Edinburgh’s Christmas Market food and drink: all the festive food stalls, pop-up bars and vegan treats at this year’s market

On one hand, the annual and ever-expanding Christmas market provides an excellent place to pick up something a little more offbeat.

On the other, its cosy wooden cabins, seasonal drinks and international comfort foods also make it the perfect place to retreat from the frantic scramble and take a few moments to enjoy the fairy lights.

The Johnny Walker Bothy Bar will be serving up Hot Apple Toddys to puts some warmth back in your bones. Picture: Edinburgh's Christmas

The Johnnie Walker Booth Bar will be welcoming shoppers in out of the cold with a gantry full of whiskies and a menu filled with peaty cocktails. Set across two floors on the Mound, this spacious hangout is the perfect place to relax with an Christmas tipple – their new Hot Apple Toddy sounds like a surefire hit.

Of course, not everybody likes their drink so dark and smoky.

For those who've seen their dreams come true with Scotland's recent gin boom, the market will be hosting an Edinburgh's Pickering's Gin Bar serving some of the capital's finest juniper concoctions. Staying Scottish while getting a little more exotic, the elderberry liqueur, Aelder, will also be on hand.

Baileys always comes right into fashion over the festive period and is a welcome addition to the Christmas market, whether you're pouring it over a couple of ice cubes or using it to top up your hot chocolate.

January is the time for counting calories. Christmas is a time for cheese. Picture: Edinburgh's Christmas.

For those who like their drinks with a foamy top, The Butcher Boys will be serving up craft beer and naturally, Tennent's will also be there pouring out pints of Scotland's irreplaceable favourite.

All of that liquid refreshment will likely leave you eager for something a little more substantial. As comfort food goes, you can't beat a good bowl of mac'n'cheese – and they don't come much better than The Mack Shack's.

For those whose cheese cravings still haven't been sated, Say Cheese will be serving their signature range of toasties and other cheesy snacks.

Or, if you'd rather have that layer of melted cheese on top of a saucy dough base and sprinkled with all kinds of tasty nonsense, Pizza Geeks has got you covered.

Edinburgh's Christmas Market is always spectacular. Picture: Edinburgh's Christmas.

In a nation known for both the quality of its seafood and its passion for a good chippie, Alandas Fish and Chips offers good quality fish and chips.

The Fox Hat brings a Land Rover full of American-style smoked meats to the party, and for those who want to indulge in top-notch vegan and vegetarian dishes, the Caravan of Courage will be rolling up with its vegan dogs, cheeseburgers, haggis, festive bowls and vegan mince pies and brownies.

To finish it all off, you'll have the choice of cheese – provided by the fine folks at Isle of Kintyre – or the unquestionably delicious offerings of the Churro Hut.