Locations

Everything we recommend in Edinburgh, Scotland

Alanda's Longniddry Seafood
fish and chips

Alanda's Longniddry Seafood

Excellent fish and chips on the beach.

Tyninghame
beach

Tyninghame

Tyninghame is a stunning beach located on the east coast about 1 hours drive from the centre of Edinburgh. When you arr...

Lannan Bakery
bakery

Lannan Bakery

Lannan Bakery in Stockbridge (off to one side, nearer your hotel and singapore coffee house) I’ve never been and have no...

The Museum of Childhood
museum

The Museum of Childhood

More to come.

Palace of Holyroodhouse
palace

Palace of Holyroodhouse

The King's official residence in Edinburgh and the home of Scottish royal history. Often has good exhibitions, but haven...

Soderberg
bakery

Soderberg

More to come.

12 Triangles
bakery

12 Triangles

Coffee and quality croissants. A match made in heaven.

Ante
cafe

Ante

1b Haddington Place, Edinburgh

Food selection is small but they do good coffee, pastries and hot breakfast. The staff are friendly and always up for a ...

Arthur Seat
landmark

Arthur Seat

If you’re only in town for a short while we recommend Calton Hill over Arthur seat. However if you prefer longer walks ~...

Bannerman's
pub

Bannerman's

Next door to The Banshee Labyrinth. Similar atmosphere in similar but less unique venue. More live music though, check o...

Broughton St
street

Broughton St

Broughton St has a range of shops, cafes and pubs. Most are good, it's less touristy than places around Prince's Street ...

Broughton St Market
Butcher

Broughton St Market

Pricey but convenient. They have the best scotch eggs, excellent sausages and good scotch pies.

Cafe Picante
fish and chips

Cafe Picante

It is with reluctance that Picante is on the list. If you just want to try good fish and chips whilst you're in Scotland...

Calton Hill
landmark

Calton Hill

Home of Edinburgh's disgrace and great views of Edinburgh. If you’re only in town for a day or two it’s convenient and y...

Clam Shell
takeaway

Clam Shell

If you're on the Royal Mile and want to try a fried Mars Bar or half pizza this is worth stopping by.

Cockburn St
street

Cockburn St

Another unique street with lots of interesting shops.

Dishoom
indian

Dishoom

Expensive, but very good. You will probably need to book.

Eatalias
takeaway

Eatalias

One of the better chippies in town. Small but good quality and decent value. There is no seating here so takeaway or eat...

Edinburgh Castle
castle

Edinburgh Castle

Not many cities boast a castle on an extinct volcano at the centre! That said the reality is if you are exploring Edinbu...

Gallery of Modern Art
gallery

Gallery of Modern Art

Edinburgh has many galleries and this one requires a bit more effort to get to but that's what makes it worthwhile. It's...

George Bowers
butcher

George Bowers

A high quality butcher with good prices and a selection of game meat. Highly recommend their homemade haggis and black p...

George Mewes Cheese
delicatessen

George Mewes Cheese

Large well stocked cheese shop in Stockbridge.

Greyfriars Kirkyard
landmark

Greyfriars Kirkyard

Hakataya
ramen

Hakataya

Small venue, quiet atmosphere, quite good. If I really want Ramen in Edinburgh this is where I go. Service can be slow b...

Hata
cafe

Hata

People are everything when it comes to a great cafe. Hata has some of our favourite people. Famous for porridge and comf...

Herbie
delicatessen

Herbie

Located in Stockbridge, Herbie is a small but highly regarded independent food shop. It's an excellent place to pick up ...

Herringbone
restaurant

Herringbone

Modern European. They have good cocktails, a lot of interesting sharing plates like watermelon steak, but you can also g...

I.J. Mellis & Son
delicatessen

I.J. Mellis & Son

A smaller but excellent cheese shop in Stockbridge.

Ikigai
ramen

Ikigai

There are two, one is tiny. The bigger one is better and if you’re happy with the prices and non-traditional ramen I rec...

Jupiter Art Land
sculpture garden

Jupiter Art Land

An incredible contemporary sculpture park on 120 acres. It includes a seasonal programme of exhibitions and events from ...

Kahani
indian

Kahani

There are several Indian restaurants at the top of Leith Walk. Having tried several of them, Kahani is the only one I go...

L'alba D'oro
fish and chips

L'alba D'oro

Whilst I promised not to load this page up family history, holiday stories, macros etc. This place gets a spot on the li...

Little Fitzroy
coffee

Little Fitzroy

46 Easter Road, Edinburgh

Really good coffee, Melbourne style can be found at Little Fitzroy on Easter Road (Turn Right onto Haddington Place, cro...

Lucky Yu
asian

Lucky Yu

Asian style tapas and drinks on Broughton St. Quite westernised and a bit pricey but good quality. This place is expens...

Maki & Ramen
japanese

Maki & Ramen

Not actually that great for Ramen in my opinion. Bland, thin. This is only on the list to make sure you consider other p...

Mary King's Close
tourist attraction

Mary King's Close

A city underneath the city! You must book. There are lots of places offering tickets but stick to the official website. ...

National Museum of Scotland
museum

National Museum of Scotland

A long time ago I worked here. It's worth a visit just to see the inside of the main hall. Some exhibits are paid but th...

Nightcap
cocktails

Nightcap

It's a small venue, and easily fills up. I do like it but it's hard to recommend it over Uno Mas, especially when they a...

Not Just Coffee
cafe

Not Just Coffee

Leith Walk

Great coffee and sweet treats. They also do breakfast and lunch, but we’ve yet to get beyond the biscuit selection!

Panda and Sons
cocktail bar

Panda and Sons

So I finally made it here in late 2024. The drinks were great but it was more expensive than a lot of other cocktail bar...

The Raging Bull
cocktail bar

The Raging Bull

Near Tollcross. Whilst it's not the same they do have a kiwi variation of a Zombie which gets it a place on this list.

Singapore Coffee House
asian

Singapore Coffee House

Fabulous traditional Singapore coffee (with sweetened condensed milk). We go to Singapore coffee house for a wonderful f...

Solti
indian

Solti

Indian food and good cocktails.

St Andrew’s
day trips

St Andrew’s

A picturesque Scottish seaside town.

Stirling Castle
castle

Stirling Castle

If you have access to a car and want to see a castle I recommend this over Edinburgh castle. It shares a few of the same...

Stockbridge
region

Stockbridge

Stockbridge feels a little like a village inside the city. Great examples of Georgian architecture and a good selection ...

Thamel
indian

Thamel

Nepali food

The Banshee Labyrinth
bar

The Banshee Labyrinth

One of the very few alternative bars still in Edinburgh and a unique venue. Worth a visit even if it's not your scene.

The Broughton
restaurant

The Broughton

Fancy pub food! Friendly staff and good selection of drinks.

The Chippy by Spencer
fish and chips

The Chippy by Spencer

Also very good.

The Georgian House
tourist attraction

The Georgian House

Edinburgh is known for its Newtown full of Georgian houses. This one has been kept in fairly original condition and is a...

The Ghost Bus Tours
tours

The Ghost Bus Tours

When I first heard of this I thought it was a joke. It turns out it's real and it's good fun if you want to learn a litt...

The Grassmarket / Victoria St
region

The Grassmarket / Victoria St

Nice to visit but we wouldn’t there are only a handful of places here we'd consider for food or drinks, namely Berties a...

The Last Word Saloon
cocktail bar

The Last Word Saloon

In Stockbridge near the end of St Stephen St. Great drinks and decent prices. Nice atmosphere.

The Ox
pub

The Ox

Better than average pub food. Friendly staff and good selection of drinks.

The Roseleaf
cocktail bar

The Roseleaf

Very popular so best to book in advance for weekends. Great cooked breakfasts that aren't just greasy. Good drinks inclu...

The Royal Botanical Gardens
tourist attraction

The Royal Botanical Gardens

They have a great light show around December, you need to book tickets online. Take public transport one way and walk ba...

The Water of Leith
region

The Water of Leith

The water of Leith runs through the city and their are walking paths most of the length. A nice way to get across town i...

Tuk Tuk
indian

Tuk Tuk

Good value and smaller than average dishes mean you're not stuck with ordering the usual one curry per person.

Under the Stairs
restaurant

Under the Stairs

Spacious, often quiet bar with reasonably priced food. Shabby chic. Less touristy than other parts of the old town.

Uno Mas
cocktail bar

Uno Mas

Great cocktails and good prices, open ‘till 3am. My favourite bar in Edinburgh. A big space and often very quiet, except...

Valvona & Crolla
delicatessen

Valvona & Crolla

19 Elm Row, Edinburgh, EH7 4AA

"V&C is a national treasure" - Scotland the Best. V&C is a fine Italian / Scottish food deli-store, cafe and restaurant....

Mortal Kocktail
bar

Mortal Kocktail

1 Craigs Close 29 Cockbrun Street, Edinburgh, GB EH1 1BN

Bar with great cocktails and a selection of arcade and pinball machines. Can be a little tricky to find, it's on the nor...