Guidebook for Edinburgh
Food Scene
One of the best Indian restaurant in town and most authentic, in my opinion.
112 locals recommend
Tuk Tuk Indian Street Food
1 Leven StOne of the best Indian restaurant in town and most authentic, in my opinion.
Not a chain, a tiny little place with delicious authentic burritos - they heat it all up before serving - the only place that does this in Edinburgh. Delicious veggie options. My favourite.
Taquito
32 Home StNot a chain, a tiny little place with delicious authentic burritos - they heat it all up before serving - the only place that does this in Edinburgh. Delicious veggie options. My favourite.
My favourite gelato place in town. Amazing flavours, strong working and food ethic. Great coffee and brownies too. Check website for closing times - it is often closed on Mondays
23 locals recommend
Affogato
36 Queensferry StMy favourite gelato place in town. Amazing flavours, strong working and food ethic. Great coffee and brownies too. Check website for closing times - it is often closed on Mondays
The other of the two unique ice-cream shops in Edinburgh. Flavours range from quirky to traditional - all made in small batches and daily new flavours. Good coffee too, expect a queue even in the middle of a winter.
131 locals recommend
Mary's Milk Bar
19 GrassmarketThe other of the two unique ice-cream shops in Edinburgh. Flavours range from quirky to traditional - all made in small batches and daily new flavours. Good coffee too, expect a queue even in the middle of a winter.
There are several good chocolate places right next to each other in Brunstfield. This one is a personal favourite. Good for connoisseurs of dark chocolate. Go for a chocolate espresso - no milk added still gorgeously creamy. Amazing cakes, ice-creams and chocolates. They are always busy so you may have to wait. They also do single origin chocolate bars from other produces.
71 locals recommend
Chocolate Tree
123 Bruntsfield PlThere are several good chocolate places right next to each other in Brunstfield. This one is a personal favourite. Good for connoisseurs of dark chocolate. Go for a chocolate espresso - no milk added still gorgeously creamy. Amazing cakes, ice-creams and chocolates. They are always busy so you may have to wait. They also do single origin chocolate bars from other produces.
I believe this is the largest market in Edinburgh, every Saturday till about 1pm. Great selection of local meats, breads, fruit and vegetables. And a wonderful atmosphere too - often a band/ musician in place too all in the shadow of the castle.
88 locals recommend
Edinburgh Farmers' Market
Castle TerraceI believe this is the largest market in Edinburgh, every Saturday till about 1pm. Great selection of local meats, breads, fruit and vegetables. And a wonderful atmosphere too - often a band/ musician in place too all in the shadow of the castle.
A must for a Sunday. A little market but right in the middle of a foodie area - there are so many great cafes and restaurants around too - it's a wonderful way to spend an afternoon. Plenty of quirky second hand book/ music shops to pick up a bargain nearby.
325 locals recommend
Stockbridge Market
Saunders StreetA must for a Sunday. A little market but right in the middle of a foodie area - there are so many great cafes and restaurants around too - it's a wonderful way to spend an afternoon. Plenty of quirky second hand book/ music shops to pick up a bargain nearby.
Fairly recent addition to Home street foodie scene. Portuguese and Brazilian themed cafe has great deserts, coffee, and also caters well for lunch. It is a very quirky and nice space inside.
7 locals recommend
The Colony Gourmet
58 Home StFairly recent addition to Home street foodie scene. Portuguese and Brazilian themed cafe has great deserts, coffee, and also caters well for lunch. It is a very quirky and nice space inside.
Don't be put off by the unfamiliar - try one of the generously sized and inexpensive cakes! a great range of speciality breads are also made daily. They now also make coffee and freshly squeezed juice to take away, as well as nice savoury lunch pastries with vegetarian options available.
7 locals recommend
The Pine Tree Bakery
64 Home StreetDon't be put off by the unfamiliar - try one of the generously sized and inexpensive cakes! a great range of speciality breads are also made daily. They now also make coffee and freshly squeezed juice to take away, as well as nice savoury lunch pastries with vegetarian options available.
A lovely area to visit with a unique vibe. Local boutique and craft shops, cornucopia of bakeries and desert places, great drinking night spots and a lovely local atmosphere. Pick up a beer or an ice cream and sit outside at Brunstfield Links to enjoy. Or even have a game of golf!
22 locals recommend
Bruntsfield Place
Bruntsfield PlaceA lovely area to visit with a unique vibe. Local boutique and craft shops, cornucopia of bakeries and desert places, great drinking night spots and a lovely local atmosphere. Pick up a beer or an ice cream and sit outside at Brunstfield Links to enjoy. Or even have a game of golf!
Entertainment & Activities
It's good for the kids - there's a better equipped one on the other side of the Meadows too.
12 locals recommend
Meadows playpark
It's good for the kids - there's a better equipped one on the other side of the Meadows too.
Not your fancy super theatre - Cameo is small and very much part of the community. They have a cosy bar with nice deserts and run monthly movie quizzes!
255 locals recommend
Cameo Picturehouse
38 Home StNot your fancy super theatre - Cameo is small and very much part of the community. They have a cosy bar with nice deserts and run monthly movie quizzes!
Wider range of movies and more screens than the Cameo, great food, fiendishly difficult monthly movie quiz. Also hosts the Edinburgh Film Festival in the summer.
184 locals recommend
Filmhouse
88 Lothian RdWider range of movies and more screens than the Cameo, great food, fiendishly difficult monthly movie quiz. Also hosts the Edinburgh Film Festival in the summer.
Unique for kids of all ages (including 70+!). Brilliant entertainment and great for a rainy day. Take your camera! It does get busy so you are likely to have to queue to get it but it's worth it.
437 locals recommend
Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
549 CastlehillUnique for kids of all ages (including 70+!). Brilliant entertainment and great for a rainy day. Take your camera! It does get busy so you are likely to have to queue to get it but it's worth it.
A great way to spend an hour with friends - there are several of these in the city. This one came recommended to me!
13 locals recommend
Escape Rooms Edinburgh
125 Great Jct StA great way to spend an hour with friends - there are several of these in the city. This one came recommended to me!
Shopping
A shop specialising at Latin, Spanish and some American food and wine. Fresh guacamole is delicious. They do regular wine and cheese tastings.
15 locals recommend
Lupe Pinto's Deli
24 Leven St A shop specialising at Latin, Spanish and some American food and wine. Fresh guacamole is delicious. They do regular wine and cheese tastings.
Shops like this don't exist any more - it is a treasure trove of semi-precious, affordable jewellery from every corner of the world.
Uta's Joolz Ltd
31 Leven StShops like this don't exist any more - it is a treasure trove of semi-precious, affordable jewellery from every corner of the world.
Hoochie Coochie
48 Home StQuirky and unique items for both guys and gals - definitely not on the high street!
More designer and upmarket shops than the main hubbub of Princess Street. Anthropologie is a personal highlight. Head to Thistle Street for great local foodie restaurants. This street is alive at night with a few trendy bars and clubs. Check out the Dome for Christmas too!
309 locals recommend
George Street
George StreetMore designer and upmarket shops than the main hubbub of Princess Street. Anthropologie is a personal highlight. Head to Thistle Street for great local foodie restaurants. This street is alive at night with a few trendy bars and clubs. Check out the Dome for Christmas too!
This a street just up the hill from the flat with lots of small boutiques for clothing, jewellery, shoes and gifts - especially gifts! It is littered with wonderful cafes and restaurants too.
18 locals recommend
Morningside Road
Morningside RoadThis a street just up the hill from the flat with lots of small boutiques for clothing, jewellery, shoes and gifts - especially gifts! It is littered with wonderful cafes and restaurants too.
Stockbridge is another upmarket neighbourhood of Edinburgh. Lots of foodie places, a few boutique shops but it's the excellent second-hand shops that are worth a look - especially for books and records!
350 locals recommend
Stockbridge
Stockbridge is another upmarket neighbourhood of Edinburgh. Lots of foodie places, a few boutique shops but it's the excellent second-hand shops that are worth a look - especially for books and records!
This is an Edinburgh institution. A great independent health food store - with a wonderful range or food from local producers, bakers and farms. If you are after wholesome, healthy or even health supplements that are not on the high street - this is the place to go for. Amazing choice.
165 locals recommend
Real Foods
37 Broughton StThis is an Edinburgh institution. A great independent health food store - with a wonderful range or food from local producers, bakers and farms. If you are after wholesome, healthy or even health supplements that are not on the high street - this is the place to go for. Amazing choice.
Essentials
Everything you need for your stay and it's late night opening too. There is a cash machine next to the entrance.
60 locals recommend
Scotmid Co-operative
5-19 Leven StEverything you need for your stay and it's late night opening too. There is a cash machine next to the entrance.
Tollcross Post Office
33 Home StYour local post office, open on Saturdays too
Elite Drycleaners
5 Leven StFriendly local service and quick turnaround for washing.
Arts & Culture
King's Theatre
2 Leven StBeautiful building. Check listings in advance, they sell out!
There is lots to see and do for all the family. They often have special exhibitions that you have to pay for. Lots of interactive displays that are fun for children and adults. Museum Lates are worth looking our for on their website - these are themed, dress up for events for adults with live music and other entertainment.
1378 locals recommend
National Museum of Scotland
There is lots to see and do for all the family. They often have special exhibitions that you have to pay for. Lots of interactive displays that are fun for children and adults. Museum Lates are worth looking our for on their website - these are themed, dress up for events for adults with live music and other entertainment.
Great permanent exhibition that is free (donation suggested) and frequent large-scale exhibitions. If you are here during the winter you can see Turner's watercolour collection.
1010 locals recommend
Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
75 Belford RdGreat permanent exhibition that is free (donation suggested) and frequent large-scale exhibitions. If you are here during the winter you can see Turner's watercolour collection.
It has landscaped gardens that are a work of art in its own right not to mention the great exhibitions, if modern art is your thing. Take a free bus from the National Gallery.
1010 locals recommend
Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
75 Belford RdIt has landscaped gardens that are a work of art in its own right not to mention the great exhibitions, if modern art is your thing. Take a free bus from the National Gallery.
This is a great street for art lovers - it has several galleries to suit all tastes. There are also wonderful cafes closer to the bottom of the street.
15 locals recommend
Dundas Street
Dundas StreetThis is a great street for art lovers - it has several galleries to suit all tastes. There are also wonderful cafes closer to the bottom of the street.
Drinks & Nightlife
Great local place with lots of character which extend to the back to a good pub restaurant
67 locals recommend
Bennets Bar
8 Leven StGreat local place with lots of character which extend to the back to a good pub restaurant
Sightseeing
Full of atmosphere and history. Find the time to walk through the rooms and chapels, a lot of Scottish history pages got turned there. A stunning organ too - often have recitals and concerts - look up online for timetable
152 locals recommend
St Giles' Cathedral
High StreetFull of atmosphere and history. Find the time to walk through the rooms and chapels, a lot of Scottish history pages got turned there. A stunning organ too - often have recitals and concerts - look up online for timetable
Not to everyone's taste in terms of this being a modern piece of architecture! Lovely to sit outside int he summer with the Salisbury Craig to the right. A lot of controversy with the locals, so interesting from that point of view too. It is cross the road from Holyrood Palace and often has exhibitions inside.
314 locals recommend
Scottish Parliament Building
Not to everyone's taste in terms of this being a modern piece of architecture! Lovely to sit outside int he summer with the Salisbury Craig to the right. A lot of controversy with the locals, so interesting from that point of view too. It is cross the road from Holyrood Palace and often has exhibitions inside.
An amazing view point of the city. Aim for the 1 o'clock gun shot too :-)
1961 locals recommend
Edinburgh Castle
CastlehillAn amazing view point of the city. Aim for the 1 o'clock gun shot too :-)