The authentic foodie secrets that make Edinburgh so special

Josh Glanc on the best and the worst of the Fringe

Josh Glanc is at the Edinburgh Fringe performing his show Family Man at Monkey Barrel at 3.20pm. Here he shares what he can't get enough of at the festival, his most embarrassing Edinburgh experience and the worst thing about the Fringe. Apart from the cost of accommodation, obviously…

Edinburgh binge

Edinburgh is an incredible city. If I’m not performing, I’m wandering through its cobbled streets visiting local shops and cafes. My go-to for a coffee is this place called Costa Coffee, right in the heart of the city. This cafe is a delight, and their burgundy interior is so cosy!

If I find myself on South Clerk Street, I’ll almost always make sure I go grab a slice at this charming hole-in-the wall called Papa Johns, serving authentic Italian pizza bread. One bite of their Bull’s Eye Barbeque-Hawaiian Chicken pie and you’ll be transported straight to Naples!

On my way home, after seeing show after show and gigging, I’ll usually be a bit peckish, but instead of stopping at one of the over-priced roll-in food vans lining George Square, preying on tourists, I’ll hit up Edinburgh’s famous late night Turkish Kebab joints on North Bridge. The city has so much to offer!

Edinburgh cringe

Once, at the Banshee Labyrinth, I thought I was queuing for a show, but it turned out I was just waiting in line for the toilet. It took me until I had walked into a cubical and was sat there shitting before I realised.

It’s funny because the year before, at the same venue, I thought I was waiting for the toilet, but instead got ushered into a puppet show about a non-binary dinosaur. It wasn’t until I was sat in my seat shitting that I realised.

Edinburgh whinge

The worst thing about Fringe is without a doubt Stamptown Comedy Night. This self-indulgent, chaotic show is routinely offensive and not very funny.

The host, some hack called Jack Tucker mostly fumbles around on stage and doesn’t tell a single joke. He’s occasionally joined by some idiot Spaniard in short-shorts and a crop-top who just dances.

It’s on at the Pleasance Grand for seven shows only. Avoid at all costs.

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Published: 6 Aug 2024