Guidebook for Edinburgh
Drinks & Nightlife
Intimate restaurant with a good selection of wine and a friendly owner. Usually busy so booking is recommended.
162 locals recommend
Rollo Restaurant & Wine Bar
108 Raeburn PlIntimate restaurant with a good selection of wine and a friendly owner. Usually busy so booking is recommended.
The Last Word Saloon
44 St Stephen StIf you like cocktails, this is one to visit.
The Village
16 S Fort StDecent gastropub with a good selection of beer.
Lucky Liquor Co
39A Queen StGreat quirky little bar, with pavement tables. Nice atmosphere.
secret Speakeasy bar - looks like a barbershop from the outside. Don't be fooled, go inside! Great cocktails.
297 locals recommend
Panda & Sons
79 Queen Stsecret Speakeasy bar - looks like a barbershop from the outside. Don't be fooled, go inside! Great cocktails.
Love this place - book if you like wine and cheese platters. Cosy basement bar with a wonderful laid back atmosphere. The staff really look after you.
185 locals recommend
Pickles
60 Broughton StLove this place - book if you like wine and cheese platters. Cosy basement bar with a wonderful laid back atmosphere. The staff really look after you.
Shabby chic, living room-style bar for a laid-back atmosphere and bar food with a Swedish twist.
256 locals recommend
Joseph Pearce
23 Elm RowShabby chic, living room-style bar for a laid-back atmosphere and bar food with a Swedish twist.
Relaxed cafe-bar with exposed brick walls, near the quaint area of Bruntsfield - this place is good to rest for a while and refuel.
92 locals recommend
The Blackbird
37-39 Leven StRelaxed cafe-bar with exposed brick walls, near the quaint area of Bruntsfield - this place is good to rest for a while and refuel.
The Edinburgh University Students Union. The Library bar has quite a Harry Potter feel - before 7pm it's open to the public.
The Library Bar
13 Bristo PlaceThe Edinburgh University Students Union. The Library bar has quite a Harry Potter feel - before 7pm it's open to the public.
The Blue Bear Cafe
9 Brandon TerraceAtmospheric pub next to the old execution site.
Stripped-back brick walls and comfy couches makes for a great setting in which to settle in and start exploring their vast collection – with almost eighty bottled beers packing out the fridge, plus five BrewDog draughts and at least as many guest ales.
82 locals recommend
BrewDog Edinburgh
143 CowgateStripped-back brick walls and comfy couches makes for a great setting in which to settle in and start exploring their vast collection – with almost eighty bottled beers packing out the fridge, plus five BrewDog draughts and at least as many guest ales.
Hectors
47-49 Deanhaugh StWarm atmosphere, dog friendly, and they do a great fish finger sandwich.
Good place to drink and be merry when the weather is bad. Offers tachos and cocktails by day, and neon-lit dive bar with cabaret by night.
73 locals recommend
Paradise Palms
41 Lothian StGood place to drink and be merry when the weather is bad. Offers tachos and cocktails by day, and neon-lit dive bar with cabaret by night.
Food Scene
Fantastic scottish food in really nice surroundings. Try the oysters!
378 locals recommend
The Scran and Scallie
1 Comely Bank RdFantastic scottish food in really nice surroundings. Try the oysters!
My local! Best pub food in Edinburgh. Basement pub with traditional decor.
82 locals recommend
The Bailie Bar
2-4 St Stephen StMy local! Best pub food in Edinburgh. Basement pub with traditional decor.
Literally next door - good almond croissants and artisan coffees.
52 locals recommend
Artisan Roast Stockbridge
100A Raeburn PlLiterally next door - good almond croissants and artisan coffees.
Söderberg Stockbridge
3 Deanhaugh StGreat Swedish cakes and good coffee
Fantastic rooftop views over Edinburgh and great thai food at reasonable prices.
128 locals recommend
Chaophraya Thai Restaurant
33 Castle StFantastic rooftop views over Edinburgh and great thai food at reasonable prices.
One of my favourites. Incredible Japanese food in an intimate setting. Awarded two rosettes.
119 locals recommend
Kanpai Sushi
8-10 Grindlay StOne of my favourites. Incredible Japanese food in an intimate setting. Awarded two rosettes.
Dark and decadent place to drink. Changing menu and locally sourced ingredients. Booking essential.
96 locals recommend
The Bon Vivant's Companion
51 Thistle StDark and decadent place to drink. Changing menu and locally sourced ingredients. Booking essential.
Easy to walk past, but you'll be glad you didn't. Quirky cafe with mismatched tableware, artisan coffee and a wooden dresser full of handmade cakes. Great cakes, great coffee.
119 locals recommend
Lovecrumbs West Port
155 West PortEasy to walk past, but you'll be glad you didn't. Quirky cafe with mismatched tableware, artisan coffee and a wooden dresser full of handmade cakes. Great cakes, great coffee.
If you've just been up Arthurs Seat - rebuild with one of Holyrood 9A's amazing burgers. Huge selection of draft beers.
146 locals recommend
The Holyrood 9A
9a Holyrood RdIf you've just been up Arthurs Seat - rebuild with one of Holyrood 9A's amazing burgers. Huge selection of draft beers.
if you can get a seat near the window, wonderful views of Edinburgh Castle. Laid-back eating with good atmosphere.
156 locals recommend
The Outsider Restaurant
15-16 George IV Bridgeif you can get a seat near the window, wonderful views of Edinburgh Castle. Laid-back eating with good atmosphere.
Food won't be served in a hurry here, but if you're looking for a great south indian meal - it's worth the wait. Try a dosa!
10 locals recommend
Mezbaan
14-14A West TollcrossFood won't be served in a hurry here, but if you're looking for a great south indian meal - it's worth the wait. Try a dosa!
Informal Indian dining with a tapas concept in a bustling, spacious two-level eatery
115 locals recommend
Mother India's Cafe
3-5 Infirmary StInformal Indian dining with a tapas concept in a bustling, spacious two-level eatery
David Bann Restaurant
56-58 St Mary's StIf you're vegan or vegetarian - this one is a goodie!
Simple café offering an appealing array of bagels and focaccia with tempting cakes and good coffee. (The Portuguese custard tarts are incredible)
6 locals recommend
No. 33
33 Deanhaugh StSimple café offering an appealing array of bagels and focaccia with tempting cakes and good coffee. (The Portuguese custard tarts are incredible)
Brew Lab Coffee
6-8 S College StTrendy coffee shop with artisan produce
Sightseeing
Fantastic collection of art, first opened to the public in 1859. Well laid out and easy to navigate.
1010 locals recommend
Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
75 Belford RdFantastic collection of art, first opened to the public in 1859. Well laid out and easy to navigate.
On a sunny afternoon, bring a picnic and relax in the wonderful surroundings. Be sure to clean up after yourself!
1227 locals recommend
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Arboretum PlaceOn a sunny afternoon, bring a picnic and relax in the wonderful surroundings. Be sure to clean up after yourself!
Calton Hill
Calton HillGreat views
Free entry and well worth a visit. The main hall is beautiful, even if you don't have time to see the exhibits I recommend popping in.
1378 locals recommend
National Museum of Scotland
Free entry and well worth a visit. The main hall is beautiful, even if you don't have time to see the exhibits I recommend popping in.
Beautiful old square, worth a visit even if the gallery is closed.
24 locals recommend
Talbot Rice Gallery
South BridgeBeautiful old square, worth a visit even if the gallery is closed.
Everything Else
Anatomy museum is only open to the public on the last Saturday of every month. Worth a visit.
114 locals recommend
Surgeons' Hall Museums
Nicolson StreetAnatomy museum is only open to the public on the last Saturday of every month. Worth a visit.
Learn about some of Edinburgh's darker history in these underground vault tours
373 locals recommend
The Real Mary King's Close
2 High StLearn about some of Edinburgh's darker history in these underground vault tours