12 Triangles

Coffee and quality croissants. A match made in heaven.

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 chat. Daytime restau...

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 ~2 hours Arthur Seat ...

Bannerman's

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

Broughton St Market

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

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 and the Royal Mile.

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 look elsewhere. I'd...

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 you can get to the to...

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

Another unique street with lots of interesting shops.

Dishoom

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

Eatalia

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

Edinburgh Castle

Not many cities boast a castle on an extinct volcano at the centre! That said the reality is if you are exploring Edinburgh on foot or by bu...

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 a 10-15 minute walk...

George Bowers

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

George Mewes Cheese

Large well stocked cheese shop in Stockbridge.

Greyfriars Kirkyard

Hakataya

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

Hata

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

Herbie

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

Herringbone

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

I.J. Mellis & Son

A smaller but excellent cheese shop in Stockbridge.

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 recommend whatever thei...

Jupiter Art Land

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

Kahani

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

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 list because I started...

Lannan Bakery

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

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, cross the road and make...

Lucky Yu

Asian style tapas and drinks on Broughton St. Quite westernised and a bit pricey but good quality. This place is expensive, and if you live...

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 places instead.

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. Yes this is very tou...

The Museum of Childhood

More to come.

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 there's a lot in here ...

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 are so close.

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!

Palace of Holyroodhouse

The King's official residence in Edinburgh and the home of Scottish royal history. Often has good exhibitions, but haven’t visisted for seve...

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 bars in Edinburgh, was ...

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

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

Soderberg

More to come.

Solti

Indian food and good cocktails.

St Andrew’s

A picturesque Scottish seaside town.

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 qualities as Edinbu...

Stockbridge

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

Thamel

Nepali food

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

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

The Chippy by Spencer

Also very good.

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 great place to expl...

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 little about Edinburgh's...

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 and The Bow Bar.

The Last Word Saloon

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

The Ox

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

The Roseleaf

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

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 back to the centre of ...

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 if you're not in a hu...

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

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

Uno Mas

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

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. It is an institutio...