Guidebook for Edinburgh
Essentials
LloydsPharmacy In Sainsburys
Moray Park TerraceClosest large supermarket.
Scotland's oldest delicatessen and Italian wine merchant. The brand is very strong in Edinburgh and they have cafes and eateries dotted all over town. It's worth looking at their website.
189 locals recommend
Valvona Crolla
19 Elm RowScotland's oldest delicatessen and Italian wine merchant. The brand is very strong in Edinburgh and they have cafes and eateries dotted all over town. It's worth looking at their website.
This is where I do my food shopping it stocks a good range of basics, fresh fruit and veg. Just to be clear it is on EASTER ROAD and not on London Road as it looks on the map . Tech failure AirBnB.
115 locals recommend
Scotmid Co-operative
112-120 Easter RdThis is where I do my food shopping it stocks a good range of basics, fresh fruit and veg. Just to be clear it is on EASTER ROAD and not on London Road as it looks on the map . Tech failure AirBnB.
Arts & Culture
A landmark for contemporary art, craft and design built around a spectacular tapestry studio. Has a lovely cafe. FREE
39 locals recommend
Dovecot Studios
10 Infirmary StA landmark for contemporary art, craft and design built around a spectacular tapestry studio. Has a lovely cafe. FREE
Always exhibiting something interesting in modern or contemporary art. FREE
19 locals recommend
Ingleby Gallery
33 Barony StAlways exhibiting something interesting in modern or contemporary art. FREE
Great space with both local and international exhibitions. Great bookshop and cafe. FREE or donation.
103 locals recommend
Fruitmarket Gallery
45 Market StGreat space with both local and international exhibitions. Great bookshop and cafe. FREE or donation.
Promotes young contemporary artists alongside those of the established school. FREE
8 locals recommend
Open Eye Gallery
34 Abercromby PlPromotes young contemporary artists alongside those of the established school. FREE
If cinema is your thing this one is a 10 minute walk from Maryfield with places to eat in the centre and nearby.
147 locals recommend
Vue Cinemas
61/11 Leith StIf cinema is your thing this one is a 10 minute walk from Maryfield with places to eat in the centre and nearby.
Shopping
A vintage emporium. This store is like a tardis. Check out their second hand cashmere. Situated in the Grassmarket there is plenty to do and see in the area. ££
88 locals recommend
Armstrongs Vintage
81-83 GrassmarketA vintage emporium. This store is like a tardis. Check out their second hand cashmere. Situated in the Grassmarket there is plenty to do and see in the area. ££
Unique hat shop for both men and women. Even if you don't want a hat I defy you not to try one on. ££
Fabhatrix
13 CowgateheadUnique hat shop for both men and women. Even if you don't want a hat I defy you not to try one on. ££
Kim and Jane own this store and have a great eye for picking pieces that are just a bit different. Located in the West End Village there are lots of other shops to browse in the area. £££
6 locals recommend
Frontiers Woman
16B Stafford StKim and Jane own this store and have a great eye for picking pieces that are just a bit different. Located in the West End Village there are lots of other shops to browse in the area. £££
Where style replaces trend led fashion along with high quality luxurious cashmere designed by Lisa Taylor. £££
19 locals recommend
Epitome
35 Dundas StWhere style replaces trend led fashion along with high quality luxurious cashmere designed by Lisa Taylor. £££
Sarah runs this boutique which sells women's designer clothing in a very low pressure atmosphere. You can look and drool without feeling guilty at walking away without making a purchase. £££
11 locals recommend
Jane Davidson
52 Thistle StSarah runs this boutique which sells women's designer clothing in a very low pressure atmosphere. You can look and drool without feeling guilty at walking away without making a purchase. £££
Should you feel the urge to invest in a kilt whilst in town this is a designer boutique for quirky, off-the-peg or bespoke kilts in either tartan or contemporary textiles. £££
7 locals recommend
21st Century Kilts 1996 | EDINBURGH
59 High StreetShould you feel the urge to invest in a kilt whilst in town this is a designer boutique for quirky, off-the-peg or bespoke kilts in either tartan or contemporary textiles. £££
It's always nice to know where this store is located if it's in a city.
107 locals recommend
John Lewis & Partners
60 Leith StIt's always nice to know where this store is located if it's in a city.
Entertainment & Activities
A great family attraction taking visitors through history from the big bang to modern day. Tickets are cheaper online and valid for any day. Located behind the Scottish parliament and Holyrood Palace.
303 locals recommend
Dynamic Earth
Holyrood RoadA great family attraction taking visitors through history from the big bang to modern day. Tickets are cheaper online and valid for any day. Located behind the Scottish parliament and Holyrood Palace.
I often take young visitors here. You can easily spend the best part of a day (and empty your wallet in the process). Once inside all the attractions are an easy walk.
308 locals recommend
Edinburgh Zoo
134 Corstorphine RdI often take young visitors here. You can easily spend the best part of a day (and empty your wallet in the process). Once inside all the attractions are an easy walk.
Home to some of the finest views of the city and can easily be combined with a visit to the castle.
437 locals recommend
Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
549 CastlehillHome to some of the finest views of the city and can easily be combined with a visit to the castle.
You cannot come to Edinburgh and not see the castle. The historic fortress dominates the city's skyline. If you don't want a tour visit the esplanade at lunchtime and hear the 1 o'clock gun.
1961 locals recommend
Edinburgh Castle
CastlehillYou cannot come to Edinburgh and not see the castle. The historic fortress dominates the city's skyline. If you don't want a tour visit the esplanade at lunchtime and hear the 1 o'clock gun.
Sightseeing
The official residence of The Queen in Scotland is so close to us that you can walk there in 10 minutes. Either take a tour or peek through the gates and then head up the Royal Mile to the Old Town.
462 locals recommend
Palace of Holyroodhouse
CanongateThe official residence of The Queen in Scotland is so close to us that you can walk there in 10 minutes. Either take a tour or peek through the gates and then head up the Royal Mile to the Old Town.
Food Scene
Authentic inexpensive Italian cuisine and pizzeria. Great service, jolly family restaurant. £
241 locals recommend
La Favorita
331-325 Leith WalkAuthentic inexpensive Italian cuisine and pizzeria. Great service, jolly family restaurant. £
Quattro Zero
41 Queensferry StPerfect for speedy quality Italian food in the West End. £
Authentic delicious Cantonese that has celebrated 40 years in Edinburgh. £
28 locals recommend
Loon Fung
2 Warriston CresAuthentic delicious Cantonese that has celebrated 40 years in Edinburgh. £
Communal tables with a fixed 6 course dinner in the evenings or a la carte at lunchtime. 5 minutes walk and they grow their own vegetables in the garden. ££
339 locals recommend
The Gardener's Cottage
1 London RoadCommunal tables with a fixed 6 course dinner in the evenings or a la carte at lunchtime. 5 minutes walk and they grow their own vegetables in the garden. ££
If you want a civilised food experience on the Royal Mile. This is it. Excellent at lunchtime as well as in the evening. ££
128 locals recommend
Angels with Bagpipes
343 High StIf you want a civilised food experience on the Royal Mile. This is it. Excellent at lunchtime as well as in the evening. ££
the dogs
110 Hanover StA stalwart of Edinburgh's budget dining scene. £
Authentic French cuisine created from a Scottish larder. A favourite of mine and 15 minutes walk from the house. ££
173 locals recommend
L'Escargot Bleu Restaurant
56 Broughton StAuthentic French cuisine created from a Scottish larder. A favourite of mine and 15 minutes walk from the house. ££
This is a unique seafood experience. It usually lists itself as a bar but the food is fabulous and the setting reminiscent of a ship in the days of Nelson. Try Malmaison next door for a cocktail. ££
159 locals recommend
The Ship On The Shore
ShoreThis is a unique seafood experience. It usually lists itself as a bar but the food is fabulous and the setting reminiscent of a ship in the days of Nelson. Try Malmaison next door for a cocktail. ££
Martin Wishart's contemporary brasserie. Usually buzzing and the food good. Have a drink at Panda & Sons before or after dinner. ££
49 locals recommend
The Honours Brasserie
58A N Castle StMartin Wishart's contemporary brasserie. Usually buzzing and the food good. Have a drink at Panda & Sons before or after dinner. ££
Cheap and cheerful Italian with quick service. ideal if you are heading to the Vue cinema. £
22 locals recommend
Giuliano's @ The Playhouse
18-19 Union PlCheap and cheerful Italian with quick service. ideal if you are heading to the Vue cinema. £
It may not be the smartest of venues but I would recommend it as one of the best Thai's in Edinburgh and it won't break the bank. £
32 locals recommend
Phuket Pavilion
8 Union StIt may not be the smartest of venues but I would recommend it as one of the best Thai's in Edinburgh and it won't break the bank. £
Modern Thai cuisine in the New Town. The ambiance is good, the food excellent and the street enchanting. ££
54 locals recommend
Dusit
49A Thistle StModern Thai cuisine in the New Town. The ambiance is good, the food excellent and the street enchanting. ££
Casual seafood and fish bistro in a stylish converted warehouse. Buzzing atmosphere and in a charming street. ££
119 locals recommend
Fishers In The City
58 Thistle StreetCasual seafood and fish bistro in a stylish converted warehouse. Buzzing atmosphere and in a charming street. ££
Drinks & Nightlife
Posh public house that is really a gastro dining. Sells itself as nature to plate. ££
378 locals recommend
The Scran and Scallie
1 Comely Bank RdPosh public house that is really a gastro dining. Sells itself as nature to plate. ££
Cocktails and conviviality. Hidden behind a barber's shop facade it feels like going back to prohibition and slightly daring.
297 locals recommend
Panda & Sons
79 Queen StCocktails and conviviality. Hidden behind a barber's shop facade it feels like going back to prohibition and slightly daring.
It's a hotel but the bar is lovely for a drink before eating down on the shore. £
17 locals recommend
Malmaison Edinburgh
1 Tower PlIt's a hotel but the bar is lovely for a drink before eating down on the shore. £
Excellent for a quick bite and always nice to see the tempting offer in the store each side of the escalator on the way up. There is a brasserie up there as well as Yo Sushi and a deli. ££
84 locals recommend
Harvey Nichols Forth Floor Brasserie and Bar
30-34 St Andrew SquareExcellent for a quick bite and always nice to see the tempting offer in the store each side of the escalator on the way up. There is a brasserie up there as well as Yo Sushi and a deli. ££