Places to visit in Edinburgh. (A local's tips!)

Rose
Places to visit in Edinburgh. (A local's tips!)

Edinburgh restaurants

Some excellent restaurants in Edinburgh ...
High quality gourmet Scottish food on the Royal Mile near Scottish Parliament and Holyrood Palace. About £25 per main meal.
132 paikallista suosittelee
Wedgwood The Restaurant
267 Royal Mile
132 paikallista suosittelee
High quality gourmet Scottish food on the Royal Mile near Scottish Parliament and Holyrood Palace. About £25 per main meal.
Martin Wishart (on The Shore, bottom of Leith). Excellent gourmet contemporary dining with vegetarian options. About £40 per meal. For the serious foodies!
155 paikallista suosittelee
Restaurant Martin Wishart
54 Shore
155 paikallista suosittelee
Martin Wishart (on The Shore, bottom of Leith). Excellent gourmet contemporary dining with vegetarian options. About £40 per meal. For the serious foodies!
One of my favourite restaurants, though it's a rare visit for me as it's pricy! The Witchery by the Castle. (top of the Royal Mile) has a wonderful atmosphere whether it’s winter or summer. If you want a special night out with a sense of Edinburgh history and atmosphere this is a great choice. It’s right next to Edinburgh Castle, the food is excellent and the staff are great. A two-course lunch is about £25. Dinner about £30 per main meal.
192 paikallista suosittelee
The Witchery by the Castle
352 Castlehill
192 paikallista suosittelee
One of my favourite restaurants, though it's a rare visit for me as it's pricy! The Witchery by the Castle. (top of the Royal Mile) has a wonderful atmosphere whether it’s winter or summer. If you want a special night out with a sense of Edinburgh history and atmosphere this is a great choice. It’s right next to Edinburgh Castle, the food is excellent and the staff are great. A two-course lunch is about £25. Dinner about £30 per main meal.
Informal and stylish. French and Scottish seasonal food. Good value, lively
64 paikallista suosittelee
The Bon Vivant
55 Thistle St
64 paikallista suosittelee
Informal and stylish. French and Scottish seasonal food. Good value, lively
Best fish and chips in the city. Reasonable prices. Excellent bar and lovely atmosphere - informal but good quality. Live music in the Bar area on Sundays from 1-4pm & Thursday evenings from 7pm.
The Shore Bar and Restaurant
Best fish and chips in the city. Reasonable prices. Excellent bar and lovely atmosphere - informal but good quality. Live music in the Bar area on Sundays from 1-4pm & Thursday evenings from 7pm.

Beautiful Walks in the City

For nature lovers and walkers Arthur’s Seat is perfect. It's just 5 mins walk to the park from my flat. The main summit is usually quite busy, but much of the hill is relatively quiet. There’s a lovely view across Edinburgh from the hill. You can also walk across the hill to Duddingston Village on the other side, next to Duddingston Loch which is always teeming with geese and a few swans. You’ll find the Sheep’s Heid Inn here – one of Edinburgh’s oldest pubs, which has an excellent bar, restaurant upstairs and beer garden.
1859 paikallista suosittelee
Arthur's Seat
1859 paikallista suosittelee
For nature lovers and walkers Arthur’s Seat is perfect. It's just 5 mins walk to the park from my flat. The main summit is usually quite busy, but much of the hill is relatively quiet. There’s a lovely view across Edinburgh from the hill. You can also walk across the hill to Duddingston Village on the other side, next to Duddingston Loch which is always teeming with geese and a few swans. You’ll find the Sheep’s Heid Inn here – one of Edinburgh’s oldest pubs, which has an excellent bar, restaurant upstairs and beer garden.
Walk, or get the bus, to Stockbridge, just 10 mins walk off Prince Street. From the end of Saunder's Street you'll see a bridge, walk through and carry on as far as you like along the water of Leith. This is one of Edinburgh's most pretty spots. Dean Village is very picturesque and it's just 5 mins walk up the river.
268 paikallista suosittelee
Dean Village
Dean Path
268 paikallista suosittelee
Walk, or get the bus, to Stockbridge, just 10 mins walk off Prince Street. From the end of Saunder's Street you'll see a bridge, walk through and carry on as far as you like along the water of Leith. This is one of Edinburgh's most pretty spots. Dean Village is very picturesque and it's just 5 mins walk up the river.
Calton Hill is just ten minutes walk from my flat. If you're feeling fit walk up the hill to see the classic view of Edinburgh along Princes Street. You can visit the observatory and gallery at the top of the hill, and there's a little cafe. (Not recommended after dark when Calton Hill can get a bit wild!)
1098 paikallista suosittelee
Calton Hill
Calton Hill
1098 paikallista suosittelee
Calton Hill is just ten minutes walk from my flat. If you're feeling fit walk up the hill to see the classic view of Edinburgh along Princes Street. You can visit the observatory and gallery at the top of the hill, and there's a little cafe. (Not recommended after dark when Calton Hill can get a bit wild!)
You can easily spend an entire day at Edinburgh's Botanic Gardens. Extensive varied gardens that are lovely all year round, huge greenhouses, two cafes. No dogs allowed, but this is a great place to take your kids and it's free.
1227 paikallista suosittelee
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Arboretum Place
1227 paikallista suosittelee
You can easily spend an entire day at Edinburgh's Botanic Gardens. Extensive varied gardens that are lovely all year round, huge greenhouses, two cafes. No dogs allowed, but this is a great place to take your kids and it's free.

Classical music venues

Has a year-round programme of the best classical music. Lovely setting. (The highest seats are cheapest, but can be quite stuffy and hot!)
139 paikallista suosittelee
Usher Hall
Lothian Road
139 paikallista suosittelee
Has a year-round programme of the best classical music. Lovely setting. (The highest seats are cheapest, but can be quite stuffy and hot!)
Great venue for classical and contemporary music.
45 paikallista suosittelee
The Queen's Hall
85-89 Clerk St
45 paikallista suosittelee
Great venue for classical and contemporary music.
Has some lovely classical and contemporary music, and small concerts
St. John's Church
1A Lothian Rd
Has some lovely classical and contemporary music, and small concerts

Theatre

Usually (pre-lockdown) has a year-round programme of excellent theatre, including new and contemporary plays. Nice bar and restaurant indoors.
87 paikallista suosittelee
Traverse Theatre
10 Cambridge St
87 paikallista suosittelee
Usually (pre-lockdown) has a year-round programme of excellent theatre, including new and contemporary plays. Nice bar and restaurant indoors.
Classic, mainstream family entertainment theatre and shows. At the top of Leith Walk
320 paikallista suosittelee
Edinburgh Playhouse
18-22 Greenside Pl
320 paikallista suosittelee
Classic, mainstream family entertainment theatre and shows. At the top of Leith Walk
Mainstream theatre shows. Dance shows and musicals too.
154 paikallista suosittelee
Festivaaliteatteri
13-29 Nicolson St
154 paikallista suosittelee
Mainstream theatre shows. Dance shows and musicals too.

Cinema

Excellent folmhouse showing mainstream and arthouse cinema. Spacious cafe serving drinks till late
184 paikallista suosittelee
Filmhouse
88 Lothian Rd
184 paikallista suosittelee
Excellent folmhouse showing mainstream and arthouse cinema. Spacious cafe serving drinks till late
Mainstream cinema at the top of Leith Walk. Comfy seating. Quite pricy
147 paikallista suosittelee
Vue Cinemas
61/11 Leith St
147 paikallista suosittelee
Mainstream cinema at the top of Leith Walk. Comfy seating. Quite pricy
Vue at Ocean Terminal. Slightly more affordable mainstream cinema venue in the Leith Shore area
82 paikallista suosittelee
Vue
98 Ocean Dr
82 paikallista suosittelee
Vue at Ocean Terminal. Slightly more affordable mainstream cinema venue in the Leith Shore area
Arthouse cinema in a small, atmospheric venue. Has cafe and bar.
255 paikallista suosittelee
Cameo Picturehouse
38 Home St
255 paikallista suosittelee
Arthouse cinema in a small, atmospheric venue. Has cafe and bar.

Art

Contemporary art in beautful surroundings. You can view the gallery collections free, but there's an entry price for touring exhibitions. One of Edinburgh's most pretty cafes with indoor and outdoor seating in a lovely garden, featuring sculptures by famous artists.
1010 paikallista suosittelee
Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
75 Belford Rd
1010 paikallista suosittelee
Contemporary art in beautful surroundings. You can view the gallery collections free, but there's an entry price for touring exhibitions. One of Edinburgh's most pretty cafes with indoor and outdoor seating in a lovely garden, featuring sculptures by famous artists.
Traditional art, including Rembrandt, Constable, Boticelli and other well-known names of art history. Beautiful gallery halfway along Prince Street. Also a programme of touring shows year-round.
114 paikallista suosittelee
Skotlannin kansalliset galleriat
The Mound
114 paikallista suosittelee
Traditional art, including Rembrandt, Constable, Boticelli and other well-known names of art history. Beautiful gallery halfway along Prince Street. Also a programme of touring shows year-round.
Traditional and contemporary portraits. Beautiful building off Queen Street. Has nice cafe
523 paikallista suosittelee
Scottish National Portrait Gallery
1 Queen St
523 paikallista suosittelee
Traditional and contemporary portraits. Beautiful building off Queen Street. Has nice cafe
Contemporary art and a great place to buy contemporary art books. Has small cafe. Near Waverley train station, on Market Street.
103 paikallista suosittelee
Fruitmarket Gallery
45 Market St
103 paikallista suosittelee
Contemporary art and a great place to buy contemporary art books. Has small cafe. Near Waverley train station, on Market Street.
Gorgeous paintings, a programme of changing work year-round. In the centre of Edinburgh, off Princes Street in Dundas Street.
8 paikallista suosittelee
Open Eye Gallery
34 Abercromby Pl
8 paikallista suosittelee
Gorgeous paintings, a programme of changing work year-round. In the centre of Edinburgh, off Princes Street in Dundas Street.
My all-time favourite art gallery in Edinburgh. If you love art you'll appreciate the way exhibitions are curated here. Huge light-filled gallery space with changing exhibition usually featuring one artist every few months. Upstairs space shows works in their collection. Comfy sofas to browse art books and contemplate art on walls, peaceful.
19 paikallista suosittelee
Ingleby Gallery
33 Barony St
19 paikallista suosittelee
My all-time favourite art gallery in Edinburgh. If you love art you'll appreciate the way exhibitions are curated here. Huge light-filled gallery space with changing exhibition usually featuring one artist every few months. Upstairs space shows works in their collection. Comfy sofas to browse art books and contemplate art on walls, peaceful.
This small gallery in Dundas Street regularly shows some of the best modern and contemporary Scottish art.
10 paikallista suosittelee
The Scottish Gallery
16 Dundas St
10 paikallista suosittelee
This small gallery in Dundas Street regularly shows some of the best modern and contemporary Scottish art.
This is an arts venue with a year-round programme of visual art, music and theatre. Also has a great bar (in the square) and a cafe within the building
161 paikallista suosittelee
Summerhall
161 paikallista suosittelee
This is an arts venue with a year-round programme of visual art, music and theatre. Also has a great bar (in the square) and a cafe within the building

Vegetarian and vegan cafes and restaurants

Great veggie food. This is 10 mins walk from Lyne Street, On Easter Road.
126 paikallista suosittelee
Polentoni
38 Easter Rd
126 paikallista suosittelee
Great veggie food. This is 10 mins walk from Lyne Street, On Easter Road.
Excellent vegetarian restaurant off the Royal Mile on St Mary's Street. About £15 per main meal.
117 paikallista suosittelee
David Bann Restaurant
56-58 St Mary's St
117 paikallista suosittelee
Excellent vegetarian restaurant off the Royal Mile on St Mary's Street. About £15 per main meal.
Informal pub meals, good veggie options. About 10 minutes walk from Lyne Street.
191 paikallista suosittelee
The Safari Lounge
21 Cadzow Pl
191 paikallista suosittelee
Informal pub meals, good veggie options. About 10 minutes walk from Lyne Street.
Veggie and Vegan cafe near St Andrew's bus station. Great healthy food for vegetarians and vegans.
11 paikallista suosittelee
Holy Cow
34 Elder St
11 paikallista suosittelee
Veggie and Vegan cafe near St Andrew's bus station. Great healthy food for vegetarians and vegans.
Vegan Bakery - good for healthy snacks. On Hill Street in Edinburgh's New Town
Naked Bakery
24a Hill St
Vegan Bakery - good for healthy snacks. On Hill Street in Edinburgh's New Town