Edinburgh guidebook
Eats
Edinburgh has an amazing food scene......these are just a few of my favourite places to eat.
Amazing small, local restaurant serving fantastic food.
Booking is essential.
137 personas de la zona recomiendan
The Walnut
9 Leith WalkAmazing small, local restaurant serving fantastic food.
Booking is essential.
Fantastic food. They do a great brunch and the ice cream slider is a must.
69 personas de la zona recomiendan
Educated Flea
32B Broughton StFantastic food. They do a great brunch and the ice cream slider is a must.
The Little Chartroom
14 Bonnington RoadIncredible seasonal, regional eating experience involving tasting menus and communal dining. They do a pretty mean brunch too!
Booking needed
339 personas de la zona recomiendan
The Gardener's Cottage
1 London RoadIncredible seasonal, regional eating experience involving tasting menus and communal dining. They do a pretty mean brunch too!
Booking needed
By far and away the best seafood place in Edinburgh. Incredible choice of seafood presented in a variety of ways.....all perfectly cooked and beautifully presented. The cocktails here are also fantastic.
Booking recommended.
159 personas de la zona recomiendan
The Ship On The Shore
ShoreBy far and away the best seafood place in Edinburgh. Incredible choice of seafood presented in a variety of ways.....all perfectly cooked and beautifully presented. The cocktails here are also fantastic.
Booking recommended.
Incredible food, incredible view....
Booking essential.
31 personas de la zona recomiendan
The Lookout by Gardener's Cottage
38 Calton HillIncredible food, incredible view....
Booking essential.
Simply the best tacos in town. Great food. Great margaritas (shaken recommended). Great music.
No bookings taken, and it does get busy, but you can put your name down and go across the street to Bon Vivant for a pre-meal cocktail (they even have suggested cocktails for those waiting for an El Cartel table).
167 personas de la zona recomiendan
El Cartel
64 Thistle StSimply the best tacos in town. Great food. Great margaritas (shaken recommended). Great music.
No bookings taken, and it does get busy, but you can put your name down and go across the street to Bon Vivant for a pre-meal cocktail (they even have suggested cocktails for those waiting for an El Cartel table).
Fantastic pizza and you can either go and eat in their lovely restaurant, order it for delivery at home or, if you are at The Joker & The Thief on Leith Walk, order it and have it with your pint of Tennent's (they serve it up on a platter, and provide napkins etc....amazing!). The Vesuvio is my firm favourite!
250 personas de la zona recomiendan
Origano pizzeria
236 Leith WalkFantastic pizza and you can either go and eat in their lovely restaurant, order it for delivery at home or, if you are at The Joker & The Thief on Leith Walk, order it and have it with your pint of Tennent's (they serve it up on a platter, and provide napkins etc....amazing!). The Vesuvio is my firm favourite!
For collection or delivery, Eatalia is a long-standing, family-run place that does a great line in Italian and Scottish classic fast food, including haggis supper with salt & sauce, or arancini.
11 personas de la zona recomiendan
Eatalias
1 Brunswick PlFor collection or delivery, Eatalia is a long-standing, family-run place that does a great line in Italian and Scottish classic fast food, including haggis supper with salt & sauce, or arancini.
Fantastic Indian food.....delivered (there are sit-in options too)!
Recommendations: Railway lamb curry; Chicken tikka; Tandoori chicken tikka wrap; brocolli bhaji; peshwari, keema or garlic naan.....it's all soooo goood!
11 personas de la zona recomiendan
Slumdog delivered Indian takeaway open from 12 o'clock 7 days a week
118 Elm RowFantastic Indian food.....delivered (there are sit-in options too)!
Recommendations: Railway lamb curry; Chicken tikka; Tandoori chicken tikka wrap; brocolli bhaji; peshwari, keema or garlic naan.....it's all soooo goood!
A seriously impressive selection of beers (including a number on draft) and the best burgers in Edinburgh.
37 personas de la zona recomiendan
Salt Horse Beer Shop & Bar
57-61 Blackfriars StA seriously impressive selection of beers (including a number on draft) and the best burgers in Edinburgh.
New Town Fox
2 Dundas StClassic dishes with a Scottish twist. Great food and friendly staff.
Great Thai street food joint. It can get really busy, but it's totally worth the wait.
257 personas de la zona recomiendan
TING THAI CARAVAN Teviot Place
9 Teviot PlGreat Thai street food joint. It can get really busy, but it's totally worth the wait.
Probably the best steak joint in town, with some interesting cocktail options too.
98 personas de la zona recomiendan
Chop House Leith
102 Constitution StProbably the best steak joint in town, with some interesting cocktail options too.
Fantastic cafe with brilliant breakfasts and delicious scones. A hidden gem.
It's cash only (there are cashpoints at the BP garage and Tesco nearby).
28 personas de la zona recomiendan
The Bluebird Cafe
5 CanonmillsFantastic cafe with brilliant breakfasts and delicious scones. A hidden gem.
It's cash only (there are cashpoints at the BP garage and Tesco nearby).
Probably the best brunch spot in Edinburgh (in my opinion). A good range of options (catering for a range of dietary requirements), great coffee, fresh squeezed orange juice..... amazing!
68 personas de la zona recomiendan
Urban Angel
121 Hanover StProbably the best brunch spot in Edinburgh (in my opinion). A good range of options (catering for a range of dietary requirements), great coffee, fresh squeezed orange juice..... amazing!
Wonderful Thai food on one of my favourite Edinburgh streets. The starter platter is a must eat.....go hungry!
54 personas de la zona recomiendan
Dusit
49A Thistle StWonderful Thai food on one of my favourite Edinburgh streets. The starter platter is a must eat.....go hungry!
Montreal-style bagels - made on site. Fresh and tasty, with the option to eat in or take away.
91 personas de la zona recomiendan
Bross Bagels
6 Manderston StMontreal-style bagels - made on site. Fresh and tasty, with the option to eat in or take away.
Great gelateria on Leith Walk.....always an interesting selection of flavours. The cookies one is particularly good.
Bon Bon gelateria Edinburgh
65 Elm RowGreat gelateria on Leith Walk.....always an interesting selection of flavours. The cookies one is particularly good.
Some of the best ice cream in town, you can find Luca's ice-cream all over town. The cafe offers some indulgent sundaes among other things. Locally made. The Toffee Fudgy Wudgy is a must try!
40 personas de la zona recomiendan
S Luca
16 Morningside RdSome of the best ice cream in town, you can find Luca's ice-cream all over town. The cafe offers some indulgent sundaes among other things. Locally made. The Toffee Fudgy Wudgy is a must try!
Drinks
There are loads of bars and pubs in Edinburgh.....here are some of my favourites...
A wonderful selection wine and extremely knowledgeable and friendly staff. They always have wine flights, which change quite regularly and come with the option of cheese pairings (they did chocolate pairings at Easter!). The food is also excellent, including a great range of cheese and charcuterie, as well as the incredible Edward & Irwyn chocolate (the honeycomb is mindblowing....also available from their shop in Morningside).
91 personas de la zona recomiendan
Smith & Gertrude
254 Hamilton PlA wonderful selection wine and extremely knowledgeable and friendly staff. They always have wine flights, which change quite regularly and come with the option of cheese pairings (they did chocolate pairings at Easter!). The food is also excellent, including a great range of cheese and charcuterie, as well as the incredible Edward & Irwyn chocolate (the honeycomb is mindblowing....also available from their shop in Morningside).
A great traditional pub, with live music (Saturdays and Sundays). They also do decent food. The cullen skink is fantastic.
37 personas de la zona recomiendan
The Barony Bar
81-85 Broughton StreetA great traditional pub, with live music (Saturdays and Sundays). They also do decent food. The cullen skink is fantastic.
My current favourite traditional bar in Edinburgh. Great atmosphere, good selection of drinks, regular traditional music, and the food is decent too (beef brisket stovies - highly recommended!)
19 personas de la zona recomiendan
Thistle Street Bar
39 Thistle StMy current favourite traditional bar in Edinburgh. Great atmosphere, good selection of drinks, regular traditional music, and the food is decent too (beef brisket stovies - highly recommended!)
Great local bar. good selection of drinks, friendly staff.
8 personas de la zona recomiendan
Smoke & Mirrors
159 Constitution StGreat local bar. good selection of drinks, friendly staff.
Best pint of Tennent's in Edinburgh and probably one of the most reasonably priced too. Always great music and people-watching. The added bonus is that you can order an Origano pizza via the bartender and have it delivered to your table - pretty special!
15 personas de la zona recomiendan
The Joker And The Thief
71 Elm RowBest pint of Tennent's in Edinburgh and probably one of the most reasonably priced too. Always great music and people-watching. The added bonus is that you can order an Origano pizza via the bartender and have it delivered to your table - pretty special!
Wonderful traditional pub in Morningside. A good pint and great people watching.
95 personas de la zona recomiendan
Canny Mans
237 Morningside RdWonderful traditional pub in Morningside. A good pint and great people watching.
Possibly the best cocktails in Edinburgh - incredibly knowledgeable and friendly staff. Amazing negronis, margaritas, white russians and allsorts of exciting and interesting concoctions.
I haven't ever eaten here, but the food always looks fantastic.
64 personas de la zona recomiendan
The Bon Vivant
55 Thistle StPossibly the best cocktails in Edinburgh - incredibly knowledgeable and friendly staff. Amazing negronis, margaritas, white russians and allsorts of exciting and interesting concoctions.
I haven't ever eaten here, but the food always looks fantastic.
Shopping
Local shopping recommendations to meet at least some of your needs...
Sustainable grocery shopping at its finest. Locally sourced produce (including milk in glass bottles, fresh eggs and incredible bread), take a jar, tub etc and fill it up with whatever you need (pasta, lentils, flour, seeds, nuts, shampoo.....). Don't worry if you don't have a jar/tub they have a supply of 'karmic jars' that you can use.
Weigh To Go
27 Crighton PlSustainable grocery shopping at its finest. Locally sourced produce (including milk in glass bottles, fresh eggs and incredible bread), take a jar, tub etc and fill it up with whatever you need (pasta, lentils, flour, seeds, nuts, shampoo.....). Don't worry if you don't have a jar/tub they have a supply of 'karmic jars' that you can use.
Wonderful small local grocery store. Great selection of veg and allsorts of other produce.
53 personas de la zona recomiendan
Tattie Shaws
35 Elm RowWonderful small local grocery store. Great selection of veg and allsorts of other produce.
With an incredible selection of delicious sausages, Crombie's is the place to go for all of your meaty needs. The do a good selection of prepared meats ready to put in the oven......amazing chicken kiev, stir fry....etc.
They also do breakfast rolls (limited supply so get there early) and lunches for takeout during the week.
70 personas de la zona recomiendan
Crombies of Edinburgh
97 Broughton StWith an incredible selection of delicious sausages, Crombie's is the place to go for all of your meaty needs. The do a good selection of prepared meats ready to put in the oven......amazing chicken kiev, stir fry....etc.
They also do breakfast rolls (limited supply so get there early) and lunches for takeout during the week.
Fantastic traditional butcher. They do (in my opinion) the finest black pudding in Edinburgh, as well as stocking an impressive range of meat including game.
9 personas de la zona recomiendan
George Bower Butchers
75 Raeburn PlFantastic traditional butcher. They do (in my opinion) the finest black pudding in Edinburgh, as well as stocking an impressive range of meat including game.
Small, but excellent Co-op on McDonald Rd. It has a good product range, friendly staff and long opening hours.
Co-op Food - Edinburgh - McDonald Road
8 McDonald RdSmall, but excellent Co-op on McDonald Rd. It has a good product range, friendly staff and long opening hours.
The Bon Vivant's Companion
51 Thistle StreetThe most comprehensive bottle shop in town.
Services
Best barbers in Edinburgh. Close-cut hot towel shave, clean, great service, you even get a coffee.
Veen Barbers
64 Elm RowBest barbers in Edinburgh. Close-cut hot towel shave, clean, great service, you even get a coffee.
Brilliant traditional local pharmacy. Friendly and really very helpful staff.
50 personas de la zona recomiendan
Broughton Delicatessen
7 Barony StBrilliant traditional local pharmacy. Friendly and really very helpful staff.
By far and away the best taxi firm in town. You can call to book, or use their app. These are licensed hackney taxis and it's a carbon neutral company. The drivers know where they are going and are generally really friendly and super-helpful.
0131 228 1211
24 personas de la zona recomiendan
City Cabs (Edinburgh) Ltd
1 Atholl PlBy far and away the best taxi firm in town. You can call to book, or use their app. These are licensed hackney taxis and it's a carbon neutral company. The drivers know where they are going and are generally really friendly and super-helpful.
0131 228 1211
Great full-service beauty salon. Friendly but professional staff. Well-priced services.
6 personas de la zona recomiendan
Zen Lifestyle
25-27 Bruntsfield PlGreat full-service beauty salon. Friendly but professional staff. Well-priced services.
Coffee
Top spots for coffee in Edinburgh...
Laid back coffee house with spectacular coffee and some tasty food options. 'Craft coffee roasters from Scotland', a wide variety of coffees are available to take home with you, full bean or ground to suit your coffee-making device at home.
236 personas de la zona recomiendan
Artisan Roast
57 Broughton StLaid back coffee house with spectacular coffee and some tasty food options. 'Craft coffee roasters from Scotland', a wide variety of coffees are available to take home with you, full bean or ground to suit your coffee-making device at home.
Lovely teas and coffees and some good looking cakes, soups and sandwiches. Also non-edible temptations in the form of artwork and vintage homewares.
23 personas de la zona recomiendan
Art and Vintage
3 Lyne StLovely teas and coffees and some good looking cakes, soups and sandwiches. Also non-edible temptations in the form of artwork and vintage homewares.
Entertainment
Some of my favourite things to do and see in Edinburgh...
Amazing independent cinema in Morningside. Think reclining armchairs, sofas, local ice-cream and beer, accompanied by a big-screen movie.
Dominion Cinema
Newbattle TerraceAmazing independent cinema in Morningside. Think reclining armchairs, sofas, local ice-cream and beer, accompanied by a big-screen movie.
On a nice day, at any time of year, the Botanics are a great place to visit. As well as wandering around these beautiful gardens, there are amazing glasshouses, a cafe and a shop, as well as being able to catch glimpses of the city and castle.
Check out their website - they commonly have things going on (e.g., Christmas at the Botanics (light installations) and the Luna cinema).
1227 personas de la zona recomiendan
Real Jardín Botánico de Edimburgo
Arboretum PlaceOn a nice day, at any time of year, the Botanics are a great place to visit. As well as wandering around these beautiful gardens, there are amazing glasshouses, a cafe and a shop, as well as being able to catch glimpses of the city and castle.
Check out their website - they commonly have things going on (e.g., Christmas at the Botanics (light installations) and the Luna cinema).
Great views, some interesting history, and even a fantastic restaurant, Calton Hill is well worth a visit. The access via Blenheim Place provides a slightly gentler climb to the top that the steps or the road.
1098 personas de la zona recomiendan
Calton Hill
Calton HillGreat views, some interesting history, and even a fantastic restaurant, Calton Hill is well worth a visit. The access via Blenheim Place provides a slightly gentler climb to the top that the steps or the road.
Wonderful walks along the Water of Leith - great wildlife (recently spotted a kingfisher!), interesting history and architecture, wonderful views, and even some Antony Gormley sculptures (one close to McDonald Road!), a really peaceful place close to the city
16 personas de la zona recomiendan
Water of Leith Walkway
Water of Leith WalkwayWonderful walks along the Water of Leith - great wildlife (recently spotted a kingfisher!), interesting history and architecture, wonderful views, and even some Antony Gormley sculptures (one close to McDonald Road!), a really peaceful place close to the city
Tranquil village really close to the city centre on the Water of Leith. Interesting architecture and a short walk along the Water of Leith from Stockbridge.
268 personas de la zona recomiendan
Dean Village
Dean PathTranquil village really close to the city centre on the Water of Leith. Interesting architecture and a short walk along the Water of Leith from Stockbridge.
Just a short bus ride from the city, Portobello has a wonderful beach. Take a walk along the beach, have a pint in the Espy, get a Luca's ice-cream, go to the arcades, or just enjoy the spectacular views of the Forth.
447 personas de la zona recomiendan
Paseo Marítimo de Portobello Beach
1 PromenadeJust a short bus ride from the city, Portobello has a wonderful beach. Take a walk along the beach, have a pint in the Espy, get a Luca's ice-cream, go to the arcades, or just enjoy the spectacular views of the Forth.
Consejos para los viajeros
Desplazamientos
Edinburgh has a great public transport system...
Lothian buses: £4 day ticket for the city; £1.70 for a single journey. You can either pay cash (no change given) or by contact-less payment.
Edinburgh tram: a good option for getting from the airport to the city centre. Pay before getting on board though!
Airlink bus: Probably the most cost-effective way to travel between the airport and the city. The service runs 24h and is an express service.
City cabs: there are lots of taxi companies in the city, but this is the one that I would recommend for reliability, friendly and knowledgeable drivers.
Just Eat bikes: get the app.....they are all over the city and a great way to get around and see the city.