Must see places in Edinburgh

[MartagonLilies]

Planning a trip to Edinburgh, and any recommendations would be lovely. It'll just be DH and I, and I'm not sure for how long - at least 3 nights.

Is there anything that is a must see? Also restaurants that you've been to and highly rate?
I'm also a bit stuck on evenings out - we don't want to be clubbing, though would love to get out!

Castle
Camera Obscura

Palace
Parliament
Pandas (at the zoo)
Playhouse

Britania

Cafe royal.

Castle
National Museum of Scotland
Holyrood Palace

Witchery is very nice for a special occasion.
Mammas Pizza in the Grassmarket for something a bit more casual.

National museum is great. Dishoom for food

combine the must-see with a restaurant by going up Calton hill to the new lookout by gardeners cottage - ideally at sunset.

The Galleries are great, I particularly like the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art (it's in two buildings).

Most of my recommendations have been said. The dungeon is a fun look at the darker side of history. Some of the walking tours are great. If you are at all geeky, the tiny but fabulous pop up geek bar is good for cocktails/drinks. It regularly has different themes.

Probably needs more idea of interests and budget as there is so much to do, sea and eat!

Lots of great freebies...

Up Calton Hill or for a longer hike up Arthur’s seat for great views.

National museum and art galleries especially modern art at the West End.

Botanics

Or at a cost

A walking tour - can give you a great recommendation. There are also evening ghost themed walks if that’s your thing.

In the evening The Stand comedy club is good fun for the open minded.

Not so keen on the Castle as it was so busy (free with EH membership of more than one year though)
Camera Obscura (favourite, used to be able to use Tesco vouchers but haven't checked recently)
Zoo
Museum of Scotland (amazing)
Museum of Childhood
Botanic Gardens
It's a great place for a short break.

The creepy medical museum!

Mercat walking ghost/history tours are great. Meet in the old town. There is a new miller and carter opened in the new town, it friends on what type of food you like. Someone mentioned cafe royal which is fab, the Witchery is s bit too fancy for me though...steak tartare was what put me off lol.

Ahh OP I'm so jealous, DD, DH and I went last March and had a great time .... DH and I did say how amazing it would be to go just the two of us though and spend the day drinking.

Camera Obscura (if you can go back again same day when it's got dark to go on the roof and see the city at night)
National Museum
National Portrait Gallery. The cafe there looked lovely too
If you're Harry Potter fans there are so many places to visit connected to the books too
Greyfriars Bobby statue obviously!

If you spend some time planning it there's so much to do for free especially if the weather is dry and your happy to walk a bit.

Food
The Dogs did an excellent lunch menu
El Cartel Mexican was amazing although the queue was huge 10 minutes before it opened at lunch. Worth a short wait though.

Have a brilliant time!

Mary king street
the vaults on a ghost walk
the museums

This www.realmarykingsclose.com was brilliant.

@Nothingfallingdowntoday could you please recommend an walking tours in Edinburgh

www.edinburghexpert.com

Definitely Camera Obscura, great for all ages, lots of fun.

And if you like Mexican food, Miros Cantina Mexicana in Rose Street (behind Princes Street) was amazing, have to book as it’s quite small.

Ooooh, I second visiting the parliament. We ended up going three times as we enjoyed watching the debates so much. We were fascinated by the differences in the Scottish and British parliaments.

The real Mary kings close is good. I wouldn’t recommend the walking tour that goes into that undergound rooms/caves I found it dull and not enough about the history of Edinburgh.

There was a fab Italian near st Andrew square. Amarone. Fab building and lovely food.

The ivy was nice as well but you can go to an ivy in lots of places now.

The bus tour was good. Like the ones in most city’s you can jump on and off where you like.

A fun night out is the beer Keller place just near the train station brewhemia. The restaurant at the front is lovely and then you go through to a themed bier Keller type bar which had fantastic live band on when we went. It also has a cafe area and you can have afternoon tea. It’s a very odd concept. But really enjoyed it.

Royal mile is good for a bit of tourist tat.

We stayed near Harvey Nicols which was a nice area and easy to get to from the airport. The chocolate bar upstairs was great as well. We went there on our first afternoon for a cocktail and a browse of the designer wear. Definitely not buying.

Loads of replies - thanks fellow Mnetters

I'll check out everything on here once the DC are all in bed.

Unicorn do you mean I shouldn't book the tour on the main website for the real Mary Kings close? Can we just take a wander around on our own then? Also, I've just taken a look at Brewhemia and it looks fantastic, so thanks for that suggestion.

I see a few suggestions for Camera Obscura and The Parliament, so will be taking at look at those too!

Nothing You're right - I should have specified a bit more, just we like everything not fussy at all. Would love to sample a taste of traditional Scotland though, in both food and experiences. Our budget is not extravagant, though we're happy to splash out once or twice. Free is always good too.

Also, and probably most importantly, we tend to only eat out once a day when away, so any suggestions of lovely delis or little shops where we could pick up a couple of bits where we're staying would be helpful. We'll have a kitchen, so anything really.

Oooh forgot that Edinburgh Larder does an awesome breakfast!

totally derailed from deli/self catering ideas

tellme I'll take a peek.

The Guildford Arms just off Princes Street has a lovely restaurant (and a choice of about 10 beers if you like beer!)

There is a Sainsbury’s in the new town to pick up bits you need. The Alsbannsch on the RoyalMile does good food. Deacon Brodie’s is always busy but not great.

I've checked out most things on here, working my way through them all

Camera Obscura looks fantastic. The museums will hard to choose from, I have to say, and we would definitely like to do one of the walking tours, perhaps at night?
Could anyone confirm whether it's possible to just explore the real Mary Kings Close on our own?

Most of the food places look amazing. Tough decision on where to go

It's a bus ride away but the Royal Yacht at Leith is worth a look.