Visiting Edinburgh? Maybe for the Edinburgh Yarn Festival ? Having lived in Edinburgh since 1981, apart from a few years here and there abroad, I thought I’d write a list of some of me and my family’s favourite places.

FOOD

• Bistro – The Educated Flea great menu, at the foot of Broughton Street
• British – The Walnut tiny restaurant serving amazing British cuisine
• Brunch – The Pantry great breakfast though you can’t book a table
• Cafe – Loudons open for breakfast, lunch & afternoon tea. Gluten free options
• Cake – Cuckoos Bakery delicious cakes in Stockbridge & Bruntsfield
• Chinese – The Stack delicious dim sum
• Edinburgh Institution – Bells Diner throwback to the 70s. Best nut burgers in town!
• Gallery Cafe – Scottish National Portrait Gallery wonderful self-service cafe
• Fine Dining – Martin Wishart’s Michelin-star food at eye watering prices
• Fish – Fishers Leith fab seafood
• Fish & Chips – L’Alba D’Oro best in town. Takeaway or sit-in
• French – L’Escargot Blanc tasty lunch set-menu
• Indian – Mother India Cafe superb tapas-style Indian food
• Iranian – Dishoon very tasty Iranian-style food. One of my sons’ fav places
• Italian – Contini George Street good food in a stunning setting
• Locally Sourced – Forage & Chatter fabulous foraged food
• Middle Eastern – Pomegrante fantastic Middle Eastern food. BYOB
• Mexican – Bodega TollX amazing modern tacos
• Neighbourhood Bistro – First Coast value-for-money Scottish bistro
• Pizza – Pizza Posto good value pizzas in a central location
• Romantic Twosome (or more) – The Stockbridge Restaurant lovely food and setting
• Sandwiches – Cairngorm Coffee Co good sandwiches & coffee in city centre
• Scandi – Timberyard stunning Scandinavian style food
• Scottish – Scran and Scallie great Scottish cooking in Stockbridge
• Spanish – La Sal amazing Spanish cuisine.  Book ahead as its quite small
• Soup – Social Bite social enterprise company, aiming to end homelessness
• Takeaway ( lunch) – Henderson’s Shop & Deli great veggie takeaway
• Tapas – Tapa ok, so I’m cheating with a second Spanish place, but I love it here!
• Thai – Nok’s Kitchen great food & amazing presentation
• Vegan – Holy Cow lovely wee place behind the bus station
• Vegetarian – David Bann wonderful vegetarian menu
• Xtra! – Boda Bars the Boda chain incl. Akva are great for food, a drink & a knit!

DRINK

• All Rounder – The Ox
• Beer – St Andrews Brewing Company
• Cocktails – Last Word Saloon
• Edinburgh Institution – Canny Man’s
• Gin – The Jolly Botanist
• Live Music – Voodoo Rooms
• Piece of History – The Golf Tavern
• Real Ale – The Standing Order
• Stunning Architecture – Café Royal
• Whisky – The Bow Bar
• Wine – L’Escargot Blanc Wine Bar

SHOP

• Books – Golden Hare Books dog-friendly independent book shop in Stockbridge
• Coffee – Mr Eion best coffee beans in town
• Fabric – Fabric Focus very friendly helpful fabric shop
• Health – Hanover Healthfoods family owned health shop in city centre
• Jewellery – Annie Smith my fav jewellery shop in Edinburgh
• Locally Made – Concrete Wardrobe  fantastic shop selling Scottish handmade goods
• Off License – Cornelius Beer & Wine great selection at a range of prices
• Tea – Pekoe Tea amazing varieties of tea

YARNS

• Be Inspired Fibres Mei runs an amazing shop selling unusual yarns
• Ginger Twist Studio Jess sells a range of yarns for all budgets, incl. her own stunning hand-dyed
• Kathys Knits Cathy sells a range of British yarns
• McArees selling a range of brands incl. Rowan

FOR FREE!

• Beach – Cramond Beach take the 41 bus from the centre of town
• Botanic Gardens – Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
• City Gallery – City Art Centre
• Modern Art – Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
• National Museum – National Museum of Scotland
• Portrait Gallery – Scottish National Portrait Gallery
• River Walk – Water of Leith Walkway
• Tapestry & Weaving – Dovecot Studios