Guidebook for Edinburgh
Food Scene
A snug little taqueria, if you're craving Mexican food -- gets a lot of buzz!
134 abantu bendawo batusa
Bodega
62 Elm RowA snug little taqueria, if you're craving Mexican food -- gets a lot of buzz!
Our favourite local coffee shop. They know their coffee. Also fantastic sandwiches -- but they're v. limited in quantity, so make sure you go early!
236 abantu bendawo batusa
Artisan Roast
57 Broughton StOur favourite local coffee shop. They know their coffee. Also fantastic sandwiches -- but they're v. limited in quantity, so make sure you go early!
Great little BYOB restaurant serving delicious food at v. reasonable prices. Reservations a must. There's an Oddbins a block away where you can pick up some wine or beer (Leith Walk and Brunswick Rd).
137 abantu bendawo batusa
The Walnut
9 Leith WalkGreat little BYOB restaurant serving delicious food at v. reasonable prices. Reservations a must. There's an Oddbins a block away where you can pick up some wine or beer (Leith Walk and Brunswick Rd).
The place to get your sourdough bread fix. We recommend the white & the porridge, but all their breads are good really.
171 abantu bendawo batusa
Twelve Triangles
90 Brunswick StThe place to get your sourdough bread fix. We recommend the white & the porridge, but all their breads are good really.
A chain, but still a really solid option for Indian in Edinburgh. Definitely yes to the dal makhani.
212 abantu bendawo batusa
Dishoom Edinburgh
3a St Andrew SquareA chain, but still a really solid option for Indian in Edinburgh. Definitely yes to the dal makhani.
We love this Turkish restaurant. If you eat meat, their karisik izgara (mixed grill) is fantastic. The imam bayildi is also fab.
29 abantu bendawo batusa
Ada Restaurant
9a Antigua StWe love this Turkish restaurant. If you eat meat, their karisik izgara (mixed grill) is fantastic. The imam bayildi is also fab.
Gaia
32 Crighton PlFriendly and informal little Italian deli. Get your paninis here!
Tiny hole-in-the-wall Chinese joint by the university. We think it's some of the best Chinese in the city.
Tasty Noodle
36 Buccleuch StTiny hole-in-the-wall Chinese joint by the university. We think it's some of the best Chinese in the city.
Unique set menu venue, constantly inviting guest chefs from around the world. Check their website to see what's on, and be sure to book ahead.
17 abantu bendawo batusa
Edinburgh Food Studio
158 Dalkeith RdUnique set menu venue, constantly inviting guest chefs from around the world. Check their website to see what's on, and be sure to book ahead.
A cozy deli that does breakfast/brunch and lunch, with some indoor seating. Sandwiches, salads, quiches, cakes.
50 abantu bendawo batusa
Broughton Delicatessen
7 Barony StA cozy deli that does breakfast/brunch and lunch, with some indoor seating. Sandwiches, salads, quiches, cakes.
By far the best ice cream in Edinburgh. Get there right after lunch to beat the crowds!
131 abantu bendawo batusa
Mary's Milk Bar
19 GrassmarketBy far the best ice cream in Edinburgh. Get there right after lunch to beat the crowds!
Great place to grab a cheap & cheerful Sudanese wrap for lunch if you're in this part of town. Take away or sit in.
24 abantu bendawo batusa
Nile Valley Cafe
6 Chapel StGreat place to grab a cheap & cheerful Sudanese wrap for lunch if you're in this part of town. Take away or sit in.
Scottish fine dining at, well, its finest. Outstanding food by the chef formerly at Norn. Set menu evening meals at surprisingly reasonable prices, and à la carte lunch menu. We rate this place higher than several other much touted (and often more expensive) set menu restaurants in Edi. Bonus: just around the corner!
21 abantu bendawo batusa
Fhior
36 Broughton StScottish fine dining at, well, its finest. Outstanding food by the chef formerly at Norn. Set menu evening meals at surprisingly reasonable prices, and à la carte lunch menu. We rate this place higher than several other much touted (and often more expensive) set menu restaurants in Edi. Bonus: just around the corner!
We just discovered this place -- recently opened, family owned, authentically Italian gelateria. Great people-watching on Leith Walk, too.
Bon Bon gelateria Edinburgh
65 Elm RowWe just discovered this place -- recently opened, family owned, authentically Italian gelateria. Great people-watching on Leith Walk, too.
While Edinburgh isn't exactly famous for its Korean food, this is one of the better Korean restaurants in the city. Their japchae and, of course, BBQ options definitely beat the local competition.
6 abantu bendawo batusa
Korean BBQ
3 Tarvit StWhile Edinburgh isn't exactly famous for its Korean food, this is one of the better Korean restaurants in the city. Their japchae and, of course, BBQ options definitely beat the local competition.
If you're craving ramen, head here --there's also a branch closer to our place, at the top of Leith Walk. We think their tonkotsu ramen is the best, with burnt shoyu a close second. Salmon & miso also good for non meat eaters.
32 abantu bendawo batusa
Maki Ramen
13 W Richmond StIf you're craving ramen, head here --there's also a branch closer to our place, at the top of Leith Walk. We think their tonkotsu ramen is the best, with burnt shoyu a close second. Salmon & miso also good for non meat eaters.
Drinks & Nightlife
Buzzing, unpretentious gay club over two levels with bars, dance floor and regular cabaret nights
46 abantu bendawo batusa
CC Blooms
23-24 Greenside PlBuzzing, unpretentious gay club over two levels with bars, dance floor and regular cabaret nights
Probably the best place to find interesting beer from independent breweries in Edinburgh. Also do food.
37 abantu bendawo batusa
Salt Horse Beer Shop & Bar
57-61 Blackfriars StProbably the best place to find interesting beer from independent breweries in Edinburgh. Also do food.
Gorgeous pub on Broughton Street. Good selection of beer & gin and solid Broughton St vibes. Has some outdoor seating to catch those afternoon rays.
49 abantu bendawo batusa
The Barony
81-85 Broughton StGorgeous pub on Broughton Street. Good selection of beer & gin and solid Broughton St vibes. Has some outdoor seating to catch those afternoon rays.
If the weather's fine out and you fancy sitting outdoors, The Cumberland would be a good bet. Has a lovely outdoor seating area under some picturesque willow trees.
125 abantu bendawo batusa
The Cumberland Bar
1-3 Cumberland StIf the weather's fine out and you fancy sitting outdoors, The Cumberland would be a good bet. Has a lovely outdoor seating area under some picturesque willow trees.
Purveyor of one-of-a-kind whiskies. On the pricier end for whiskies but often delicious.
80 abantu bendawo batusa
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society
28 Queen StPurveyor of one-of-a-kind whiskies. On the pricier end for whiskies but often delicious.
A family friendly pub with comfy interior decor & outdoor seating.
256 abantu bendawo batusa
Joseph Pearce
23 Elm RowA family friendly pub with comfy interior decor & outdoor seating.
Essentials
Small independent grocery store on Leith Walk. Good place to pick up fresh veg, eggs, etc. Cash only.
53 abantu bendawo batusa
Tattie Shaws
35 Elm RowSmall independent grocery store on Leith Walk. Good place to pick up fresh veg, eggs, etc. Cash only.
Organic food & household goods shop on Broughton St, just a few minutes up the road. There are also several other mainstream grocery shops nearby the flat (2 Tesco's , a Co-op, etc.).
165 abantu bendawo batusa
Real Foods
37 Broughton StOrganic food & household goods shop on Broughton St, just a few minutes up the road. There are also several other mainstream grocery shops nearby the flat (2 Tesco's , a Co-op, etc.).
Something Fishy
16A Broughton StFresh fish! A Broughton St legend.
A good local butcher, with very meaty pies! Their in-house sausages are great.
70 abantu bendawo batusa
Crombies of Edinburgh
97 Broughton StA good local butcher, with very meaty pies! Their in-house sausages are great.
The Bearded Baker
46 Rodney StGood beer selection
Good place to pick up a bottle of wine on your way home. there's also another wine shop further up Broughton Street (Villeneuve Wines).
23 abantu bendawo batusa
Vino
30 Broughton StGood place to pick up a bottle of wine on your way home. there's also another wine shop further up Broughton Street (Villeneuve Wines).
Arts & Culture
Fruitmarket Gallery
45 Market StContemporary art gallery with a cafe & shop downstairs.
Gorgeous outdoor sculpture garden outside the city. A great day out if you have time to spare. To get there, take the Number 27 or X27 bus from outside Waverley Station; the journey should take 35 minutes.
107 abantu bendawo batusa
Jupiter Artland
Gorgeous outdoor sculpture garden outside the city. A great day out if you have time to spare. To get there, take the Number 27 or X27 bus from outside Waverley Station; the journey should take 35 minutes.
Traverse Theatre
10 Cambridge StConsistently has good shows on every festival season.
Fab arts & performance venue by the Meadows and University area. Often have at least several good alternative-type shows on during the Festival. Also a nice plaza/bar area where you can grab a drink & nibbles pre- or post-show.
161 abantu bendawo batusa
Summerhall
Fab arts & performance venue by the Meadows and University area. Often have at least several good alternative-type shows on during the Festival. Also a nice plaza/bar area where you can grab a drink & nibbles pre- or post-show.
A great place to check out some of the dance shows on during the Festival.
8 abantu bendawo batusa
Dance Base, Scotland's National Centre for Dance
14-16 GrassmarketA great place to check out some of the dance shows on during the Festival.
Parks & Nature
Beautiful, spacious, and relaxing -- great on a sunny day.
1227 abantu bendawo batusa
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Arboretum PlaceBeautiful, spacious, and relaxing -- great on a sunny day.
A lovely walk by the Water of Leith -- closest entrance to us is 20 Brandon Terrace (Canonmills) which you can follow to Dean Village (Stockbridge).
147 abantu bendawo batusa
Water of Leith Walkway
Water of Leith WalkwayA lovely walk by the Water of Leith -- closest entrance to us is 20 Brandon Terrace (Canonmills) which you can follow to Dean Village (Stockbridge).
Wonderful views of the city & the sea, especially at sundown.
1098 abantu bendawo batusa
I-Calton Hill
Calton HillWonderful views of the city & the sea, especially at sundown.
Shopping
Fantastic independent bookshop with regular events. In the Stockbridge area.
21 abantu bendawo batusa
Golden Hare Books
68 St Stephen StFantastic independent bookshop with regular events. In the Stockbridge area.
An antiquarian bookshop with gallery space around the corner from the flat -- worth a browse.
McNaughtan's Bookshop
4a Haddington PlAn antiquarian bookshop with gallery space around the corner from the flat -- worth a browse.
A bustling farmer's market, Sundays 10am-5pm (tho' most stalls begin to close up shop earlier than 5).
325 abantu bendawo batusa
Isitolo se-Stockbridge
Saunders StreetA bustling farmer's market, Sundays 10am-5pm (tho' most stalls begin to close up shop earlier than 5).
Small independent whisky bottler & merchant on the Royal Mile. Also does tastings if you book ahead.
11 abantu bendawo batusa
Cadenhead's Whisky Shop
172 CanongateSmall independent whisky bottler & merchant on the Royal Mile. Also does tastings if you book ahead.
Hannah Zakari
A cozy place to pick out fun jewellery.
Uber hip Scandi-inspired shop focusing on knick-knacks & other things for the home.
14 abantu bendawo batusa
Lifestory
53 London StUber hip Scandi-inspired shop focusing on knick-knacks & other things for the home.