Scotland's 'most popular' dishes as chippy classic beats haggis to number one (2025)

From Cullen skink to sticky toffee pudding, the top Scottish foods have been named.

Scotland's "most popular" foods have been named. While there are too many Scottish dishes to count, some are more common than others.

If you have been in Scotland for a while, you will likely have come across at least haggis or sticky toffee pudding. However, there are many more popular Scottish foods than you might think.

Experts on TasteAtlas have shared a list of the country's "most popular dishes". The list includes the foods that you can find in restaurants all over Scotland, and even ones you can make yourself at home.

Read on for the list of the top 10 most popular Scottish dishes according to TasteAtlas. More information can be found on the TasteAtlas website.

1. Fish supper

Many Scots will agree that there is nothing better than fish and chips. All over Scotland, there are countless takeaways serving up mouthwatering fish suppers.

This classic dish consists of battered and fried fish served with chips. In Scotland, it is normally haddock and often accompanied with salt, vinegar, and ketchup or brown sauce.

2. Haggis

Haggis is arguably Scotland's most iconic food, and is considered the country's national dish thanks to Robert Burns' poem 'Address to a Haggis'. It is certainly an acquired taste, but is worth trying at least once.

The dish is a savoury pudding that consists of a sheep's organs minced with chopped onion, oatmeal, suet, and spices. Traditionally, it is cooked while encased in the animal's stomach, but artificial casing is more often used these days.

But don't let the ingredients or process put you off, haggis is deserving of its high ranking on this list.

3. Scones

A scone is a traditional baked treat that is known for being easy to make. They are an afternoon tea favourite, and are best enjoyed with a hot drink in hand.

Scones are usually made with flour, baking powder, butter, sugar, and milk or cream. They are often served with butter, jam, and clotted cream.

4. Millionaire's shortbread

A unique version of standard Scottish shortbread, millionaire's shortbread is a biscuit consisting of a shortbread base topped with caramel and milk chocolate. Other popular names for the treat include caramel shortbread, caramel slices, and chocolate caramel shortbread.

If you have ever had a millionaire's shortbread, you will know that its appeal lies in its unique combination of flavours and textures. The mix of soft biscuit and chocolate that melts in the mouth results in a treat unlike any other.

5. Cod fish supper

Coming in at number five on TasteAtlas' list is another variety of a fish supper. This time, it is the version of the dish specifically made with cod.

TasteAtlas wrote: "Cod has a texture that is very supple, tender, and mild, and it makes for a great contrast to the crispy-fried batter shell. In addition, its tender meat nicely absorbs the condiments and seasonings such as malt vinegar and salt."

6. Sticky toffee pudding

Another popular Scottish dessert, sticky toffee pudding places at number six on the experts' list. It is also known as sticky date pudding in other countries such as Australia and New Zealand.

Sticky toffee pudding is a moist sponge cake that is covered in toffee sauce. It is usually served alongside vanilla custard or ice cream.

7. Tablet

Tablet is a sugary confection that looks somewhat similar to fudge. Unlike fudge, though, it has a brittle medium-to-hard texture that melts in the mouth.

The first record of tablet is from the 18th century in The Household Book—an account of what domestic life was like in Scotland hundreds of years ago. Today, it comes in a variety of flavours such as vanilla and whisky.

8. Porridge

Porridge has been eaten in Scotland for hundreds of years. Even to this day, it remains one of the most popular breakfast foods in the country.

Made from oats, which is among the few grains that traditionally grew well in Scotland, it is a healthy and tasty dish. It includes high amounts of fibre, vitamins, and minerals.

9. Cullen skink

Cullen skink is a thick soup that originates from the Moray town of Cullen along Scotland's northeast coast. Most often, you will see it as a starter at fancy dinners—though many cafés and restaurants across the country serve it up too.

The dish is usually made from smoked haddock, potatoes, and onions. As anyone who has ever tried Cullen skink will know, it is hearty and warming—perfect for a cold day.

10. Bannock

A bannock is griddle-baked unleavened flatbread that originally comes from the Scottish Highlands. They are somewhat scone-like in consistency, and quite heavy.

Traditionally, bannocks were cooked on a bannock stane—a Scots word for a stone. These were sizeable rounded sections of flat sandstone that were placed on top of fires.