Guidebook for Edinburgh
Food Scene
it does great reasonably priced breakfasts, and their homemade soup is fab!
6 locals recommend
The Coffee Mill Cafe
54 West Portit does great reasonably priced breakfasts, and their homemade soup is fab!
if you are missing your cat... this is an unusual cafe/shop that has a dozen cats in it to keep you company while you have a cup of coffee or tea and a cake! - but unfortunately they don't allow children under 10 years of age.
12 locals recommend
Maison de Moggy
17 West Portif you are missing your cat... this is an unusual cafe/shop that has a dozen cats in it to keep you company while you have a cup of coffee or tea and a cake! - but unfortunately they don't allow children under 10 years of age.
it is one of our favourites with delicious home cooked dishes of the day served by delightful French folk. Great for lunch or dinner. There is lots of space downstairs as well as outside.
51 locals recommend
Petit Paris
38-40 Grassmarketit is one of our favourites with delicious home cooked dishes of the day served by delightful French folk. Great for lunch or dinner. There is lots of space downstairs as well as outside.
Mamma's American Pizza
28 - 30 Grassmarketthey make great pizza!
The Mussel and Steak Bar
110 Grassmarketit is a superb example of Scottish cuisine.
Mary's Milk Bar
19 Grassmarketthey do the best ice cream and hot chocolate around!
Hanam's
3 Johnston Terraceit has the most amazing Kurdish food around... you won't be disappointed!
Lovecrumbs West Port
155 West Portit has amazing cakes!
they do superb food, all sourced locally from Scotland, and you get gorgeous views across Princes Street Gardens. Ring for a reservation and ask for a window seat!
14 locals recommend
The Royal Bank of Scotland
36 St Andrew Squarethey do superb food, all sourced locally from Scotland, and you get gorgeous views across Princes Street Gardens. Ring for a reservation and ask for a window seat!
they do delicious fresh soups and sandwiches... but it is also located in a renovated Victorian pool building where you can see remarkable tapestries being woven.
39 locals recommend
Dovecot Studios
10 Infirmary Stthey do delicious fresh soups and sandwiches... but it is also located in a renovated Victorian pool building where you can see remarkable tapestries being woven.
they have the most delicious cinnamon and cardamom buns in the city... and delicious soup too!
9 locals recommend
Peter's Yard
they have the most delicious cinnamon and cardamom buns in the city... and delicious soup too!
Drinks & Nightlife
it has an amazing variety of local and special beers and ales and used to be the Rectory for the church next door!
65 locals recommend
Cloisters Bar
26 Brougham Stit has an amazing variety of local and special beers and ales and used to be the Rectory for the church next door!
it is one of the best, but least known about pubs that is cosy, peaceful and quiet and has superb beer.
79 locals recommend
The Bow Bar
80 W Bowit is one of the best, but least known about pubs that is cosy, peaceful and quiet and has superb beer.
Sightseeing
What to see within a mile of the flat
the architecture, and the story behind it, is remarkable! From the air, the buildings and grounds looks like a tree with branches and leaves. It was intended to blend into the local landscape... 'growing out of the land'. And all of the MSP's have offices that have windows and within the windows are 'meditation' seats to encourage them to be reflective before making decisions...!
314 locals recommend
Scottish Parliament Building
the architecture, and the story behind it, is remarkable! From the air, the buildings and grounds looks like a tree with branches and leaves. It was intended to blend into the local landscape... 'growing out of the land'. And all of the MSP's have offices that have windows and within the windows are 'meditation' seats to encourage them to be reflective before making decisions...!
You can get on to the 'hop on-hop off' around Edinburgh sightseeing busses here. It is one of the best ways of seeing the city and learning a bit about the history. Then you can always go back to some of the places you have seen and explore further.
317 locals recommend
Grassmarket
10 GrassmarketYou can get on to the 'hop on-hop off' around Edinburgh sightseeing busses here. It is one of the best ways of seeing the city and learning a bit about the history. Then you can always go back to some of the places you have seen and explore further.
you have the amazing Edinburgh Castle 'practically on your doorstep'! What more can I say? It is built atop a volcanic rock that was shaped by glaciers long ago. Princes Street Gardens were once a (smelly) loch, but now are filled with daffodils in the spring and thousands of people year 'round enjoying the beauty and birdsong.
1961 locals recommend
Edinburgh Castle
Castlehillyou have the amazing Edinburgh Castle 'practically on your doorstep'! What more can I say? It is built atop a volcanic rock that was shaped by glaciers long ago. Princes Street Gardens were once a (smelly) loch, but now are filled with daffodils in the spring and thousands of people year 'round enjoying the beauty and birdsong.
Parks & Nature
no matter what the season, you will find something blooming amidst the dozens of paths that meander around the botanical gardens. Visit the special wee 'organ donor' space dedicated to those people who, in death, donated an organ so that others might live. And don't miss the Aeolian harp pavilion that was carved out of a elm that died of Dutch Elm Disease in the park.
1227 locals recommend
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Arboretum Placeno matter what the season, you will find something blooming amidst the dozens of paths that meander around the botanical gardens. Visit the special wee 'organ donor' space dedicated to those people who, in death, donated an organ so that others might live. And don't miss the Aeolian harp pavilion that was carved out of a elm that died of Dutch Elm Disease in the park.
Shopping
they design and make gorgeous knitwear. Even if you can't afford anything... go in and have a look at the beautiful pieces made of wool and linen in the most luscious colours.
Bill Baber Knitwear
66 Grassmarketthey design and make gorgeous knitwear. Even if you can't afford anything... go in and have a look at the beautiful pieces made of wool and linen in the most luscious colours.
Essentials
Sainsbury's Local
45 Bernard Styou should be able to find most basics here...
My Favourite Tours
Special
It is a mile steeped in amazing history, remarkable architecture, wee wynds (alleys) that open out into public spaces, hidden gardens, museums, pubs, cafes, and in the summer, street drama during the Festival.
337 locals recommend
Royal Mile
It is a mile steeped in amazing history, remarkable architecture, wee wynds (alleys) that open out into public spaces, hidden gardens, museums, pubs, cafes, and in the summer, street drama during the Festival.