Guidebook for Edinburgh
Food Scene
Artisan Roast
57 Broughton StGreat for coffee lovers
Amazing taste sensation from this artisan maker of marshmallows - will blow your socks off!
19 locals recommend
The Marshmallow Lady
14 Rodney StAmazing taste sensation from this artisan maker of marshmallows - will blow your socks off!
The Olive Branch
91 Broughton StA great local bistro - nice menu, ambience & good value
Something Fishy
16A Broughton StLovely fresh fish from this local shop...
L'Escargot Bleu Restaurant
56 Broughton StFor good French food..
Scotland's oldest Italian delicatessen& wine merchant - an Edinburgh instution run by Mary Contini & family with an awesome array of high quality produce and great caffe-restaurant serving delicious Italian food.
189 locals recommend
Valvona Crolla
19 Elm RowScotland's oldest Italian delicatessen& wine merchant - an Edinburgh instution run by Mary Contini & family with an awesome array of high quality produce and great caffe-restaurant serving delicious Italian food.
A beautiful ornate Victorian pub with marble floors, mirrors and stained glass windows. Eat in the Oyster Bar or the bar - specialising in sea food and traditional Scottish bar food.
125 locals recommend
Cafe Royal
19 W Register StA beautiful ornate Victorian pub with marble floors, mirrors and stained glass windows. Eat in the Oyster Bar or the bar - specialising in sea food and traditional Scottish bar food.
Modern Scottish cuisine at 3 venues - Dublin St (New Town), St Mary's St (Old Town) and Grindlay St.
23 locals recommend
Stac Polly
29-33 Dublin StModern Scottish cuisine at 3 venues - Dublin St (New Town), St Mary's St (Old Town) and Grindlay St.
Angels with Bagpipes
343 High StAnother good restaurant for Scottish cuisine.
David Bann Restaurant
56-58 St Mary's StInspired & innovative vegetarian menu
Housed in the historic Signet Library, the space has been redesigned house a restaurant open to the public - sure to become a favourite with tourists for its opulent atmosphere. Revolving around fancy tea treats - just turn up for tea & cakes or reasonably priced suppers from the menu rather than pre-book a rather expensive set tea.
30 locals recommend
The Colonnades at the Signet Library
Parliament SquareHoused in the historic Signet Library, the space has been redesigned house a restaurant open to the public - sure to become a favourite with tourists for its opulent atmosphere. Revolving around fancy tea treats - just turn up for tea & cakes or reasonably priced suppers from the menu rather than pre-book a rather expensive set tea.
SIX by NICO EDINBURGH
97 Hanover StA new six-course tasting menu every six weeks
This small neighbourhood restaurant has gained a name for itself since opening in around 2018 - described by Grace Dent in the Guardian as a " decidedly bijou, nautical cartography-fixated and almost-fine-dining restaurant".
35 locals recommend
The Little Chartroom
14 Bonnington RoadThis small neighbourhood restaurant has gained a name for itself since opening in around 2018 - described by Grace Dent in the Guardian as a " decidedly bijou, nautical cartography-fixated and almost-fine-dining restaurant".
Housed in a large warehouse space – cool modern top dining – wine list seems a little intimidating with prices to match - good feedback from guests before alcohol was allowed to be served again:)
184 locals recommend
TIMBERYARD
10 Lady Lawson StHoused in a large warehouse space – cool modern top dining – wine list seems a little intimidating with prices to match - good feedback from guests before alcohol was allowed to be served again:)
Offbeat setting in the parkland on London Road. Seasonal/local produce based set menu – an interesting player on the Edinburgh restaurant scene.
The Gardeners Cottage
Offbeat setting in the parkland on London Road. Seasonal/local produce based set menu – an interesting player on the Edinburgh restaurant scene.
Tapas style menu of Indian style dishes - good use of herbs as well as spices and their own delicious dishes outside the usual range on offer
115 locals recommend
Mother India's Cafe
3-5 Infirmary StTapas style menu of Indian style dishes - good use of herbs as well as spices and their own delicious dishes outside the usual range on offer
Fantastic range of middle eastern/mediterranean groceries - to use during your stay or to take back home
Jordan Valley
8 Nicolson StFantastic range of middle eastern/mediterranean groceries - to use during your stay or to take back home
Shopping
An eclectic selection of high quality items by craftsmen and artists, from clothes to home wares
38 locals recommend
Curiouser & Curiouser
93 Broughton StAn eclectic selection of high quality items by craftsmen and artists, from clothes to home wares
Beautiful selecion of flowers and plants - take something back to the apartment or just enjoy the window display!
7 locals recommend
Narcissus
87 Broughton StBeautiful selecion of flowers and plants - take something back to the apartment or just enjoy the window display!
John Lewis & Partners
60 Leith StA great department store
Designer's own range of iconic clothing & handbags - now with a homeware floor - made from recycled vintage clothing - a whole new spin on traditional jackets, wellies & kilts.
10 locals recommend
Joey D
54 Broughton StDesigner's own range of iconic clothing & handbags - now with a homeware floor - made from recycled vintage clothing - a whole new spin on traditional jackets, wellies & kilts.
A lovely bookshop to browse in - close to Mother India's Cafe, Jordan Valley food shop and the National Museum of Scotland
10 locals recommend
Blackwell's Bookshop
53-62 South BridgeA lovely bookshop to browse in - close to Mother India's Cafe, Jordan Valley food shop and the National Museum of Scotland
New shopping mall at the east end of Princes Street - Multrees Walk off St Andrews Square is also worth a visit for luxe shopping
93 locals recommend
St James Shopping
St James CrescentNew shopping mall at the east end of Princes Street - Multrees Walk off St Andrews Square is also worth a visit for luxe shopping
Essentials
Tesco Express
4-6 Leith WalkReal Foods
37 Broughton StWholefood & organic grocery store
Parks & Nature
Everything from views of the city, great collections of plants & trees to nice walks, cafes and Art Gallery
1227 locals recommend
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Arboretum PlaceEverything from views of the city, great collections of plants & trees to nice walks, cafes and Art Gallery
A wilderness in the city - one of the things which makes Edinburgh so special - climb Arthur's Seat for a view of the city or just tramp around and enjoy being out in nature..
15 locals recommend
Holyrood Park Road
Holyrood Park RoadA wilderness in the city - one of the things which makes Edinburgh so special - climb Arthur's Seat for a view of the city or just tramp around and enjoy being out in nature..
Calton Hill
Calton HillGreat views of the city
A gentle but very scenic walk along the Water of Leith river - pick up the route at various points in the city
147 locals recommend
Water of Leith Walkway
Water of Leith WalkwayA gentle but very scenic walk along the Water of Leith river - pick up the route at various points in the city
Drinks & Nightlife
Pickles
60 Broughton StAtmospheric basement wine bar with artisan cheese/meat platters
The Stand Comedy Club
5 York PlaceComedy venue on York Place
Sightseeing
The default destination for a first visit to Edinburgh - wander around the Old Town too and enjoy the views from the castle esplanade
1961 locals recommend
Edinburgh Castle
CastlehillThe default destination for a first visit to Edinburgh - wander around the Old Town too and enjoy the views from the castle esplanade
An historic close (or alleyway) located under buildings on the Royal Mile. Fascinating insight into Edinburgh's history dating back centuries.
373 locals recommend
The Real Mary King's Close
2 High StAn historic close (or alleyway) located under buildings on the Royal Mile. Fascinating insight into Edinburgh's history dating back centuries.
Visit their website for a range of hop on hop off bus tours around the city (24 hour ticket) and the Three Bridges bus & boat tour to the Firth of Forth. Nearest stop is in St Andrew Square.
31 locals recommend
Edinburgh Trams
Visit their website for a range of hop on hop off bus tours around the city (24 hour ticket) and the Three Bridges bus & boat tour to the Firth of Forth. Nearest stop is in St Andrew Square.
Arts & Culture
A great rainy day destination, with a huge range of exhibits covering - like a mixture of the Natural History Museum, The Science Museum and the V & A in one!
1378 locals recommend
National Museum of Scotland
A great rainy day destination, with a huge range of exhibits covering - like a mixture of the Natural History Museum, The Science Museum and the V & A in one!
Housed in a beautiful building on Queen Street - plenty of temporary exhibitions as well as the permanent collection, so always something of interest. Do pop your head into the Library (stunning interior). Also great Gift Shop and Cafe with delicious & wholesome food.
523 locals recommend
Scottish National Portrait Gallery
1 Queen StHoused in a beautiful building on Queen Street - plenty of temporary exhibitions as well as the permanent collection, so always something of interest. Do pop your head into the Library (stunning interior). Also great Gift Shop and Cafe with delicious & wholesome food.
Please visit this unique, eclectic shop run by the delightful Tom Hodges, who sells typewriters, a selection of books and has established his own small publishing company.
Eccentric & old-fashioned in the very best sense. A delight.
Situated alongside McNaughton's bookshop in Haddington Place.
I have chosen to place this under Arts & Culture rather than shopping, but it fits under both umbrellas.
9 locals recommend
Typewronger Books
4a Haddington PlPlease visit this unique, eclectic shop run by the delightful Tom Hodges, who sells typewriters, a selection of books and has established his own small publishing company.
Eccentric & old-fashioned in the very best sense. A delight.
Situated alongside McNaughton's bookshop in Haddington Place.
I have chosen to place this under Arts & Culture rather than shopping, but it fits under both umbrellas.
Established in 1957, a browsing opportunity for book lovers, stuffed with second hand, rare & antiquarian books
McNaughtan's Bookshop
4a Haddington PlEstablished in 1957, a browsing opportunity for book lovers, stuffed with second hand, rare & antiquarian books