Guidebook for Leith & Edinburgh
Drinks & Nightlife
Some of our favourite local pubs. Most have a good food offering too!
Great food, pot tails (cocktails in teapots) and friendly atmosphere.
281 locals recommend
Roseleaf bar cafe
23-24 Sandport PlaceGreat food, pot tails (cocktails in teapots) and friendly atmosphere.
Great pub with cosy atmosphere and adjoining restaurant serving scottish food at its best.
Great place to sample whiskies- try the ‘hoop of destiny’, a hoopla game with singe malts as the prize!
203 locals recommend
Teuchters Landing
1c Dock PlGreat pub with cosy atmosphere and adjoining restaurant serving scottish food at its best.
Great place to sample whiskies- try the ‘hoop of destiny’, a hoopla game with singe malts as the prize!
One of Leiths' oldest bars dating back to the 1400's. If you haven't tried Haggis Neeps and Tatties this is the place to go (and enjoy a dram of whisky alongside!)
143 locals recommend
The King's Wark
36 ShoreOne of Leiths' oldest bars dating back to the 1400's. If you haven't tried Haggis Neeps and Tatties this is the place to go (and enjoy a dram of whisky alongside!)
Iconic bar made famous by The film transporting. Although now 'scrubbed up' since (it changed hands a few years ago) it still retains old fashioned charm.
57 locals recommend
Port O' Leith
58 Constitution StIconic bar made famous by The film transporting. Although now 'scrubbed up' since (it changed hands a few years ago) it still retains old fashioned charm.
Food Scene
Great cakes and coffees in this retro styled cafe. Also great for a hearty cooked breakfast.
205 locals recommend
Mimi's Bakehouse
63 ShoreGreat cakes and coffees in this retro styled cafe. Also great for a hearty cooked breakfast.
The Kitchin
Tom Kitchins Fine dining restaurant.
The Ship On The Shore
ShoreFabulous seafood, locally sourced.
Pierinos
11 Bernard StTasty takeaway food. Great pizzas and chip shop fare.
Toast
65 Shorefabulous patisserie and a great selection of wines by the glass.
A great little farmers market every Saturday. a great place to pick up some essentials or grab a bite and coffee to go. The Bearded barista coffee cart pours the best coffee!
72 locals recommend
Leith Market
Commercial StreetA great little farmers market every Saturday. a great place to pick up some essentials or grab a bite and coffee to go. The Bearded barista coffee cart pours the best coffee!
Arts & Culture
Vue
98 Ocean DrCinema complex showing all the latest releases.
A great little nook in Leith. A mix of artist studios, exhibition space and even a coffee roaster/cafe. Worth a visit for their makers markets and take your coffee outside and sit by the river.
11 locals recommend
Custom Lane
1 Customs WharfA great little nook in Leith. A mix of artist studios, exhibition space and even a coffee roaster/cafe. Worth a visit for their makers markets and take your coffee outside and sit by the river.
Shopping
The best place to get locally made gifts and souvenirs. Prices for all budgets (lots of pocket money priced gifts to take home.)
Selection includes art, clothing, homeware, gifts and jewellery.
10 locals recommend
The Scottish Design Exchange
117-119 George StreetThe best place to get locally made gifts and souvenirs. Prices for all budgets (lots of pocket money priced gifts to take home.)
Selection includes art, clothing, homeware, gifts and jewellery.
A very basic shopping centre with like so Boots Chemist, Debenhams department store and mobile phone shops. Also home to the Royal Britannia and a multiplex cinema.
Look out for the Design Exchange on the first floor for great locally made gifts.
33 locals recommend
Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre
Ocean DriveA very basic shopping centre with like so Boots Chemist, Debenhams department store and mobile phone shops. Also home to the Royal Britannia and a multiplex cinema.
Look out for the Design Exchange on the first floor for great locally made gifts.
A great little shop to pick up cards and gifts. Lots of locally made stuff as well as some nice Scottish souvenirs.
34 locals recommend
Flux
80 High StA great little shop to pick up cards and gifts. Lots of locally made stuff as well as some nice Scottish souvenirs.
Essentials
Note this supermarket is actually a Sainsbury's Local. Someone has put the wrong name on google places!
100 locals recommend
Asda Leith Superstore
2 Sandpiper DrNote this supermarket is actually a Sainsbury's Local. Someone has put the wrong name on google places!
This centre has been modernised about 10 years ago so it has everything you could need- swimming pool, well equipped gym and almost every fitness class you can think of. If you plan to visit regularly you can buy a multi pass (10 visits for price of 9 etc) it's not a membership but you do make a saving
40 locals recommend
Leith Victoria Swim Centre
Junction PlaceThis centre has been modernised about 10 years ago so it has everything you could need- swimming pool, well equipped gym and almost every fitness class you can think of. If you plan to visit regularly you can buy a multi pass (10 visits for price of 9 etc) it's not a membership but you do make a saving
Sainsbury's Local
45 Bernard StBasic small supermarket.
Good selection of fresh produce and probably the better value of local supermarkets.
229 locals recommend
Lidl
Dalry RoadGood selection of fresh produce and probably the better value of local supermarkets.
The biggest of the local supermarket, also has a small selection of household essentials and clothing.
333 locals recommend
Tesco Superstore
76 Duke StThe biggest of the local supermarket, also has a small selection of household essentials and clothing.
Sightseeing
One of the most popular sights in Edinburgh. this ship was formerly owned by the royal family.
630 locals recommend
Royal Yacht Britannia
Ocean DriveOne of the most popular sights in Edinburgh. this ship was formerly owned by the royal family.
A great spot for a rainy day with plenty of kid friendly exhibits. Don’t miss a the rooftop terrace for panoramic views without any hiking. The view of the castle from here is wonderful! Take the lift all the way to the 7th floor.
The terrace was designed by sculptor Andy Goldsworthy and the plant life along the edge of the terrace represents different aspects of Scotland’s landscape.
1378 locals recommend
National Museum of Scotland
A great spot for a rainy day with plenty of kid friendly exhibits. Don’t miss a the rooftop terrace for panoramic views without any hiking. The view of the castle from here is wonderful! Take the lift all the way to the 7th floor.
The terrace was designed by sculptor Andy Goldsworthy and the plant life along the edge of the terrace represents different aspects of Scotland’s landscape.
"No seat, starbucks, or even wifi…" one very famous Tripadvisor review.
There's no facilities at the top but you are rewarded with panoramic views of the city and beyond.
This ancient volcano is a must-do on a visit to edinburgh, there's distinct paths but the summit is rocky so sensible footwear is advisable (and maybe a jacket, it gets quite windy up there).
1859 locals recommend
Arthur's Seat
"No seat, starbucks, or even wifi…" one very famous Tripadvisor review.
There's no facilities at the top but you are rewarded with panoramic views of the city and beyond.
This ancient volcano is a must-do on a visit to edinburgh, there's distinct paths but the summit is rocky so sensible footwear is advisable (and maybe a jacket, it gets quite windy up there).
Getting Around
Lothian Buses are the main local transport company who run the buses and train Edinburgh. They also run the airport bus service and trams.
NOTE: THE BUSES ACCEPT EXACT MONEY ONLY, NO CHANGE IS GIVEN.
They accept contactless card payment or apple/android pay. You need one card/device per passenger but it does calculate if you would be best with day ticket or singles and charges the cheapest fare.
Their apps are worth downloading. One gives directions and route numbers for you to follow (and will even chime when you are close to your stop, very hand if you're not sure where you are).
This google map points to the main booking office beside the train station. If you are staying for more than a week you can buy multi-tickets and bus passes here.
58 locals recommend
Lothian Buses Travelshop
31 Waverley BridgeLothian Buses are the main local transport company who run the buses and train Edinburgh. They also run the airport bus service and trams.
NOTE: THE BUSES ACCEPT EXACT MONEY ONLY, NO CHANGE IS GIVEN.
They accept contactless card payment or apple/android pay. You need one card/device per passenger but it does calculate if you would be best with day ticket or singles and charges the cheapest fare.
Their apps are worth downloading. One gives directions and route numbers for you to follow (and will even chime when you are close to your stop, very hand if you're not sure where you are).
This google map points to the main booking office beside the train station. If you are staying for more than a week you can buy multi-tickets and bus passes here.