Guidebook for Edinburgh
Coffee and Sandwich
The best coffee in the neighbourhood, in a cosy and friendly place.
235 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Artisan Roast
57 Broughton StThe best coffee in the neighbourhood, in a cosy and friendly place.
new town deli
42 Broughton StGood for breakfast, coffee and sandwich lunch
Söderberg Bakery Shop
45 Broughton Stgreat bread and coffee with swedish theme
The best bread we've found in Edinburgh. It's also a coffee shop.
171 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Twelve Triangles
90 Brunswick StThe best bread we've found in Edinburgh. It's also a coffee shop.
Fed Sandwich Bar
2A Forth StreetLiterary just around the corner and great for sandwich lunch
Food Scene
It's a beautiful Victorian bar, and an old fashioned steak and seafood restaurant attached. Old school but fun!
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Cafe Royal
19 W Register StIt's a beautiful Victorian bar, and an old fashioned steak and seafood restaurant attached. Old school but fun!
Great French bistro food of excellent quality. The lunchtime set menu is a bargain!
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L'Escargot Bleu Restaurant
56 Broughton StGreat French bistro food of excellent quality. The lunchtime set menu is a bargain!
The OX
49-51 London StGreat steaks at this casual bar and restaurant
You'll find lots of very grand banks along George Street that have been covered into bars, and this is our favourite. Excellent for drinks, lunches (simple and good price) and they have a lovely high tea service upstairs too.
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The Dome
14 George StYou'll find lots of very grand banks along George Street that have been covered into bars, and this is our favourite. Excellent for drinks, lunches (simple and good price) and they have a lovely high tea service upstairs too.
Fishers In The City
58 Thistle StreetA brilliant seafood restaurant.
Great value food with the best Scottish ingredients. Their lunch deal is well worth it.
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Howies Restaurant
10-14 Victoria StGreat value food with the best Scottish ingredients. Their lunch deal is well worth it.
Scotts Kitchen
4-6 EH1simple restaurant, great value lunches, same owner as Howie's downstairs.
Cheap and cheerful Fish & Chips or local says Fish Supper (DO NOT take the sauce/brown sauce as makes the chips soggy, just ask separate sauces) to takeaway or eat-in including deep fried Mars Bar and pizza
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Cafe Piccante
19 Broughton StCheap and cheerful Fish & Chips or local says Fish Supper (DO NOT take the sauce/brown sauce as makes the chips soggy, just ask separate sauces) to takeaway or eat-in including deep fried Mars Bar and pizza
Excellent steak house in trendy Leith. They also have a delicious Sunday roast lunch.
There's another branch in the city centre, but we haven't tried that one yet.
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Chop House Leith
102 Constitution StExcellent steak house in trendy Leith. They also have a delicious Sunday roast lunch.
There's another branch in the city centre, but we haven't tried that one yet.
Great food, very good price, and constantly changing menu.
It's small and simple, so booking is essential.
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The Walnut
9 Leith WalkGreat food, very good price, and constantly changing menu.
It's small and simple, so booking is essential.
Very creative modern Scottish restaurant - a choice of two tasting menus, with or without wine pairing. Not cheap, but good value.
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Fhior
36 Broughton StVery creative modern Scottish restaurant - a choice of two tasting menus, with or without wine pairing. Not cheap, but good value.
El Cartel
64 Thistle StGreat Mexican (two branches)
Big new place in the vaults of a converted bank. Trendy.
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Lady Libertine
25 W Register StBig new place in the vaults of a converted bank. Trendy.
Small mexican eatery with lovely cocktails and tapas style menu
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Bodega - Leith
14-15 Albert PlSmall mexican eatery with lovely cocktails and tapas style menu
New Chapter
18 Eyre PlGood Scottish restaurant
Just been awarded a Michelin star but the food indeed fabulous.
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TIMBERYARD
10 Lady Lawson StJust been awarded a Michelin star but the food indeed fabulous.
Heron
Just been awarded a Michelin star with really amazing food
Newly open as moved from other place. Tapas Asian style but really great for light food and good cocktails
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Lucky Yu Canteen
53-55 Leven StNewly open as moved from other place. Tapas Asian style but really great for light food and good cocktails
Literary just a minute walk from us and also family of the Walnut restaurant in Leith. Pretty good value for a good meal.
58 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Taisteal
1 Forth StreetLiterary just a minute walk from us and also family of the Walnut restaurant in Leith. Pretty good value for a good meal.
The Chippy by Spencer
Best Fish Chips close to us
ROLLO
14 Broughton StOur favourite place to eat
Vegan & Vegetarian Food
New and trendy great vegan only restaurant very near us.
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Harmonium
60 Henderson StNew and trendy great vegan only restaurant very near us.
Another vegan restaurant and if you feel like pizza and or pasta, worth to try according our vegan friends.
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Novapizza Vegan and Vegetarian Kitchen
42 Howe StAnother vegan restaurant and if you feel like pizza and or pasta, worth to try according our vegan friends.
Holy Cow
34 Elder StSmall intimate but good food
David Bann Restaurant
56-58 St Mary's StGood all around
Asian Food
中国兰州拉面 Noodles Home Edinburgh 我家有面
14a Nicolson StreetBest Lanzhou and ChongQing food in town with hand pulled noodle.
They speak mandarin with a Beijing accent, and make their own noodles on the premises. A great noodle fix.
Noodles And Dumplings
23 S Clerk StThey speak mandarin with a Beijing accent, and make their own noodles on the premises. A great noodle fix.
Gulp Ramen
9 Albert PlaceSmall intimate ramen bar. For me is the best ramen in town
Pretty good if you craving for ramen in old town tourist area but still 'Gulp Ramen' is much better for my liking
Ikigai Ramen Southbridge
29-30 South BridgePretty good if you craving for ramen in old town tourist area but still 'Gulp Ramen' is much better for my liking
Maki Ramen
80 W Richmond StJapanese ramen fix
If you miss Thai food but this one with Scots flavour ingredients.
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TING THAI CARAVAN Teviot Place
9 Teviot PlIf you miss Thai food but this one with Scots flavour ingredients.
Drinks & Nightlife
Our favourite local pub. It's a beautiful victorian bar with great food, and a selection of real ales and whisky.
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The Barony
81-85 Broughton StOur favourite local pub. It's a beautiful victorian bar with great food, and a selection of real ales and whisky.
A quiet neighbourhood bar in the New Town with a great garden for when the weather's good, and an impressive food and drink selection.
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The Cumberland Bar
1-3 Cumberland StA quiet neighbourhood bar in the New Town with a great garden for when the weather's good, and an impressive food and drink selection.
run by Michelin star chef Tom Kitchen, this gastro pub showcases his nature to plate style. You'll need to book!
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The Scran and Scallie
1 Comely Bank Rdrun by Michelin star chef Tom Kitchen, this gastro pub showcases his nature to plate style. You'll need to book!
Above the Cafe Royal, it's a trendy and beautiful cocktail bar that often has live music for free.
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The Voodoo Rooms
19a W Register StAbove the Cafe Royal, it's a trendy and beautiful cocktail bar that often has live music for free.
If you can get a booking to one of their non-member whisky tastings, you'll find it a much more personal experience than some of the more commercial places near the castle.
The ground floor restaurant is also open to non-members.
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The Scotch Malt Whisky Society
28 Queen StIf you can get a booking to one of their non-member whisky tastings, you'll find it a much more personal experience than some of the more commercial places near the castle.
The ground floor restaurant is also open to non-members.
The Jazz Bar
1a Chambers Stsimple, great jazz bar that's busy most evenings
A beautiful, hidden, traditional bar. Nothing fancy, but great beer, whisky, people and atmosphere.
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Kay’s Bar
39 Jamaica StA beautiful, hidden, traditional bar. Nothing fancy, but great beer, whisky, people and atmosphere.
Easily miss this hip new basement bar on Queen Street. Externally there’s little to suggest the presence of the bar at all. The signage reads Panda & Sons Barbershop – there’s a charming bit of backstory about it being run by a family of pandas – but once inside and you’ll find yourself in a cool and quirky speakeasy- style space with walls of vintage books, old lamps, gramophones and other era-appropriate knickknacks adding to the atmosphere as well as some panda-themed artwork.
297 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Panda & Sons
79 Queen StEasily miss this hip new basement bar on Queen Street. Externally there’s little to suggest the presence of the bar at all. The signage reads Panda & Sons Barbershop – there’s a charming bit of backstory about it being run by a family of pandas – but once inside and you’ll find yourself in a cool and quirky speakeasy- style space with walls of vintage books, old lamps, gramophones and other era-appropriate knickknacks adding to the atmosphere as well as some panda-themed artwork.
A great basement cocktail bar - all the beautiful people and lounge music too.
Trust google maps, as they only have a small brass plaque on the door.
235 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Bramble Bar & Lounge
16A Queen StA great basement cocktail bar - all the beautiful people and lounge music too.
Trust google maps, as they only have a small brass plaque on the door.
It's an expanding global chain, but they're from Scotland and the beer is great!
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BrewDog Edinburgh
143 CowgateIt's an expanding global chain, but they're from Scotland and the beer is great!
A classic 'New Town' bar - posh boys and girls having loud fun, but recommended still!
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The Wally Dug
32 Northumberland StA classic 'New Town' bar - posh boys and girls having loud fun, but recommended still!
You have to look carefully to see that it's a bar - no name outside and painted black. It's a local institution, and has that rare thing - a beer garden!
16 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Starbar
1 Northumberland PlYou have to look carefully to see that it's a bar - no name outside and painted black. It's a local institution, and has that rare thing - a beer garden!
A hidden local bar down a back lane, but with cheap drinks, good atmosphere and a big garden, it can be fun.
28 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Outhouse
12A Broughton St LnA hidden local bar down a back lane, but with cheap drinks, good atmosphere and a big garden, it can be fun.
It's our favourite place to drink in the Old Town. Slightly hidden down a quiet side street, it avoids the tourist crowds and has great real ales and craft beers (right hand entrance) and cheap and cheerful food (left hand entrance)
37 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Salt Horse Beer Shop & Bar
57-61 Blackfriars StIt's our favourite place to drink in the Old Town. Slightly hidden down a quiet side street, it avoids the tourist crowds and has great real ales and craft beers (right hand entrance) and cheap and cheerful food (left hand entrance)
A long standing and relaxed gay / all friendly place. Big and with lots of food choices too.
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Regent Bar
2 Montrose TerraceA long standing and relaxed gay / all friendly place. Big and with lots of food choices too.
Good vibe and always jammed pack on the weekend.
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Fingers Piano Bar
61A Frederick StGood vibe and always jammed pack on the weekend.
Sightseeing
you can't miss the castle, which dominates the centre of the Old Town
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Ikhethelo le-Edinburgh
Castlehillyou can't miss the castle, which dominates the centre of the Old Town
A short walk up this city centre hill goes you a stunning view over the whole city, and down to the port of Leith.
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I-Calton Hill
Calton HillA short walk up this city centre hill goes you a stunning view over the whole city, and down to the port of Leith.
This extinct volcano sits on the edge of the city centre. Its about a 30 minute hike from the parliament and Holyrood Palace to the top. Not too difficult, and the view is astounding. Wrap up warm!
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I-Arthur's Seat
This extinct volcano sits on the edge of the city centre. Its about a 30 minute hike from the parliament and Holyrood Palace to the top. Not too difficult, and the view is astounding. Wrap up warm!
A beautiful walk alongside the river takes you to Dean Village. It feels like you're in somewhere many miles from the centre of the city.
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Dean Village
Dean PathA beautiful walk alongside the river takes you to Dean Village. It feels like you're in somewhere many miles from the centre of the city.
Edinburgh's port district has gone through a transformation over the last few years, with restaurants and creative businesses making it a lively part of the city for everyone to enjoy.
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Leith
Edinburgh's port district has gone through a transformation over the last few years, with restaurants and creative businesses making it a lively part of the city for everyone to enjoy.
The Queen's private ocean liner, retired more than 20 years ago, now a tourist attraction in trendy Leith
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Royal Yacht Britannia
Ocean DriveThe Queen's private ocean liner, retired more than 20 years ago, now a tourist attraction in trendy Leith
It's outside from Edinburgh but only takes you 30 minutes by train and you will see great beach side with lots of nice cafe and restaurant
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North Berwick
It's outside from Edinburgh but only takes you 30 minutes by train and you will see great beach side with lots of nice cafe and restaurant
A beautiful and historic small town by the River Tay in Perthshire. It's just on the edge of the Highlands and the views are really impressive.
There is plenty to see in the town and pubs by the river for a lovely lunch - there are also plenty of walking routes if you're feeling more ambitious.
It's easily accessible by train, but you'll need to book in advance (the day before is fine) to get the best fares and plan your times carefully, as the trains are not that frequent.
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Dunkeld
A beautiful and historic small town by the River Tay in Perthshire. It's just on the edge of the Highlands and the views are really impressive.
There is plenty to see in the town and pubs by the river for a lovely lunch - there are also plenty of walking routes if you're feeling more ambitious.
It's easily accessible by train, but you'll need to book in advance (the day before is fine) to get the best fares and plan your times carefully, as the trains are not that frequent.
Just a few miles from Edinburgh city centre, is a charming seaside suburb, with two miles of sand making it perfect for swimming and sunbathing. Mind you the water will be cold :)
You can the bus no 49 and take about 30 minutes.
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Portobello Beach Promenade
1 PromenadeJust a few miles from Edinburgh city centre, is a charming seaside suburb, with two miles of sand making it perfect for swimming and sunbathing. Mind you the water will be cold :)
You can the bus no 49 and take about 30 minutes.
Glasgow is a port city on the River Clyde in Scotland's western Lowlands and the city a lot bigger than Edinburgh. It's famed for its Victorian and art nouveau architecture, a rich legacy of the city's 18th–20th-century prosperity due to trade and shipbuilding.
It takes about an hour by Scotrail but worth to visit for a day or two.
202 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Glasgow
Glasgow is a port city on the River Clyde in Scotland's western Lowlands and the city a lot bigger than Edinburgh. It's famed for its Victorian and art nouveau architecture, a rich legacy of the city's 18th–20th-century prosperity due to trade and shipbuilding.
It takes about an hour by Scotrail but worth to visit for a day or two.
Photography is popular at this small square with a bench & views of all 3 Forth bridges.
Bus X55 or 43 will take you there for around 40-45 minutes.
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Forth Bridges Viewpoint
Photography is popular at this small square with a bench & views of all 3 Forth bridges.
Bus X55 or 43 will take you there for around 40-45 minutes.
Arts & Culture
just around the corner from the house, an amazing collection of Scottish portraits through the ages.
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Igaleriya Yezokubanzi YaseScotland
1 Queen Stjust around the corner from the house, an amazing collection of Scottish portraits through the ages.
Everything from the history of Scotland's people to science and engineering, all in one beautiful building. The roof terrace is quite difficult to find, but is a secret view point that's worth the effort to hunt out!
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National Museum of Scotland
Everything from the history of Scotland's people to science and engineering, all in one beautiful building. The roof terrace is quite difficult to find, but is a secret view point that's worth the effort to hunt out!
Modern One and Modern Two are housed in beautiful former schools, and it's a lovely walk through the New Town or along the river.
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Igaleriya yeScottish National Gallery of Modern Art
75 Belford RdModern One and Modern Two are housed in beautiful former schools, and it's a lovely walk through the New Town or along the river.
the National Gallery has a fantastic permanent collection, much of it from the 18th century when Edinburgh was a centre of enlightenment thinking. There are also regular contemporary exhibitions, and a very good cafe in the underground extension, with a view over Princes Street Gardens.
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Igaleriya yeScottish National Gallery of Modern Art
75 Belford Rdthe National Gallery has a fantastic permanent collection, much of it from the 18th century when Edinburgh was a centre of enlightenment thinking. There are also regular contemporary exhibitions, and a very good cafe in the underground extension, with a view over Princes Street Gardens.
Edinburgh's best gallery of contemporary arts, with regular changing exhibitions and a very nice cafe. It's right next to the station, so a handy spot to meet people arriving.
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Fruitmarket Gallery
45 Market StEdinburgh's best gallery of contemporary arts, with regular changing exhibitions and a very nice cafe. It's right next to the station, so a handy spot to meet people arriving.
This independent arts centre hosts some of the most exciting work in August's Edinburgh Fringe, but it's also a year round venue, featuring an onsite pub and gin distillery.
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Summerhall
This independent arts centre hosts some of the most exciting work in August's Edinburgh Fringe, but it's also a year round venue, featuring an onsite pub and gin distillery.
Scotland's theatre that specialises in new writing, operating year round but also a major venue during the Fringe Festival in August
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Traverse Theatre
10 Cambridge StScotland's theatre that specialises in new writing, operating year round but also a major venue during the Fringe Festival in August
A 2,000 seat theatre that's one of the main venues for the International Festival
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I-Festival Theatre
13-29 Nicolson StA 2,000 seat theatre that's one of the main venues for the International Festival
Edinburgh's main concert hall, showcasing classical music during the International Festival, bit everything from rock concerts to Chinese New Year celebrations for the rest of the year.
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Usher Hall
Lothian RoadEdinburgh's main concert hall, showcasing classical music during the International Festival, bit everything from rock concerts to Chinese New Year celebrations for the rest of the year.
Historic Theatre used by the International Festival
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Itheatara kaKumkani
2 Leven StHistoric Theatre used by the International Festival
Director David Greig overseas the beautiful Lyceum Theatre, gaining a reputation for producing and presenting an eclectic mix of work from Scotland and around the world.
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The Lyceum
30b Grindlay StDirector David Greig overseas the beautiful Lyceum Theatre, gaining a reputation for producing and presenting an eclectic mix of work from Scotland and around the world.