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!!

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.

Went there on Friday and was surprised to find thst they have put plastic bag in the bakery area…read more I hope this was for that one day.

This is the nicest place to shop in the most awful New Kirkgate Shopping Centre (- see my review -…read morehttp://www.yelp.co.uk/biz/new-kirkgate-shopping-centre-edinburgh -) It is not large, but it has everything (and more) that is needed for a daily shop. They even have a small 'fresh market' like feel to it now the freshly baked bread counter has been introduced. So good and cheap. What do I usually buy here? Bread, vegetables, milk, salami, liquid soap, red wine, chicken, beef mince and chicken & pasta soup (those ones in a tin for 99p). What I don't buy? Beauty products, Slippers, workbenches, shoes, pans, spirits (I am little snob regarding these and unknown brands of Vodka, Rum,Whisky or Gin tend to irk me..) Especially the special themed week discounts is a great way to get the brands and produce from the continent that you usually don't get here in the UK. - I even bought Siberian Reindeer Steaks for Christmas last year! I salute you Lidl Scotland, for making my shopping needs less of a chore!

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.

The is a handy and ubiquitous convenience store chain we saw throughout Scotland. The best thing…read moreto me is that their ATM's had the best rates for ATM cash. Their rate was the current 1.35 USD/GBP exchange rate plus only a 3.95 GBP charge. Other ATM's I tried at the airport and at a bank wanted about a 1.55 USD/GBP exchange rate which equates to a ridiculous 15% fee! Otherwise, we like convenience stores like this during our travels for items like bottled water and such.

Sainsbury's on West Port, not too far from Chalmers Centre, in Edinburgh was the first grocery…read morestore I went to in Scotland. On my second day, first morning, in Scotland (6 July 2019), I was looking to get a few food items for the day before picking up my rental car and was aware of this store as I passed it the evening before on foot when going to get dinner. The store was bigger on the inside than it looked like on the outside. Sections were well set up and easy to navigate and peruse. I was particularly impressed with a bakery/fresh-baked breads section at the back of the store. In the United States of America, the stores of an equivalent nature might have hot dogs or donuts available, but not fresh-made bread. I got a few items and went through self check out. It took me a couple tries to get the payment right, but everything worked. Worker(s) were friendly.

Decent sized supermarket that isn't overly expensive. Has a…read moregood range of products. I mean, its a grocery store- I'm not sure what else I can say.

I wouldn't shop here except for the proximity to my house…read more Cramped and poorly lit this Tescos exemplifies all that is wrong with their brand. Walking through the store you are constantly harassed by physiologically predicted buying triggers placed at eye height. See this deal? BUY 5 SAVE 0p NOW REDUCED (we artificially raised the price to make it seem like a discount in the weeks before) ALL OUR OWN LABEL WINE IS NOW 'FINEST' added value on everything! (even though it is still the crappy plonk) WHAT WHAT WHAT? WINE REDUCED FROM £20 TO £5? What a deal!! (too bad it is a no name brand they have made up themselves in house and whacked a pretty label on it, IT'S ADDED VALUE!) ALL YOUR END OF AISLE DEALS ARE RUBBISH, you are just using this area to try and trigger a buying response. Walking around this store it seems like they are always trying to charlatan you into buying. It's because you are not important any more. All Tesco cares about is the shareholder. Things to buy - Ice, they sell 1kg and 2kg for the same price of £1 so get the bigger one. Lambs kidney to feed to my dog (15p) Sometimes they have microfibre clothes at 4 for a £1 Occasionally offers on tulips (I like tulips) Don't Get switched with a BOGOF fake upsell.

One of the better Morrison's in the Edinburgh area. I regularly frequent this one and the Gilmerton…read morestore, and the contrast in standard between the two is very evident. In fairness Portobello Road's Willy M recently went under an overhaul, introducing a revitalised rotisserie, butcher, delicatessen, etc., while extending the back area to accommodate new chillers and a lovely fresh bakers. Most notably the fresh produce area has been redesigned and laid out well, introducing a particularly good herb garden. The selection is probably the best I've seen. Offers are regular and fair. I particularly love timing it right to get all the discounted butchers, bakers and candlestick mak-- I mean rotisserie fare at the end of the day. Good for a monthly shop. Loses one star for not stocking Calippos anymore.

As far as Morrisons goes, this isn't a bad one. They have more fresh produce on show than most…read moreother of the franchise, including fresh beets and the occasional shipment of Pomelo, which excites my partner more than is rationally expected. Then again, my obsession with fresh beets is maybe just as strange. The staff span the gamut from surly to very friendly, so better than a lot of the big groceries, as you have to expect a certain range with so many people working there. Since I first put up my review Morrisons have moved with the times and now have a much expanded free-from section, including more frozen options, etc. Their Quorn selection is still limited (no steak strips!) and frequently sold out, but it's overall a much better place for vegetarian products now. Well done! I do still find that their layout can be confusing after almost two years here.

Great to have one so close. It's quite good for general groceries. And ok it's not brands that…read moreyou've heard off as they can't get into the main supermarket chains supply, but as just as good if not better because it's cost less and saves you some pennies. The wine selection is small but i've tried a few and haven't not finished the bottle - so that''s a good thing ;-) These have a small bakery - which makes the bread fresh - yay! Also there is a small veg selection of which i've had courgettes, aubergines, onions, garlic and red peppers and they have all been fine. I want to do an experiement and see how much cheaper it is compared to lets say tesco or sainsbury's and look at the quality and quantity v's the other supermarkets. They you save money here so i want to give it a go!

Lidl's in Dalkeith is pretty much what you would expect from any Lidl store. The food is of…read moreexcellent quality, most of which is just as good if not better than 'the leading brand'. The in store bakery has a huge selection of both savory and sweet baked goods. There's always a fascinating mix of specials available - where else can you put a tin of beans, a pair of waders for fishing and a selection of childrens colouring books in your basket at the same time? Fruit and veg is of good quality, and there is a good selection. There isn't such a great selection of fresh meat, however the price is cheap and the quality is excellent. You will save money over the local Tescos and Morrisons if you do your shopping here instead.