Guidebook for Edinburgh
Food Scene
Loch Fyne Restaurant & Bar
23A Pier PlaceLovely sea views, only 5 minutes walk away
The Old Chain Pier
32 Trinity CresEl Paso Tapas Bar
Dundas StreetFresh-cooked Dominican food with chance to dance!
Cuckoo's Bakery
150 Dundas StFab cup cakes!
The Herringbone
2 S Trinity RdGreat bistro bar, 15 minutes walk away
Cafe Andaluz Old Town
10-11 George IV BridgeGood value tapas, nice atmosphere
Waterfront inn built in 1432 - and you can walk there from my place!
143 locals recommend
The King's Wark
36 ShoreWaterfront inn built in 1432 - and you can walk there from my place!
Haven't been here myself but afternoon tea here is highly recommended by a Scottish tour guide friend of mine. It's not cheap (£32pp, Feb2018) but you know you're worth it!
30 locals recommend
The Colonnades at the Signet Library
Parliament SquareHaven't been here myself but afternoon tea here is highly recommended by a Scottish tour guide friend of mine. It's not cheap (£32pp, Feb2018) but you know you're worth it!
A Victorian neighbourhood pub, best to book a table if you want to eat here. Walk there from my house in around 20 minutes, or take the no16 bus.
199 locals recommend
Nobles Café Bar & Restaurant
44A Constitution StA Victorian neighbourhood pub, best to book a table if you want to eat here. Walk there from my house in around 20 minutes, or take the no16 bus.
The Conan Doyle
71-73 York PlClassic pub close to the city centre.
Trendy gastro pub with high quality food, bit on the pricey side.
378 locals recommend
The Scran and Scallie
1 Comely Bank RdTrendy gastro pub with high quality food, bit on the pricey side.
Less than 10 minutes walk away from my home, close to the sea front.
58 locals recommend
Porto & Fi Deli Bistro
47 Newhaven Main StLess than 10 minutes walk away from my home, close to the sea front.
Gaucho Edinburgh
4a St Andrew SquareArgentinian steaks and cowhide décor!
Good atmosphere and quirky décor.
Try the Wednesday offer - 2 rump steaks and 2 sides £30, or go for traditional roast beef Sunday! Walking distance from my home, booking recommended.
98 locals recommend
Chop House Leith
102 Constitution StGood atmosphere and quirky décor.
Try the Wednesday offer - 2 rump steaks and 2 sides £30, or go for traditional roast beef Sunday! Walking distance from my home, booking recommended.
Mimi's Bakehouse
63 ShoreCupcakes and home-baked goodies. Booking recommended.
Serrano & Manchego
297 Leith WalkGreat tapas!
Authentic tapas in family run restaurant. Small, relatively no-frills decor, food is great!
13 locals recommend
Lasal
22 Union PlAuthentic tapas in family run restaurant. Small, relatively no-frills decor, food is great!
Arts & Culture
National Museum of Scotland
Dundas Street
Dundas StreetLots of small art galleries
Home to one of the largest and most historic pathology collections in the UK, the Museum underwent a major £4.4M Heritage Lottery-funded redevelopment in 2015.
Open 7 days a week, 10am - 5pm. Entry is free.
114 locals recommend
Surgeons' Hall Museums
Nicolson StreetHome to one of the largest and most historic pathology collections in the UK, the Museum underwent a major £4.4M Heritage Lottery-funded redevelopment in 2015.
Open 7 days a week, 10am - 5pm. Entry is free.
Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
75 Belford RdFree entry, beautiful art!
Essentials
Marks & Spencer OCEAN TERMINAL SIMPLY FOOD
Unit 3 Ocean DriveSainsbury's Local
45 Bernard St5 minutes walk
Getting Around
York Place
York PlaceHop off/off the tram, or jump on the no11 bus to my home.
Waverley Railway Station
Waverley Bridge
Waverley BridgeCentral departure point for city bus tours.
A multi-language bus tour that will take you around some of Edinburgh's many sightseeing locations. Open top buses, and easy to hop on and off. Tickets normally give a discount at specific attractions.
More information on www.ewht.org.uk
Edinburgh World Heritage
A multi-language bus tour that will take you around some of Edinburgh's many sightseeing locations. Open top buses, and easy to hop on and off. Tickets normally give a discount at specific attractions.
More information on www.ewht.org.uk
Information centre where you can find guidebooks and maps, help with planning tours, booking day trips, buying tickets for attractions. Open 9am-5pm Sept-June, longer during the festival months.
20 locals recommend
Edinburgh VisitScotland iCentre
249 High StInformation centre where you can find guidebooks and maps, help with planning tours, booking day trips, buying tickets for attractions. Open 9am-5pm Sept-June, longer during the festival months.
Entertainment & Activities
Fountain Park
130 Dundee StRestaurants, 10 pin bowling, cinema
An 80 minute tour through 1000 years of Scottish history via 2 underground rides and 11 live shows. Book in advance to jump the entry queue!
151 locals recommend
The Edinburgh Dungeon
31 Market StAn 80 minute tour through 1000 years of Scottish history via 2 underground rides and 11 live shows. Book in advance to jump the entry queue!
There are several movie theatres across Edinburgh, Vue Ocean Terminal is the closest to my home (about 15 minutes walk, or take the no.11 bus). It's within a shopping and restaurant complex so you can eat and take in the sea views before your movie!
82 locals recommend
Vue
98 Ocean DrThere are several movie theatres across Edinburgh, Vue Ocean Terminal is the closest to my home (about 15 minutes walk, or take the no.11 bus). It's within a shopping and restaurant complex so you can eat and take in the sea views before your movie!
Thursday night Cuban salsa class (beginners 7:30, Improvers/Intermediate 8:30), with social dancing afterwards.
84 locals recommend
The Granary
32-34 ShoreThursday night Cuban salsa class (beginners 7:30, Improvers/Intermediate 8:30), with social dancing afterwards.
Parks & Nature
Cramond
Walk by the River Almond or cross to the island
Portobello Beach Promenade
1 PromenadeWalk on the Promenade, grab a bite to eat...
One of the finest botanic gardens in the world, about 20 minutes walk from my home.
Admission to the garden is free, entry to the Glasshouse is £6.50.
1227 locals recommend
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Arboretum PlaceOne of the finest botanic gardens in the world, about 20 minutes walk from my home.
Admission to the garden is free, entry to the Glasshouse is £6.50.
Princes Street
Princes StreetSurprisingly tranquil gardens in the city centre.
Shopping
Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre
Ocean DriveEdinburgh Farmers' Market
Castle TerraceWeekly (Saturdays) outdoor market with local produce.
Historic market place in the Old Town, it's a vibrant location with lots of bars, restaurants and independent shops.
317 locals recommend
Grassmarket
10 GrassmarketHistoric market place in the Old Town, it's a vibrant location with lots of bars, restaurants and independent shops.
Georgian Antiques
10 Pattison StOne of Scotland's largest antiques emporiums.
Just a 15 minute walk from my home, this market is open Saturdays 10am to 4pm at Dock Place, with a special Vegan Quarter on the first Saturday of every month.
Lots of bars and restaurants in the area too.
162 locals recommend
Leith
Just a 15 minute walk from my home, this market is open Saturdays 10am to 4pm at Dock Place, with a special Vegan Quarter on the first Saturday of every month.
Lots of bars and restaurants in the area too.