Edinburgh's most unusual takeaways, from hedgehog bao to unicorn lattes and vegan katsu sandos

When it comes to takeaways, there are some exotic options available

Fancy a lobster roll or a goat’s cheese gelato? Our search for novel distractions during lockdown has prompted businesses to create unique creations that you’d be hard pushed to find anywhere else. Here are a few of Edinburgh’s most unusual offerings.

BREAD OF THE DEAD

These sweet buns, with patterns that represent bones and tears, are traditionally baked in Mexico to celebrate the Day of the Dead in November. Get them all year round from this new online business, Canela de mi Corazon, which offers Mexican bakes (otherwise known as pan dulce). Their delivery menu also features ojos de buey - a “flaky bread ring filled with an orange-flavored pound cake”, Mexican wedding cookies and other authentic creations. There’s also sugar free, keto friendly or low carb versions.

www.canelabakery.co.uk

GENERAL TSO’S CHICKEN

Apparently, this sweet deep-fried chicken dish appears regularly on the menu in Chinese restaurants in the US. That’s the genre of food being served at Edinburgh’s new Chowtown Takeout, which is owned by the team behind the capital’s best cheese toastie shop, Meltmongers.

www.chowtown.co.uk

Unicorn latte from Laila

SLOPPY SLOW JOE

Edinburgh business, Nixon’s Bodega, has created this bodega sandwich take on a US sloppy Joe. It features vegetarian mince, topped with chopped white onions and cheddar, and you can have it with a side including their bodega ballers (bread-crumbed gorgonzola mac ‘n’ cheese with chives and a sugo dip). Follow them on social media for updates on their latest pop-up.

www.nixonsbodega.com

GOAT’S CHEESE AND PEACH GELATO

Bread of the dead

Those who love Mary’s Milk Bar will be pleased to hear that they’re back. As always, there are loads of delicious and non-challenging flavours, like hazelnut and spiced chocolate biscuit, but also a few more avant-garde varieties, such as the above.

19 Grassmarket, www.marysmilkbar.com

UNICORN LATTE

No unicorns were harmed in the making of the multi-coloured latte at Middle Eastern brunch venue, Laila. Apparently, all the colours are natural, and ingredients include butterfly pea flower, maple syrup, cinnamon, ginger and unicorn sprinkles (including some blue horns). Other outre hot drinks include a lucky charms latte.

Gelato from Mary's Milk Bar

63 Cockburn Street, www.lailabrunchedinburgh.co.uk

LOBSTER ROLLS

New restaurant Fin & Grape’s barbecued lobster rolls have caused lengthy and enthusiastic queues along Colinton Road this lockdown. As they’re hoping to reopen on April 29, their Grab and Go takeaway menu will be available for one more weekend (April 17 and 18), so you could get one of these fancy baps to take away then. Alternatively, wait until their downstairs wine bar opens sometime in mid-May, as they’ll be adding this popular dish to the permanent menu.

www.finandgrape.com

HEDGEHOG BAO

We feel very guilty about eating this Mrs Tiggy-Winkle, which is available at Edinburgh’s new dumpling restaurant, Sister Bao. We’re still going to munch her though, along with her black sesame filling. If you’re a bao fan, you should also try the sweet buns at the capital’s new venue, Bundits, in Leith.

Sister Bao's hedgehog bao

32 South Clerk Street, www.sisterbao.com

VEGAN KATSU SANDOS

Edinburgh’s Wabi-Sabi is an izakaya-style pop-up that offers vegan sandos, the Japanese sandwich, with various fillings, including a version with red miso roasted aubergine. There’s also temaki boxes, ramen, kombucha and cold sake. Follow them on Instagram (@wabisabi.edi) to see where they’re popping up next (usually at 13a Brougham Street).

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