Guidebook for Edinburgh
Drinks & Nightlife
This place has great burgers (the halloumi burger is a particular favourite) and one of the largest selections of beers on tap to be found in Edinburgh.
146 locals recommend
The Holyrood 9A
9a Holyrood RdThis place has great burgers (the halloumi burger is a particular favourite) and one of the largest selections of beers on tap to be found in Edinburgh.
The Royal Oak
1 Infirmary StGood wee spot to hear some Scottish music. Always tightly packed :)
Upstairs has great Scottish music and sometimes even a ceilidh dance at the weekend.
80 locals recommend
Ghillie Dhu
1A Rutland StreetUpstairs has great Scottish music and sometimes even a ceilidh dance at the weekend.
Sandy Bell's
25 Forrest RdAnother wee venue with Scottish music sessions.
Nice cocktails and always a bit quieter so it's good if you want somewhere you can get a seat.
73 locals recommend
Hemma
75 Holyrood RdNice cocktails and always a bit quieter so it's good if you want somewhere you can get a seat.
A locals bar despite being on the Royal Mile. Very cosy and some interesting bottled beers.
6 locals recommend
The White Horse
266 CanongateA locals bar despite being on the Royal Mile. Very cosy and some interesting bottled beers.
Prohibition-style bar that looks like a barber's from the outside, but once you find your way in there's delicious cocktails!
297 locals recommend
Panda & Sons
79 Queen StProhibition-style bar that looks like a barber's from the outside, but once you find your way in there's delicious cocktails!
Our fantastic Local bar with great beer and tapas style food available!
191 locals recommend
The Safari Lounge
21 Cadzow PlOur fantastic Local bar with great beer and tapas style food available!
Food Scene
This Polish bakery has beautiful looking AND tasting cakes and has beautiful freshly baked bread. We love the honey and spelt loaf!
259 locals recommend
The Manna House Bakery & Patisserie
22-24 Easter RdThis Polish bakery has beautiful looking AND tasting cakes and has beautiful freshly baked bread. We love the honey and spelt loaf!
A restaurant that specialises in using local produce that is in season. It is a great place to go if you have a special occasion to celebrate.
339 locals recommend
The Gardener's Cottage
1 London RoadA restaurant that specialises in using local produce that is in season. It is a great place to go if you have a special occasion to celebrate.
A great place to stop for a baked potato or a toastie while exploring the Royal Mile.
29 locals recommend
Clarinda's Tearoom
69 CanongateA great place to stop for a baked potato or a toastie while exploring the Royal Mile.
This place offers a reasonably priced early evening menu and you get beautiful views of the Edinburgh city skyline from the restaurant.
84 locals recommend
Harvey Nichols Forth Floor Brasserie and Bar
30-34 St Andrew SquareThis place offers a reasonably priced early evening menu and you get beautiful views of the Edinburgh city skyline from the restaurant.
Cheap and easy Indian tapas. We particularly recommend the chana dhaal, nom nom!
115 locals recommend
Mother India's Cafe
3-5 Infirmary StCheap and easy Indian tapas. We particularly recommend the chana dhaal, nom nom!
A nice little escape with a menu that is both creative and healthy. A good lunch stop not far from the Royal Mile.
41 locals recommend
Spoon
6 A Nicolson StA nice little escape with a menu that is both creative and healthy. A good lunch stop not far from the Royal Mile.
This is the best place to stop for lunch or tea and a cake if you are waiting for a train or the airport bus. Very original menu, we always find it hard to choose as it all looks so tasty!
103 locals recommend
Fruitmarket Gallery
45 Market StThis is the best place to stop for lunch or tea and a cake if you are waiting for a train or the airport bus. Very original menu, we always find it hard to choose as it all looks so tasty!
Milkshakes, hot chocolate, ice cream floats. This place is a local legend.
131 locals recommend
Mary's Milk Bar
19 GrassmarketMilkshakes, hot chocolate, ice cream floats. This place is a local legend.
Lovecrumbs West Port
155 West PortGreat cakes and posh teas.
The best Thai restaurant in Edinburgh and wonderful service. We especially love their mango and sticky rice pudding. Book ahead.
20 locals recommend
Thai Orchid
5A Johnston TerraceThe best Thai restaurant in Edinburgh and wonderful service. We especially love their mango and sticky rice pudding. Book ahead.
Try the haggis nachos for a Scottish twist on this classic Mexican dish.
20 locals recommend
Viva Mexico
41 Cockburn StTry the haggis nachos for a Scottish twist on this classic Mexican dish.
Expensive but very on trend in Edinburgh right now. We tried some cocktails with tree sap and there's lots of very interesting flavours in the food. Try the set menu if you want to treat yourselves.
184 locals recommend
TIMBERYARD
10 Lady Lawson StExpensive but very on trend in Edinburgh right now. We tried some cocktails with tree sap and there's lots of very interesting flavours in the food. Try the set menu if you want to treat yourselves.
A great place for a brunch or lunch if you are visiting the Royal Botanic Gardens.
87 locals recommend
Earthy Canonmills
1 CanonmillsA great place for a brunch or lunch if you are visiting the Royal Botanic Gardens.
Fantastic local cafe with freshly baked goods and amazing tea and coffee.
107 locals recommend
Red Kite Cafe
7-8 Cadzow PlFantastic local cafe with freshly baked goods and amazing tea and coffee.
Sightseeing
It's just a 30 minute climb from the house, and offers some of the best views of Edinburgh. Climb it at sunset for a particularly memorable experience.
1859 locals recommend
Arthur's Seat
It's just a 30 minute climb from the house, and offers some of the best views of Edinburgh. Climb it at sunset for a particularly memorable experience.
Just a short walk from the house, Carlton Hill, unmistakable with its Athenian acropolis poking above the sky. It's another great place to get an aerial view of the city.
1098 locals recommend
Calton Hill
Calton HillJust a short walk from the house, Carlton Hill, unmistakable with its Athenian acropolis poking above the sky. It's another great place to get an aerial view of the city.
This is definitely a unique Parliament building. There are free tours for you to see inside the building. A must for those interested in modern architecture.
314 locals recommend
Scottish Parliament Building
This is definitely a unique Parliament building. There are free tours for you to see inside the building. A must for those interested in modern architecture.
If you are interested in Royal history then this is the stop for you! You get to see how the Royals live and can tour bedrooms, dining rooms and corridors. Avoid the cafe as it's very pricey.
462 locals recommend
Palace of Holyroodhouse
CanongateIf you are interested in Royal history then this is the stop for you! You get to see how the Royals live and can tour bedrooms, dining rooms and corridors. Avoid the cafe as it's very pricey.
Worth a wee detour to see how the royals lived on board this holiday yacht now permanently based in Edinburgh.
630 locals recommend
Royal Yacht Britannia
Ocean DriveWorth a wee detour to see how the royals lived on board this holiday yacht now permanently based in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh Castle
CastlehillNo. 1 Edinburgh attraction :)
Visitor attraction and underground guided tour hidden deep beneath Edinburgh's Royal Mile. Very popular, so book ahead.
373 locals recommend
The Real Mary King's Close
2 High StVisitor attraction and underground guided tour hidden deep beneath Edinburgh's Royal Mile. Very popular, so book ahead.
Get a better understanding of the Scottish national drink, try some for yourself and get a whisky glass to take home.
149 locals recommend
The Scotch Whisky Experience
354 CastlehillGet a better understanding of the Scottish national drink, try some for yourself and get a whisky glass to take home.
Always wonderful exhibitions in this recently renovated museum. A great cafe too.
523 locals recommend
Scottish National Portrait Gallery
1 Queen StAlways wonderful exhibitions in this recently renovated museum. A great cafe too.
This is the place to learn about Scottish history, particularly on a rainy day. Leave lots of time as it's collection is endless!
1378 locals recommend
National Museum of Scotland
This is the place to learn about Scottish history, particularly on a rainy day. Leave lots of time as it's collection is endless!
Great for a relaxing Sunday wander. This is the place to find some calm in the city. The squirrels always come out to play.
1227 locals recommend
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Arboretum PlaceGreat for a relaxing Sunday wander. This is the place to find some calm in the city. The squirrels always come out to play.
Dynamic Earth
Holyrood RoadA great museum if you are interested in science and nature.
Shopping
You will find great local Scottish beers here at this independent off-license.
72 locals recommend
Cornelius Beer & Wine
18-20 Easter RdYou will find great local Scottish beers here at this independent off-license.