Sana’s guidebook [WIP]
Food scene (local)
Recommendations close to the apartment
Lovely little cafe (now called 'Seven', look for the pink exterior!) for breakfast, brunch, tea, coffee, cake—sit in or take away. The Buddha Bowl and Green Smoothie are my go to's, and always a lovely selection of cakes on display (incl. vegan options!)
21 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Cafe Class
7 Home StLovely little cafe (now called 'Seven', look for the pink exterior!) for breakfast, brunch, tea, coffee, cake—sit in or take away. The Buddha Bowl and Green Smoothie are my go to's, and always a lovely selection of cakes on display (incl. vegan options!)
One for the sushi-lovers, but they also serve a lot of great other Japanese dishes. Great atmosphere, just round the corner (on the other side of the Cameo). The miso aubergine is a must as is the yuzu Brussels sprouts when in season (trust me!)
6 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Yamato
11 Lochrin TerraceOne for the sushi-lovers, but they also serve a lot of great other Japanese dishes. Great atmosphere, just round the corner (on the other side of the Cameo). The miso aubergine is a must as is the yuzu Brussels sprouts when in season (trust me!)
Another great local Japanese restaurant a few blocks up in the direction of Brunstfield/Morningside. They also have a stall at the Stockbridge Market on Sundays :)
69 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Harajuku Kitchen - Sushi & Japanese Cuisine
10 Gillespie PlAnother great local Japanese restaurant a few blocks up in the direction of Brunstfield/Morningside. They also have a stall at the Stockbridge Market on Sundays :)
Update: Lucky Yu has now moved! They're now at 53-55 Broughton St (so further in town), open Thu-Sun.
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If you like Asian cuisine, this is a must! Intimate restaurant with an amazing selection of small plates, because sharing is caring. Highly recommended (book ahead as it's quite wee).
9 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Lucky Yu Canteen
53-55 Leven StUpdate: Lucky Yu has now moved! They're now at 53-55 Broughton St (so further in town), open Thu-Sun.
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If you like Asian cuisine, this is a must! Intimate restaurant with an amazing selection of small plates, because sharing is caring. Highly recommended (book ahead as it's quite wee).
Lovely chill wee cafe for Mediterranean lunches and brunches (very good bread and eggs, if that's your vibe). Or just for a wee tea/coffee. Just up by the King's Theatre a couple of minutes from the flat.
Comb Cafe
12 Leven StreetLovely chill wee cafe for Mediterranean lunches and brunches (very good bread and eggs, if that's your vibe). Or just for a wee tea/coffee. Just up by the King's Theatre a couple of minutes from the flat.
Food scene (vegan only)
Great local vegan cafe for takeaway lunches, snacks, cakes, and pastries. You can also buy vegan ingredients/produce here too!
Black Rabbit
33 Brougham StGreat local vegan cafe for takeaway lunches, snacks, cakes, and pastries. You can also buy vegan ingredients/produce here too!
Amenities (shopping)
Scotmid has the biggest selection nearby—take a right at the main road, Home Street, and it's on the right hand side after the junction. There are wee Tescos, Co-ops, and Sainsbury's on Earl Grey Street as well, but you have a better selection here and it was recently refurbed (you can also do dry goods refills here!)
60 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Scotmid Co-operative
5-19 Leven StScotmid has the biggest selection nearby—take a right at the main road, Home Street, and it's on the right hand side after the junction. There are wee Tescos, Co-ops, and Sainsbury's on Earl Grey Street as well, but you have a better selection here and it was recently refurbed (you can also do dry goods refills here!)
Lovely whole foods and organic store including fresh, local produce. Caters for all diet types including vegan and gluten free. Does dry goods refills and always has a couple of offers on each day.
163 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Real Foods
37 Broughton StLovely whole foods and organic store including fresh, local produce. Caters for all diet types including vegan and gluten free. Does dry goods refills and always has a couple of offers on each day.
My favourite local bakery for fresh bread and pastries :)
Up in Bruntsfield so ~5 min walk, taking a right from Lochrin Place to Home Street.
La Barantine / La boulange
10 Bruntsfield PlMy favourite local bakery for fresh bread and pastries :)
Up in Bruntsfield so ~5 min walk, taking a right from Lochrin Place to Home Street.
My favourite local drink shop for wines, beers, spirits—either for yourself or if you're being generous and purchasing gifts for friends :) Very friendly staff will help you find what you're looking for.
Next to the bakery (La Barantine) up in Bruntsfield so again ~5 min walk, taking a right from Lochrin Place to Home Street.
14 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Drinkmonger
11 Bruntsfield PlMy favourite local drink shop for wines, beers, spirits—either for yourself or if you're being generous and purchasing gifts for friends :) Very friendly staff will help you find what you're looking for.
Next to the bakery (La Barantine) up in Bruntsfield so again ~5 min walk, taking a right from Lochrin Place to Home Street.
Amenities (rentals)
Biketrax has now moved! It used to be at the bottom of the float block, but now it's toward the Lochrin basin, still not too far if you wanted to rent a bike.
18 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Biketrax
2 Lochrin PlBiketrax has now moved! It used to be at the bottom of the float block, but now it's toward the Lochrin basin, still not too far if you wanted to rent a bike.
You can rent a car from the place at the end of the street, which is very handy for pick up and drop off! If you wanted to drive to the Pentlands for the day or take an overnight trip slightly further away to the Trossachs or even the Highlands, it's a convenient option.
McNicoll Vehicle Hire Ltd
19 Houstoun Mains HoldingsYou can rent a car from the place at the end of the street, which is very handy for pick up and drop off! If you wanted to drive to the Pentlands for the day or take an overnight trip slightly further away to the Trossachs or even the Highlands, it's a convenient option.
Takeaways
This is my go-to place for a takeaway—their Pad Thai is one of the best I've ever had. They do have some seating to sit in, but not many and all high chairs (and you might end up smelling like the place!)
14 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Thailander
25 Brougham StreetThis is my go-to place for a takeaway—their Pad Thai is one of the best I've ever had. They do have some seating to sit in, but not many and all high chairs (and you might end up smelling like the place!)
Tuk Tuk is well-known for serving amazing Indian street food, sharing-tapas-style. They do have large seating areas, however, the acoustics are not great in here so the atmosphere can be a bit intense and overstimulating unless you are in a large group. That's why I've included under takeaways rather than eat-ins.
112 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Tuk Tuk Indian Street Food
1 Leven StTuk Tuk is well-known for serving amazing Indian street food, sharing-tapas-style. They do have large seating areas, however, the acoustics are not great in here so the atmosphere can be a bit intense and overstimulating unless you are in a large group. That's why I've included under takeaways rather than eat-ins.