Guidebook for Edinburgh
Food Scene
A nice bar/restaurant that serves decent versions of fast food classics - think posh burgers, pulled pork and so on. Top tip - the hot dogs are really nice. And you order sides separately, so it's nice if you want a quick snack, and not a big meal.
28 locals recommend
Diablo Loco
74-78 South Clerk StreetA nice bar/restaurant that serves decent versions of fast food classics - think posh burgers, pulled pork and so on. Top tip - the hot dogs are really nice. And you order sides separately, so it's nice if you want a quick snack, and not a big meal.
This is a nice pub/restaurant to go to for a proper sit down meal. They have a really big, interesting menu with lots of interesting mains and special in the £10-20 range.
54 locals recommend
The Salisbury Arms
58 Dalkeith RdThis is a nice pub/restaurant to go to for a proper sit down meal. They have a really big, interesting menu with lots of interesting mains and special in the £10-20 range.
This is one of my favourite restaurants in Edinburgh. Their trademark is quirky, well cooked food - they often have interesting specials, pork belly stews, even unusual meats like squirrel and pheasant. And it's a trendy locations too - a big open plan first-floor area where you can look down on the street and watch the world go by.
41 locals recommend
Spoon
6 A Nicolson StThis is one of my favourite restaurants in Edinburgh. Their trademark is quirky, well cooked food - they often have interesting specials, pork belly stews, even unusual meats like squirrel and pheasant. And it's a trendy locations too - a big open plan first-floor area where you can look down on the street and watch the world go by.
Very underrated restaurant - lots of delicious, well-priced Turkish dishes. I always order meze-style to enjoy lots of different grilled meats, hummus, etc. It's quite reasonably priced too - normally about £15-20 for two courses worth. It's quite small though - best to book.
40 locals recommend
Hanedan
41 W Preston StVery underrated restaurant - lots of delicious, well-priced Turkish dishes. I always order meze-style to enjoy lots of different grilled meats, hummus, etc. It's quite reasonably priced too - normally about £15-20 for two courses worth. It's quite small though - best to book.
Duddingston is a lovely village that is just 20-25 minutes walk from the flat past Arthur's Seat, but it feels like it's in the middle of the countryside. The Sheep Heid is a lovely pub and restaurant with good ales.
167 locals recommend
The Sheep Heid Inn
43-45 The CausewayDuddingston is a lovely village that is just 20-25 minutes walk from the flat past Arthur's Seat, but it feels like it's in the middle of the countryside. The Sheep Heid is a lovely pub and restaurant with good ales.
This is a cheap and cheerful Chinese just across the street, with the usual takeaway staples. They are pretty fast - if you order by phone from the flat, food is normally pretty much ready by the time you arrive.
Hot Kung Fu
6 Newington RdThis is a cheap and cheerful Chinese just across the street, with the usual takeaway staples. They are pretty fast - if you order by phone from the flat, food is normally pretty much ready by the time you arrive.
This is both a restaurant and a takeaway (the deliver as well, but that can be quite slow). They do nice versions of the usual British/Indian/Bangladeshi classics. They also do super-duper spicy novelty stuff, but I'm too old for all that nonsense!
23 locals recommend
Kismot
29 St. Leonard's StThis is both a restaurant and a takeaway (the deliver as well, but that can be quite slow). They do nice versions of the usual British/Indian/Bangladeshi classics. They also do super-duper spicy novelty stuff, but I'm too old for all that nonsense!
The Codfather
5a SciennesGreat fish and chip shop that will make you a dinner you can't refuse, etc etc.
This the posh pizza delivery service for when Domino's won't cut it. They have a really impressive range of pizzas which are all delicious. They take their time though, usually an hour at least, so plan ahead.
19 locals recommend
La Favorita Delivered Morningside
This the posh pizza delivery service for when Domino's won't cut it. They have a really impressive range of pizzas which are all delicious. They take their time though, usually an hour at least, so plan ahead.
This a great place for a quick and tasty meal. They specialise in Mexican-style food: burritos, fajitas, tacos and so on. They work in a 'build-your-own' style of picking your ingredients for them to assemble in front of your very eyes.
30 locals recommend
Illegal Jack's
44-45 St Patrick SquareThis a great place for a quick and tasty meal. They specialise in Mexican-style food: burritos, fajitas, tacos and so on. They work in a 'build-your-own' style of picking your ingredients for them to assemble in front of your very eyes.
Parks & Nature
Arthur's Seat is simply stunning. Amazing views across the city and beyond, and some beautiful walks. It's surprisingly big as well - you can lose yourself for hours up here. Be careful though - the weather is changeable!
1859 locals recommend
Arthur's Seat
Arthur's Seat is simply stunning. Amazing views across the city and beyond, and some beautiful walks. It's surprisingly big as well - you can lose yourself for hours up here. Be careful though - the weather is changeable!
The classic outdoor place to relax in Edinburgh summers! Chill here with a bottle of wine and a barbacue - this place is buzzing late into the night during the festival. Feel free to borrow one of the blankets from my living room in case it gets chilly!
615 locals recommend
The Meadows
Melville DriveThe classic outdoor place to relax in Edinburgh summers! Chill here with a bottle of wine and a barbacue - this place is buzzing late into the night during the festival. Feel free to borrow one of the blankets from my living room in case it gets chilly!
If you fancy a day or an afternoon away from the city, Cramond Island is lovely. There's a tidal causeway, meaning you have to check the tide times so you don't get stranded (been there, done that!). It's a lovely place with nice beaches. The 41 bus (which you can catch from the Meadows) goes straight there, though it takes a while (c.45mins).
124 locals recommend
Cramond Island
If you fancy a day or an afternoon away from the city, Cramond Island is lovely. There's a tidal causeway, meaning you have to check the tide times so you don't get stranded (been there, done that!). It's a lovely place with nice beaches. The 41 bus (which you can catch from the Meadows) goes straight there, though it takes a while (c.45mins).
Entertainment & Activities
A genuinely great independent cinema that has an endless range of carefully chosen films. If you're a cineophile that loves to stretch yourself with forgotten classics, obscure foreign stuff, etc, this is the place to go. The food is quite good here as well.
184 locals recommend
Filmhouse
88 Lothian RdA genuinely great independent cinema that has an endless range of carefully chosen films. If you're a cineophile that loves to stretch yourself with forgotten classics, obscure foreign stuff, etc, this is the place to go. The food is quite good here as well.
Shows a mixture of independent small stuff alongside more mainstream releases. One of the oldest cinema in Scotland (established in 1914), the main Screen 1 is has some glorious period features. I would avoid Screen 2, however - it's a weird shape, many of the seat provide a poor view.
255 locals recommend
Cameo Picturehouse
38 Home StShows a mixture of independent small stuff alongside more mainstream releases. One of the oldest cinema in Scotland (established in 1914), the main Screen 1 is has some glorious period features. I would avoid Screen 2, however - it's a weird shape, many of the seat provide a poor view.
Sightseeing
Yes, I know it's not the most original, and it's quite expensive, but it's still worth going round - the long history of the place is really interesting. Go on a nice day, so you can enjoy the panoramic views.
1961 locals recommend
Edinburgh Castle
CastlehillYes, I know it's not the most original, and it's quite expensive, but it's still worth going round - the long history of the place is really interesting. Go on a nice day, so you can enjoy the panoramic views.
Along with Arthur's Seat, this offers the best view in town. And it's a much easier walk to the top as well! There's a little café at the top as well.
1098 locals recommend
Calton Hill
Calton HillAlong with Arthur's Seat, this offers the best view in town. And it's a much easier walk to the top as well! There's a little café at the top as well.
Drinks & Nightlife
They've gone all-in with the gardening theme here - lots of nice cocktails though!
35 locals recommend
St Andrews Brewing Co. Potterrow
32-34 PotterrowThey've gone all-in with the gardening theme here - lots of nice cocktails though!
This is a really romantic, characterful venue in a rustic stone basement. Good for cocktails, and they serve good food too. It's busy though - you might need to book.
92 locals recommend
Under The Stairs
3A Merchant StThis is a really romantic, characterful venue in a rustic stone basement. Good for cocktails, and they serve good food too. It's busy though - you might need to book.
This is a really charming bar that is part of the Summerhall building. It's a fascinating complex - it used to be part of the University's veterinary school, and has many attractive original features. They distill their own gin on the premises, so be sure to try that.
161 locals recommend
Summerhall
This is a really charming bar that is part of the Summerhall building. It's a fascinating complex - it used to be part of the University's veterinary school, and has many attractive original features. They distill their own gin on the premises, so be sure to try that.
Essentials
I buy most of my groceries from here, and they have surprisingly good range. Open 7am-11pm 7 days a week - but remember alcohol sales in shops in Scotland stop at 10pm.
122 locals recommend
Co-op Food
114 Dalry RdI buy most of my groceries from here, and they have surprisingly good range. Open 7am-11pm 7 days a week - but remember alcohol sales in shops in Scotland stop at 10pm.
Shopping
Tills
1 Hope Park CresCharming second hand bookshop.