- Cuisine: Comfort classics & Scottish fare | Price range: ££
- Ambience: Relaxed, welcoming, and spacious main dining hall, perfect for families
- Menu: Gannet menu — Nourishing bowls, hot sandwiches, small plates, Tiger Toasties, and Isle of Arran ice cream
- Timings: Open daily during zoo hours (Fresh food served all day)
- Location: Central area of Edinburgh Zoo (See map)
- Booking: Walk-in only
- Good for: Families, groups, and anyone wanting a hearty, satisfying lunch
Your guide to dining at the Edinburgh Zoo
Eat at Edinburgh Zoo or nearby?
Eating at Edinburgh Zoo is highly recommended, as it features a fantastic variety of on-site dining options scattered across the park. Visitors can enjoy everything from relaxed, sit-down family meals at the main restaurant to global street food on the weekends and quick snacks at scenic cafés overlooking animal enclosures. The food at Edinburgh Zoo focuses heavily on fresh, locally sourced Scottish ingredients and planet-friendly, sustainably conscious choices. Because the zoo is located slightly outside Edinburgh's central dining districts, eating inside the attraction maximises your viewing time. Best of all, no advance bookings are required for standard park dining!
Restaurants at Edinburgh Zoo
The Gannet
Penguins Café
- Cuisine: Deli sandwiches & fairtrade coffee | Price range: £
- Ambience: Bright and lively cafe with unbeatable, direct views of the world-famous penguin colony
- Menu: Penguins Café menu — Freshly made deli sandwiches, salad boxes, soup of the day with artisan bread, and exclusive Sir Olav biscuits
- Timings: Open daily during zoo hours
- Location: Located right beside the Penguin habitat (See map)
- Booking: Walk-in only
- Good for: Quick bites, coffee breaks, and watching the penguins waddle
Grasslands
- Cuisine: International street food | Price range: ££
- Ambience: Fun, casual, and dynamic outdoor weekend vibe
- Menu: Grasslands menu — Stone-baked pizzas, buttermilk fried chicken, flavour-packed bao buns, and special "Roaring Rewards" options
- Timings: Open every weekend during zoo hours
- Location: Located near the major animal trail walkways (See map)
- Booking: Walk-in only
- Good for: Adventurous foodies and fast, flavorful weekend lunches
Restaurants near Edinburgh Zoo
Prefer to eat nearby? These are top-rated spots within a 10-minute walk or a very short bus ride right along Corstorphine Road.
The Corstorphine Inn
- Cuisine & price: Traditional Scottish pub | ££
- Vibe: Historic, cosy pub atmosphere dating back to the 17th century, serving hearty comfort food
- Booking: Recommended for peak times
- Distance from Edinburgh Zoo: 10-minute walk (0.5 miles down Corstorphine Road)
St John's Curry Club
- Cuisine & price: Authentic Indian cuisine | ££
- Vibe: Warm, welcoming neighbourhood restaurant with vibrant spice aromas and excellent service
- Booking: Recommended
- Distance from Edinburgh Zoo: 8-minute walk
Wetherspoon - The White Lady
- Cuisine & price: Casual British pub | £
- Vibe: Large, family-friendly venue perfect for a budget-friendly burger or post-zoo pint
- Booking: Walk-in
- Distance from Edinburgh Zoo: 12-minute walk or 2 minutes by bus
Frequently asked questions about Edinburgh Zoo restaurants
Penguins Café undoubtedly offers the best view in the park, as it features large windows that look out directly onto the famous penguin habitat enclosure.
Yes, all Edinburgh Zoo places to eat clearly mark vegetarian, vegan, and non-gluten choices on their menus to happily accommodate various dietary requirements.
No, only trained assistance dogs are permitted inside Edinburgh Zoo and its dining facilities to ensure the safety and welfare of the resident animals.
While regular tickets don't include food discounts, RZSS members enjoy exclusive perks and food at Edinburgh Zoo can be paired with pre-booked experiences.
You should definitely eat inside the zoo to experience their sustainable, locally sourced Scottish menus without interrupting your day of animal encounters.
The former Edinburgh Zoo Jungle Cafe and older food outlets have been updated and replaced by improved concepts like The Gannet and Grasslands.
