Guidebook for Edinburgh
Food Scene
Some of the best Italian food in town and excellent service in a cosy, rustic, charming restaurant. Close to Haymarket and just round the corner from my flat!
110 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Mia Italian Kitchen Dalry
96 Dalry RdSome of the best Italian food in town and excellent service in a cosy, rustic, charming restaurant. Close to Haymarket and just round the corner from my flat!
Simply the best pizza in town! You can also order vegan cheese on your pizza and customise them. Home comfort delivered to your door :)
La Favorita Delivered Morningside
350 Morningside RdSimply the best pizza in town! You can also order vegan cheese on your pizza and customise them. Home comfort delivered to your door :)
Literally just outside our door, this cute little coffee shop is perfect to meet friends or just sit inside and read a book over a cuppa (they have a book swap shelf). The coffee is some of the best in town, as is the hot chocolate, and they serve specialty teas as well as some snacks and lunch.
16 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Chapter One Coffee Shop
107 Dalry RdLiterally just outside our door, this cute little coffee shop is perfect to meet friends or just sit inside and read a book over a cuppa (they have a book swap shelf). The coffee is some of the best in town, as is the hot chocolate, and they serve specialty teas as well as some snacks and lunch.
One of Edinburgh's cutest cafes. If you're lucky you might get the spot in the window seat, the most coveted by all passersby. Great place for dietary requirements including vegan and GF. They serve all kinds of dairy-free milks.
119 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Lovecrumbs West Port
155 West PortOne of Edinburgh's cutest cafes. If you're lucky you might get the spot in the window seat, the most coveted by all passersby. Great place for dietary requirements including vegan and GF. They serve all kinds of dairy-free milks.
If you like your coffee specially brewed by bearded men with tattoos in a minimalistic white environment with copper accents and cacti all over the place, this is the coffee shop for you. They serve almond milk and have loads of plugs for all you coffee shop writers.
37 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
WestRoom
3 Melville PlIf you like your coffee specially brewed by bearded men with tattoos in a minimalistic white environment with copper accents and cacti all over the place, this is the coffee shop for you. They serve almond milk and have loads of plugs for all you coffee shop writers.
A really cool, modern South African cafe. It's a must for brunch. Staff are cool and really helpful. The best part is they serve a heap of dietary options; vegan brunch includes French toast, salads, sweet treats, wraps, toasted sandwiches and more. The hot chocolate is to die for.
19 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Caffeine Drip
10 Melville PlaceA really cool, modern South African cafe. It's a must for brunch. Staff are cool and really helpful. The best part is they serve a heap of dietary options; vegan brunch includes French toast, salads, sweet treats, wraps, toasted sandwiches and more. The hot chocolate is to die for.
You've not lived until you've tried their vegan waffles (savoury or sweet). On the pricier side but the food's worth it.
7 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Moon & Hare
You've not lived until you've tried their vegan waffles (savoury or sweet). On the pricier side but the food's worth it.
Elephant House will tell you they're the "birthplace of Harry Potter" but THIS is the real deal. The cafe used to be owned by JK Rowling's brother-in-law and has now passed into different ownership. It's a super quirky cafe with a vintage / boho vibe and serves delicious brunch/lunch and coffee options. There are large tables as well as small - it's a good space for just about anybody.
41 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Spoon
6 A Nicolson StElephant House will tell you they're the "birthplace of Harry Potter" but THIS is the real deal. The cafe used to be owned by JK Rowling's brother-in-law and has now passed into different ownership. It's a super quirky cafe with a vintage / boho vibe and serves delicious brunch/lunch and coffee options. There are large tables as well as small - it's a good space for just about anybody.
One of the places JK Rowling used to write Harry Potter in when she was still relatively unknown. Memorabilia is plastered all over the place - it's more famous for the author than for anything else it offers, but it's worth a pit stop!
162 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Elephant House
30 George IV BridgeOne of the places JK Rowling used to write Harry Potter in when she was still relatively unknown. Memorabilia is plastered all over the place - it's more famous for the author than for anything else it offers, but it's worth a pit stop!
Drinks & Nightlife
A huge selection of quality gins in a really cool setting - plus it's not far so you can stumble home in about five minutes :)
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The Jolly Botanist
256-260 Morrison StA huge selection of quality gins in a really cool setting - plus it's not far so you can stumble home in about five minutes :)
Quirky cocktails in an even quirkier bar. This place is cleverly disguised as a retro barber shop, but behind the fake bookcase down the stairs is one of Edinburgh's best bars.
297 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Panda & Sons
79 Queen StQuirky cocktails in an even quirkier bar. This place is cleverly disguised as a retro barber shop, but behind the fake bookcase down the stairs is one of Edinburgh's best bars.
Relaxed atmosphere with cool drinks. Pick a quiet booth for some privacy or mingle with the other patrons in the front lounge.
64 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Indigo Yard
7 Charlotte LnRelaxed atmosphere with cool drinks. Pick a quiet booth for some privacy or mingle with the other patrons in the front lounge.
Themed night club / bar that always offers those funky tunes to start the party!
The Shack Retro Bar & Club
119 Rose StThemed night club / bar that always offers those funky tunes to start the party!
Essentials
Supermarket just across the street where you'll find all the essentials.
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Co-op Food
114 Dalry RdSupermarket just across the street where you'll find all the essentials.
Located just 8 minutes from our flat in Dalry, the gym has a big gym floor for cardio and weights, a swimming pool, sauna, steam room, cycle studio and two further studios for classes. Day passes available.
17 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Nuffield Health Edinburgh Omni Fitness & Wellbeing Gym
Located just 8 minutes from our flat in Dalry, the gym has a big gym floor for cardio and weights, a swimming pool, sauna, steam room, cycle studio and two further studios for classes. Day passes available.
Getting Around
Haymarket
Train station, tram and bus stop.
Sightseeing
Edinburgh's most famous landmark, Edinburgh castle is at the top of the castle hill. Make sure to visit the shops on the way. The views from the top are incredibly.
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Ikhethelo le-Edinburgh
CastlehillEdinburgh's most famous landmark, Edinburgh castle is at the top of the castle hill. Make sure to visit the shops on the way. The views from the top are incredibly.
A lovely square where parts of the annual Christmas market is held - go ice skating round the column, get yourself some mulled cider and potter around the stalls.
35 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Saint Andrew Square
Saint Andrew SquareA lovely square where parts of the annual Christmas market is held - go ice skating round the column, get yourself some mulled cider and potter around the stalls.
Arts & Culture
In my opinion the best book festival in the country, it's on for more than two weeks every August and hosts famous authors from around the world.
14 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Edinburgh International Book Festival
121 Charlotte SquareIn my opinion the best book festival in the country, it's on for more than two weeks every August and hosts famous authors from around the world.
Super cute little second hand bookshop where you'll find loads of absolute bargains. You've probably seen pictures of this iconic little bookshop all over the Internet, but most tourists don't usually go here.
7 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Izinkonyana ze-Armchair
72-74 West PortSuper cute little second hand bookshop where you'll find loads of absolute bargains. You've probably seen pictures of this iconic little bookshop all over the Internet, but most tourists don't usually go here.
One of my favourite shops in Edinburgh. It's independently owned and it shows; the owners pour their heart and soul into this business. Go for a wander there after you've enjoyed a coffee in Bruntsfield.
11 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Edinburgh Book Shop
219 Bruntsfield PlOne of my favourite shops in Edinburgh. It's independently owned and it shows; the owners pour their heart and soul into this business. Go for a wander there after you've enjoyed a coffee in Bruntsfield.
The museum is free and worth visiting for the architecture alone - though there are heaps of sections to see over several floors and always a few exhibitions on at a time. Pop over to Elephant House afterwards for a coffee in the "birthplace of Harry Potter" or Greyfriar's Bobby for a cold pint if that's more to your taste.
1377 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
National Museum of Scotland
The museum is free and worth visiting for the architecture alone - though there are heaps of sections to see over several floors and always a few exhibitions on at a time. Pop over to Elephant House afterwards for a coffee in the "birthplace of Harry Potter" or Greyfriar's Bobby for a cold pint if that's more to your taste.
Parks & Nature
One of Edinburgh's best kept secrets, the Water of Leith is a river running through some of Edinburgh's most picturesque areas.
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Water of Leith Walkway
Water of Leith WalkwayOne of Edinburgh's best kept secrets, the Water of Leith is a river running through some of Edinburgh's most picturesque areas.
An easy hiking trail for everyone and the most popular in Edinburgh. Take a mandatory selfie at the top with gorgeous views of Edinburgh behind you. Fun fact: this is actually a volcano, not a hill! Don't forget to climb the Craig too.
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I-Arthur's Seat
An easy hiking trail for everyone and the most popular in Edinburgh. Take a mandatory selfie at the top with gorgeous views of Edinburgh behind you. Fun fact: this is actually a volcano, not a hill! Don't forget to climb the Craig too.
Located right next to the Botanic Garden, this is the park where Edinburgh locals hang out to avoid the tourists. You can see for miles and get great views of the castle. Don't miss the donation-based yoga class on a Sunday morning.
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Inverleith Park
Located right next to the Botanic Garden, this is the park where Edinburgh locals hang out to avoid the tourists. You can see for miles and get great views of the castle. Don't miss the donation-based yoga class on a Sunday morning.
Portie is our beach! You can catch the 26 bus from Haymarket towards Seton Sands and stop off at Portobello. Off-season it's really quiet and the North Sea can be moody, but at the first chance of sunshine all the locals come our here to lounge in the sand, play ball and splash in the water. (Note: it IS cold! Or as we like to think, refreshing.) Get an ice cream and partake in some games at the local arcade to complete your leisurely afternoon.
447 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Portobello Beach Promenade
1 PromenadePortie is our beach! You can catch the 26 bus from Haymarket towards Seton Sands and stop off at Portobello. Off-season it's really quiet and the North Sea can be moody, but at the first chance of sunshine all the locals come our here to lounge in the sand, play ball and splash in the water. (Note: it IS cold! Or as we like to think, refreshing.) Get an ice cream and partake in some games at the local arcade to complete your leisurely afternoon.
Hikers, this one is for you. There are easy paths for the newbie hikers but veterans will enjoy climbing hill after hill after hill - they stretch on forever! Take buss 33 towards Balerno and alight at Hillend, at the entrance of the park. The path starts there. Enjoy! When you need a rest, visit the Steading Inn near the entrance of the park and enjoy a well-deserved, hearty meal. (I recommend the full veggie breakfast!)
121 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
I-Pentland Hills Regional Park
Hikers, this one is for you. There are easy paths for the newbie hikers but veterans will enjoy climbing hill after hill after hill - they stretch on forever! Take buss 33 towards Balerno and alight at Hillend, at the entrance of the park. The path starts there. Enjoy! When you need a rest, visit the Steading Inn near the entrance of the park and enjoy a well-deserved, hearty meal. (I recommend the full veggie breakfast!)