Guidebook for Edinburgh
Essentials
Sainsbury's
Unit 9-10 Moray Park TerraceLarge supermarket, well stocked, walkable or 2 stops on the bus
Real Foods
37 Broughton StExcellent source for organic foods and products, one bus away
I.J Mellis Cheesemonger
30 Victoria StGreat cheese selections including Scottish, one bus away
Best selection of fish and seafood in Edinburgh, one bus and a walk through The Meadows away
24 locals recommend
Eddie's Seafood Market
7 Roseneath StBest selection of fish and seafood in Edinburgh, one bus and a walk through The Meadows away
Good deli, Morningside is one bus and a walk through The Meadows away, or 2 buses. Lots of shops and restaurants
8 locals recommend
181 Delicatessen
181 Bruntsfield PlGood deli, Morningside is one bus and a walk through The Meadows away, or 2 buses. Lots of shops and restaurants
Reasonable deli, has the basics, 10 minute walk up Kirk Brae (200 yards beyond the pub), good for emergency supplies
8 locals recommend
Margiotta
43 Lasswade RdReasonable deli, has the basics, 10 minute walk up Kirk Brae (200 yards beyond the pub), good for emergency supplies
The Wee Boulangerie
67 Clerk StFabulous bread, quick bus journey from our flat
Arts & Culture
Royal Commonwealth Pool
21 Dalkeith RdFull length pool and aquatic centre, one bus away
Very well done. Dynamic Earth is a 5 star visitor experience which invites you to take a journey through time to witness the story of planet Earth, one bus and a walk down The Royal Mile away
303 locals recommend
Dynamic Earth
Holyrood RoadVery well done. Dynamic Earth is a 5 star visitor experience which invites you to take a journey through time to witness the story of planet Earth, one bus and a walk down The Royal Mile away
Fascinating insight into a past life of the British Monarchy, one bus away (7)
630 locals recommend
Royal Yacht Britannia
Ocean DriveFascinating insight into a past life of the British Monarchy, one bus away (7)
Discover for yourself Edinburgh's deepest secret; a warren of hidden streets that has remained frozen in time since the 17th Century. 1 hour guided tour. One bus away
373 locals recommend
The Real Mary King's Close
2 High StDiscover for yourself Edinburgh's deepest secret; a warren of hidden streets that has remained frozen in time since the 17th Century. 1 hour guided tour. One bus away
National Museum of Scotland
Superb museum, good cafe, one bus away
Sensational display by Massed Pipe Bands, musicians of all hues, and performances from all round the world on the Esplanade under the Castle. One bus away
26 locals recommend
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
1-3 Cockburn StSensational display by Massed Pipe Bands, musicians of all hues, and performances from all round the world on the Esplanade under the Castle. One bus away
Food Scene
The Edinburgh Larder
15 Blackfriars StGood local produce served, one bus away
Excellent deli, masses of choice, cheeses, cold meats, wines, pastries etc etc. Great for a meal too, or just a coffee, one bus away (7)
189 locals recommend
Valvona Crolla
19 Elm RowExcellent deli, masses of choice, cheeses, cold meats, wines, pastries etc etc. Great for a meal too, or just a coffee, one bus away (7)
Super Italian, reasonable prices, very good food, one bus away
36 locals recommend
Vittoria on the Bridge
19 George IV BridgeSuper Italian, reasonable prices, very good food, one bus away
Very atmospheric, first-class restaurant but expensive, one bus away
192 locals recommend
The Witchery by the Castle
352 CastlehillVery atmospheric, first-class restaurant but expensive, one bus away
Stac Polly
38 Saint Mary's StreetScottish fare, one bus and a wee walk away
Beautiful old building, can have a meal or just go for afternoon tea or a morning coffee, one bus away
30 locals recommend
The Colonnades at the Signet Library
Parliament SquareBeautiful old building, can have a meal or just go for afternoon tea or a morning coffee, one bus away
Great cafe, light meals. JK Rowling wrote Harry Potter here! One bus away
163 locals recommend
The Elephant House
21 George IV BridgeGreat cafe, light meals. JK Rowling wrote Harry Potter here! One bus away
Hotel du Vin Edinburgh
11 Bristo PlGood food, reasonable prices, nice atmosphere, one bus away
Good for coffee if sightseeing in the old Town but there are 100's of cafes to choose from, one bus away
13 locals recommend
Patisserie Valerie - Edinburgh George IV Bridge
25 George IV BridgeGood for coffee if sightseeing in the old Town but there are 100's of cafes to choose from, one bus away
Always high standard of Scottish beef, venison, lamb, one bus away
48 locals recommend
The Grain Store
30 Victoria StAlways high standard of Scottish beef, venison, lamb, one bus away
Fishers In The City
58 Thistle StreetGood fish restaurant, one bus away
Very old pub serving great food, wonderful atmosphere. Need a car, take 2 buses or call Bluebird Taxi
167 locals recommend
The Sheep Heid Inn
43-45 The CausewayVery old pub serving great food, wonderful atmosphere. Need a car, take 2 buses or call Bluebird Taxi
Kweilin
19-21 Dundas StreetV good Chinese food, also does carry-out, one bus away
The Kitchin
Michelin starred, expensive but first class, one bus away (7)
The Ship On The Shore
ShoreVery good for fish and seafood, one bus away
Castle Terrace
33-35 Castle TerraceSister restaurant to The Kitchin. Lovely, expensive, one bus away
Restaurant on top of The National Museum of Scotland, looks right out over Edinburgh Castle, lovely, expensive, one bus away
45 locals recommend
Tower Restaurant
Chambers StreetRestaurant on top of The National Museum of Scotland, looks right out over Edinburgh Castle, lovely, expensive, one bus away
Very good Indonesian/Malaysian food, one bus and a bit of a walk away
20 locals recommend
Nanyang Malaysian and Chinese Restaurant
Very good Indonesian/Malaysian food, one bus and a bit of a walk away
Good food, good atmosphere, prices reasonable, one bus away
156 locals recommend
The Outsider Restaurant
15-16 George IV BridgeGood food, good atmosphere, prices reasonable, one bus away
Part of The Scotsman Hotel (the building was the publishing house of The Scotsman newspaper), lovely old interiors and reliable standard, one bus away
North Bridge Brasserie
20 North BridgePart of The Scotsman Hotel (the building was the publishing house of The Scotsman newspaper), lovely old interiors and reliable standard, one bus away
One bus away, all organic produce, lovely place to eat and shop.
43 locals recommend
Earthy Foods & Goods
Ratcliffe TerraceOne bus away, all organic produce, lovely place to eat and shop.
A recent guest loved it and said not only was food and coffee great, but they are dog friendly so they get our vote!
66 locals recommend
Café Tartine
72 Commercial StA recent guest loved it and said not only was food and coffee great, but they are dog friendly so they get our vote!
Drinks & Nightlife
Great old pub with Scottish traditional music sessions, one bus away
144 locals recommend
Sandy Bell's
25 Forrest RdGreat old pub with Scottish traditional music sessions, one bus away
Good for lunch if you're in the city, lots of light and lovely views, one bus away
84 locals recommend
Harvey Nichols Forth Floor Brasserie and Bar
30-34 St Andrew SquareGood for lunch if you're in the city, lots of light and lovely views, one bus away
Sightseeing
A must when in Edinburgh! Ancient castle, fabulous views over the City to Fife, one bus away and a walk up The Royal Mile
1961 locals recommend
Edinburgh Castle
CastlehillA must when in Edinburgh! Ancient castle, fabulous views over the City to Fife, one bus away and a walk up The Royal Mile
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Arboretum PlaceWorld class botannical gardens, one bus away
The Queen's home in Edinburgh, one bus and a walk down The Royal Mile away
462 locals recommend
Palace of Holyroodhouse
CanongateThe Queen's home in Edinburgh, one bus and a walk down The Royal Mile away
Controversial architecture, well worth a look, one bus and a walk down The Royal Mile away
314 locals recommend
Scottish Parliament Building
Controversial architecture, well worth a look, one bus and a walk down The Royal Mile away
Walk from the Castle at the top end to the Palace of Holyrood at the bottom - very ancient route, one bus away
337 locals recommend
Royal Mile
Walk from the Castle at the top end to the Palace of Holyrood at the bottom - very ancient route, one bus away
Edinburgh's extinct volcano. Climb to the top for wonderful views (822ft)
1859 locals recommend
Arthur's Seat
Edinburgh's extinct volcano. Climb to the top for wonderful views (822ft)
The Edinburgh Old Town Weaving Co
555 CastlehillWander about, lots to see, one bus away
Architecture superb, lots of shops, cafes and restaurants too, one bus away
195 locals recommend
Edinburgh Old Town
Architecture superb, lots of shops, cafes and restaurants too, one bus away
Entertainment & Activities
Haven't been but kids will probably love it, it's scary! One bus away
151 locals recommend
The Edinburgh Dungeon
31 Market StHaven't been but kids will probably love it, it's scary! One bus away
Amazing collection of childrens' toys through the ages, very charming
72 locals recommend
The Museum of Edinburgh
142-146 CanongateAmazing collection of childrens' toys through the ages, very charming
Take a trip over the Forth to see the marine life. Car, bus or train
82 locals recommend
Deep Sea World
Forthside TerraceTake a trip over the Forth to see the marine life. Car, bus or train
Take a trip along to coast, fascinating to see all the sea birds on the Bass Rock, can take boat trips too in summer. Car, bus or train
58 locals recommend
Scottish Seabird Centre
Harbour TerraceTake a trip along to coast, fascinating to see all the sea birds on the Bass Rock, can take boat trips too in summer. Car, bus or train
Unique day out with very knowledgeable people, car needed or they may pick up from bus or train, call to enquire
54 locals recommend
Highland Safaris
B846Unique day out with very knowledgeable people, car needed or they may pick up from bus or train, call to enquire
Have you tried to fly an airship, seen a Spitfire, got on board Concorde or completed an assault course? The museum also includes hands-on games, cafe and shop. East Lothian's five star attraction with indoor and outdoor fun. Car needed, or bus
49 locals recommend
National Museum of Flight
B1347Have you tried to fly an airship, seen a Spitfire, got on board Concorde or completed an assault course? The museum also includes hands-on games, cafe and shop. East Lothian's five star attraction with indoor and outdoor fun. Car needed, or bus
A good day out for the family, car needed or bus
130 locals recommend
Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park
A good day out for the family, car needed or bus
World class climbing centre, car needed or bus to Ratho
48 locals recommend
Edinburgh International Climbing Arena
World class climbing centre, car needed or bus to Ratho
Amazing technology, truly worth a visit, the world's only rotating boat life, based on the canal network around Edinburgh
115 locals recommend
The Falkirk Wheel
Lime RoadAmazing technology, truly worth a visit, the world's only rotating boat life, based on the canal network around Edinburgh
Glasgow Science Centre
50 Pacific QuayOutstanding day out for the family
Edinburgh Zoo
134 Corstorphine RdWorld class zoo