Kate’s Leith guidebook
Neighbourhoods
As far as iconic areas go, they don’t come more legendary than Leith. A wholesale regeneration hasn’t robbed Leith of its earthy qualities. Enjoy the delights from curio shops to a diverse range of cafés, restaurants and bars. Edinburgh’s exciting new waterfront development and boasting the award-winning Royal Yacht Britannia. Discover the shops, restaurants and galleries in the popular shore area of Leith - one of the coolest neighbourhoods in Europe.
162 abantu bendawo batusa
Leith
As far as iconic areas go, they don’t come more legendary than Leith. A wholesale regeneration hasn’t robbed Leith of its earthy qualities. Enjoy the delights from curio shops to a diverse range of cafés, restaurants and bars. Edinburgh’s exciting new waterfront development and boasting the award-winning Royal Yacht Britannia. Discover the shops, restaurants and galleries in the popular shore area of Leith - one of the coolest neighbourhoods in Europe.
Despite the current tram works, Leith Walk is lined with shops, restaurants and bars where you’ll find a real Edinburgh welcome. Shops range from supermarkets to independent book shops and other nooks where you’ll find the rare and unique. Bakeries, cafes and independent grocers mean Leith still holds strongly onto its own identity, even a century on since it was officially incorporated into the city of Edinburgh in 1920.
13 abantu bendawo batusa
Leith Walk
Leith WalkDespite the current tram works, Leith Walk is lined with shops, restaurants and bars where you’ll find a real Edinburgh welcome. Shops range from supermarkets to independent book shops and other nooks where you’ll find the rare and unique. Bakeries, cafes and independent grocers mean Leith still holds strongly onto its own identity, even a century on since it was officially incorporated into the city of Edinburgh in 1920.
Walks
Provides a beautiful walk that will take you through Leith past some of Edinburgh’s most photo-worthy spots including the Dean Village.
109 abantu bendawo batusa
Water Of Leith Ltd
29 Beaverhall RdProvides a beautiful walk that will take you through Leith past some of Edinburgh’s most photo-worthy spots including the Dean Village.
Food scene
Home to the city’s historic port on the Forth, Leith is home to a beautiful waterfront where restaurants, bars, pubs and shops open out to stunning views of Fife, and is a frequent stop for cruise ships.
14 abantu bendawo batusa
Shore
ShoreHome to the city’s historic port on the Forth, Leith is home to a beautiful waterfront where restaurants, bars, pubs and shops open out to stunning views of Fife, and is a frequent stop for cruise ships.
Fire Cooked Pizza. They also offer a selection of homemade Bruschetta, Antipasto platters, freshly prepared salads, Lasagne al Forno and indulgent handcrafted desserts.
250 abantu bendawo batusa
Origano pizzeria
236 Leith WalkFire Cooked Pizza. They also offer a selection of homemade Bruschetta, Antipasto platters, freshly prepared salads, Lasagne al Forno and indulgent handcrafted desserts.
Offers brunch, dinner and drink menu. Cocktails in teacups are cute too!
281 abantu bendawo batusa
Roseleaf bar cafe
23-24 Sandport PlaceOffers brunch, dinner and drink menu. Cocktails in teacups are cute too!
Specialises in tasty Mexican street-style tacos, and refreshing margaritas.
32 abantu bendawo batusa
Bodega - Leith
14-15 Albert PlSpecialises in tasty Mexican street-style tacos, and refreshing margaritas.
If you’re after fine dining, the Michelin-starred The Kitchin cannot be missed; renowned throughout the UK for serving inventive, creative and unique cuisine.
278 abantu bendawo batusa
The Kitchin
If you’re after fine dining, the Michelin-starred The Kitchin cannot be missed; renowned throughout the UK for serving inventive, creative and unique cuisine.
An award winning pub and restaurant with a spectacular interior
199 abantu bendawo batusa
Nobles Café Bar & Restaurant
44A Constitution StAn award winning pub and restaurant with a spectacular interior
Newly opened in 2021, Bundits of Leith serve a range of homemade bao buns and small plates, alongside a spread of beers on tap, cocktails and wines.
8 abantu bendawo batusa
Bundits of Leith
Newly opened in 2021, Bundits of Leith serve a range of homemade bao buns and small plates, alongside a spread of beers on tap, cocktails and wines.
Need to book in advance but worth checking to see if they have any cancellations. Small and welcoming, the restaurant has been garnering rave reviews and buzz since it opened in 2018. The food, French-British cuisine, is highly seasonal.
35 abantu bendawo batusa
The Little Chartroom
14 Bonnington RoadNeed to book in advance but worth checking to see if they have any cancellations. Small and welcoming, the restaurant has been garnering rave reviews and buzz since it opened in 2018. The food, French-British cuisine, is highly seasonal.
Opened in 2015 and has built its reputation upon serving the 'Best of British' beef, together with great food and service.
98 abantu bendawo batusa
Chop House Leith
102 Constitution StOpened in 2015 and has built its reputation upon serving the 'Best of British' beef, together with great food and service.
A young but experienced couple run this smart restaurant, which sits on a cobbled street in a residential area near the port. Well-crafted, keenly priced dishes have a clean, modern style. Seasonal Scottish produce is kept to the fore, with usually no more than 4 ingredients featured on each plate.
17 abantu bendawo batusa
Borough
50-54 Henderson StA young but experienced couple run this smart restaurant, which sits on a cobbled street in a residential area near the port. Well-crafted, keenly priced dishes have a clean, modern style. Seasonal Scottish produce is kept to the fore, with usually no more than 4 ingredients featured on each plate.
The Walnut serves flavourful dishes using local and seasonal ingredients. BYOB available on bottles of wine.
137 abantu bendawo batusa
The Walnut
9 Leith WalkThe Walnut serves flavourful dishes using local and seasonal ingredients. BYOB available on bottles of wine.
Award winning Leith bistro open Wednesday to Sunday. Available for breakfast, set lunch, or dinner.
49 abantu bendawo batusa
Aurora
187 Great Jct StAward winning Leith bistro open Wednesday to Sunday. Available for breakfast, set lunch, or dinner.
A hidden gem of an Edinburgh breakfast and brunch restaurant, situated at 3A Albert Street, just off Leith Walk.
83 abantu bendawo batusa
Word of Mouth
3A Albert StA hidden gem of an Edinburgh breakfast and brunch restaurant, situated at 3A Albert Street, just off Leith Walk.
Whether its a champagne breakfast you’re after, lunch, dinner or luxuriating over our Fruits de Mer ‘Royale’ or Hot Shellfish Platter, or just enjoying a delicious glass of champagne, wine or cocktail in our fabulous bar – the Ship on the Shore offers informal, understated excellence.
159 abantu bendawo batusa
The Ship On The Shore
ShoreWhether its a champagne breakfast you’re after, lunch, dinner or luxuriating over our Fruits de Mer ‘Royale’ or Hot Shellfish Platter, or just enjoying a delicious glass of champagne, wine or cocktail in our fabulous bar – the Ship on the Shore offers informal, understated excellence.
Their menu change with the seasons using the best local produce. Vibrant and wholesome flavours in a relaxed setting.
339 abantu bendawo batusa
The Gardener's Cottage
1 London RoadTheir menu change with the seasons using the best local produce. Vibrant and wholesome flavours in a relaxed setting.
Sightseeing
Royal Yacht Britannia - a floating former Royal Residence - is next to Ocean Terminal shopping centre where you can dine and shop to your heart’s content.
630 abantu bendawo batusa
Royal Yacht Britannia
Ocean DriveRoyal Yacht Britannia - a floating former Royal Residence - is next to Ocean Terminal shopping centre where you can dine and shop to your heart’s content.
Not the highest of the city's hills, yet it offers fantastic views to Leith, the Firth of Forth and Fife to the north and Holyrood Park to the south.
1098 abantu bendawo batusa
I-Calton Hill
Calton HillNot the highest of the city's hills, yet it offers fantastic views to Leith, the Firth of Forth and Fife to the north and Holyrood Park to the south.
Shopping
For the boutique and unique, visit Coburg House, a hub of artists, designers and makers, with a gallery hosting exhibitions and local artistry, along with a shop where you'll find pieces crafted by local artists. Open Saturdays & Sundays the first Monday of the month.
Coburg House
15 Coburg StreetFor the boutique and unique, visit Coburg House, a hub of artists, designers and makers, with a gallery hosting exhibitions and local artistry, along with a shop where you'll find pieces crafted by local artists. Open Saturdays & Sundays the first Monday of the month.
Home to a whole host of fair-trade clothes and jewellery, ethical gifts, and Leith exclusives.
23 abantu bendawo batusa
The Cats Miaou
36 Elm RowHome to a whole host of fair-trade clothes and jewellery, ethical gifts, and Leith exclusives.
Scotland's oldest Delicatessen and Italian Wine Merchant. One of Europe's original Specialist Food Shops, they were founded in 1934 and today have an extensive online shop as well as an inviting shop at the top of Leith Walk. You’ll be sure to walk away with a basket full of goodies. Nice deli restaurant upstairs too!
189 abantu bendawo batusa
Valvona Crolla
19 Elm RowScotland's oldest Delicatessen and Italian Wine Merchant. One of Europe's original Specialist Food Shops, they were founded in 1934 and today have an extensive online shop as well as an inviting shop at the top of Leith Walk. You’ll be sure to walk away with a basket full of goodies. Nice deli restaurant upstairs too!
Andy and Marta have been keeping bees in Scotland since 2017, and their range of honey is all jarred, packed, and shipped by hand using recycled materials and only the best honey untouched by additives, syrups, or preservatives.
Edinburgh Honey Co.
178 Easter RdAndy and Marta have been keeping bees in Scotland since 2017, and their range of honey is all jarred, packed, and shipped by hand using recycled materials and only the best honey untouched by additives, syrups, or preservatives.
A gift shop with a delightful range of homewares, books, gifts and children's clothing, as well as their own brand candles, which smell divine.
34 abantu bendawo batusa
Flux
80 High StA gift shop with a delightful range of homewares, books, gifts and children's clothing, as well as their own brand candles, which smell divine.
Bars & Pubs
Offers an uncomplicated and chilled atmosphere if you would like a drink or some pub grub.
178 abantu bendawo batusa
The Lioness of Leith
21-25 Duke StOffers an uncomplicated and chilled atmosphere if you would like a drink or some pub grub.
Offers a cosy vibe, a beer garden and a selection of cask ales, if that's your thing.
127 abantu bendawo batusa
Woodland Creatures
260-262 Leith WalkOffers a cosy vibe, a beer garden and a selection of cask ales, if that's your thing.
A stylish spot to savour your favourite cocktail or a craft beer.
121 abantu bendawo batusa
The Black Fox
17 Albert PlA stylish spot to savour your favourite cocktail or a craft beer.
For something a bit less sophisticated, you'll find cheeky décor and arcade games here.
29 abantu bendawo batusa
The Mousetrap
180 Leith WalkFor something a bit less sophisticated, you'll find cheeky décor and arcade games here.
The Barologist
23 Commercial StGood cocktail menu, sports on TV, family-friendly.
Serve Swedish /Scottish food and have lots of locally sourced drinks and delicious cocktails.
140 abantu bendawo batusa
Abode Bar
229 Leith WalkServe Swedish /Scottish food and have lots of locally sourced drinks and delicious cocktails.
The Kings Wark is a beautiful bar restaurant situated on the Shore area in Leith, Edinburgh. Serving brunch, lunch and dinner including fresh seafood and locally sourced produce.
143 abantu bendawo batusa
The King's Wark
36 ShoreThe Kings Wark is a beautiful bar restaurant situated on the Shore area in Leith, Edinburgh. Serving brunch, lunch and dinner including fresh seafood and locally sourced produce.
Here you can taste what Scotland does best with the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. Down a dram or two every Tuesday evening in the Cask Room (there's live music too), and be the first to taste their peated whisky ketchup on an Aberdeen Angus steak.
The Vaults
87 Giles StreetHere you can taste what Scotland does best with the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. Down a dram or two every Tuesday evening in the Cask Room (there's live music too), and be the first to taste their peated whisky ketchup on an Aberdeen Angus steak.
After an afternoon strolling along the Waters of Leith, reward your efforts with a pint at Teuchters Landing, the renowned pub at the docks.
203 abantu bendawo batusa
Teuchters Landing
1c Dock PlAfter an afternoon strolling along the Waters of Leith, reward your efforts with a pint at Teuchters Landing, the renowned pub at the docks.
Street Food & Markets
Leith Market
Commercial StreetStreet food, creative crafts, original artwork.
A pioneering and independent street food market, tucked away off Ferry Road. They've got burgers, seafood, gelato, local beers and delicious wines - something for everyone to enjoy.
87 abantu bendawo batusa
Isitolo sePitt
20 Pitt StA pioneering and independent street food market, tucked away off Ferry Road. They've got burgers, seafood, gelato, local beers and delicious wines - something for everyone to enjoy.