Guidebook for Edinburgh
Essentials
Tesco Metro
Colinton RoadNearby supermarket
Tesco Express
4-6 Leith WalkNearby supermarket
Sainsbury's Local
45 Bernard StNearby supermarket
Lidl
Dalry RoadNearby supermarket
Drinks & Nightlife
Mature atmosphere, good beer garden, tends to be quite quiet, the food is good too
54 locals recommend
The Salisbury Arms
58 Dalkeith RdMature atmosphere, good beer garden, tends to be quite quiet, the food is good too
‘Alternative’ feel to the pub, good selection of real ales, famous for its very big plates of nachos (way too big for one person)
45 locals recommend
The Auld Hoose
19 Forth St‘Alternative’ feel to the pub, good selection of real ales, famous for its very big plates of nachos (way too big for one person)
Very good selection of craft beers, the food is also very good (lots of slow cooked meat, pulled pork etc.). Can get quite busy at the weekends.
28 locals recommend
Diablo Loco
74-78 South Clerk StreetVery good selection of craft beers, the food is also very good (lots of slow cooked meat, pulled pork etc.). Can get quite busy at the weekends.
The Southern Bar
22-26 S Clerk StWide selection of beers, nice atmosphere
Selection of over 200 gins, gin garden round the back, and seating out the front. Good food, friendly modern atmosphere.
29 locals recommend
56 North
2 W CrosscausewaySelection of over 200 gins, gin garden round the back, and seating out the front. Good food, friendly modern atmosphere.
Highly rated pub, with a large bed/seating area which fills the back room. They regularly put on film nights
34 locals recommend
Brass Monkey Drummond Street
14 Drummond StHighly rated pub, with a large bed/seating area which fills the back room. They regularly put on film nights
The Holyrood 9A
9a Holyrood RdWide selection of craft beers, and the best burgers in Edinburgh
Famous for hosting live folk music, with people turning up with their instruments to play. Small and intimate, but a favourite of everybody
144 locals recommend
Sandy Bell's
25 Forrest RdFamous for hosting live folk music, with people turning up with their instruments to play. Small and intimate, but a favourite of everybody
Night club, usually open till 3am (5am during the festival). Tends to attract a young student crowd, not a place to dress up in your finest clothes, but cheap drinks and good music
22 locals recommend
The Hive Nightclub
15-17 Niddry StNight club, usually open till 3am (5am during the festival). Tends to attract a young student crowd, not a place to dress up in your finest clothes, but cheap drinks and good music
Vodka bar, hidden down an alleyway and up the stairs. Highly recommend
12 locals recommend
Secret Arcade
48 Cockburn StVodka bar, hidden down an alleyway and up the stairs. Highly recommend
Pub belonging to the Scottish-based craft beer company, as expected a wide range of craft beers
82 locals recommend
BrewDog Edinburgh
143 CowgatePub belonging to the Scottish-based craft beer company, as expected a wide range of craft beers
Bar-come-club, specialises in flavoured vodka shots, busy and lively atmosphere at the weekends
8 locals recommend
Revolution
30a Chambers StBar-come-club, specialises in flavoured vodka shots, busy and lively atmosphere at the weekends
Originally another vodka bar, this has recently been transformed and focuses much more on food, but still excels in serving good drinks
6 locals recommend
Slighhouse
54 George IV BridgeOriginally another vodka bar, this has recently been transformed and focuses much more on food, but still excels in serving good drinks
Espionage
Victoria StreetNightclub typically favoured by an older clientele
The oldest pub in Edinburgh. The perfect place to come for a Sunday roast. Situated in the village of Duddingston, which is in the middle of Holyrood Park and next to Arthurs Seat.
167 locals recommend
The Sheep Heid Inn
43-45 The CausewayThe oldest pub in Edinburgh. The perfect place to come for a Sunday roast. Situated in the village of Duddingston, which is in the middle of Holyrood Park and next to Arthurs Seat.
Very nice cocktail bar, relaxed atmosphere and an interesting drinks menu. Favourite.
85 locals recommend
Dragonfly
52 West PortVery nice cocktail bar, relaxed atmosphere and an interesting drinks menu. Favourite.
Very wide range of beers on offer, served as schooners, and famous for the hot dogs the serve. Has a microbrewery in a room at the back
169 locals recommend
The Hanging Bat
133 Lothian RdVery wide range of beers on offer, served as schooners, and famous for the hot dogs the serve. Has a microbrewery in a room at the back
Very good cocktail bar, hidden below a fake facade of a barbers shop, its very near to George Street. Can be busy at the weekend, but the cocktails they serve are amazing.
297 locals recommend
Panda & Sons
79 Queen StVery good cocktail bar, hidden below a fake facade of a barbers shop, its very near to George Street. Can be busy at the weekend, but the cocktails they serve are amazing.
Another specialist Gin bar, its a bit out the way, but definitely worth visiting.
144 locals recommend
The Jolly Botanist
256-260 Morrison StAnother specialist Gin bar, its a bit out the way, but definitely worth visiting.
Arts & Culture
This is a multipurpose arts venue, with a pub in the centre courtyard. Pickerings Gin and Barney’s Beers are made on the premises, very nice atmosphere, and the food is excellent too
161 locals recommend
Summerhall
This is a multipurpose arts venue, with a pub in the centre courtyard. Pickerings Gin and Barney’s Beers are made on the premises, very nice atmosphere, and the food is excellent too
Food Scene
Modern Scottish cuisine, relaxed atmosphere and a good wine menu
44 locals recommend
Blonde Restaurant
71-75 St. Leonard's StModern Scottish cuisine, relaxed atmosphere and a good wine menu
Famous curry house, very good indian meals, even serves a curry made with the stereotypical Irn Bru (the ‘Irn Brunah’)
23 locals recommend
Kismot
29 St. Leonard's StFamous curry house, very good indian meals, even serves a curry made with the stereotypical Irn Bru (the ‘Irn Brunah’)
If you want a top notch cooked Scottish breakfast, or pancakes and maple syrup, then look no further than here.
16 locals recommend
Hellers Kitchen
15 Salisbury PlaceIf you want a top notch cooked Scottish breakfast, or pancakes and maple syrup, then look no further than here.
Scottish tapas, ever changing menu, but always delicious, also a good selection of beers
35 locals recommend
St Andrews Brewing Co. Potterrow
32-34 PotterrowScottish tapas, ever changing menu, but always delicious, also a good selection of beers
The real cafe where JK Rowling wrote the Harry Potter series (the Elephant House is a fake tourist trap). The food here is lovely, and with a bright airy atmosphere, perfect for lunch
21 locals recommend
Spoon Cafe Bistro
The real cafe where JK Rowling wrote the Harry Potter series (the Elephant House is a fake tourist trap). The food here is lovely, and with a bright airy atmosphere, perfect for lunch
Very cool and modern coffee shop. Arguably serves the best coffee in Edinburgh
101 locals recommend
Brew Lab Coffee
6-8 S College StVery cool and modern coffee shop. Arguably serves the best coffee in Edinburgh
New Thai restaurant that has taken Edinburgh by storm. The food is amazing, but it can be quite busy, so get there early
257 locals recommend
TING THAI CARAVAN Teviot Place
9 Teviot PlNew Thai restaurant that has taken Edinburgh by storm. The food is amazing, but it can be quite busy, so get there early
Swedish-style coffee shop, amazing cardomon and cinnamon buns, very good coffee. Scandinavian feel.
126 locals recommend
Söderberg The Meadows
27 Simpson LoanSwedish-style coffee shop, amazing cardomon and cinnamon buns, very good coffee. Scandinavian feel.
Vittoria on the Bridge
19 George IV BridgeMy favourite Italian restaurant in Edinburgh
Viva Mexico
41 Cockburn StHighly recommended (my favourite) Mexican restaurant
Shopping
Located at the east end of Princes Street and at the top of Leith Street, this shopping centre is your standard British shopping centre.
93 locals recommend
St James Shopping
St James CrescentLocated at the east end of Princes Street and at the top of Leith Street, this shopping centre is your standard British shopping centre.
Cameron Toll Shopping Centre
6 Lady Rdshopping centre
Multrees Walk
Multrees Walkhigh-end shops
Runs parallel to Princes Street, provides a slightly more higher class of shopping to its sister street. With plenty of pubs, bars, and restaurants this road is also a good place for refreshment
309 locals recommend
George Street
George StreetRuns parallel to Princes Street, provides a slightly more higher class of shopping to its sister street. With plenty of pubs, bars, and restaurants this road is also a good place for refreshment
Prince Street is the main shopping street in Edinburgh. You’ll find most of the major chains in the UK.
957 locals recommend
Princes Street
Princes StreetPrince Street is the main shopping street in Edinburgh. You’ll find most of the major chains in the UK.
Sightseeing
Famous extinct volcano, the start of the walk up is in Holyrood Park. It will take no more than an hour up and down, but you can take your time if you like. Amazing views from the top, over Edinburgh
1859 locals recommend
Arthur's Seat
Famous extinct volcano, the start of the walk up is in Holyrood Park. It will take no more than an hour up and down, but you can take your time if you like. Amazing views from the top, over Edinburgh
Edinburgh’s indoor science centre, learn about the history of the world. I worked here for 4 years as a student, and cannot recommend it higher. Perfect if its a rainy day.
303 locals recommend
Dynamic Earth
Holyrood RoadEdinburgh’s indoor science centre, learn about the history of the world. I worked here for 4 years as a student, and cannot recommend it higher. Perfect if its a rainy day.
Palace of Holyroodhouse
CanongateThe Queen’s scottish residency
Scottish Parliament Building
The home of the Scottish Parliament
Everything you would expect from a full history of Scotland from the beginning of time, all through the middle ages, up until the present day plus lots and lots more
1378 locals recommend
National Museum of Scotland
Everything you would expect from a full history of Scotland from the beginning of time, all through the middle ages, up until the present day plus lots and lots more
The main tourist street in Edinburgh, with Edinburgh Castle at the top, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the Scottish Parliament at the bottom. With various attractions and shops all along the road
29 locals recommend
High Street
High StreetThe main tourist street in Edinburgh, with Edinburgh Castle at the top, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the Scottish Parliament at the bottom. With various attractions and shops all along the road
Indoor visitor attraction (great for wet weather) has a world of illusions which people of all ages will enjoy. Topped off by the Camera Obscura itself, which provides 360 degree views of Edinburgh
437 locals recommend
Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
549 CastlehillIndoor visitor attraction (great for wet weather) has a world of illusions which people of all ages will enjoy. Topped off by the Camera Obscura itself, which provides 360 degree views of Edinburgh
This is the most obvious attraction, situated on the top of Castle rock overlooking the city. Come here for a history of Edinburgh & the Scottish royal family. Don’t miss the famous 1 o'clock gun
1961 locals recommend
Edinburgh Castle
CastlehillThis is the most obvious attraction, situated on the top of Castle rock overlooking the city. Come here for a history of Edinburgh & the Scottish royal family. Don’t miss the famous 1 o'clock gun
One of the three main hills in Edinburgh. Provides fantastic views over the castle and the rest of the old town, as well as along princes street, and down into Leith, the docks, and the Firth of Forth
Dugald Stewart Monument
Calton HillOne of the three main hills in Edinburgh. Provides fantastic views over the castle and the rest of the old town, as well as along princes street, and down into Leith, the docks, and the Firth of Forth
Old market place, now home to a number of bars, cafes, restaurants, with lots of space for al fresco dining. Also a hub for activities. This is a great place to come for lunch, or an early dinner.
317 locals recommend
Grassmarket
10 GrassmarketOld market place, now home to a number of bars, cafes, restaurants, with lots of space for al fresco dining. Also a hub for activities. This is a great place to come for lunch, or an early dinner.
Great for having a lazy day in the park if the weather is nice. Only 10 minutes walk from the flat.
615 locals recommend
The Meadows
Melville DriveGreat for having a lazy day in the park if the weather is nice. Only 10 minutes walk from the flat.