Guidebook for Edinburgh
Food Scene
All day full Scottish breakfast (vegetarian option) with Haggis.
Soups and sandwiches with lovely bread, smoothies etc.
Open til 8pm.
80 locals recommend
Kilimanjaro Coffee
104 Nicolson StAll day full Scottish breakfast (vegetarian option) with Haggis.
Soups and sandwiches with lovely bread, smoothies etc.
Open til 8pm.
Snax Cafe
118 Buccleuch StAll day full breakfast, veggie options, right outside my door.
Excellent chocolates and cakes made locally and ethically, large selection of teas and coffee. Vegan options.
71 locals recommend
Chocolate Tree
123 Bruntsfield PlExcellent chocolates and cakes made locally and ethically, large selection of teas and coffee. Vegan options.
Buffalo
12-14 Chapel StExcellent nearby steak house
Very nice kebap, falafel etc. Seems to be always open - has never let me down.
7 locals recommend
Palmyra Pizza
22 Nicolson StVery nice kebap, falafel etc. Seems to be always open - has never let me down.
Noor
56 S Clerk StThe best Indian takeaway in the world.
Kalpna
2-3 St Patrick SquareAll-vegetarian restaurant
The Boat House
22 High StExcellent restaurant for a half-day trip to see the Forth Bridges.
They love making good coffee and even offer a generous selection of hot chocolates.
236 locals recommend
Artisan Roast
57 Broughton StThey love making good coffee and even offer a generous selection of hot chocolates.
Greenmantle Bar & Kitchen
44 W CrosscausewayTraditional pub with traditional food.
Looking Glass Books
36 Simpson LoanHidden away little café/bookshop that holds all the magic of Wonderland.
Delicious hot drinks including several flavours of hot chocolate, but most of all - cakes!
119 locals recommend
Lovecrumbs West Port
155 West PortDelicious hot drinks including several flavours of hot chocolate, but most of all - cakes!
Artfully combining the very best treats from Edinburgh's producers of tea, coffee, cake and chocolate with their own soup and breakfast items. Vegan and gluten free options.
15 locals recommend
Union of Genius
8 Forrest RdArtfully combining the very best treats from Edinburgh's producers of tea, coffee, cake and chocolate with their own soup and breakfast items. Vegan and gluten free options.
A large selection of tea, cakes and other foods - delicious gluten free options.
16 locals recommend
eteaket Tea Room
41 Frederick StA large selection of tea, cakes and other foods - delicious gluten free options.
Himalaya Centre, Tibetan Cafe
20 S Clerk StInteresting Tibetan food, lovely atmosphere.
10 to 10 in Delhi
67 Nicolson StAmazing food and the best Chai in town.
Indian food with a Scottish twist - and the infamous hot curry eating contest, for the brave.
23 locals recommend
Kismot
29 St. Leonard's StIndian food with a Scottish twist - and the infamous hot curry eating contest, for the brave.
Burgers. Pretty much what it says on the box, but well made, thoughtfully presented, and inexpensive. Yummy veggie options.
Brgr
4-6 Nicolson StBurgers. Pretty much what it says on the box, but well made, thoughtfully presented, and inexpensive. Yummy veggie options.
Massive open fire in the middle of a large, classy bar/restaurant. The food is excellent and has an unusual twist.
27 locals recommend
OX184
184-186 CowgateMassive open fire in the middle of a large, classy bar/restaurant. The food is excellent and has an unusual twist.
All day breakfast, British and Anatolian classics. Yummy smoothies, and currently my winner for Best French Toast in Town.
6 locals recommend
Olly Bongo's
4 Teviot PlAll day breakfast, British and Anatolian classics. Yummy smoothies, and currently my winner for Best French Toast in Town.
Drinks & Nightlife
Cozy, very friendly pub with good food (try the nachos, veggie option).
45 locals recommend
The Auld Hoose
19 Forth StCozy, very friendly pub with good food (try the nachos, veggie option).
Regent Bar
2 Montrose TerraceVibrant, friendly pub with excellent food. Famous also for ales.
Stylish bar in black and gold and mirrors. They do nice food and are a performance venue.
104 locals recommend
The Voodoo Rooms
19a W Register StStylish bar in black and gold and mirrors. They do nice food and are a performance venue.
Because it's my Local. Grand selection of drinks, interesting beers, ales, and knowledgeable in their Whiskys.
20 locals recommend
The Dagda Bar
93-95 Buccleuch StBecause it's my Local. Grand selection of drinks, interesting beers, ales, and knowledgeable in their Whiskys.
Essentials
Scotmid Co-operative
91-93 Nicolson StreetNearby 24hr supermarket
Choco-Latte
39 S Clerk StNearest supermarket
Entertainment & Activities
Fantastic exhibition of optical illusions, holographic effects, 3D things etc. Must-do for families!
437 locals recommend
Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
549 CastlehillFantastic exhibition of optical illusions, holographic effects, 3D things etc. Must-do for families!
Old and beautiful cinema - see what's on in Screen 1! Their bar is very nice.
255 locals recommend
Cameo Picturehouse
38 Home StOld and beautiful cinema - see what's on in Screen 1! Their bar is very nice.
Venue for workshops, artist's studios, and art exhibitions. Always worth checking out the programme.
St Margaret's House
151 London RdVenue for workshops, artist's studios, and art exhibitions. Always worth checking out the programme.
Sightseeing
Arthur's Seat
A gentle walk for great views over Edinburgh and to the sea.
Less tacky than most of the Ghost Tours, it shows you what lies beneath the Old Town streets.
373 locals recommend
The Real Mary King's Close
2 High StLess tacky than most of the Ghost Tours, it shows you what lies beneath the Old Town streets.
Great views over the city and out to sea, especially recommended near sunset.
1098 locals recommend
Calton Hill
Calton HillGreat views over the city and out to sea, especially recommended near sunset.
Impressive rail bridge right next to a similarly impressive road bridge. Also the starting point of a nice shore walk, and near a lovely restaurant that I highly recommend.
49 locals recommend
Forth Bridge
Impressive rail bridge right next to a similarly impressive road bridge. Also the starting point of a nice shore walk, and near a lovely restaurant that I highly recommend.
Everything Else
On a sunny day, have a picnic on the Meadows, like every other happy soul in Edinburgh.
East Meadows Play Park
On a sunny day, have a picnic on the Meadows, like every other happy soul in Edinburgh.
Getting Around
Hire cars, conveniently located in town rather than at the airport or further out, and for a decent price as far as I can tell.
8 locals recommend
Condor Car & Van Hire
45 Lochrin PlHire cars, conveniently located in town rather than at the airport or further out, and for a decent price as far as I can tell.