Guidebook for Edinburgh
Food Scene
The Blackbird
37-39 Leven StGood breakfast, all day menu, sunny garden
Great for brunch on the weekend. Favourite with locals. Can get busy so make a booking
238 locals recommend
Montpeliers
159-161 Bruntsfield PlGreat for brunch on the weekend. Favourite with locals. Can get busy so make a booking
Coffee for dedicated coffee drinkers - great espressos, cakes and good tunes
77 locals recommend
Artisan Roast Bruntsfield
138 Bruntsfield PlCoffee for dedicated coffee drinkers - great espressos, cakes and good tunes
Fancy a curry? Just downstairs and they do take aways too. Try the Royal Chicken. If you have a TasteCard - you might get 2f1
The Everest
52 Home StFancy a curry? Just downstairs and they do take aways too. Try the Royal Chicken. If you have a TasteCard - you might get 2f1
Great brew, 2 mins from flat in a light bright instagrammable shop seconds from the Meadows park
42 locals recommend
Machina Espresso
38 W TollcrossGreat brew, 2 mins from flat in a light bright instagrammable shop seconds from the Meadows park
Barburrito
119 Lothian RdCheap eats
Indaba
3 Lochrin TerraceSouth African styled tapas. Sounds weird but tastes good
Harajuku Kitchen - Sushi & Japanese Cuisine
10 Gillespie PlNeighbourhood sushi
Small cosy budget friendly restaurant with delicious locally sourced food. 2 courses for £10 on lunch menu (I don't know how they do it). Booking is essential
108 locals recommend
Three Birds
3-5 ViewforthSmall cosy budget friendly restaurant with delicious locally sourced food. 2 courses for £10 on lunch menu (I don't know how they do it). Booking is essential
Pickles
60 Broughton StBecause sometimes cheese + wine for dinner is a thing
Xiang Bala hotpot 香巴辣火锅
63 Dalry RdBest Hot Pot in Edinburgh - no contest
They're probably going to get a Michelin star soon, so check them out sharpish. A bit pricey but lunch is £20 and the food has everyone raving. Booking is essential
34 locals recommend
Norn
50-54 Henderson StreetThey're probably going to get a Michelin star soon, so check them out sharpish. A bit pricey but lunch is £20 and the food has everyone raving. Booking is essential
Delish Thai, casual dining on shared tables. No bookings taken so be prepared to wait/line up outside
257 locals recommend
TING THAI CARAVAN Teviot Place
9 Teviot PlDelish Thai, casual dining on shared tables. No bookings taken so be prepared to wait/line up outside
Chop Chop Haymarket
248 Morrison StreetChinese food & BYOB - what's not to like?
Best sushi in EDI.
Sushi specialities and hot noodle bowls served in elegant style in compact space.
Booking advisable.
45 locals recommend
Sushiya
11 Lochrin TerraceBest sushi in EDI.
Sushi specialities and hot noodle bowls served in elegant style in compact space.
Booking advisable.
Good coffee even better Swedish open sandwiches and pastries
126 locals recommend
Söderberg The Meadows
27 Simpson LoanGood coffee even better Swedish open sandwiches and pastries
Open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings for a fixed-menu dinner around communal tables. This is more than a restaurant, it's a concept modelled after the famous Danish food lab and regularly features collaborative ventures with guest chefs, artists and musicians. Booking recommended.
17 locals recommend
Edinburgh Food Studio
158 Dalkeith RdOpen on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings for a fixed-menu dinner around communal tables. This is more than a restaurant, it's a concept modelled after the famous Danish food lab and regularly features collaborative ventures with guest chefs, artists and musicians. Booking recommended.
JK Rowling wrote the Potter books over coffee and cake in this relaxed writer/reader-friendly cafe.
163 locals recommend
The Elephant House
21 George IV BridgeJK Rowling wrote the Potter books over coffee and cake in this relaxed writer/reader-friendly cafe.
Wine. Cheese. Company.
Winner of ‘Best New Bar in Edinburgh 2016’ in The List Food and Drink Awards + Best Wine Bar in Edinburgh in the i-On Reader Awards 2016
91 locals recommend
Smith & Gertrude
254 Hamilton PlWine. Cheese. Company.
Winner of ‘Best New Bar in Edinburgh 2016’ in The List Food and Drink Awards + Best Wine Bar in Edinburgh in the i-On Reader Awards 2016
Home-made, authentic, fresh Mexican tacos, street food, tequilas, mezcals, cocktails and good times in Edinburgh. Gets busy but you can put your name down and go across the street to Bon Vivant for a drink whilst you wait.
167 locals recommend
El Cartel
64 Thistle StHome-made, authentic, fresh Mexican tacos, street food, tequilas, mezcals, cocktails and good times in Edinburgh. Gets busy but you can put your name down and go across the street to Bon Vivant for a drink whilst you wait.
Simple, tranquil cafe for home-made breakfasts, pizza and cake, with gluten- and dairy-free choices. Gets busy so arrive early
189 locals recommend
Loudons
94B FountainbridgeSimple, tranquil cafe for home-made breakfasts, pizza and cake, with gluten- and dairy-free choices. Gets busy so arrive early
Locanda de Gusti
102 Dalry RdAuthentic Italian restaurant. Booking essential
OK coffee and traditional Portuguese custard tarts and added bonus is its just downstairs! Check out the mural in the back.
7 locals recommend
The Colony Gourmet
58 Home StOK coffee and traditional Portuguese custard tarts and added bonus is its just downstairs! Check out the mural in the back.
Bodega TollX
36 Leven StIrresistibly Instagrammable tacos
Modern, casual and lively tapas restaurant, serving Bombay-style street food and it's BYOB so what's not to like?!
112 locals recommend
Tuk Tuk Indian Street Food
1 Leven StModern, casual and lively tapas restaurant, serving Bombay-style street food and it's BYOB so what's not to like?!
Fantastic steaks, beautiful cocktails and magnificent views over Bruntsfield Links. 2 other venues in town in case you're in Leith or by Market Street when the need for MEAT hits.
16 locals recommend
Chop House Bruntsfield
88 Bruntsfield PlFantastic steaks, beautiful cocktails and magnificent views over Bruntsfield Links. 2 other venues in town in case you're in Leith or by Market Street when the need for MEAT hits.
Hipsterish café and wine bar specialising in all-day brunches, lunches and evening platters of cheese and charcuterie
62 locals recommend
Salt Café & Bar
54-56 Morningside RdHipsterish café and wine bar specialising in all-day brunches, lunches and evening platters of cheese and charcuterie
Essentials
Vegetarian, Fairtrade, Organic, Gluten-Free, Vegan, Wheat-Free and Special Diet Food Grocer
165 locals recommend
Real Foods
37 Broughton StVegetarian, Fairtrade, Organic, Gluten-Free, Vegan, Wheat-Free and Special Diet Food Grocer
Tesco Express
4-6 Leith WalkNearest Tesco
Scotmid Co-operative
5-19 Leven StNearest Supermarket
Tollcross Post Office
33 Home StNearest Post Office
Little greengrocers - good for fresh herbs and exotic fruits and veggies
6 locals recommend
Global Fruit & Vegetables
5 Gillespie PlLittle greengrocers - good for fresh herbs and exotic fruits and veggies
Everything Else
Shandwick Place (Stop SC) station
Nearest Stop for AIRLINK/Bus 100 to and from airport
Entertainment & Activities
Comfortable arthouse cinema screening indie and mainstream movies, with bar-cafe.
255 locals recommend
Cameo Picturehouse
38 Home StComfortable arthouse cinema screening indie and mainstream movies, with bar-cafe.
Drinks & Nightlife
Our local pub just across from us. Cosy and fun inside and always breaks out some MJ before they close at 1am.
15 locals recommend
The Cuckoo's Nest
Our local pub just across from us. Cosy and fun inside and always breaks out some MJ before they close at 1am.
The Hanging Bat
133 Lothian RdCrafty beers and gin
If you are a single malt lover then a pilgrimage to the SMWS is in order. Enjoy a dram or more in the newly refurbished Kaleidoscope Bar
80 locals recommend
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society
28 Queen StIf you are a single malt lover then a pilgrimage to the SMWS is in order. Enjoy a dram or more in the newly refurbished Kaleidoscope Bar
This unassuming pub is a stalwart of the traditional music scene. There's music almost every evening at 9pm, and from 3pm Saturday and Sunday, plus lots of impromptu sessions.
144 locals recommend
Sandy Bell's
25 Forrest RdThis unassuming pub is a stalwart of the traditional music scene. There's music almost every evening at 9pm, and from 3pm Saturday and Sunday, plus lots of impromptu sessions.
Trendy whisky bar (they do cocktails too) set in an attractive space, all bare brick, raw wood and old stone, with a number of cosy booths in which to linger over a dram, and an alluringly well-stocked backbar.
227 locals recommend
The Devil's Advocate
9 Advocate's ClTrendy whisky bar (they do cocktails too) set in an attractive space, all bare brick, raw wood and old stone, with a number of cosy booths in which to linger over a dram, and an alluringly well-stocked backbar.
Parks & Nature
This mile-long stretch of lush grass criss-crossed with tree-lined walks was once a shallow lake known as the Borough Loch. Drained in the 1740s and converted into parkland, it’s a great place for a picnic or a quiet stroll – in springtime its walks lie ankle-deep in drifts of pink cherry blossom, and there are great views of Arthur’s Seat.
615 locals recommend
The Meadows
Melville DriveThis mile-long stretch of lush grass criss-crossed with tree-lined walks was once a shallow lake known as the Borough Loch. Drained in the 1740s and converted into parkland, it’s a great place for a picnic or a quiet stroll – in springtime its walks lie ankle-deep in drifts of pink cherry blossom, and there are great views of Arthur’s Seat.
These beautiful gardens lie in a valley that was once occupied by the Nor’ Loch (North Loch), a boggy depression that was drained in the early 19th century. At the gate beside The Mound is the Floral Clock, a working clock laid out in flowers; it was first created in 1903 and the design changes every year.
957 locals recommend
Princes Street
Princes StreetThese beautiful gardens lie in a valley that was once occupied by the Nor’ Loch (North Loch), a boggy depression that was drained in the early 19th century. At the gate beside The Mound is the Floral Clock, a working clock laid out in flowers; it was first created in 1903 and the design changes every year.
Edinburgh's Royal Botanic Garden is the second oldest institution of its kind in Britain (after Oxford), and one of the most respected in the world. 70 beautifully landscaped acres include splendid Victorian glasshouses (admission £5.50), colourful swaths of rhododendron and azalea, and a world-famous rock garden. The John Hope Gateway visitor centre is housed in a striking, environmentally friendly building overlooking the main entrance on Arboretum Pl, and has exhibitions on biodiversity, climate change and sustainable development, as well as displays of rare plants from the institution's collection and a specially created biodiversity garden.
104 locals recommend
Royal Botanic Garden station
Edinburgh's Royal Botanic Garden is the second oldest institution of its kind in Britain (after Oxford), and one of the most respected in the world. 70 beautifully landscaped acres include splendid Victorian glasshouses (admission £5.50), colourful swaths of rhododendron and azalea, and a world-famous rock garden. The John Hope Gateway visitor centre is housed in a striking, environmentally friendly building overlooking the main entrance on Arboretum Pl, and has exhibitions on biodiversity, climate change and sustainable development, as well as displays of rare plants from the institution's collection and a specially created biodiversity garden.
This body of water and walkway, winds through the heart of our city. You can choose to join it and leave it at lots of places up and down the river, linking with other paths, cycle routes, the canal and Pentland Hills .
147 locals recommend
Water of Leith Walkway
Water of Leith WalkwayThis body of water and walkway, winds through the heart of our city. You can choose to join it and leave it at lots of places up and down the river, linking with other paths, cycle routes, the canal and Pentland Hills .
Arts & Culture
This state-of-the-art building located on an old railway sidings is the first purpose-built centre dedicated to sculpture in the UK. There are regular exhibitions, talks and courses. Combine a visit with lunch at the top-notch on-site cafe run by Edinburgh’s Milk and a stroll along the Hawthornvale path, which connects to the Water of Leith walkway.
41 locals recommend
Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop
21 HawthornvaleThis state-of-the-art building located on an old railway sidings is the first purpose-built centre dedicated to sculpture in the UK. There are regular exhibitions, talks and courses. Combine a visit with lunch at the top-notch on-site cafe run by Edinburgh’s Milk and a stroll along the Hawthornvale path, which connects to the Water of Leith walkway.
This recent addition to Leith’s hipster scene is a creative arts hub housed in an old biscuit factory, also home to Edinburgh’s newest gin distillery. Events range from food markets to random club nights. It’s still early days, but other plans include creating twenty studios over two floors, a cafe and bar, and a community garden on the roof.
15 locals recommend
The Biscuit Factory
4-6 Anderson PlThis recent addition to Leith’s hipster scene is a creative arts hub housed in an old biscuit factory, also home to Edinburgh’s newest gin distillery. Events range from food markets to random club nights. It’s still early days, but other plans include creating twenty studios over two floors, a cafe and bar, and a community garden on the roof.
Edinburgh's gallery of modern art is split between two impressive neoclassical buildings surrounded by landscaped grounds some 500m west of Dean Village. As well as showcasing a stunning collection of paintings by the popular, post-Impressionist Scottish Colourists – in Reflections, Balloch, Leslie Hunter pulls off the improbable trick of making Scotland look like the South of France – the gallery is the starting point for a walk along the Water of Leith, following a trail of sculptures by Antony Gormley.
1010 locals recommend
Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
75 Belford RdEdinburgh's gallery of modern art is split between two impressive neoclassical buildings surrounded by landscaped grounds some 500m west of Dean Village. As well as showcasing a stunning collection of paintings by the popular, post-Impressionist Scottish Colourists – in Reflections, Balloch, Leslie Hunter pulls off the improbable trick of making Scotland look like the South of France – the gallery is the starting point for a walk along the Water of Leith, following a trail of sculptures by Antony Gormley.
Its galleries illustrate Scottish history through paintings, photographs and sculptures, putting faces to famous names from Scotland's past and present, from Robert Burns, Mary, Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie to Sean Connery, Billy Connolly and poet Jackie Kay.
523 locals recommend
Scottish National Portrait Gallery
1 Queen StIts galleries illustrate Scottish history through paintings, photographs and sculptures, putting faces to famous names from Scotland's past and present, from Robert Burns, Mary, Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie to Sean Connery, Billy Connolly and poet Jackie Kay.
The five floors of the museum trace the history of Scotland from its geological beginnings to the 1990s, with many imaginative and stimulating exhibits.
1378 locals recommend
National Museum of Scotland
The five floors of the museum trace the history of Scotland from its geological beginnings to the 1990s, with many imaginative and stimulating exhibits.