I'm not sure if you have heard of Aldi and if not, its a supermarket chain similar to Lidl. You can…read morefind it on Georgie road, a 10 min bus ride from Haymarket. There is also a medium sized car park at the rear. It sells unknown brands for lower prices. The quality of the food and household supplies are acceptable and well within the value you pay for it. Their sweets section is one of a kind and the chocolate a must try. They also sell cat food called VitaCat that my cats like and which is a bit cheaper than the popular brand names. Household items are particularly well priced: toilet and kitchen roles, cleaners, candles..... You can also rumble you special on offer items, which are exchanged each month. During Christmas time they are much better stocked with a wider selection. For bread and meaty goods, however, I still shop somewhere else, but in any case my household bills have decreased.

I live in the city centre and don't drive so most of my food shopping involves local and tiny…read moregrocery shops with little choice. The media are always mentioning how amazing Aldi is with its cheap produce and all that jazz. This Aldi is quite big for a city grocery market - well bigger than I expected. And they have a pretty big car park! I visited on a sunday afternoon and it was busy. One thing you notice is that the aisles are narrow. They have the fresh veg on the right hand side when you first enter. Then meats and fish followed by milk and cheese and then prepared foods. I came specifically for their fillet of beef - a bargain at £4.99 for 170g (it wasn't bad!). Aldi also sell things you didn't realize you needed - like an exercise mat or face cream for £2.99 (hey the magazines say it will get rid of all of your wrinkles!) Aldi have some great deals and if I lived closer I'd be a regular!

This is my local Salisbury's and where every Monday I do my weekly shop…read more It is a large store, but what bothers me as half the store is not food. This in my eyes defeats the purpose of a supermarket as surely they are food first and TVs second? Clearly it works for them but it does get annoying as choices are limited. The freezer section is very small which for a poor student means I have limited choices in frozen chips. I also find there is a lack of alternatives to brand names i.e. supermarket own brand. On some occasions I would much prefer to just buy the supermarket brand but because this shop has a limited selection of food I can't do this all the time. I do enjoy the "Oops!'' section though. As a first year and an Asda shopper, the Oops section was like finding gold. For those who aren't in the know, this is the reduced section. They always have reduced meat which is handy for throwing in the freezer. The staff here are very friendly and chatty which is a novelty for supermarket staff.

This is one of my local 'big stores'. It gets four stars for its range and it does have a fab…read moregluten free section (and GF beer!) but Sainsbury just doesn't wow me the way it used to. I'm not sure what has happened. Watching Nigella or Delia and looking for that must have ingredient? Go here. Looking for rotisserie, bakery and fresh fish under one roof with free parking, head here. Want your beer tokens (sorry currency) for hollibags - pop in and get your milk and newspaper at the same time. Need a new tv in the sale - yep, sorted here and all with added Nectar points. There is a fair range of deals to be had but it does work out more expensive, than say going to Asda. Even given the choice and its proximity to chez moi, I only concede to shopping here once in a while now because I hate the queues. To avoid a rant, its always busy, there's never enough staff on till's, regardless of when I shop. The staff are all really nice, but when I've stood in yet another queue for what feels like half my life and I'm starving, I just want to get served and go. Hence I shop here less than I used to and prefer the little Scotmid who manage queues perfectly.

When I travel I try to find the spots off the beaten path, places tourists don't go. This simple…read moreshopping center Cafe is haunted by locals. There were no tourists, that is hard to find in Edinburgh. Had a bacon roll and tea. The bacon roll is the best I have had so far here in Scotland, I'll let you know after I hit up Gregg's. The tea was phenomenal. Worth your time to check this out if you are looking to get away from the crowds.

This Scotmid is shiny and new after recently being refurbished. It has a much better lay out, and…read moreshock horror some staff to work behind the tills! Which means if there is one person in front of you in the queue, the nice check out boy will buzz for someone else to come and everyone moves along quickly and quietly. Note to security guard. I know it is Gorgie so everyone is a suspect, but do you really need to follow me around every time I come in? Especially as you see me make my purchases every time I come in!

A fresh and bright branch of the much loved Scotmid, you can stock up on groceries here, buy some…read moreclassic Blossom Hill, get the latest magazine or just get some snacks if you're feeling a little peckish. As far as corner shops go, Scotmid's are great and they always have a great selection of goodies to choose from. Clean, well organised and well stocked, I really can't complain.

This Asda holds surprise a inside. We were actually visiting the Edinburgh Corn Exchange next door…read morebut parked up in the Asda car park. So we popped into Asda to get a couple of items. Lo and behold there sits an actual McDonald's Restaurant behind the cash desks. I couldn't believe it!!! I have never came across a McDonald's in a supermarket before and an Asda at that. It was absolutely mobbed, due to the event at the Corn Exchange, so we weren't able to stop in. Well, it's good to know it's there if we are ever out that way again. It was a good sized Asda and we found everything that we needed OK and paid at the self checkout. A store with a good sized car park, everything you need and a bonus McDonald's Restaurant for when you have the munchies or get hangry. Hehe!

LARGE, SPACIOUS, 24h OPENING TIME, WELL STOCKED…read more..... I have not been to Asda a lot of times, as normally it is too big for me and crowded. However, recently I made the discovery of 24h shopping and it is so convenient to go there after 10 clock at night and shop what you need without being disturbed. This Asda is massive and you can get food, clothing, appliances, pharmacy, coffee shop, electronics, toilets....and not to mention all the offers! Asda is well known for offering the best price amongst all the supermarkets! Ample space of parking is available. If you do not have a car the 35 bus will take you close to the location.

This is the biggest super market you will find around Haymarket and West End, I would say. It has a…read moregood selection of products, but you pay slightly more compared to bigger branches from competitors. The bakery part is always worth a visit, along with the hot food section for lunches. Weekly offers are also worth a visit! Amazon has placed a locker area, where you can pick up your order from there rather than wondering if it will fit through your door at home or having to pick it up from a post office another day.

Was vselectionisiting Edinburgh for a few days and drove past this on our way in. Stocked up on…read morefresh fruits ( Bannans,Blue Berries and Strawberries) and the prices were reasonable. Visited during the virus outbreak so there was no bread or toilet paper. They do have a bakery that sells baked goods. Love the alchohol selection and the staff were really nice.

I usually don't like Tesco but I like this one. It's small, has all the essential food groups…read more(milk, gf bread and wine) and although it's busy, there are never huge queues. It's also on my walk home from work, so I pop in a few times a week for little bits and pieces. Like most Tesco's you do pay more for your goodies than say Asda, and as this is a mini Tesco then add a bit more onto the price. But I'm usually always able to get Genius GF seeded bread here and some GF biscuits so that what makes it a winner. So, great for little essentials if you live locally and friendly staff

This is my little Express tesco just walking distance from my flat! Its a good express tesco,…read morealways stocked, got the basics and friendly staff. Always busy but moving through well. Ive never had to wait in line for the self check out! The security guards are always friendly and helpful too! Open late and while small still can find some good things on reduced =)

Stopped off here to pick up some groceries and snacks. It has a decent variety of food but not the…read moremost orderly store and the employees seemed grumpy which was unusual given my experience with others in town.

This Sainsbury's Local store is in a useful location on Shandwick Place, just off Princes Street in…read moreEdinburgh city centre. The selection is mixed, they have a great to-go food and drink section, which includes a Costa Express machine, however, the stock of essentials and groceries wasn't too good while being at the usual inflated convenience store pricing. The layout of the store was easy enough to follow, but due to the presence of security gates, you will need to go through the checkout area even if you don't buy anything, which can be a pain, especially if there's a big queue and the item you wanted to purchase is out of stock. There are a couple of hotels nearby, so this can be a great stop to get a couple of things to take back to your room, without having to travel far, but better alternatives for sure around the city. 3*

Came at around 5 pm. Had 3 for £8 & £15 meal deals…read more Chose the £15 -2 mains & 2 sides meal deal. Bought £3.25 Scottish mussels in creamy white wine. Desserts were all under £5. Selection of ready-made meals is fantastic compared to Toronto's Metro meal selection. Prices are unbelievably cheaper, too.

Very nice upscale grocery store. Lots of prepared meals and fruits were very fresh. Some good sales…read moreas well.

This place scares me…read more I don't often shop at big stores like this. No, it's not a hipster thing (ok... it's kind of a hipster thing) but ever since moving into Stockbridge, my favourite Sunday activity is visiting all the little local spots to grab groceries for the week. There's something charming about swinging into the butchers and then down to the bakery for tonight's dinner. But not everything can be found at a little haunt and sometimes, my bank account gets mad at me and I have to venture into a big spot like this. The thing I will point out (as many before me have) is that the quality of their store brand here is excellent. Much better than the Tesco stuff I found my first few weeks (that's the extent of my big box groceries though, so take this with a grain of salt I suppose). From the produce, to the pre-made salads (the beetroot and quinoa is excellent! Oh gosh, I AM a hipster!), to the interesting pre-made meal finds - it's a nice step up from your normal big box selection. Plus, they stock three different kinds of Yamazaki whisky. Coming from Canada where you can't find this in the MOST exclusive shops - this tickles me. So I would be a huge fan of this place, if it didn't give me complete and utter anxiety every time I set foot in the place. It is SO DAMN BUSY. ALL THE TIME! I don't know if it's because there's a online pick up area right at the front (which is handy), or because i'm too used to my Sunday shop strolls, but this place seems like a bit of a zoo every time i've been in. Which would be ok I suppose if the lines moved a bit quicker at check out and there were more people to lead this lost Canadian to the right aisle, but as it stands - though useful, it's a rather unpleasant shopping experience. I'll keep coming here for big ticket items and when I get my arse in gear to do a big shop, but I doubt it will make it on the regular rotation any time soon.

When I moved from Surrey to Scotland one of the very few things I missed was Waitrose. Living in…read moreFalkirk, we didn't even have a Sainsbury's but my Waitrose withdrawal ended when we moved to Edinburgh - where there is not only one - but TWO Waitroses to meet the foodie needs of North and South. I would never consider Waitrose to be my regular grocery store - I suppose that's where the missing star goes. It's more of a treat - like going to a food hall of a posh department store. The cleaning supplies and toiletries are a bit more than at other shops and the selection isn't as good - but they are there in case of emergency. The true delight comes in the more interesting selection of fresh fruit and veg - far more greens that any other supermarket - and even most independent grocers. Bok Choi, kales (whole not shredded), chard.... perfect for green juices! Great cheeses, meats, fresh baked breads and the amazing dessert aisle!! The salted caramel brownies from Maison Blanc are incredible!! The Strockbridge/Comely Bank location is ideal for when you have other things to do in town and the free parking garage is a great bonus. Another bonus - free tea and coffee if you have a 'My Waitrose' card. Ah, Waitrose - you do spoil us!!