Guidebook for Edinburgh
Drinks & Nightlife
Lovely old nautical themed pub with views across the Firth of Forth. A friendly place, it serves good pub food and has an impressive selection of real ales. Ale of the month is £2.80 a pint.
34 locals recommend
Starbank Inn
60-64 Laverockbank RdLovely old nautical themed pub with views across the Firth of Forth. A friendly place, it serves good pub food and has an impressive selection of real ales. Ale of the month is £2.80 a pint.
Just along from the Starbank Inn, this popular little bar/restaurant is right on the waterfront. Perch yourself indoors or at outside tables for panoramic Firth of Forth views.
94 locals recommend
The Old Chain Pier
32 Trinity CresJust along from the Starbank Inn, this popular little bar/restaurant is right on the waterfront. Perch yourself indoors or at outside tables for panoramic Firth of Forth views.
Reputedly Newhaven's oldest pub, the cute and cosy Harbour Inn is located directly across from Newhaven Harbour. Formerly the Stone Pier Inn, the site has been a public house since 1860.
12 locals recommend
The Harbour Inn
4-6 Fishmarket SquareReputedly Newhaven's oldest pub, the cute and cosy Harbour Inn is located directly across from Newhaven Harbour. Formerly the Stone Pier Inn, the site has been a public house since 1860.
Hip little watering with a quirky look, laid-back cosmopolitan crew and DJs. Great spot to bask in the sun on a hot day and watch the human traffic of Leith.
111 locals recommend
Victoria Bar
265 Leith WalkHip little watering with a quirky look, laid-back cosmopolitan crew and DJs. Great spot to bask in the sun on a hot day and watch the human traffic of Leith.
Sister bar to nearby Victoria Bar, this laid-back and social venue is decorated with comfy sofas, floral wallpaper and homely lamps.
140 locals recommend
Abode Bar
229 Leith WalkSister bar to nearby Victoria Bar, this laid-back and social venue is decorated with comfy sofas, floral wallpaper and homely lamps.
Hip gastro bar restaurant serving mind-blowing cocktails with DJs on Friday and Saturday nights, located next door to The Kitchin. Can be a bit noisy but it certainly rocks at weekends.
Wolf + Water
84 Commercial StreetHip gastro bar restaurant serving mind-blowing cocktails with DJs on Friday and Saturday nights, located next door to The Kitchin. Can be a bit noisy but it certainly rocks at weekends.
This atmospheric venue is hands down my favourite Leith watering hole. An elegant Victorian cafe-bar with stained-glass windows and wooden panelling, it has great food, drinks selection and vibe.
199 locals recommend
Nobles Café Bar & Restaurant
44A Constitution StThis atmospheric venue is hands down my favourite Leith watering hole. An elegant Victorian cafe-bar with stained-glass windows and wooden panelling, it has great food, drinks selection and vibe.
Award winning bar and restaurant on Leith’s waterfront originally built in 1432, saving a dazzling array of real ales and Scottish cuisine.
143 locals recommend
The King's Wark
36 ShoreAward winning bar and restaurant on Leith’s waterfront originally built in 1432, saving a dazzling array of real ales and Scottish cuisine.
Food Scene
Voted Edinburgh's best cafe by TripAdvisor, the Haven is literally one minute's walk from my home! Serving delicious coffee and breakfasts all day. Open Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm and 9am-5pm at weekends.
339 locals recommend
The Gardener's Cottage
1 London RoadVoted Edinburgh's best cafe by TripAdvisor, the Haven is literally one minute's walk from my home! Serving delicious coffee and breakfasts all day. Open Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm and 9am-5pm at weekends.
My favourite Italian restaurant in Edinburgh, serving truly authentic Italian fare. Also a fantastic people-watching spot in summer from street tables. Open daily from 10am.
101 locals recommend
Vittoria on the Walk
113 Brunswick StMy favourite Italian restaurant in Edinburgh, serving truly authentic Italian fare. Also a fantastic people-watching spot in summer from street tables. Open daily from 10am.
Hugely popular and cosy rustic-chic cafe-style restaurant serving pasta and gourmet pizzas made with hand-stretched dough.
250 locals recommend
Origano pizzeria
236 Leith WalkHugely popular and cosy rustic-chic cafe-style restaurant serving pasta and gourmet pizzas made with hand-stretched dough.
Booking is essential to snare a table at this tasteful Michelin star restaurant located in a former whisky bond on the Leith’s waterfront. It serves fresh Scottish produce in a French style.
278 locals recommend
The Kitchin
Booking is essential to snare a table at this tasteful Michelin star restaurant located in a former whisky bond on the Leith’s waterfront. It serves fresh Scottish produce in a French style.
Laid-back family run café-deli-bistro under 10 minutes walk with stunning views over The Firth of Forth. It serves delicious gourmet breakfasts until noon and all day on Sunday. Worth a visit for the tempting selection of homemade cakes alone!
58 locals recommend
Porto & Fi Deli Bistro
47 Newhaven Main StLaid-back family run café-deli-bistro under 10 minutes walk with stunning views over The Firth of Forth. It serves delicious gourmet breakfasts until noon and all day on Sunday. Worth a visit for the tempting selection of homemade cakes alone!
Amazing Mexican street food joint serving authentic, fresh and delicious burritos, tacos and quesadillas. The burritos — with a haggis filling option — are as big as house! Only a handful of tables so more of a takeaway option, with delivery (see website), the prices are very reasonable.
68 locals recommend
Los Cardos
224 Leith WalkAmazing Mexican street food joint serving authentic, fresh and delicious burritos, tacos and quesadillas. The burritos — with a haggis filling option — are as big as house! Only a handful of tables so more of a takeaway option, with delivery (see website), the prices are very reasonable.
Outstanding shellfish and champagne restaurant with friendly staff and stylish, intimate decor. The champagne breakfast is a special treat and highly recommended. Only 15 minutes walk from my apartment.
159 locals recommend
The Ship On The Shore
ShoreOutstanding shellfish and champagne restaurant with friendly staff and stylish, intimate decor. The champagne breakfast is a special treat and highly recommended. Only 15 minutes walk from my apartment.
New kid on the block, open since February 2016, this hip Italian restaurant and bar is five minutes walk away and close to Newhaven Harbour. Specialising in 'fine modern Italian dining', it has already achieved an excellent reputation for service, ambience and food on TripAdvisor and other review sites.
9 locals recommend
Sasso
100 Lindsay RoadNew kid on the block, open since February 2016, this hip Italian restaurant and bar is five minutes walk away and close to Newhaven Harbour. Specialising in 'fine modern Italian dining', it has already achieved an excellent reputation for service, ambience and food on TripAdvisor and other review sites.
Launched in late 2015, MILK cafe is located in a bright white space at the new Sculpture Workshop just over the road from my apartment. I can highly recommend the ‘smashed avocado and za’atar spices on toast with poached egg and feta. The coffee is fantastic and the Moroccan mint iced tea, sublime on a hot day. Open 8am to 5pm weekdays and 9am to 5pm at weekends.
41 locals recommend
Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop
21 HawthornvaleLaunched in late 2015, MILK cafe is located in a bright white space at the new Sculpture Workshop just over the road from my apartment. I can highly recommend the ‘smashed avocado and za’atar spices on toast with poached egg and feta. The coffee is fantastic and the Moroccan mint iced tea, sublime on a hot day. Open 8am to 5pm weekdays and 9am to 5pm at weekends.
Everything Else
Around 10 minutes walk from home, this Sir Terence Conran designed shopping centre features a cinema and stores such as H&M, Superdry, Gap, BHS, Debenhams and New Look. Restaurants include Wagamama and Taco Mazama, most with water views.
332 locals recommend
Ocean Terminal
74 Ocean DrAround 10 minutes walk from home, this Sir Terence Conran designed shopping centre features a cinema and stores such as H&M, Superdry, Gap, BHS, Debenhams and New Look. Restaurants include Wagamama and Taco Mazama, most with water views.
Handy local shop two minutes walk from home at top end of my street. Sells all the basics, including alcohol. Open Mon-Sat, 8am to 9pm, Sun 8am to 6.30pm.
Best-One
218 Newhaven RdHandy local shop two minutes walk from home at top end of my street. Sells all the basics, including alcohol. Open Mon-Sat, 8am to 9pm, Sun 8am to 6.30pm.
Only around five minutes walk from home, the Asda superstore ticks all your boxes and is open 24/7. Always plenty of special offers on its vast wine range.
100 locals recommend
Asda Leith Superstore
2 Sandpiper DrOnly around five minutes walk from home, the Asda superstore ticks all your boxes and is open 24/7. Always plenty of special offers on its vast wine range.
A legendary and iconic street crammed with a diverse selection of shops, cafes, bars and award winning restaurants, it can be reached in 20 minutes walk.
46 locals recommend
Leith Walk
Leith WalkA legendary and iconic street crammed with a diverse selection of shops, cafes, bars and award winning restaurants, it can be reached in 20 minutes walk.
Touted as the UK's number one tourist attraction, the Queen's former big boat is docked just 10 minutes walk from my place!
630 locals recommend
Royal Yacht Britannia
Ocean DriveTouted as the UK's number one tourist attraction, the Queen's former big boat is docked just 10 minutes walk from my place!
Highly rated and extremely handy Indian takeaway, only two minutes walk from home. If you're feeling very lazy, they deliver for £1!
Ocean Spice
3 AnnfieldHighly rated and extremely handy Indian takeaway, only two minutes walk from home. If you're feeling very lazy, they deliver for £1!
Shopping
Souvenir hunters should avoid tacky city tourist shops and check this place out. It showcases the best of contemporary Scottish design, including local artists, and prices are very reasonable.
10 locals recommend
The Scottish Design Exchange
117-119 George StreetSouvenir hunters should avoid tacky city tourist shops and check this place out. It showcases the best of contemporary Scottish design, including local artists, and prices are very reasonable.
Operating every Saturday from 10am to 5pm, and about a 10 minute walk from home, this market is well worth checking out. On offer are creative crafts and original artworks, as well as food and drink stalls from independent traders.
72 locals recommend
Leith Market
Commercial StreetOperating every Saturday from 10am to 5pm, and about a 10 minute walk from home, this market is well worth checking out. On offer are creative crafts and original artworks, as well as food and drink stalls from independent traders.
Parks & Nature
Great spot for a picnic on a nice day or a stroll to admire the impressive spread of mature trees. Can be reached in five minutes via road or the walking path opposite my apartment.
27 locals recommend
Victoria Park
141 Newhaven RdGreat spot for a picnic on a nice day or a stroll to admire the impressive spread of mature trees. Can be reached in five minutes via road or the walking path opposite my apartment.
Essentials
About five minutes walk from home, this handy local shop sells all the basics, including reasonably priced alcohol. Open daily 6am to 10pm.
58 locals recommend
Scotmid Co-op
63 E Main StAbout five minutes walk from home, this handy local shop sells all the basics, including reasonably priced alcohol. Open daily 6am to 10pm.