Guidebook for Edinburgh
Food Scene
This is by far the best Pizzeria in Edinburgh, the pizzas are made in a wood-burning oven and each comes on a very thin base. The toppings are fresh and very similar to the style you find in Naples, Italy.
250 locals recommend
Origano pizzeria
236 Leith WalkThis is by far the best Pizzeria in Edinburgh, the pizzas are made in a wood-burning oven and each comes on a very thin base. The toppings are fresh and very similar to the style you find in Naples, Italy.
Offering Thai street-food, this is one of my most favourite eateries in Edinburgh. There is a cheaper lunch menu unto 6:30pm which offers fantastic and tasty portions for £6-8. It is an absolute steal for the quality of food you get and one of those menus where everything is good. It's cash only, social eating and you should expect a long queue after 7:30pm.
257 locals recommend
TING THAI CARAVAN Teviot Place
9 Teviot PlOffering Thai street-food, this is one of my most favourite eateries in Edinburgh. There is a cheaper lunch menu unto 6:30pm which offers fantastic and tasty portions for £6-8. It is an absolute steal for the quality of food you get and one of those menus where everything is good. It's cash only, social eating and you should expect a long queue after 7:30pm.
If you want huge portions of tasty cake served in a calming, family-friendly environment, then Mimis is the place to be. Over the weekend, it can require advance booking but also allows take-away. Their Reese's Peanut Butter cheesecake is incredible and likely requires two sittings ...or a to-go box! Also pretty good for light lunch or brunch.
205 locals recommend
Mimi's Bakehouse
63 ShoreIf you want huge portions of tasty cake served in a calming, family-friendly environment, then Mimis is the place to be. Over the weekend, it can require advance booking but also allows take-away. Their Reese's Peanut Butter cheesecake is incredible and likely requires two sittings ...or a to-go box! Also pretty good for light lunch or brunch.
A great all-rounder cafe/restaurant. Always a great selection of brunch, lunch and evening dinner food choices at a reasonable prices. The chef has worked in much more expensive eateries in Edinburgh so brings culinary innovation to a more casual eating joint. I always bring my visitors here.
16 locals recommend
Checkpoint
3 Bristo PlA great all-rounder cafe/restaurant. Always a great selection of brunch, lunch and evening dinner food choices at a reasonable prices. The chef has worked in much more expensive eateries in Edinburgh so brings culinary innovation to a more casual eating joint. I always bring my visitors here.
In the past, this BYOB set-up has been fairly unknown ...but recently it has exploded up the Trip Advisor list to the top 10. 5 mins walk from my flat, this very small restaurant offers great food at a relatively low price. Corkage is charged on BYOB wine/beer, but will still cost considerably less than if you were buying it in a restaurant offering the same quality of food. When available, the slow-cooked pork belly is worth a try.
137 locals recommend
The Walnut
9 Leith WalkIn the past, this BYOB set-up has been fairly unknown ...but recently it has exploded up the Trip Advisor list to the top 10. 5 mins walk from my flat, this very small restaurant offers great food at a relatively low price. Corkage is charged on BYOB wine/beer, but will still cost considerably less than if you were buying it in a restaurant offering the same quality of food. When available, the slow-cooked pork belly is worth a try.
A short walk from my flat, my friend claims this tiny cafe offers the best flat white in Edinburgh ...I'd be interested in your opinion. Regardless, it is close and great for breakfast/brunch options. Very few tables inside and several outside, so tends to be more popular on sunny days.
77 locals recommend
Café Renroc
91 Montgomery StA short walk from my flat, my friend claims this tiny cafe offers the best flat white in Edinburgh ...I'd be interested in your opinion. Regardless, it is close and great for breakfast/brunch options. Very few tables inside and several outside, so tends to be more popular on sunny days.
Another hidden gem. Everything about this restaurant is great - it has fantastic food, great wines and top notch service. The host is a real character and if you appreciate life advice, she's there for you too. They also have a sister restaurant called Three Birds, but it's at the other side of the city. Both usually require advance booking.
69 locals recommend
Educated Flea
32B Broughton StAnother hidden gem. Everything about this restaurant is great - it has fantastic food, great wines and top notch service. The host is a real character and if you appreciate life advice, she's there for you too. They also have a sister restaurant called Three Birds, but it's at the other side of the city. Both usually require advance booking.
Sightseeing
Very few people know or visit this tucked away corner of Edinburgh, because it's somewhat off the beaten path ...but really not that far from the city centre. Snuggled under Dean Bridge, this village-esque area looks like something from a Disney cartoon or Harry-Potter-type town. Not accessible by car, it's worth wandering on foot and exploring for a 10min escape from the hustle and bustle of the city centre.
268 locals recommend
Dean Village
Dean PathVery few people know or visit this tucked away corner of Edinburgh, because it's somewhat off the beaten path ...but really not that far from the city centre. Snuggled under Dean Bridge, this village-esque area looks like something from a Disney cartoon or Harry-Potter-type town. Not accessible by car, it's worth wandering on foot and exploring for a 10min escape from the hustle and bustle of the city centre.
This always features in the Edinburgh top 3 of things to do, but there is a reason ...the peak offers an unbeatable view of the city and its surroundings. Arthur's Seat resides in Holyrood Park which is 10mins walk from my flat (by the Palace). There are many routes up to the top - some more challenging than others ...but completely accessible to all ages and levels of fitness. I'd suggest this 'hike' can be completed in 2-3 hours.
1859 locals recommend
Arthur's Seat
This always features in the Edinburgh top 3 of things to do, but there is a reason ...the peak offers an unbeatable view of the city and its surroundings. Arthur's Seat resides in Holyrood Park which is 10mins walk from my flat (by the Palace). There are many routes up to the top - some more challenging than others ...but completely accessible to all ages and levels of fitness. I'd suggest this 'hike' can be completed in 2-3 hours.
Edinburgh has a dark history and many people don't realise there are streets and caverns underneath the main thoroughfares. Mary King's Close is one such area which has been uncovered and made available to the public - tours are given to show what Edinburgh life was like in the 1800s - it's one of the top attractions and tours are done in different languages - definitely a must do.
373 locals recommend
The Real Mary King's Close
2 High StEdinburgh has a dark history and many people don't realise there are streets and caverns underneath the main thoroughfares. Mary King's Close is one such area which has been uncovered and made available to the public - tours are given to show what Edinburgh life was like in the 1800s - it's one of the top attractions and tours are done in different languages - definitely a must do.
Getting Around
Presently, York Place is the closest stop to my flat. It is a 10min walk from my door and trams run every 7-10mins from 05:30 to 23:30 (first & last tram @ York Place). First train from the Airport is 06:18. There is an app with good guidance, but the timetable can be found at http://edinburghtrams.com/plan-a-journey/timetables
Prices are £1.60 from any non-airport stop to any non-airport destination. If you are going to or from the airport, the price jumps to £5.50. An airport return ticket (return to be used in a month) is £8.
It is possible to get on/off at the stop after/before the airport, but still a 10min walk to the airport and they don't make it easy!
8 locals recommend
Edinburgh Trams
1 Myreton DrPresently, York Place is the closest stop to my flat. It is a 10min walk from my door and trams run every 7-10mins from 05:30 to 23:30 (first & last tram @ York Place). First train from the Airport is 06:18. There is an app with good guidance, but the timetable can be found at http://edinburghtrams.com/plan-a-journey/timetables
Prices are £1.60 from any non-airport stop to any non-airport destination. If you are going to or from the airport, the price jumps to £5.50. An airport return ticket (return to be used in a month) is £8.
It is possible to get on/off at the stop after/before the airport, but still a 10min walk to the airport and they don't make it easy!
Drinks & Nightlife
It's my local and pretty quirky too. It's a pub kitchen with a great selection of burgers, hotdogs and sandwiches. They do some interesting cocktails, cheaper on weeknights, and have a fun selection of local craft beers.
121 locals recommend
The Black Fox
17 Albert PlIt's my local and pretty quirky too. It's a pub kitchen with a great selection of burgers, hotdogs and sandwiches. They do some interesting cocktails, cheaper on weeknights, and have a fun selection of local craft beers.
In my opinion, it has the best selection of beers in Edinburgh coupled with a friendly atmosphere. It's in the west end of the city centre, but absolutely worth the venture! They operate a chalkboard menu that constantly changes as beers run out and even allow tastings before you buy. This is not the type of bar to walk in and ask for a lager ...it's the one to request a saison, a stout porter or a hoppy IPA - most weird and wonderful tastes can be catered for. OH and they also do great gin :)
169 locals recommend
The Hanging Bat
133 Lothian RdIn my opinion, it has the best selection of beers in Edinburgh coupled with a friendly atmosphere. It's in the west end of the city centre, but absolutely worth the venture! They operate a chalkboard menu that constantly changes as beers run out and even allow tastings before you buy. This is not the type of bar to walk in and ask for a lager ...it's the one to request a saison, a stout porter or a hoppy IPA - most weird and wonderful tastes can be catered for. OH and they also do great gin :)