620 823 729 / hello@thecheeselady.co.uk
I.J. Mellis
With outposts in St. Andrews, Glasgow’s West End, Stockbridge & Morningside in Edinburgh, I.J. Mellis is synonymous with gorgeous cheese and foodie products. Offering deliveries of fresh cheeses and tasty essentials to England, Wales and Central Scotland, they have also put together delicious “Survival Packs” for your isolation table (though they will set you back a fairly steep £45..).
East Coast Cured
With a shop in Leith, East Coast Cured produce artisanal Scottish charcuterie and cured meats. Founded by husband and wife team Steven & Susie Anderson, ECC have won some impressive food & drink awards! Their products are currently in huge demand, with their online shop updating every few days. Free Edinburgh (EH1 to EH17) delivery on orders over £25 and free Uk-wide delivery on orders over £40.
Valvona & Crolla
The team at family-owned Valvona & Crolla have been busy creating delicious Stay At Home parcels including a big box of sunshine with around 3 kgs of fruit and vegetables directly from Italian Markets, fresh cheeses and meats and this gorgeous afternoon tea selection box. Delivering across the Uk.
FB / +44 131 556 6066
Berto’s Brownies
Glasgow based Berto’s Brownies are still baking! Order a gift box of 4 x delicious brownies; handmade in Scotland, delivered to your door (anywhere in the Uk)! There are six different regular flavours and a rotating special-of-the-week. Berto is a Spanish Pastry Chef who has lived in Scotland for the past thirty years.
Quarantini Boxes
Keep Glasgow Thriving & Keep Edinburgh Thriving are incredible ventures conceived to keep local small businesses actively selling their products at this time! With amazing gift boxes of local products for each city, I love their Quarantini boxes, to support the local hospitality industry. Each Quarantini box contains garnishes, serve instructions and pick n mix (all you need is a glass and some ice). They come in both small (4 cocktails and a beer) and large sizes (6 cocktails and 2 beers).
Delivering in Glasgow…
Busy Bee Catering
Events caterer Busy Bee Catering have pivoted beautifully, creating thoughtful bespoke food packages and night-in 3-course meals for 2.
Other innovative options currently available to order include munchie snack boxes, oven ready toastie packages, ice cream sundae kits for two and more. Their comforting soup kits are perfect for working-from-home lunches, each including five fresh cartons of soup & freshly baked bread. Continental or Full English Breakfast boxes would make the most incredible birthday or anniversary treat. They also have great mixed produce fruit & veg boxes available to order.
Edit: Pictured above, their Childhood Nostalgia Dinner box (£50 - kindly gifted to me by founder Lucy as a press sample after I featured her snack boxes in the original version of this article). Tomato soup and grilled cheese to start, followed by the most succulent roast chicken and all the trimmings, with mango cheesecake and pimms jelly and cream to finish! It was truly delicious and I couldn’t believe how much work had gone into each component of the meal. Everything was perfectly cooked and I can’t recommend their meal boxes for 2 enough to make an evening at home feel really special.
Website / FB / Insta
Tableware pictured is by Clare V x Anthropologie: Maisonette Dinner Plate, Side Plates (currently only available on the US site), Glassware, Carafe & Mugs.
Valhalla’s Goat
Don’t be fooled by their boarded up shopfront - Valhalla’s Goat are very much open! They have put together a list of drinks suggestions on their homepage, but can deliver anything they have in stock. Fill out their handy order form and they will phone you to confirm and take payment. Minimum £20 purchase for free delivery in Glasgow (a £7.50 charge for further afield).
Wild Fig
After losing all of their event bookings over the coming months due to COVID-19, family owned Wild Fig Catering have created delicious menus for home delivery. If you don’t fancy cooking, they have 2 x soups, 2 x main courses and 2 x pasta sauces available to choose from each week, and delicious bakes. Delivery is £3.60 per order (Glasgow and immediate surrounding areas only).
Website / FB / Insta / info@wildfigfood.com / (+44) 7 551 203 166
Kothel
At Kothel’s Crow Road outlet, they are selling a variety of supplies from their newly erected outdoor gazebo! A fruit & veg box and an “Italian night in” box are available to order for collection or next day delivery (G11, G12, G13 and G14). The team are also currently putting together free food parcels to deliver to over 70s. If you know of anyone who might need this, please email Kothel and let them know so they can arrange delivery.
FB / Insta / kothelgroup@outlook.com / (+44) 141 258 4799
Sarti @ Home
Stalwart of Glasgow’s Italian restaurant scene, the Sarti group are now offering a plethora of Italian ingredients with free delivery in certain areas of Glasgow, including pasta, sauces, coffee & wine. They also have 4 different meat boxes to choose from and if you'd like to order something that's not listed, they can try to procure it - just ask! They even have *whispers* hand sanitiser… N.B. there’s a minimum order value of £25.
Barvas & James
Much-loved Glasgow florist Barvas & James have returned to their origins as a food box business this month, delivering a mixed box of fruit and vegetable sourced from the market for £20 (fresh Freedom Bakery bread can be added too). Great news - they will be offering fresh flower options very soon as deliveries from Holland recommence! Order via a private message on IG or FB.
Wineorama
Wineorama is a small family business created especially during the COVID-19 crisis to provide those in lockdown with good wine 🍷. Delivery days are Tuesday (order by Sunday) & Friday (order by Wednesday) within Glasgow and the surrounding areas only. Delivery costs vary depending on spend and there is a minimum order of 6 bottles.
Website / FB / Insta / sales@wineorama.com / (+44) 7 783 827 509
Locavore
Locavore is an organic grocery store & veg box delivery service, growing food on their own land here in in Glasgow, working with growers and ethical producers. The Locavore movement is a social enterprise encouraging a more ethical, local approach to eating. With the current situation, they’ve pulled together an impressive ethical online shop and can deliver across the city.
Website / FB / Insta / shop@glasgowlocavore.org / (+44) 141 378 1682
The Fresh Fruit & Veg Shop
The Fresh Fruit & Veg Shop offer a monthly subscription to their beautiful boxes of fresh produce. They buy all of their produce fresh from the Glasgow Fruit Market on the morning of each delivery, including only what is in season and tastes good that day. Order via DM on Social Media
Website / FB / Insta / info@freshfruitandvegshop.com / +44 1 698 816 178
The Fish People
Family Fishmonger The Fish People have set up a temporary online order site to help Glasgow folks with their food shopping - selling lovely fresh fish as well as wine, beer, pasta and other dry goods. They can deliver for free in Glasgow & surrounding areas, but anyone further afield should enquire for more info.
Website / FB / Insta / enquiries@thefishpeopleshop.co.uk / (+44 ) 141 429 1609
George Mewes
Much loved West End cheesemonger Geroge Mewes have a good supply of cheeses and regular deliveries of fresh bread, milk and eggs, and can deliver locally to those who are currently self-isolating. Online and phone orders can also be collected at the shop if you prefer. They have also created a great mixed fresh fruit and veg box too, changing weekly.
McQueen’s Dairies
McQueens Dairies are a third-generation family business started with the aim of modernising traditional doorstep delivery (ft. adorable glass bottles). They deliver milk of all sizes, eggs and fruit juices. They have initially struggled to keep up with frankly mental demand across the city, but are now taking on new customers again! Be aware - they can only deliver to a front door property, not an apartment building.
Peckham’s
The lovely team behind Peckham’s have been working tirelessly to relaunch as a wine curation and delivery service. After a whole-family effort, Peckham’s are now offering next day delivery on a wide selection of wines from around the world, in cases of six bottles across Glasgow. I like the sound of their specially curated cabin-fever clamp down case (and can think of a few people who will be ordering forthwith!) As they are just starting up, national postal distribution to follow in the coming days - watch this space!
Drygate Brewery
Much loved Drygate are brewing craft beers for the COVID-19 age, including the likes of Inside Looking Out (best enjoyed with the view from your living room), Dancing With Myself and Better Off Alone. They are also running a virtual festival (promising to deliver more than Fyre Fest) selling super exclusive VIP packages of beers aplenty. When things open up again, definitely book one of their brewery tours, which are a lot of fun.
Bar Brett
One of my favourite wine bars anywhere, Bar Brett on Great Western Road is known for its exceptional French products and beautiful wines. They recently launched their picnic box for two, a box of homemade and especially selected products including charcuterie and cheese, burrata and grilled vegetables, BBQ shellfish and more. Complementing bottles of natural wine are also available to purchase in house, and the team are launching a wider range of food including a beef wellington, garnish and wine for two.
Website / FB / Insta / info@barbrett.co.uk
Home By Nico
Perfect for date night and celebrating special occasions, Six by Nico have launched Home by Nico. The team delivers oven-ready meals for 2 or 4 people, with a different theme each week (as close to a restaurant experience as possible) which so far have featured Thai, Mexican and Italian cuisine. Pre-orders open at 9am oevery Friday for delivery the following Friday - they’re super in demand so be ready to click fast. We’ve absolutely loved their Picnic themed dinner and most recently their French Riviera meal.
Delivering in Edinburgh…
The Free Company
The Free Company is a beautiful Farm at the foot of the Pentland Hills just outside Edinburgh, operating a really magnificent seasonal restaurant for seven months of the year. With guests not able to dine around the fire as usual, the team (including brothers Angus and Charlie who grew up on the family farm) have stepped up their market garden operations to provide their Veg Club members with fresh, organic fruit and veg year-round.
Incredibly sustainable, the farm produces chemical free vegetables with a net negative carbon impact and are building their own seed bank and maximising biodiversity.
Veg Club Membership is available on a weekly or fortnightly basis, with delivery to postcodes from EH1 to EH17 (collection directly from the farm is also possible).
The Edinburgh Ice Co.
Usually to be found creating unbelievably perfect ice for Edinburgh’s bar and events’ industry, the team at Edinburgh Ice Co have made a pretty amazing side-step to offer fresh fruit and veg bags delivered straight to your door. Delivery is included within the Edinburgh city bypass. They are also giving customers the option to gift a bag of mixed fruit and veg to NHS staff.
Twelve Triangles Bakery
Just in case you’re not quite ready to jump on the sourdough starter bandwagon (all 4 of you), Rachel & Emily of Twelve Triangles Bakery have created an online shop for all your sourdough, pastry and store cupboard needs! You can buy items individually or order one of their much-coveted mystery boxes, priced at £15. They are adding staples via cool local suppliers as they go too. Note the that for now they can only deliver to EH1, EH2, EH3, EH4, EH5, EH6, EH7, EH8, EH9, EH10, EH11, EH12 and EH15.
Smith & Gertrude @ Home
Beloved Stockbridge wine bar Smith & Gertrude are here to save our weekends one and all with their Stay Home Weekend Packs - ft. a bottle of vino, delicious cheeses, charcuterie. a baguette and home made S&G chocolates. 😭 I die. They’ve also created the Stockbridge Connection brunch pack (and of course you can do away with food all together and just order wine..alll the wine). Free delivery in central Edinburgh, minimum order £19.
Capital Wholesalers
Capital wholesalers are a local, family run business based in Edinburgh since 1968. Usually delivering to the city’s trop hotels and restaurants, they have adapted to be able to deliver directly to communities in Edinburgh, offering contact-free deliveries of fruit, vegetables, dry ingredients, dairy, fresh herbs and some household items.
Spry
Leith Walk wine bar & bottle shop Spry Wines are currently delivering across Edinburgh for free and have a lovely list of wines, cheese, meats and pickles among other delicious things that change weekly. Spry by name, Spry by nature, they have also been busy collaborating with Fresca Pasta to create delicious dinner packs with everything you need for a foodie night in. DM to order.
Fresca Pasta
Pop-up Pasta mavericks Pasta Fresca have hosted dreamy supper clubs in some of the capital’s coolest event spaces. Until we can feast together again, they are offering Pasta At Home kits. Each set feeds 2 and includes handmade pasta, a sauce of your choosing and grated Grana Padano for the final je-ne-sais-quoi. They are also stocked up on elusive bread flour and other hard-to-find pantry bits.
Root to Market by Fhior
Fhior owners Scott and Laura Smith have launched a new Root to Market initiative to keep their restaurant staff in employment and connect their wonderful suppliers directly with hungry consumers at home, providing a lifeline all round. Options include meat, bread, meat, flour, pasta, milk and other produce. They also have great ethical household goods such as a natural hand sanitiser made at Edinburgh’s Secret Herb Garden and *gasp* loo roll! Sign up here for more information.
Mimi’s Bakehouse
Edinburgh favourite Mimi's Bakehouse are offering a delivery and takeaway service across Edinburgh. Delivering their renowned cupcakes, cakes, brownies, scones and care packages to postcodes EH1-EH17 for a £5 charge. Ideal for a special treat, or to send something sweet to friends and family from a distance (making Birthdays in lockdown less sad). Use code FREE50 for free shipping on orders over £50.
Mothership
The creative team behind the likes of Bramble Bar, Lucky Liquor Co and the Last Word Saloon are hand-delivering gorgeous bottled cocktails and other booze in Edinburgh and by courier to the rest of the uk. Mothership produce all of their own products in the West End of Edinburgh including ready-to-drink cocktails, syrups and liquers.
Bross Bagels
Universally beloved Bagel-masters Bross are serving freshly baked bagels and accoutrements (allll of the shmear and toppings), delivered to your door via their Bagelmobile. Luckily their fluffy bagels can be sliced and frozen so you can stock up for later! Delivery is free, with a minimum spend of £20. Order for the day after tomorrow delivery to Edinburgh before 5pm.
Röder & Bell
Recently launched Röder and Bell was started by husband and wife team Emma Roeder and Cameron Hunter Bell, inspired by the excitement that comes from discovering new flavours and treats when travelling. Launching during a global pandemic may not be what they had in mind, but they’ve adapted beautifully to the COVID-19 crisis - putting together boxes filled with ingredients from an impressive array of Scottish suppliers (changing bi-weekly). Deliverable daily within the City of Edinburgh.
Website / FB / Insta / (+44) 7939 180969 / roederandbell@gmail.com
Vino with Drinkly
With 5 branches across Edinburgh, Vino sells wine, spirits, beers and offers a really local, independent approach (and definitely no snobbery)! Vino are currently offering free delivery for orders over £30 with code EH30. They can arrange deliveries further afield for free over £100 or for a £10 fee below that. Good news - you can also get drinks from Vino delivered to your door in under an hour (or thereabouts) via Drinkly!
Cork & Cask
Cork & Cask are an independent neighbourhood off-license in Marchmont, Edinburgh specialising in Organic and natural wines, independent whiskies, scottish gins and craft beer. The team are super friendly and knowledgeable and they are currently offering free Edinburgh delivery (with no minimum spend!) and free UK wide shipping.
Website / FB / Insta / +44 131 447 7721 / chris@corkandcask.co.uk
Delivering in East Lothian…
Mad March Hare
Amanda Farnese Heath specialises in food styling and beautiful rustic wild dining, organising magnificent dinner parties in the Scottish countryside. Amanda is currently cooking a healthy and nutritious immune boosting menu for delivery to your doorstep around North Berwick. Each week she publishes the daily changing menu on her Facebook page, and can take a maximum of 10 orders per day to ensure maximum safety and quality.
To order email themadmarchhare@icloud.com / FB / Website/ Insta
Bostock Bakery
As their beautiful North Berwick space is currently closed, award-winning Bostock Bakery are offering a new online delivery service from their bakery in East Linton, dropping your favourite freshly baked bread, pastries, cakes, pantry ingredients and coffee off at your door. Currently delivery is free for all orders and they have a useful map of their delivery area on the website.
Steampunk Coffee
Possibly my favourite coffee shop of all time, anywhere - universally beloved Steampunk Coffee in North Berwick have reopened their online shop delivering a selection of freshly roasted coffee and brewing equipment to keep you sufficiently caffeinated through lockdown.
All orders placed by Sunday nights will be shipped the following Thursday (contactless hand delivery in NB).
Big Blu Pizza At Home
For me, the Big Blue Pizza van is synonymous with sunny Summer Friday evenings at Steampunk in North Berwick, and is much loved across East Lothian & Edinburgh. So I was particularly excited when they announced their latest pivot - pizza delivery across East Lothian! The team have worked their magic to create the perfect at-home pizza that yields as similar a result from your own oven as their wood fired oven. They arrive slightly pre-cooked, ready to be finished off in your own oven. Buon appetito!
Made By Kip
Chef Kip (of the brilliant Bonnie Badger in Gullane) has launched an incredible new venture hand making fresh, artisanal pasta. Available to pre-order from Monday to Thursday and delivering to East Lothian Fri to Sun. The pasta is super reasonably priced per portion and their menu is mouthwatering - with options like wild garlic farfalle, local sage butter and beef ragu. Send a DM on FB or Insta to order and voila!
Wee Locals is a great site that’s just been launched to help connect communities and local businesses offering delivery services in East Lothian and Edinburgh. Check back as their database grows!
*I know that it is an immense privilege to be in a position to order delicious food parcels (and to have an address to order them to), with many in increasingly precarious situations at the moment. I have been following the absolutely amazing activities of charities such as Refuweegee and Social Bite and urge you to support their vital work or to do whatever you are able in your local area to support food banks and other organisations helping people in real, real difficulty. ❤️
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