I love doing little travel guides like this for you all, and recently I returned from a few days in Edinburgh, and I couldn’t wait to share with you my Edinburgh favorites! There are tons of cafes and bakeries to explore, some very special restaurants, and overall a ton of things to do in Edinburgh that are far from the touristy side (although, some of these recommendations are definitely tourist sites!).
The one thing I can say about Edinburgh is I wish I had more time. There’s so much to do, but really we mostly ate and explored. Eating and walking will always be my two favorite things to do on vacation, and here are some of the restaurants, bars, cafes and sights we loved while we were in Edinburgh! If you’re looking for what to eat, do and see in Edinburgh, I hope a few of these make your list!
Sights
Dean Village & Circus Lane – perfect for grabbing a coffee and strolling through, just be respectful of the people who live there, it would be wild to live in a tourist spot like that!
Victoria Street – another tourist favorite, simply because it’s so beautiful! Known as the Diagon Alley of Edinburgh, but it doesn’t feel super shop-heavy at all. You won’t stumble across may stellar spots, most places are just knick-knack shops, but I still recommend grabbing an Americano and taking a stroll around!
Topping & Company Booksellers – a great place to simmer down and breathe after hiking Arthur’s Seat! And I needed to breathe…..deeply lol.
Bakeries/Cafes
Lannan is absolutely worth the hype. We went twice because on day one we were way too late to sample everything we wanted. So queue up by 8am if you want the full list of items!
Harkness Pies, you simply must go! It’s tiny and smells delicious, and is delicious. Handpies forever.
Ante is a cafe where the menu feels like it was built for me. Rhubarb porridge for breakfast and a crab and cabbage slaw sandwich on brioche for lunch? Dreamy.
Restaurants/Bars
The Outsider – you know how much I love a handwritten menu and a cheeky wine list. This place has stunner views of the Edinburgh Castle, so it fills up with tourists and locals alike. They only take bookings by phone, but I highly, highly recommend a reservation.
Spry Wine Bar – right above Ante, and a perfect place to split a bottle of wine and be wowed by their creative, inventive and yet somehow still homey-feeling menu. It’s small plates, so there’s room to get many.
Thistle Street Bar – I wanted to go to this because it was cute. SUE ME. Turns out, it was cute, and a great place for a sneaky pint after exploring a few museums nearby.
The Devil’s Advocate – if you’re staying near Royal Mile, this is a cool environment for a late night nightcap. Very spooky. However, probably wouldn’t recommend the food.
And while it’s a small list, that is my round-up of what to eat, do and see in Edinburgh! If you’re planning a trip, I hope this is helpful, and please comment any questions, or if you love any of these places!
