Guidebook for Edinburgh

Kyra
Guidebook for Edinburgh

Food Scene

Being connoisseurs of their trade, Sandro and the gang really know their stuff. You can be sure each coffee is brewed to perfection - they'll throw it away and start again if it doesn't meet their own very high expectations. They can also make a wonderful soup!
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Castello Coffee Co
7A Castle St
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Being connoisseurs of their trade, Sandro and the gang really know their stuff. You can be sure each coffee is brewed to perfection - they'll throw it away and start again if it doesn't meet their own very high expectations. They can also make a wonderful soup!
Sicily is just a stone's throw away. This family run cafe is so friendly and has bags of character. Oh, great coffee and scrummy food too!
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Gaia
32 Crighton Pl
46 personas locales recomiendan
Sicily is just a stone's throw away. This family run cafe is so friendly and has bags of character. Oh, great coffee and scrummy food too!
Once upon a time Edinburgh's coffee scene was rubbish. Then Artisan Roast appeared and everything changed. Now Edinburgh boasts one of the best coffee scenes in the country. Great place to read a newspaper and drink tremendous coffee. If you have young kids then ask for a teddy bear babychino and watch the smiles grow!
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Artisan Roast
57 Broughton St
236 personas locales recomiendan
Once upon a time Edinburgh's coffee scene was rubbish. Then Artisan Roast appeared and everything changed. Now Edinburgh boasts one of the best coffee scenes in the country. Great place to read a newspaper and drink tremendous coffee. If you have young kids then ask for a teddy bear babychino and watch the smiles grow!
I've devoured so many burritos from Los Cardos that they start my order before I barely set foot in their door. The *best* takeaway burritos east of Mexico and very good value too. Smiley staff who do the chat and serve better than anyone.
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Los Cardos
224 Leith Walk
68 personas locales recomiendan
I've devoured so many burritos from Los Cardos that they start my order before I barely set foot in their door. The *best* takeaway burritos east of Mexico and very good value too. Smiley staff who do the chat and serve better than anyone.
Very good French cuisine at night and great cafe by day. It's very popular with theatre goers just to its location across the road from the famous Playhouse Theatre. You'll be surprised how big it is, since it seems quite small from the exterior!
61 personas locales recomiendan
Cafe Marlayne
13 Antigua Street
61 personas locales recomiendan
Very good French cuisine at night and great cafe by day. It's very popular with theatre goers just to its location across the road from the famous Playhouse Theatre. You'll be surprised how big it is, since it seems quite small from the exterior!
Very good value cafe that serves oversized coffees (and cakes!) in an easy-going establishment. Their sandwich selection is huge! Quite spacious so ideal if you have young kids.
31 personas locales recomiendan
Rocksalt
46 Constitution St
31 personas locales recomiendan
Very good value cafe that serves oversized coffees (and cakes!) in an easy-going establishment. Their sandwich selection is huge! Quite spacious so ideal if you have young kids.
This is a small but wonderful restaurant that has created a real buzz in the local dining scene since opening in 2015, so much so that you really need to book at least a week in advance! I know I haven't said much about this place as you really just ought to book it - you will not be disappointed!
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The Walnut
9 Leith Walk
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This is a small but wonderful restaurant that has created a real buzz in the local dining scene since opening in 2015, so much so that you really need to book at least a week in advance! I know I haven't said much about this place as you really just ought to book it - you will not be disappointed!
You've arrived late into Edinburgh and had nothing to eat. Everywhere is closed - apart from Cafe Piccante, open daily until 1am. Fish and chips to a techno soundbeat!
27 personas locales recomiendan
Cafe Piccante
19 Broughton St
27 personas locales recomiendan
You've arrived late into Edinburgh and had nothing to eat. Everywhere is closed - apart from Cafe Piccante, open daily until 1am. Fish and chips to a techno soundbeat!
I haven't been here but it gets great reviews! Run by famous Scottish broadcaster and comedian Hardeep Singh Kohli, a purveyor of Indian cuisine served with local craft beer. Mmm, sounds pretty good!
38 personas locales recomiendan
V Deep
60 Henderson Street
38 personas locales recomiendan
I haven't been here but it gets great reviews! Run by famous Scottish broadcaster and comedian Hardeep Singh Kohli, a purveyor of Indian cuisine served with local craft beer. Mmm, sounds pretty good!
I love this place! It's really small, friendly and great value. Oversized cakes glugged down with a large mug of good quality coffee is just heaven. I bet the soups are good too but I just haven't seen past those cakes as yet. Oh, the music totally rocks too!
28 personas locales recomiendan
The Bluebird Cafe
5 Canonmills
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I love this place! It's really small, friendly and great value. Oversized cakes glugged down with a large mug of good quality coffee is just heaven. I bet the soups are good too but I just haven't seen past those cakes as yet. Oh, the music totally rocks too!
A more upmarket branch of the original in Broughton Street. It is still really down to earth and staff are just as friendly here. The coffee is of course just as good. The best feature is the floor to ceiling windows for good old fashioned people watching!
52 personas locales recomiendan
Artisan Roast Stockbridge
100A Raeburn Pl
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A more upmarket branch of the original in Broughton Street. It is still really down to earth and staff are just as friendly here. The coffee is of course just as good. The best feature is the floor to ceiling windows for good old fashioned people watching!

Drinks & Nightlife

Great atmosphere with a real mix of clientele. Good selection of drinks and a personal favourite for a Friday or Saturday night out. Boasts one of the best outside spots in Edinburgh for a warm sunny day. Children are welcome until 5pm and it's particularly popular for weekend brunch!
256 personas locales recomiendan
Joseph Pearce
23 Elm Row
256 personas locales recomiendan
Great atmosphere with a real mix of clientele. Good selection of drinks and a personal favourite for a Friday or Saturday night out. Boasts one of the best outside spots in Edinburgh for a warm sunny day. Children are welcome until 5pm and it's particularly popular for weekend brunch!
Possibly the coolest bar in the city and not an ounce of pretension. This is one of a new breed of bars in Leith where patrons go for a couple of drinks and a chit-chat rather than an all night drinking session. Bartenders are knowledgeable and happy to allow tasters. A new favourite!
121 personas locales recomiendan
The Black Fox
17 Albert Pl
121 personas locales recomiendan
Possibly the coolest bar in the city and not an ounce of pretension. This is one of a new breed of bars in Leith where patrons go for a couple of drinks and a chit-chat rather than an all night drinking session. Bartenders are knowledgeable and happy to allow tasters. A new favourite!
A great traditional pub for watching a big sports match with a local atmosphere. Brilliant selection of reasonably priced real ales and at least half a dozen screens to watch the game from any vantage point in the bar. Conversation can get quite lively but never beyond a hearty debate!
52 personas locales recomiendan
The Cask & Barrel
115 Broughton St
52 personas locales recomiendan
A great traditional pub for watching a big sports match with a local atmosphere. Brilliant selection of reasonably priced real ales and at least half a dozen screens to watch the game from any vantage point in the bar. Conversation can get quite lively but never beyond a hearty debate!
Good selection of beers and whiskys, lots of characters. A true traditional pub located in lovely Stockbridge. Very busy on a Friday and Saturday night but go for a real Edinburgh night out.
150 personas locales recomiendan
The Stockbridge Tap
2-6 Raeburn Pl
150 personas locales recomiendan
Good selection of beers and whiskys, lots of characters. A true traditional pub located in lovely Stockbridge. Very busy on a Friday and Saturday night but go for a real Edinburgh night out.
This is one of the best whisky pubs in town, if you can find it!
56 personas locales recomiendan
Kay’s Bar
39 Jamaica St
56 personas locales recomiendan
This is one of the best whisky pubs in town, if you can find it!
A fairly new establishment that reminds me of Melbourne, Australia - local music, bohemian crowd and good cold beer!
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Leith Depot
138-142 Leith Walk
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A fairly new establishment that reminds me of Melbourne, Australia - local music, bohemian crowd and good cold beer!
Beautiful pub with lots of fine traditional features. Very popular with locals and a true Leith institution.
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Nobles Café Bar & Restaurant
44A Constitution St
199 personas locales recomiendan
Beautiful pub with lots of fine traditional features. Very popular with locals and a true Leith institution.
The Lioness has really changed this end of Leith as before there was really nothing here. It's a real favourite as at shines like a beacon through the otherwise rough pubs that once dominated here. Good selection of drinks and family friendly on a Sunday daytime. Quirky decor really rubs it into the those who preferred the Leith of old - grime and gore!
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The Lioness of Leith
21-25 Duke St
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The Lioness has really changed this end of Leith as before there was really nothing here. It's a real favourite as at shines like a beacon through the otherwise rough pubs that once dominated here. Good selection of drinks and family friendly on a Sunday daytime. Quirky decor really rubs it into the those who preferred the Leith of old - grime and gore!

Parks & Nature

With spectacular views of Edinburgh Castle and the surrounding city this is a real favourite for tourists and locals alike. Panoramic views take in North Berwick to the east and as far away as the Southern Highlands to the north. You can easily spend a half day up here. Just make sure you've been to the loo before you go however as the toilets are not always open!
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Calton Hill
Calton Hill
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With spectacular views of Edinburgh Castle and the surrounding city this is a real favourite for tourists and locals alike. Panoramic views take in North Berwick to the east and as far away as the Southern Highlands to the north. You can easily spend a half day up here. Just make sure you've been to the loo before you go however as the toilets are not always open!
Beautifully landscaped grounds and a treasure of the city. A botanist's dream but to most locals a place where a walk will put your mind in a happy place. There's also an excellent visitors centre and two cafes on the grounds.
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Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Arboretum Place
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Beautifully landscaped grounds and a treasure of the city. A botanist's dream but to most locals a place where a walk will put your mind in a happy place. There's also an excellent visitors centre and two cafes on the grounds.
My favourite city centre volcano in the world - to be honest I am not sure if there are any others but I doubt they could be more beautiful. Perfect for hiking, running, cycling and strolling. We used to even do a spot of rock climbing here but nowadays we'll drive with our girls asleep in the back seat whilst we have a flask of coffee and admire the panoramic views. Just remember to take a spare memory card for your camera!
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Arthur's Seat
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My favourite city centre volcano in the world - to be honest I am not sure if there are any others but I doubt they could be more beautiful. Perfect for hiking, running, cycling and strolling. We used to even do a spot of rock climbing here but nowadays we'll drive with our girls asleep in the back seat whilst we have a flask of coffee and admire the panoramic views. Just remember to take a spare memory card for your camera!
Popular with families and dog walkers. There's also a nice loop around the park's circumference, ideal for a stroll or perhaps a jog. The historic Pilrig House overlooks the west side of the park and there's a nice play park adjacent to it.
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Pilrig Park
Pilrig Street
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Popular with families and dog walkers. There's also a nice loop around the park's circumference, ideal for a stroll or perhaps a jog. The historic Pilrig House overlooks the west side of the park and there's a nice play park adjacent to it.
Only accessible by causeway at low tide. It's a stunning walk from the promenade and you can easily lose yourself for an hour or so exploring the island. Surprisingly wild and unkempt with unforgettable views of the Firth of Firth. Just beware that many tourists get stuck on the island so please pay attention to the tide charts at the beginning of the walk!
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Cramond Island
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Only accessible by causeway at low tide. It's a stunning walk from the promenade and you can easily lose yourself for an hour or so exploring the island. Surprisingly wild and unkempt with unforgettable views of the Firth of Firth. Just beware that many tourists get stuck on the island so please pay attention to the tide charts at the beginning of the walk!
Great hiking opportunities on Edinburgh's doorstep. Lovely range of hills that extend south west of the city. Lots of hiking and biking trails to suit all levels.
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Pentland Hills Regional Park
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Great hiking opportunities on Edinburgh's doorstep. Lovely range of hills that extend south west of the city. Lots of hiking and biking trails to suit all levels.
The place to be on a bright summer's day. It's Edinburgh premier park where everyone goes to have a picnic, play ball games or just gaze at the world going by. The spring blossom is stunning and the views west during sunset against the gothic backdrop of the city skyline made me realise why I love living in Edinburgh. Oh, and the views east, just wow!
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The Meadows
Melville Drive
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The place to be on a bright summer's day. It's Edinburgh premier park where everyone goes to have a picnic, play ball games or just gaze at the world going by. The spring blossom is stunning and the views west during sunset against the gothic backdrop of the city skyline made me realise why I love living in Edinburgh. Oh, and the views east, just wow!
It's one of the most stunning spots in Edinburgh, yet it is never busy. The views cover the whole city and an amazing spot to take in a sunset. You might want a car to get here as it's a little tricky to reach here otherwise - but if you do make the effort you will not regret it...
162 personas locales recomiendan
Blackford Hill and Pond
4 Charterhall Rd
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It's one of the most stunning spots in Edinburgh, yet it is never busy. The views cover the whole city and an amazing spot to take in a sunset. You might want a car to get here as it's a little tricky to reach here otherwise - but if you do make the effort you will not regret it...
A great spot to while away a few hours. Perfect if you have kids in tow and a nice wide safe beach for them to dip their toes in the water. The views towards Fife and East Lothian are magical in the right light. The promenade has improved in recent years with nice pubs and cafes really bringing the area to life. During the summer the beach is buzzing with volleyball and all kinds of events.
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Portobello Beach Promenade
1 Promenade
447 personas locales recomiendan
A great spot to while away a few hours. Perfect if you have kids in tow and a nice wide safe beach for them to dip their toes in the water. The views towards Fife and East Lothian are magical in the right light. The promenade has improved in recent years with nice pubs and cafes really bringing the area to life. During the summer the beach is buzzing with volleyball and all kinds of events.

Sightseeing

Edinburgh's most iconic landmark needs no introduction. You wouldn't go to Sydney without visiting the opera house or go to Beijing without a trip to the Forbidden City! Anyone can say they've seen the castle but go inside and relive the one thousand years of history - you won't regret it. Remember that on St Andrews Day (30 November) all major tourist attractions are free!
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Castillo de Edimburgo
Castlehill
1962 personas locales recomiendan
Edinburgh's most iconic landmark needs no introduction. You wouldn't go to Sydney without visiting the opera house or go to Beijing without a trip to the Forbidden City! Anyone can say they've seen the castle but go inside and relive the one thousand years of history - you won't regret it. Remember that on St Andrews Day (30 November) all major tourist attractions are free!
Highly controversial construction (it went TEN times over budget!) but it is beautiful and the worthy home of democracy in Scotland. It's location in the shadow of Arthur's Seat is simply stunning. Guided tours are excellent and political debates are usually on a Thursday afternoon if you're interested. The cafe is subsided for parliament staff and the general public.
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Scottish Parliament Building
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Highly controversial construction (it went TEN times over budget!) but it is beautiful and the worthy home of democracy in Scotland. It's location in the shadow of Arthur's Seat is simply stunning. Guided tours are excellent and political debates are usually on a Thursday afternoon if you're interested. The cafe is subsided for parliament staff and the general public.

Arts & Culture

Located in a converted Victorian building, this mixed used space hosts galleries, art events, workshops, studio space and much more. It has cemented Leith as a cultural hub and there's a great cafe with generous portions at reasonable prices.
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Out Of The Blue Drill Hall
36 Dalmeny St
66 personas locales recomiendan
Located in a converted Victorian building, this mixed used space hosts galleries, art events, workshops, studio space and much more. It has cemented Leith as a cultural hub and there's a great cafe with generous portions at reasonable prices.

Shopping

A gift shop so good you'd rather keep the souvenirs all to yourself! Stockists of local designers and makers for a real Scottish flavour.
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The Cats Miaou
36 Elm Row
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A gift shop so good you'd rather keep the souvenirs all to yourself! Stockists of local designers and makers for a real Scottish flavour.

Essentials

We love independent shops and supporting the local economy. Tattie Shaws delivers excellent local produce of the fruit and veg variety. Staff are very friendly and if you bring (well behaved) kids they may get a little freebie!
53 personas locales recomiendan
Tattie Shaws
35 Elm Row
53 personas locales recomiendan
We love independent shops and supporting the local economy. Tattie Shaws delivers excellent local produce of the fruit and veg variety. Staff are very friendly and if you bring (well behaved) kids they may get a little freebie!
Nearest pharmacy run by helpful staff for all your basic medical needs.
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Lloyds Pharmacy
7 Deanhaugh St
11 personas locales recomiendan
Nearest pharmacy run by helpful staff for all your basic medical needs.