Guidebook for Edinburgh
Food Scene
The best coffee shop in Edinburgh. They roast the beans on site so the place always smells amazing. Good for take-away or sit in the Nook and watch the regulars come and go.
236 locals recommend
Artisan Roast
57 Broughton StThe best coffee shop in Edinburgh. They roast the beans on site so the place always smells amazing. Good for take-away or sit in the Nook and watch the regulars come and go.
My favourite restaurant in Edinburgh. They only serve local and seasonal food so the menu changes daily. They offer a tasting menu of about courses that they tweet out in the afternoon but I think you're best booking it and turning up without knowing. Everyone sits at big communal tables. it's about £35 and a total bargain. You'll need to book in advance but they open late during the festival.
339 locals recommend
The Gardener's Cottage
1 London RoadMy favourite restaurant in Edinburgh. They only serve local and seasonal food so the menu changes daily. They offer a tasting menu of about courses that they tweet out in the afternoon but I think you're best booking it and turning up without knowing. Everyone sits at big communal tables. it's about £35 and a total bargain. You'll need to book in advance but they open late during the festival.
Great understated Mexican food in a nice intimate surrounding. Go here for food or drinks. Great for hangovers as it's very dimly lit!
127 locals recommend
The Basement
10a Broughton StGreat understated Mexican food in a nice intimate surrounding. Go here for food or drinks. Great for hangovers as it's very dimly lit!
Lovely restaurant that does excellent meat dishes. Naturally their steak is amazing but so are the waffles. Worth booking in advance.
56 locals recommend
Smoke Stack
53-55 Broughton StLovely restaurant that does excellent meat dishes. Naturally their steak is amazing but so are the waffles. Worth booking in advance.
If you like really good wood fired pizza then this is your place. They deliver too.
241 locals recommend
La Favorita
331-325 Leith WalkIf you like really good wood fired pizza then this is your place. They deliver too.
Less flashy than La Favorita this place does excellent pizza. The window seat is excellent for people watching. They have a deal with some of the local pubs where you can get pizza delivered there.
250 locals recommend
Origano pizzeria
236 Leith WalkLess flashy than La Favorita this place does excellent pizza. The window seat is excellent for people watching. They have a deal with some of the local pubs where you can get pizza delivered there.
No-one does brunch like Mimi. I am yet to finish one of her giant portions. The cake is awesome too. It can get really busy at weekends so book in advance if you can.
205 locals recommend
Mimi's Bakehouse
63 ShoreNo-one does brunch like Mimi. I am yet to finish one of her giant portions. The cake is awesome too. It can get really busy at weekends so book in advance if you can.
lovely intimate setting for great classic food and drinks. Best booked in advance.
92 locals recommend
Under The Stairs
3A Merchant Stlovely intimate setting for great classic food and drinks. Best booked in advance.
this place does amazing thai street food. It's always jammed out but the service is quick. It's tiny inside but takeaway is an option too. Very cheap for the quality!
257 locals recommend
TING THAI CARAVAN Teviot Place
9 Teviot Plthis place does amazing thai street food. It's always jammed out but the service is quick. It's tiny inside but takeaway is an option too. Very cheap for the quality!
Very highly recommended. They do Indian tapas food. You can share 3 or 4 plates between you. It's busy but they take bookings even during the festival. The food is great (and cheap)
115 locals recommend
Mother India's Cafe
3-5 Infirmary StVery highly recommended. They do Indian tapas food. You can share 3 or 4 plates between you. It's busy but they take bookings even during the festival. The food is great (and cheap)
this place is good for lunch, dinner or just drinks. The wine list is incredible. I like the giant bowls of pasta. Plus the intimate location is fantastic without being touristy.
20 locals recommend
Ecco Vino
19 Cockburn Stthis place is good for lunch, dinner or just drinks. The wine list is incredible. I like the giant bowls of pasta. Plus the intimate location is fantastic without being touristy.
this place does one thing but does it well. Hog roast rolls. They roast a whole hog and display it in the window. You get a giant roll with crispy skin and apple sauce. Delicious.
62 locals recommend
Oink Victoria Street
34 Victoria Stthis place does one thing but does it well. Hog roast rolls. They roast a whole hog and display it in the window. You get a giant roll with crispy skin and apple sauce. Delicious.
I'm putting this on here for the afternoon tea alone. It's a real treat in a iconic setting. it's a beautiful country house with peacocks roaming the grounds. Get a taxi so you can drink the champagne!
35 locals recommend
Prestonfield House
Priestfield RoadI'm putting this on here for the afternoon tea alone. It's a real treat in a iconic setting. it's a beautiful country house with peacocks roaming the grounds. Get a taxi so you can drink the champagne!
Stockbridge is a beautiful urban village and this is a great restaurant and pub. It's dog friendly so on sunday's you can expect to see all the locals in there with their dogs. Great food.
162 locals recommend
The Raeburn
112 Raeburn PlStockbridge is a beautiful urban village and this is a great restaurant and pub. It's dog friendly so on sunday's you can expect to see all the locals in there with their dogs. Great food.
Another great gastro pub. Menu has a lot of excellent fish dishes on it.
143 locals recommend
The King's Wark
36 ShoreAnother great gastro pub. Menu has a lot of excellent fish dishes on it.
Drinks & Nightlife
This is a speakeasy disguised as a barber shop. It's expensive but great atmosphere.
297 locals recommend
Panda & Sons
79 Queen StThis is a speakeasy disguised as a barber shop. It's expensive but great atmosphere.
If you like gin then this is the place for you. They have over 70 gins and will match your tonic for you.
144 locals recommend
The Jolly Botanist
256-260 Morrison StIf you like gin then this is the place for you. They have over 70 gins and will match your tonic for you.
Parks & Nature
Leith Links
4 Links GardensGiant urban park with lots of open green spaces and jogging trails.
Arts & Culture
The curation here is always excellent. Their cafe is also superb.
103 locals recommend
Fruitmarket Gallery
45 Market StThe curation here is always excellent. Their cafe is also superb.
Shopping
My favourite store in all of Edinburgh. Beautiful local arts and crafts. Go here for lovely local gifts.
24 locals recommend
The Red Door Gallery
42 Victoria StMy favourite store in all of Edinburgh. Beautiful local arts and crafts. Go here for lovely local gifts.
Leith Market
Commercial StreetOnly at weekends but a great selection of local artisans.
Getting Around
The owner Richard is lovely. Hire bikes by the hour or by the day.
30 locals recommend
Leith Cycle Co.
276 Leith WalkThe owner Richard is lovely. Hire bikes by the hour or by the day.