Your Local Guide: Historic + Trendy Leith
The Neighborhood
Leith is a trendy port area of Edinburgh with bars and restaurants galore. Once a separate town with the motto ‘Persevere’, the area is ripe with maritime history and is situated within easy walking distance of Edinburgh City Centre.
From Mary Queen of Scots' arrival to Trainspotting, whisky warehouses to witches, Leith has many stories to tell its visitors. Plus, it serves up a lot of great food and drink to sustain you along the way. Leith means business on this front. It has got street food markets, beloved watering holes, and a restaurant belonging to Scotland's youngest Michelin starred chef, Tom Kitchin.
Sláinte!
162 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Leith
Leith is a trendy port area of Edinburgh with bars and restaurants galore. Once a separate town with the motto ‘Persevere’, the area is ripe with maritime history and is situated within easy walking distance of Edinburgh City Centre.
From Mary Queen of Scots' arrival to Trainspotting, whisky warehouses to witches, Leith has many stories to tell its visitors. Plus, it serves up a lot of great food and drink to sustain you along the way. Leith means business on this front. It has got street food markets, beloved watering holes, and a restaurant belonging to Scotland's youngest Michelin starred chef, Tom Kitchin.
Sláinte!
Drinking
cocktails on a restored Lighthouse supply ship | IG: fingaledinburgh
7 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Fingal
cocktails on a restored Lighthouse supply ship | IG: fingaledinburgh
a local favourite, ask about the ‘Hoop of Destiny’ | IG: teuchterslanding
203 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Teuchters Landing
1c Dock Pla local favourite, ask about the ‘Hoop of Destiny’ | IG: teuchterslanding
a bar nodding to Leith’s nautical history + fantastic Scottish produce | IG: nauticusbar
27 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Nauticus
142 Duke Sta bar nodding to Leith’s nautical history + fantastic Scottish produce | IG: nauticusbar
a Leith institution - don’t miss the burger (+ vegan) | IG: thelionessofleith
178 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Lioness of Leith
21-25 Duke Sta Leith institution - don’t miss the burger (+ vegan) | IG: thelionessofleith
beer + street food in an old warehouse, open weekends only | IG: thepittmarket
87 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
I-Pitt Market
20 Pitt Stbeer + street food in an old warehouse, open weekends only | IG: thepittmarket
Tea, Coffee + Cake
a legend of a spot for coffee, brunch + brownies - incredible staff | IG: hideoutcafe_leith
37 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Michael's Steak and Seafood Bar
15-19 Jeffrey Sta legend of a spot for coffee, brunch + brownies - incredible staff | IG: hideoutcafe_leith
on the cycle path with lattes + cakes (+ vegan) | IG: thecafemilk
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Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop
21 Hawthornvaleon the cycle path with lattes + cakes (+ vegan) | IG: thecafemilk
inventive brunch dishes + a local larder to fully equip your stay | IG: ostaraleith
35 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Ostara
52 Coburg Stinventive brunch dishes + a local larder to fully equip your stay | IG: ostaraleith
coffee, charcoal sourdough + cardamom buns | IG: twelvetriangles
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Twelve Triangles Kitchen Table
148 Duke Stcoffee, charcoal sourdough + cardamom buns | IG: twelvetriangles
Eating
big hot sandwiches named after a neighborhood hound | IG: albys_leith
8 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Alby's
8 Portland Terracebig hot sandwiches named after a neighborhood hound | IG: albys_leith
modern eatery, great for a date night - try the campfire potatoes | IG: auroraedinburgh
47 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Aurora
187 Great Jct Stmodern eatery, great for a date night - try the campfire potatoes | IG: auroraedinburgh
Borough
50-54 Henderson Stlocal, seasonal, sustainable set menus | IG: boroughleith
Montreal-inspired bagels with NYC deli-inspired fillings | IG: bross_bagels
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Bross Bagels
6 Manderston StMontreal-inspired bagels with NYC deli-inspired fillings | IG: bross_bagels
steak restaurant housed in a former cork warehouse | IG: chophousesteak
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Chop House Leith
102 Constitution Ststeak restaurant housed in a former cork warehouse | IG: chophousesteak
Cutting Chaii
18 20 Salamander Streettapas-style Indian food | IG: cuttingchaiiedinburgh
boat-to-table fish 'n' chips at the harbour | IG: thefishmarketnewhaven
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The Fishmarket
23A Pier Plboat-to-table fish 'n' chips at the harbour | IG: thefishmarketnewhaven
terrific pizza, Aperol Spritz’s + atmosphere (+ gluten free) | IG: origanoleith
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Origano pizzeria
236 Leith Walkterrific pizza, Aperol Spritz’s + atmosphere (+ gluten free) | IG: origanoleith
casual gastro pub with board games and teapot cocktails | IG: roseleafbarcafe
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Roseleaf bar cafe
23/24 Sandport Placecasual gastro pub with board games and teapot cocktails | IG: roseleafbarcafe
Outdoor Markets, Vistas + Green Space
Leith Market
Commercial Streetevery Saturday at Dock Place (across from the Aldi)
Newhaven Lighthouse
Newhaven QuayStarbank Park
Victoria Park
141 Newhaven RdLeith Links
4 Links GardensLeith Community Croft
4A John's PlThe Market on the Croft - every Sunday at the edge of Leith Links
Nearby Necessities
North Fort Market
23 N Fort Stcorner shop with snacks, drinks + essentials
<5 minutes walk from property
small chain grocery store
<5 minutes walk from property
58 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Scotmid Co-op
63 E Main Stsmall chain grocery store
<5 minutes walk from property
small chain grocery store
<5 minutes walk from property
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Tesco Express
4-6 Leith Walksmall chain grocery store
<5 minutes walk from property
ALDI
100 Gorgie Park Rdbrand new large grocery store
<10 minutes walk from property
large grocery store open 24-hrs <10 minutes walk from property
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Asda Leith Superstore
2 Sandpiper Drlarge grocery store open 24-hrs <10 minutes walk from property
large shopping centre <10 minutes walk from the property - Boots Pharmacy, M&S Simply Food, Starbucks Coffee, Debenhams Department Store, H&M, Holland & Barrett (health store), Waterstones (bookshop), VUE Cinema + Royal Yacht Britannia (tourist attraction)
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Ocean Terminal
74 Ocean Drlarge shopping centre <10 minutes walk from the property - Boots Pharmacy, M&S Simply Food, Starbucks Coffee, Debenhams Department Store, H&M, Holland & Barrett (health store), Waterstones (bookshop), VUE Cinema + Royal Yacht Britannia (tourist attraction)
Amacebiso ngesixeko
Ukuhamba-hamba
Cycling + Walking
The city's disused railway lines have become much loved paths connecting Leith to beautiful areas like Stockbridge + Inverleith Park (castle views), as well coastal suburbs + beaches like Portobello + Cramond.
Interactive Route Map - https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/cycling-walking/explore-quietroutes/1
BIKE CRAFT - small independent shop with hire bikes at Ocean Terminal | IG: bikecraft_ed
EZ BIKE TOURS - rent electric bikes just 5 min from here | IG: ezbiketoursedinburgh
JUST EAT CYCLES –these bikes are all over Edinburgh, download the app to locate options in Leith | IG: cyclehire_edi
Ukuhamba-hamba
Bus
The bus is a major way that residents + visitors alike get around in Edinburgh. Pay with exact change, contactless, or through the app. There is a handy visitor’s guide on the Lothian Bus website: https://www.lothianbuses.com/
To City Centre -
NUMBER 7 - turn right onto Ferry Road to find the ‘Leith Theatre’ Bus Stop. This bus will take you up Leith Walk, to Princes Street + Waverley Train Station.
You can also take the NUMBER 16 and NUMBER 22 - multiple stops on Commercial Street.
To the Airport -
EDINBURGH SKYLINK 200 – there is a stop near Ocean Terminal. Single ticket is £4.50.
Ukuhamba-hamba
Car
If you drove a car to Edinburgh, there is *free parking* on Madeira Street + all surrounding streets.
In need of a lift during your stay?
CENTRAL TAXIS - book a cab online or call 0131 229 2468
ENTERPRISE CARCLUB - there is a designated space on Madeira Street
UBER - there are plenty of drivers across Edinburgh & to/from the airport
Izinto omele uzipakishe
If you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes...
The beauty + drama of Scotland has inspired countless visitors, but with this comes ever-changing conditions. It is always worth being prepared on a day out with some layers and a waterproof jacket. Also, Edinburgh is very walkable, but it has hills, cobbled streets, and the temptation of hiking up Calton Hill or the Salisbury Crags for a vista, so make sure you have comfortable shoes packed!
Ungaphoswa
The best city-wide food tips
A good friend + foodie runs a renowned local Instagram account covering all of the latest restaurant + cafe happenings in Edinburgh - give it a browse for inspiration IG: eatinburgh