Guidebook for Edinburgh
Food Scene
Tacky decorum but delicious food, Ciao Roma offers incredible pastas, pizzas and gelatos at affordable prices. The waiters will hit on you.
10 locals recommend
Ciao Roma
64 South BridgeTacky decorum but delicious food, Ciao Roma offers incredible pastas, pizzas and gelatos at affordable prices. The waiters will hit on you.
My favourite "wee Scottish pub" in Edinburgh. Proper table service with proper Scottish food. A little old-man's bar, perfect for trying haggis. But the best dish? ...The sticky toffee pudding!
20 locals recommend
The World's End
2-8 High StreetMy favourite "wee Scottish pub" in Edinburgh. Proper table service with proper Scottish food. A little old-man's bar, perfect for trying haggis. But the best dish? ...The sticky toffee pudding!
As a lover of Harry Potter, this cafe is where JK Rowling scribbled the first book! Ignore the queues and go directly to the back room to see the best of the cafe. Elephant-shaped shortbread = YUM.
163 locals recommend
The Elephant House
21 George IV BridgeAs a lover of Harry Potter, this cafe is where JK Rowling scribbled the first book! Ignore the queues and go directly to the back room to see the best of the cafe. Elephant-shaped shortbread = YUM.
The most expensive restaurant in Edinburgh, but a little secret: Lunch menu is ONLY £18.95!!! Try the Secret Garden to be amazed. Hollywood stars dine here often. Even the S&P shakers are beautiful!
192 locals recommend
The Witchery by the Castle
352 CastlehillThe most expensive restaurant in Edinburgh, but a little secret: Lunch menu is ONLY £18.95!!! Try the Secret Garden to be amazed. Hollywood stars dine here often. Even the S&P shakers are beautiful!
Best soup place in existence. Vegan, gluten-free options too! Hardly any seating so take-away is better. Popular with locals. Try the vegan chile, it will change your life.
15 locals recommend
Union of Genius
8 Forrest RdBest soup place in existence. Vegan, gluten-free options too! Hardly any seating so take-away is better. Popular with locals. Try the vegan chile, it will change your life.
Wicked, trendy Thai restaurant with super casual, warehouse feel. Definitely try the Pad Thai. Usually very busy and may need to share a table!!
257 locals recommend
TING THAI CARAVAN Teviot Place
9 Teviot PlWicked, trendy Thai restaurant with super casual, warehouse feel. Definitely try the Pad Thai. Usually very busy and may need to share a table!!
Coffee connoisseurs proclaim this has the best coffee without pretentious staff. Try the full Scottish breakfast or be a hipster and enjoy poached eggs with fritters, avocado, and a magical balsamic glaze. Excellent home-made scones to-go. You can usually get a table, even on a busy Sunday morning.
80 locals recommend
Kilimanjaro Coffee
104 Nicolson StCoffee connoisseurs proclaim this has the best coffee without pretentious staff. Try the full Scottish breakfast or be a hipster and enjoy poached eggs with fritters, avocado, and a magical balsamic glaze. Excellent home-made scones to-go. You can usually get a table, even on a busy Sunday morning.
Drinks & Nightlife
This plaza offers an unbroken line of pubs, all under a massive castle, set beside the place where they hung all the protestants back in the day. What's not to love? Live music. Fun. Pub grub.
317 locals recommend
Grassmarket
10 GrassmarketThis plaza offers an unbroken line of pubs, all under a massive castle, set beside the place where they hung all the protestants back in the day. What's not to love? Live music. Fun. Pub grub.
Quaint, old Scottish pub which prides itself on showcasing the local folk music. Great whisky selection and pub owner is an excellent conversationalist. Fabulous stop before or after a night on the town.
43 locals recommend
Captains Bar
4 S College StQuaint, old Scottish pub which prides itself on showcasing the local folk music. Great whisky selection and pub owner is an excellent conversationalist. Fabulous stop before or after a night on the town.
Go for the whisky, but stay for the folk music! Has a superlative Whisky Bible (my favourite kind of worship) and surprisingly knowledgeable staff. Local musicians play at a large table in the front and are usually happy to play requests (if you tip!) All acoustic so you can actually hear/enjoy your own conversation too.
43 locals recommend
The Rat Pack - Piano & Cocktail Bar
9 Shandwick PlaceGo for the whisky, but stay for the folk music! Has a superlative Whisky Bible (my favourite kind of worship) and surprisingly knowledgeable staff. Local musicians play at a large table in the front and are usually happy to play requests (if you tip!) All acoustic so you can actually hear/enjoy your own conversation too.
Everything Else
The Mile has dozens of ghost tours, but this is the best. Can book ahead. Tacky but fun. Scary but historical. Totally worth it.
373 locals recommend
The Real Mary King's Close
2 High StThe Mile has dozens of ghost tours, but this is the best. Can book ahead. Tacky but fun. Scary but historical. Totally worth it.
Sightseeing
A must-see! There are over 5 different museums in the Castle, justifying the high ticket price. Enjoy a whole morning up there - it's my top recommendation! Make sure to join a free guided tour.
1961 locals recommend
Edinburgh Castle
CastlehillA must-see! There are over 5 different museums in the Castle, justifying the high ticket price. Enjoy a whole morning up there - it's my top recommendation! Make sure to join a free guided tour.
Parks & Nature
Wicked views over southern Scotland and the Firth of Forth towards the North Sea. Best to climb from the east side of Holyrood Park (from the parking lot). Can be very windy at the top. Expect to see engagements, selfies, and school groups!
1859 locals recommend
Arthur's Seat
Wicked views over southern Scotland and the Firth of Forth towards the North Sea. Best to climb from the east side of Holyrood Park (from the parking lot). Can be very windy at the top. Expect to see engagements, selfies, and school groups!
Essentials
Surprisingly good selection of groceries for a busy metro shop. The gluten-free section is well-stocked. Chinese, Hispanic and Polish sections are also available.
130 locals recommend
Tesco Metro
Colinton RoadSurprisingly good selection of groceries for a busy metro shop. The gluten-free section is well-stocked. Chinese, Hispanic and Polish sections are also available.