Guidebook for Edinburgh
Food Scene
FOOD SCENE: This place has a great outdoor seating area and boasts an amazing brunch, pizza and coffee menu.
81 recommandé par les habitants
Söderberg Bakery Shop
45 Broughton StFOOD SCENE: This place has a great outdoor seating area and boasts an amazing brunch, pizza and coffee menu.
FOOD SCENE: This restaurant is fantastic! It's very small and you cannot reserve a table but if it is full pop in and wait in the pub over the road. They'll come and get you once there is a space available!
The menu is exciting and delicious with wonderful gluten free, vegetarian and carnivorous options, beers and moreish frozen margaritas to tempt all palettes.
167 recommandé par les habitants
El Cartel
64 Thistle StFOOD SCENE: This restaurant is fantastic! It's very small and you cannot reserve a table but if it is full pop in and wait in the pub over the road. They'll come and get you once there is a space available!
The menu is exciting and delicious with wonderful gluten free, vegetarian and carnivorous options, beers and moreish frozen margaritas to tempt all palettes.
FOOD SCENE: This Turkish Mediterranean restaurant/cafe serves excellent Turkish coffee and delight, as well as serving up a reasonably priced breakfast and lunch.
37 recommandé par les habitants
Cafe Truva
ShoreFOOD SCENE: This Turkish Mediterranean restaurant/cafe serves excellent Turkish coffee and delight, as well as serving up a reasonably priced breakfast and lunch.
FOOD SCENE: Perhaps book for this one during the Fringe. You can dine with a view of the castle under subdued lighting, surrounded by locals artists work.
The food is varied and delicious. Go all out or eat for the affordable 'Chunky Healthy Lines'. Not one for the kids as the staff can be a bit grumpy!
156 recommandé par les habitants
The Outsider Restaurant
15-16 George IV BridgeFOOD SCENE: Perhaps book for this one during the Fringe. You can dine with a view of the castle under subdued lighting, surrounded by locals artists work.
The food is varied and delicious. Go all out or eat for the affordable 'Chunky Healthy Lines'. Not one for the kids as the staff can be a bit grumpy!
FOOD SCENE: This cafe is related to Soderberg nearby, who they own. They serve a great coffee along with other home-baked Swedish delights and open sandwiches. Not terribly cheap but delicious.
126 recommandé par les habitants
Söderberg The Meadows
27 Simpson LoanFOOD SCENE: This cafe is related to Soderberg nearby, who they own. They serve a great coffee along with other home-baked Swedish delights and open sandwiches. Not terribly cheap but delicious.
FOOD SCENE: Nanyang is run by friendly staff offering tasty Malaysian food ranging from street style to spicy and mild. A good choice for all.
20 recommandé par les habitants
Nanyang Malaysian and Chinese Restaurant
FOOD SCENE: Nanyang is run by friendly staff offering tasty Malaysian food ranging from street style to spicy and mild. A good choice for all.
FOOD SCENE: Awesome Thai food and drinks from a hipster crowd who refuse to have a telephone number or email address! Queue at the door to sit in or take away.
This place is budget friendly and delicious.
257 recommandé par les habitants
TING THAI CARAVAN Teviot Place
9 Teviot PlFOOD SCENE: Awesome Thai food and drinks from a hipster crowd who refuse to have a telephone number or email address! Queue at the door to sit in or take away.
This place is budget friendly and delicious.
FOOD SCENE: I hear these people do an awesome breakfast. I have yet to try but it has a great reputation.
Hippy style seating and open French style Windows make it a relaxed place to watch the world go by.
6 recommandé par les habitants
Olly Bongo's
4 Teviot PlFOOD SCENE: I hear these people do an awesome breakfast. I have yet to try but it has a great reputation.
Hippy style seating and open French style Windows make it a relaxed place to watch the world go by.
FOOD SCENE: Sit outside to people watch or enjoy the ambience inside. The Brazilian food here is delicious and affordable. Plus they do breakfast!
47 recommandé par les habitants
Boteco Do Brasil
47 Lothian StFOOD SCENE: Sit outside to people watch or enjoy the ambience inside. The Brazilian food here is delicious and affordable. Plus they do breakfast!
FOOD SCENE: This restaurant has a good reputation for serving Scottish dishes in a modern style at a medium price.
It's right next to St Giles cathedral so has a great outlook.
128 recommandé par les habitants
Angels with Bagpipes
343 High StFOOD SCENE: This restaurant has a good reputation for serving Scottish dishes in a modern style at a medium price.
It's right next to St Giles cathedral so has a great outlook.
FOOD SCENE: Previously owned by the brand Missoni and decorated in their iconic style, this hotel offers a modern Italian restaurant and an excellent cocktail bar.
Meet the men in modern kilts on the stair. Always fun!
12 recommandé par les habitants
Radisson Collection Hotel, Royal Mile Edinburgh
1 George IV BridgeFOOD SCENE: Previously owned by the brand Missoni and decorated in their iconic style, this hotel offers a modern Italian restaurant and an excellent cocktail bar.
Meet the men in modern kilts on the stair. Always fun!
FOOD SCENE: This juice bar has excellent blends, lovely cakes and great sandwiches and a brightly decorated interior. It's located at the bottom of our famous Victoria street, right in the Grassmarket.
36 recommandé par les habitants
Hula Juice Bar & Healthy Eatery
103-105 W BowFOOD SCENE: This juice bar has excellent blends, lovely cakes and great sandwiches and a brightly decorated interior. It's located at the bottom of our famous Victoria street, right in the Grassmarket.
FOOD SCENE: This gelato (ice cream) shop is winning a lot of awards and is a must-try in Edinburgh. Especially for those who are dairy free as she caters to us too!
Mary is an ex art-student who trained at the Gelato Academy in Italy. Decorated in a retro style it is small and very busy.
Expect queues and flavours such as salt caramel, avocado-lime-chilli, Gorgonzola/pear, orange/pomegranate/violet, bay leaf choc chip alongside the classic crowd pleasers.
Cash only.
131 recommandé par les habitants
Mary's Milk Bar
19 GrassmarketFOOD SCENE: This gelato (ice cream) shop is winning a lot of awards and is a must-try in Edinburgh. Especially for those who are dairy free as she caters to us too!
Mary is an ex art-student who trained at the Gelato Academy in Italy. Decorated in a retro style it is small and very busy.
Expect queues and flavours such as salt caramel, avocado-lime-chilli, Gorgonzola/pear, orange/pomegranate/violet, bay leaf choc chip alongside the classic crowd pleasers.
Cash only.
FOOD SCENE: This place is open from 8.30-8 (during the Fringe so check online!) and serves dairy, gluten & refined sugar free food. It's great for vegans, coeliacs and foodies alike and, although not that easy on the pocket, is tasty!
19 recommandé par les habitants
Pumpkin Brown
16 GrassmarketFOOD SCENE: This place is open from 8.30-8 (during the Fringe so check online!) and serves dairy, gluten & refined sugar free food. It's great for vegans, coeliacs and foodies alike and, although not that easy on the pocket, is tasty!
FOOD SCENE: This volunteer run cafe/bar is popular with the modern Eco/hippy/artist/performer crowd and is the place to be if you want to find out about fun community events, retreat type stuff and circus skill bits and bobs.
Food is veggie, cheap and tasty.
They have an Olio food exchange box, swap area and free bread to pick up daily!
19 recommandé par les habitants
The Forest Cafe
141 Lauriston PlFOOD SCENE: This volunteer run cafe/bar is popular with the modern Eco/hippy/artist/performer crowd and is the place to be if you want to find out about fun community events, retreat type stuff and circus skill bits and bobs.
Food is veggie, cheap and tasty.
They have an Olio food exchange box, swap area and free bread to pick up daily!
FOOD SCENE: The mosque kitchen is an awesome place to pick up a cheap sit-in or take-away meal from lunchtime through to dinner. You can pay per dish or enjoy the all you can eat option.
Yum!
66 recommandé par les habitants
The Mosque Kitchen
31-33 Nicolson SquareFOOD SCENE: The mosque kitchen is an awesome place to pick up a cheap sit-in or take-away meal from lunchtime through to dinner. You can pay per dish or enjoy the all you can eat option.
Yum!
FOOD SCENE: The hoummous here is heavenly and the meals plentiful and delicious. It's affordable and a great place to bring groups of friends.
24 recommandé par les habitants
Nile Valley Cafe
6 Chapel StFOOD SCENE: The hoummous here is heavenly and the meals plentiful and delicious. It's affordable and a great place to bring groups of friends.
FOOD SCENE : Service can be a little inconsistent here but the food standard is very good and the wines are lovely.
51 recommandé par les habitants
Petit Paris
38-40 GrassmarketFOOD SCENE : Service can be a little inconsistent here but the food standard is very good and the wines are lovely.
Parks & Nature
TO DO: We live in the verge of a fantastic open space. Fun in the snow, cherry blossom covered in spring, barbeque and fringe atmospheric in summer and great for a crunchy leafy walk in Autumn! It has magnificent views of Arthur's Seat for a photo op too. Don't hang out there late at night though!
615 recommandé par les habitants
The Meadows
Melville DriveTO DO: We live in the verge of a fantastic open space. Fun in the snow, cherry blossom covered in spring, barbeque and fringe atmospheric in summer and great for a crunchy leafy walk in Autumn! It has magnificent views of Arthur's Seat for a photo op too. Don't hang out there late at night though!
TO DO: This Botanic Garden is huge and stunningly beautiful. Take a picnic and only pay bus fare to get there or go all out and enjoy lunch at the Gateway cafe. It has a lovely shop and even in a rainy day you can pay to enter the hothouses and stay dry. A must-see for trips longer than a weekend.
Standing at the lawn by the main house you can look out over the New Town.
1227 recommandé par les habitants
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Arboretum PlaceTO DO: This Botanic Garden is huge and stunningly beautiful. Take a picnic and only pay bus fare to get there or go all out and enjoy lunch at the Gateway cafe. It has a lovely shop and even in a rainy day you can pay to enter the hothouses and stay dry. A must-see for trips longer than a weekend.
Standing at the lawn by the main house you can look out over the New Town.
Arts & Culture
TO DO: This is a well hidden gem, situated next to the Museum of Scotland, off Chambers Street. It has great visiting exhibitions and is usually free.
24 recommandé par les habitants
Talbot Rice Gallery
South BridgeTO DO: This is a well hidden gem, situated next to the Museum of Scotland, off Chambers Street. It has great visiting exhibitions and is usually free.
TO DO: This museum has appeal for all. It's permanent exhibits are of a world class standards and cover subjects ranging from communication to natural history, technology, culture, costuming and design with lots of interactivity for all ages.
Throughout the year they run 'Lates' which are ticketed evening events with acts, music, drinks and activities on offer.
It is open throughout the week and is free of charge, aside from touring exhibitions.
The downstairs cafe offers a full menu and there is also a balcony cafe overlooking the beautiful grand Victorian hall.
My top tip for possibly the best view in the city is to visit the roof garden where you can get some wonderful panoramic shots.
1378 recommandé par les habitants
National Museum of Scotland
TO DO: This museum has appeal for all. It's permanent exhibits are of a world class standards and cover subjects ranging from communication to natural history, technology, culture, costuming and design with lots of interactivity for all ages.
Throughout the year they run 'Lates' which are ticketed evening events with acts, music, drinks and activities on offer.
It is open throughout the week and is free of charge, aside from touring exhibitions.
The downstairs cafe offers a full menu and there is also a balcony cafe overlooking the beautiful grand Victorian hall.
My top tip for possibly the best view in the city is to visit the roof garden where you can get some wonderful panoramic shots.
TO DO: This is a medical museum full of human body specimens in Victorian jars. Not for the faint hearted but positively fascinating!
114 recommandé par les habitants
Surgeons' Hall Museums
Nicolson StreetTO DO: This is a medical museum full of human body specimens in Victorian jars. Not for the faint hearted but positively fascinating!
TO DO: This real street has been recreated to show how life would have been in the old city streets of Edinburgh. The last time I went was 15 years ago before it was renovated and was terrifying and dangerous! Now it is a very popular attraction for people of all ages and completely safe!
373 recommandé par les habitants
The Real Mary King's Close
2 High StTO DO: This real street has been recreated to show how life would have been in the old city streets of Edinburgh. The last time I went was 15 years ago before it was renovated and was terrifying and dangerous! Now it is a very popular attraction for people of all ages and completely safe!
Shopping
SHOPPING: This is a liquid deli, selling everything from lemon rapeseed oil to Seville Orange Gin put in a bottle of your choice with whatever message you like written on it. The staff are fantastic and happy to let you sample whatever you like.
8 recommandé par les habitants
Demijohn
32 Victoria StreetSHOPPING: This is a liquid deli, selling everything from lemon rapeseed oil to Seville Orange Gin put in a bottle of your choice with whatever message you like written on it. The staff are fantastic and happy to let you sample whatever you like.
SHOPPING: This shop is a great starting point for shopping on George Street. Enjoy a coffee, lunch, dinner, breakfast or cocktails in the 4th floor brasserie or restaurant, looking out over the city.
It has an awesome food hall, Yo Sushi rotating restaurant and rotating chocolate champagne bar.
Downstairs there is men's, women's and childrens wear and a lovely beauty hall with Nails Inc champagne nail bar and Elemis Spa pod.
181 recommandé par les habitants
Harvey Nichols
SHOPPING: This shop is a great starting point for shopping on George Street. Enjoy a coffee, lunch, dinner, breakfast or cocktails in the 4th floor brasserie or restaurant, looking out over the city.
It has an awesome food hall, Yo Sushi rotating restaurant and rotating chocolate champagne bar.
Downstairs there is men's, women's and childrens wear and a lovely beauty hall with Nails Inc champagne nail bar and Elemis Spa pod.
SHOPPING: This is a pretty street in the heart of the Royal Mile area with some lovely boutiques and great cafes.
Saint Mary's Street
Saint Mary's StreetSHOPPING: This is a pretty street in the heart of the Royal Mile area with some lovely boutiques and great cafes.
SHOPPING: Just off the Grassmarket, this street is famous for its scenic terrace restaurants and interesting shops. It's the link between the Grassmarket and the Royal Mile and is a nice walk for your first day, finding your local bearings. Check out Ian Mellis for cheese, Oink for hog roast, Demijohn for heavenly liquid delights and Red Door Gallery for some unique gifts.
123 recommandé par les habitants
Victoria Street
Victoria StreetSHOPPING: Just off the Grassmarket, this street is famous for its scenic terrace restaurants and interesting shops. It's the link between the Grassmarket and the Royal Mile and is a nice walk for your first day, finding your local bearings. Check out Ian Mellis for cheese, Oink for hog roast, Demijohn for heavenly liquid delights and Red Door Gallery for some unique gifts.
SHOPPING: This street connects the Royal Mile to Waverley Bridge where the train station is and is a pleasant route into the centre of town. It has quirky shops. Great galleries and restaurants and a fun atmosphere. Try Ecco Vino for a great glass of wine, Lailas Bistro for award winning Mediterranean fare and Viva Mexico for some hearty genuine Mexican food and awesome frozen Margheritas!
10 recommandé par les habitants
Cockburn Street
Cockburn StreetSHOPPING: This street connects the Royal Mile to Waverley Bridge where the train station is and is a pleasant route into the centre of town. It has quirky shops. Great galleries and restaurants and a fun atmosphere. Try Ecco Vino for a great glass of wine, Lailas Bistro for award winning Mediterranean fare and Viva Mexico for some hearty genuine Mexican food and awesome frozen Margheritas!
SHOPPING: This is the worlds oldest department store. I had my first proper job here in the 90's, shortly before it was bought over by the Frasers group. It lacks the charm that it used to with many of the oak lined walls removed but it's still a must see, especially at Christmas when a Norwegian tree is brought in and installed in the grand hall.
Sit in the 1st floor cafe overlooking Princes street and the Scott Monument for a slightly overpriced lunch or in the Valvona and Crolla Caffe with a polenta cake and cappuccino.
It has childrens wear, men's, women's, homeward, glassware, toiletries, perfumery and a great toy basement.
80 recommandé par les habitants
House of Fraser
48 Princes StSHOPPING: This is the worlds oldest department store. I had my first proper job here in the 90's, shortly before it was bought over by the Frasers group. It lacks the charm that it used to with many of the oak lined walls removed but it's still a must see, especially at Christmas when a Norwegian tree is brought in and installed in the grand hall.
Sit in the 1st floor cafe overlooking Princes street and the Scott Monument for a slightly overpriced lunch or in the Valvona and Crolla Caffe with a polenta cake and cappuccino.
It has childrens wear, men's, women's, homeward, glassware, toiletries, perfumery and a great toy basement.
Essentials
ESSENTIALS: This is one of two nearby Sainsburys stores, handy for foods and toiletry items from early until late.
457 recommandé par les habitants
Sainsbury's Local
45 Bernard StESSENTIALS: This is one of two nearby Sainsburys stores, handy for foods and toiletry items from early until late.
ESSENTIALS: Toiletries, drinks, food, papers and picnic supplies for the meadows. Why not buy a mini barbecue on a pleasant evening?!
457 recommandé par les habitants
Sainsbury's Local
45 Bernard StESSENTIALS: Toiletries, drinks, food, papers and picnic supplies for the meadows. Why not buy a mini barbecue on a pleasant evening?!
ESSENTIALS: This is our local chemist. Ask about any minor ailments here.
6 recommandé par les habitants
Right Medicine Pharmacy MacKenzie
45 Forrest RdESSENTIALS: This is our local chemist. Ask about any minor ailments here.
ESSENTIALS: Our family doctor. If I can help you with contacting the, let me know.
Leven Medical Practice
10 Ponton StESSENTIALS: Our family doctor. If I can help you with contacting the, let me know.
Entertainment & Activities
TO DO: This is a fantastic cinema and Quentin Tarantinos favourite! It screens indie, foreign and art house films, alongside blockbusters. Check out the lovely bar for drinks and snack to take in.
255 recommandé par les habitants
Cameo Picturehouse
38 Home StTO DO: This is a fantastic cinema and Quentin Tarantinos favourite! It screens indie, foreign and art house films, alongside blockbusters. Check out the lovely bar for drinks and snack to take in.
TO DO: Come here for yoga payable on a drop-in basis at £12 a class. It's a quick walk across the meadows and has a super healthy juice etc cafe next door.
15 recommandé par les habitants
Meadowlark Yoga
43 Argyle PlTO DO: Come here for yoga payable on a drop-in basis at £12 a class. It's a quick walk across the meadows and has a super healthy juice etc cafe next door.
TO DO: I attend burlesque lessons here! Check out the website for drop-in classes ranging from beginners ballet to street. Drop-in is about £6 a class.
8 recommandé par les habitants
Dance Base, Scotland's National Centre for Dance
14-16 GrassmarketTO DO: I attend burlesque lessons here! Check out the website for drop-in classes ranging from beginners ballet to street. Drop-in is about £6 a class.
Sightseeing
TO DO: Don't worry if you can't afford to pay entrance to the castle. Anyone can go into its esplanade for a brilliant view of the city, free of charge.
17 recommandé par les habitants
Castlehill
CastlehillTO DO: Don't worry if you can't afford to pay entrance to the castle. Anyone can go into its esplanade for a brilliant view of the city, free of charge.