Guidebook for Edinburgh
Food Scene
Local pizzeria and cafe. Very relaxed neighbourhood place to grab a bite. I would recommend the pizza, but sceptical of their pasta dishes. BYOB.
25 locals recommend
Cafe Artista
94-96 Marchmont CresLocal pizzeria and cafe. Very relaxed neighbourhood place to grab a bite. I would recommend the pizza, but sceptical of their pasta dishes. BYOB.
Cheap and delicious Thai food. I have a feeling it is cash only, but they might have changed that. It's usually very busy, so if you don't want to wait for a table, try Tapame next door.
257 locals recommend
TING THAI CARAVAN Teviot Place
9 Teviot PlCheap and delicious Thai food. I have a feeling it is cash only, but they might have changed that. It's usually very busy, so if you don't want to wait for a table, try Tapame next door.
A great little Swedish cafe. I often pop in for a coffee and cardamom bun, but they also have fresh open faced sandwiches and more.
126 locals recommend
Söderberg The Meadows
27 Simpson LoanA great little Swedish cafe. I often pop in for a coffee and cardamom bun, but they also have fresh open faced sandwiches and more.
The best Indian food in town- not to be missed! You might need to book a table in advance, since it's a popular eatery. Very informal dining, BYOB, and cash only.
36 locals recommend
Tanjore
6-8 Clerk StThe best Indian food in town- not to be missed! You might need to book a table in advance, since it's a popular eatery. Very informal dining, BYOB, and cash only.
Hanedan
41 W Preston StIntimate Turkish dining in a realxed environment. Great for mezze!
Quirky top floor cafe with a great view of the street below. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. Their culinary skills aren't always up to scratch, but I like the atmosphere.
41 locals recommend
Spoon
6 A Nicolson StQuirky top floor cafe with a great view of the street below. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. Their culinary skills aren't always up to scratch, but I like the atmosphere.
They sell pulled pork rolls- great place to grab a quick bite on the go.
62 locals recommend
Oink Victoria Street
34 Victoria StThey sell pulled pork rolls- great place to grab a quick bite on the go.
Sunday outdoor market featuring food, crafts, and more. Smallish market, but worth a visit.
325 locals recommend
Stockbridge Market
Saunders StreetSunday outdoor market featuring food, crafts, and more. Smallish market, but worth a visit.
Saturday farmer's market. Worth a wander whilst enjoying a coffee/burger.
88 locals recommend
Edinburgh Farmers' Market
Castle TerraceSaturday farmer's market. Worth a wander whilst enjoying a coffee/burger.
Fine(ish) dining with a lovely atmoshpere. Tasting menu with many courses. Check out their website for more details.
83 locals recommend
Aizle
38 Charlotte SquareFine(ish) dining with a lovely atmoshpere. Tasting menu with many courses. Check out their website for more details.
A great pub in the centre of the city. The food is a it pricey for pub-fair.
59 locals recommend
Whiski Rooms
4-7 N Bank StA great pub in the centre of the city. The food is a it pricey for pub-fair.
One of my favourite places for enjoying a cocktail and propping up the bar. Off the Royal Mile and down a secret passageway!
86 locals recommend
Monteiths
61 High StOne of my favourite places for enjoying a cocktail and propping up the bar. Off the Royal Mile and down a secret passageway!
Delicious Mexican food and tequila drinks. I almost don't want to tell you about this place- it's hard enough to get a table!
167 locals recommend
El Cartel
64 Thistle StDelicious Mexican food and tequila drinks. I almost don't want to tell you about this place- it's hard enough to get a table!
A great place for Scottish seafood. On the other side of town, but there is plenty to keep you occupied in Leith.
159 locals recommend
The Ship On The Shore
ShoreA great place for Scottish seafood. On the other side of town, but there is plenty to keep you occupied in Leith.
Cafe Grande
182-184 Bruntsfield PlOne of my favourite places for brunch.
Maki Ramen
13 W Richmond StA Japanese ramen bar. Delicious and cheap!
The Southern Bar
22-26 S Clerk StDecent burgers and a large interational beer selection.
A stylish bar serving the most delicious cocktails. They serve food as well, but I have yet to try it. Off the Royal Mile, down a sneaky little close.
227 locals recommend
The Devil's Advocate
9 Advocate's ClA stylish bar serving the most delicious cocktails. They serve food as well, but I have yet to try it. Off the Royal Mile, down a sneaky little close.
David Bann Restaurant
56-58 St Mary's StVegetarian restaurant. Delicious.
Kalpna
2-3 St Patrick SquareA vegetarian restaurant that is so good, meat eaters won't object.
The World's End
2-8 High StreetFantastic little historic pub. Pop in to warm up instantly.
Bar downstairs and restaurant upstairs serving traditional Scottish food. Live folk music on Fri and Sat from 8pm-11pm.
6 locals recommend
The Doric
15-16 Market StBar downstairs and restaurant upstairs serving traditional Scottish food. Live folk music on Fri and Sat from 8pm-11pm.
The Gardener’s Cottage is a restaurant in Royal Terrace Gardens at the foot of Calton Hill. Built in 1836 the cottage, which was originally home to the gardener, has been transformed into Edinburgh’s home for seasonal cooking and social dining. Seated at long communal tables our guests can enjoy weekend brunch, an a’la carte lunch menu, or an inventive, set seven course dinner menu, using only the best seasonal, local produce.
339 locals recommend
The Gardener's Cottage
1 London RoadThe Gardener’s Cottage is a restaurant in Royal Terrace Gardens at the foot of Calton Hill. Built in 1836 the cottage, which was originally home to the gardener, has been transformed into Edinburgh’s home for seasonal cooking and social dining. Seated at long communal tables our guests can enjoy weekend brunch, an a’la carte lunch menu, or an inventive, set seven course dinner menu, using only the best seasonal, local produce.
Casa Angelina
42 London StAfternoon tea.
Brew Lab Coffee
6-8 S College Stcoffee and donuts!
Drinks & Nightlife
Our local pub. Decent place to grab a drink, but food isn't great. They also have live music on Sundays.
44 locals recommend
The Earl of Marchmont
22 Marchmont CresOur local pub. Decent place to grab a drink, but food isn't great. They also have live music on Sundays.
A little hidden gem in the heart of the old town. Nice place to grab a drink that is a bit more atmospheric than the typical pubs in the Grassmarket.
92 locals recommend
Under The Stairs
3A Merchant StA little hidden gem in the heart of the old town. Nice place to grab a drink that is a bit more atmospheric than the typical pubs in the Grassmarket.
A secret little hole in the wall pub. Feels like being in someone's lounge.
43 locals recommend
Jolly Judge
7 James CtA secret little hole in the wall pub. Feels like being in someone's lounge.
Blue Blazer
2 Spittal StAn Edinburgh institution. Great whisky selection.
The Holyrood 9A
9a Holyrood RdBurgers and beer in the old town.
Bannerman's Bar
212 CowgateRock bar with plenty of live music.
A more stylish venue with live music on the weekends. They serve food as well, but can't attest to the quality.
104 locals recommend
The Voodoo Rooms
19a W Register StA more stylish venue with live music on the weekends. They serve food as well, but can't attest to the quality.
Shopping
Godiva
9 West PortVintage and locally made clothing.
Parks & Nature
Wonderful views of the city. A must do in Edinburgh - as long as it's not too windy!
Arthur's Seat is an extinct volcano and the main peak of the group of hills in Edinburgh which form most of Holyrood Park,. It was described by Robert Louis Stevenson as "a hill for magnitude, a mountain in virtue of its bold design".
1859 locals recommend
Arthur's Seat
Wonderful views of the city. A must do in Edinburgh - as long as it's not too windy!
Arthur's Seat is an extinct volcano and the main peak of the group of hills in Edinburgh which form most of Holyrood Park,. It was described by Robert Louis Stevenson as "a hill for magnitude, a mountain in virtue of its bold design".
Nice for a picnic or just to walk through on your way into the old town.
615 locals recommend
The Meadows
Melville DriveNice for a picnic or just to walk through on your way into the old town.
Arts & Culture
Lovely building. Free to walk around, but special exhibitions will charge a fee.
1378 locals recommend
National Museum of Scotland
Lovely building. Free to walk around, but special exhibitions will charge a fee.
A bit further out of town, but they sometimes have great exhibitions. Check what's on before heading to make sure you're interested.
1010 locals recommend
Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
75 Belford Rd A bit further out of town, but they sometimes have great exhibitions. Check what's on before heading to make sure you're interested.
Sightseeing
Edinburgh Castle
CastlehillCalton Hill
Calton HillGood views of city, but would avoid going up alone at night.
Grassmarket
10 GrassmarketPart of old town below Castle. Lots of pubs.
Victoria Street
Victoria StreetIconic street in Edinburgh, with restaurants and small shops.