Guidebook for Edinburgh
Food Scene
Friendly French bistro with petite rustic dining room offering set lunch and pre-theatre menu deals.
51 locals recommend
Petit Paris
38-40 GrassmarketFriendly French bistro with petite rustic dining room offering set lunch and pre-theatre menu deals.
Lavish, Gothic-style dining room and guest suites with roll-top baths in quirky boutique hotel.
192 locals recommend
The Witchery by the Castle
352 CastlehillLavish, Gothic-style dining room and guest suites with roll-top baths in quirky boutique hotel.
Creative menu of fresh local Scottish produce, served in vaulted and alcoved former storeroom.
48 locals recommend
The Grain Store
30 Victoria StCreative menu of fresh local Scottish produce, served in vaulted and alcoved former storeroom.
Quirky cafe with mismatched tableware, artisan coffee and a wooden dresser full of handmade cakes.
119 locals recommend
Lovecrumbs West Port
155 West PortQuirky cafe with mismatched tableware, artisan coffee and a wooden dresser full of handmade cakes.
Creative and chic atmosphere. Definitely a secret spot, very discreet.
184 locals recommend
TIMBERYARD
10 Lady Lawson StCreative and chic atmosphere. Definitely a secret spot, very discreet.
Vegan/Vetetarian dining - we went with friends who have a vegan daughter and, not being vegans ourselves, we thought it was great. They had live jazz music the night we were there. It's not fancy (self service) but the food was excellent and it had a great and surprisingly relaxing atmosphere. I had guests who initially told me about it as they were vegetarian and we were very happy with their recommendation.
60 locals recommend
Hendersons Salad Table Restaurant
94 Hanover StVegan/Vetetarian dining - we went with friends who have a vegan daughter and, not being vegans ourselves, we thought it was great. They had live jazz music the night we were there. It's not fancy (self service) but the food was excellent and it had a great and surprisingly relaxing atmosphere. I had guests who initially told me about it as they were vegetarian and we were very happy with their recommendation.
This a a great Cafe. We love it when we want breakfast out. They also have vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free options and is definitely one of the healthier picks if that's what you're after.
36 locals recommend
Hula Juice Bar & Healthy Eatery
103-105 W BowThis a a great Cafe. We love it when we want breakfast out. They also have vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free options and is definitely one of the healthier picks if that's what you're after.
Exquisite fine dining and supreme service but usually has to be booked well in advance. It is pricey but it just entered the UK Good Food Guide 2016 top 50! Definitely for a special occasion. The set lunch menu is more reasonably priced.
86 locals recommend
Castle Terrace
33-35 Castle TerraceExquisite fine dining and supreme service but usually has to be booked well in advance. It is pricey but it just entered the UK Good Food Guide 2016 top 50! Definitely for a special occasion. The set lunch menu is more reasonably priced.
This restaurant restaurant gets busy, so again, reservations recommended. Very trendy place, great service, great food and we've taken friends and they've also loved the atmosphere.
156 locals recommend
The Outsider Restaurant
15-16 George IV BridgeThis restaurant restaurant gets busy, so again, reservations recommended. Very trendy place, great service, great food and we've taken friends and they've also loved the atmosphere.
Newly refurbished family run, Zazas has a great Castle view. The service is friendly and the food is tasty. Basic and tasty.
9 locals recommend
International Society
13 Bristo PlNewly refurbished family run, Zazas has a great Castle view. The service is friendly and the food is tasty. Basic and tasty.
It has a good atmosphere. We've only been for a drink but guests have said the food is good. It's a popular spot so booking recommended.
227 locals recommend
The Devil's Advocate
9 Advocate's ClIt has a good atmosphere. We've only been for a drink but guests have said the food is good. It's a popular spot so booking recommended.
Good Scottish choices, delicious healthy options, vegetarian options - service has always been friendly.
87 locals recommend
Howies Restaurant
10-14 Victoria StGood Scottish choices, delicious healthy options, vegetarian options - service has always been friendly.
Excellent new Spanish Tapas with a sister restaurant in the New Town. Great decor, views of Old Town roof tops. Excellent service, food and ambience.
57 locals recommend
Cafe Andaluz
77B George StExcellent new Spanish Tapas with a sister restaurant in the New Town. Great decor, views of Old Town roof tops. Excellent service, food and ambience.
If you want quick, healthy and homemade, this is a great little cafe in the heart of the Grassmarket.
19 locals recommend
Pumpkin Brown
16 GrassmarketIf you want quick, healthy and homemade, this is a great little cafe in the heart of the Grassmarket.
Drinks & Nightlife
Elegant, plant filled 20s-style cocktail bar-lounge with chandeliers and weekend DJ sessions.
85 locals recommend
Dragonfly
52 West PortElegant, plant filled 20s-style cocktail bar-lounge with chandeliers and weekend DJ sessions.
Great comedy club in the New Town. Small and friendly. Drinks and snacks available. Booking advised.
72 locals recommend
The Stand Comedy Club
5 York PlaceGreat comedy club in the New Town. Small and friendly. Drinks and snacks available. Booking advised.
This is a definite upmarket bar and a restaurant. It's worth a visit as it really is a beautiful building and if you are here in December, definitely worth visiting - even if just for a cocktail or something from the bar. We have eaten here once and the food was quite good. Booking advised.
285 locals recommend
The Dome
14 George StThis is a definite upmarket bar and a restaurant. It's worth a visit as it really is a beautiful building and if you are here in December, definitely worth visiting - even if just for a cocktail or something from the bar. We have eaten here once and the food was quite good. Booking advised.
Sightseeing
The Real Mary King's Close
2 High StLoved it - great tour and booking normally essential.
A walk down the Royal Mile and a wonderful couple of hours spent here. I definitely recommend the audioguide as it brings it to life. If you start early enough, you can even get an afternoon hike up Arthur's Seat!
329 locals recommend
Palace of Holyrood
CanongateA walk down the Royal Mile and a wonderful couple of hours spent here. I definitely recommend the audioguide as it brings it to life. If you start early enough, you can even get an afternoon hike up Arthur's Seat!
How wonderful to pay a visit to your neighbour to complete your trip. We just recommend comfortable walking shoes and dressing in layers if it is cold, wet or windy as it is a big castle and you will also want to be outside enjoying the amazing views. Lady's Lodge looks up to the oldest part of the castle.
1961 locals recommend
Edinburgh Castle
CastlehillHow wonderful to pay a visit to your neighbour to complete your trip. We just recommend comfortable walking shoes and dressing in layers if it is cold, wet or windy as it is a big castle and you will also want to be outside enjoying the amazing views. Lady's Lodge looks up to the oldest part of the castle.
This is found in central Edinburgh beyond Princes Street. It is included in the city's UNESCO World Heritage Site. The panoramic views from here are stunning.
1098 locals recommend
Calton Hill
Calton HillThis is found in central Edinburgh beyond Princes Street. It is included in the city's UNESCO World Heritage Site. The panoramic views from here are stunning.
Parks & Nature
If you like hiking and the out-of-doors, you will love the hike along the paths up to Arthur's Seat. You can overlook Edinburgh from the top. It's a great morning or afternoon out.
1859 locals recommend
Arthur's Seat
If you like hiking and the out-of-doors, you will love the hike along the paths up to Arthur's Seat. You can overlook Edinburgh from the top. It's a great morning or afternoon out.
This is found in central Edinburgh beyond Princes Street. It is included in the city's UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Views from here are stunning.
1098 locals recommend
Calton Hill
Calton HillThis is found in central Edinburgh beyond Princes Street. It is included in the city's UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Views from here are stunning.
Arts & Culture
National Museum of Scotland
Essentials
Sainsbury's Local
45 Bernard StClosest grocery store.
Getting Around
Waverley Railway Station
Train Station - left luggage facility is also here.