Guidebook for Edinburgh
Drinks & Nightlife
The Blackbird
37-39 Leven StVery close, good cocktails and nice atmosphere
Dragonfly
52 West PortGreat relaxed cocktail bar
Cloisters Bar
26 Brougham StOne of the best local places for drinking real ale
Ecco Vino
19 Cockburn StNice bar with great menu of quality wines
Hidden gin/cocktail bar down unmarked stairs at the west end of Princes st. Great atmosphere, good cocktails made with local gins and open late
62 locals recommend
Edinburgh Gin Distillery
1A Rutland StreetHidden gin/cocktail bar down unmarked stairs at the west end of Princes st. Great atmosphere, good cocktails made with local gins and open late
The Hanging Bat
133 Lothian RdGood local bar specialising in craft beers
Food Scene
Small local restaurant serving great value food. Normally need to book
108 locals recommend
Three Birds
3-5 ViewforthSmall local restaurant serving great value food. Normally need to book
Chocolate Tree
123 Bruntsfield PlAmazing hot chocolate and chocolate bars to take away
The Apartment
7-13 Barclay PlGood local restaurant with interesting menu
This is opposite the flat and open relatively late. Does Indian tapas, very convenient. Bring your own alcohol
112 locals recommend
Tuk Tuk Indian Street Food
1 Leven StThis is opposite the flat and open relatively late. Does Indian tapas, very convenient. Bring your own alcohol
Leo & Ted
36 Leven StreetGood coffee (especially the white ones) and cakes
Artisan Roast Bruntsfield
138 Bruntsfield PlChilled cafe with some of the best coffee in Edinburgh
Project Coffee
192-194 Bruntsfield PlGood coffee and cakes
Passorn Thai
23a Brougham PlBrilliant Thai restaurant
Machina Espresso
38 W TollcrossSome of the best coffee in Edinburgh
Montpeliers
159-161 Bruntsfield PlVery popular place that does craft beer and good food
My favourite out of the nearby fine dining options. Amazing food, though quite expensive
86 locals recommend
Castle Terrace
33-35 Castle TerraceMy favourite out of the nearby fine dining options. Amazing food, though quite expensive
Indaba
3 Lochrin TerraceGreat tapas from three different countries
Good place to get breakfast, very popular sometimes with queues to get in
189 locals recommend
Loudons
94B FountainbridgeGood place to get breakfast, very popular sometimes with queues to get in
Piecebox
2 Polwarth CresA great place for breakfast/lunch. Gets very busy, booking recommended
The Witchery by the Castle
352 CastlehillFine dining in an amazing medieval setting
Maison Bleue
36-38 Victoria StGreat french restaurant with amazing atmosphere
Bread Meats Bread
90-92 Lothian RdProbably my favourite out of many local burger bars
Parks & Nature
The Meadows
Melville DriveNice park with lots of sport and other things going on
Bruntsfield Links
Melville DriveGood local park with pitch+putt
Amazing rugged park with the minature mountain of Arthur's seat the spectacular sailsbury crags
280 locals recommend
Holyrood Park
Queen's DriveAmazing rugged park with the minature mountain of Arthur's seat the spectacular sailsbury crags
Princes Street
Princes StreetNice park below princes street, usually with plenty going on
Sightseeing
Going inside is worth it, but it's also good just to walk around and take photos
1961 locals recommend
Edinburgh Castle
CastlehillGoing inside is worth it, but it's also good just to walk around and take photos
Crazy monument to the famous writer, it's possible to go up inside and almost to the top
302 locals recommend
Scott Monument
Crazy monument to the famous writer, it's possible to go up inside and almost to the top
Palace of Holyroodhouse
CanongateFamous residence of the queen in Edinburgh
Ghost tours along hidden wynds between streets and underneath the city
373 locals recommend
The Real Mary King's Close
2 High StGhost tours along hidden wynds between streets and underneath the city
Arts & Culture
Scottish National Portrait Gallery
1 Queen StLarge free gallery with some famous works
Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
75 Belford RdLarge modern art gallery in big estate
The colonnaded building at the base of the mound. My favourite of the Edinburgh art galleries
1010 locals recommend
Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
75 Belford RdThe colonnaded building at the base of the mound. My favourite of the Edinburgh art galleries
King's Theatre
2 Leven StVariety of plays, busy in summer. Virtually next door
The Usher Hall
Lothian RoadMajor venue for theatre and music, under 10 mins walk
Used for conferences throughout the year, but turns in a major comedy/theatre venue during the festival
38 locals recommend
Edinburgh International Conference Centre
150 Morrison StUsed for conferences throughout the year, but turns in a major comedy/theatre venue during the festival
Traverse Theatre
10 Cambridge StHas a reputation for more serious/modern plays
Shopping
COCO Chocolatier
20 Raeburn PlGreat for chocolate and easter eggs
Drinkmonger
11 Bruntsfield PlBest local store for Wines, Gin, Whiskey etc
Superdrug
70 Nicolson StMedium size drugstore
Essentials
Scotmid Co-operative
5-19 Leven StThis is a pretty decent co-op and is virtually next door
Waitrose & Partners
Burghmuir RoadUpmarket grocery store, decent size. Roughly 15/20 mins walk