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 Stackdelicious 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’sMichelin-star food at eye watering prices
- Fish - Fishers Leithfab seafood
- Fish & Chips - L’Alba D’Orobest in town. Takeaway or sit-in
- French - L'Escargot Blanc tasty lunch set-menu
- Indian - Mother India Cafesuperb tapas-style Indian food
- Iranian - Dishoom very tasty Iranian-style food. One of my sons' fav places
- Italian - Contini George Street good food in a stunning setting
- Japanese - Harajuku Kitchen - recommended highly by the lovely Katie Green
- Locally Sourced - Forage & Chatter fabulous foraged food
- Middle Eastern - Pomegrante fantastic Middle Eastern food. BYOB
- Mexican - Bodega TollXamazing modern tacos
- Neighbourhood Bistro - First Coastvalue-for-money Scottish bistro
- Pizza - Pizza Postogood value pizzas in a central location
- Romantic Twosome (or more) - The Stockbridge Restaurant lovely food and setting
- Sandwiches - Cairngorm Coffee Cogood 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 Bitesocial enterprise company, aiming to end homelessness
- Takeaway ( lunch) - Henderson’s Shop & Deligreat veggie takeaway
- Tapas - Tapa ok, so I'm cheating with a second Spanish place, but I love it here!
- Thai - Nok's Kitchengreat food & amazing presentation
- Vegan - Holy Cowlovely wee place behind the bus station
- Vegetarian - David Bannwonderful 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 Healthfoodsfamily 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 & Winegreat selection at a range of prices
- Tea - Pekoe Teaamazing 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