Best of Edinburgh- quirky

[Lovingthemalbec]

We have a rare x 2 nights, 3 days childfree and are planning a trip to Edinburgh, just dh and myself. We love pubs especially beer gardens, unusual or quirky ones. Sights, history. We aren't into spas or posh restaurants but appreciate nice food. Too old for clubs (40s) . Looking to hear what people's must see places that have been there please so we can cram as much into the trip as we can. We were interested to hear about the underground streets so might give that tour a whirl.

Frankenstein bar is quirky and amazing.
If you're not squeamish would recommend surgeons Hall museum - absolutely fascinating.

There is a bar that has a witchy theme that is pretty quirky, the cocktails are lethal. I cannot remember for the life of me what it was called though. When I went we went to a tapas place to eat that was lovely, possibly cafe Andaluz.

PP is right, you need to book everywhere though.

The boat tour under the Forth Bridges. And there's a cafe in Queensferry village where you get the boat tour that sells the most amazing hot quiches.
Stockbridge market on Sunday.

Sounds like you need leith shore. It all has its very own beer garden, people outside from many pubs you can sit with your drink legs dangling over the wall of the water of leith. Although there are some lovely official ones over the water too like teuchters landing which a lovely outdoor waterside balcony. Barologist for cocktails. Never mind chain restaurant tapas there is a beautiful independent place called tapa that does the best lunch sharing platter or Kezban if you prefer a Turkish meze. If you fancy Michelin star instead there is the kitchin. Ship on the shore if you want fresh fish. Way less touristy and more relaxed than the likes of rose street and George st

Go and visit Greyfriars Bobby's. His story is probably nonsense but his sratue is cute.
We spotted lots of streets that JK Rowling may have named her characters after.
The Heart of Midlothian is off the Royal Mile. People spit on it!
Loved the National Museum of Scotland.
Procaffeination, 4 St Mary's Street, off the Royal Mile, does lovely coffee and sandwiches. Run by a Greek guy I think, his cheese pie is awesome.
Climb to the top of Calton Hill for views.

Day 1
Camera Obscura and Gladstone’s Land (amazing ice cream and coffee
Shop ) on the Royal Mile. Walk down the mile, stopping at Cannongate Kirk as well as the popping into some of the closes and gardens. Walk round Arthur’s Seat to Duddingston for a drink / food or a game of skittles.

Day 2
Stockbridge market and then walk along the water of leith, past dean village to the galleries of modern art 1&2. Back into town and explore Princes St Gardens, and up Calton Hill.

Craigmillar Castle - lots of people prefer it to Edinburgh Castle, far less crowded

If your looking for somewhere to stay that's a little quirky, then I'd recommend House of Gods. It's very opulent - and defo a couples hotel. Very nice cocktails and very OTT.

I'd visit Holyrood Distillery if you can and get the gin and whisky tour. The distillery is small but the tour is interesting and they have lots of tasters. Also a nice wee courtyard beer garden that's out of the way so u won't need to book etc.

An evening ghost tour is good fun :) and the grass market is beautiful!

Enjoy !

1. Panda snd Sons, fab prohibition style bar with a hidden entrance.
2. Auld Reekie underground city tours
3. Department of Magic potion making and escape room
4. Chaopraya, Forth Floor Harvey Nichols amd the new Johnny Walker top floor, all rooftop bars with amazing views
5. Johnny Walker whiskey tour
6. The Alchemist in St Jame's quarter
7. Bonnie and Wild food court, again St Jame's quarter
8. Surgeons hall museum for the history or medicine and dentistry ( a bit quirky and macabre)
9. Supercube for karaoke

10. The Dome ( especially at Christmas time) 11. South Queensferry for browsing and nice food 12. Bruntsfield and Morningside for coffee and boutique shops 13. Water of leith from Roseburn to Stockbridge. Stop at the art galleries en route. Finish up at Ian Mellis Cheesmonger 14. Camera Obscura on the Royal Mile 15. Gladstone Land and the Georgian house 16. Cramond. Walk to the island when the tide is out ( check with the coastguard) 17. Dominion cinema in Morningside for luxury seats and waiter service 18. Mary Kings close 19. Museum of childhood

We are off to Edinburgh in a few weeks too. Also making notes!

The chocolate making place is good fun.

Leith is amazing, very foody.

Also love this bar.

www.campervanbrewery.com/lostinleith

And this is my absolute favourite for quirky. The food and atmosphere fab.

www.thepitt.co.uk

Another vote for The Mussel Inn on Rose St. one of my favorite restaurants!

Half kilo of mussels in bacon and blue cheese sauce with endless baskets of hot crusty bread to dip in.... 🤤🤤🤤 all for the grand price of £6.50!

A few that are out of the centre just in case to add to the mix:

I always add this because it never comes up - fascinating www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/gilmerton-cove-p548731

If you are going to Duddingston, go to Dr Neill’s garden www.drneilsgarden.co.uk/

12 Triangles bakeries twelvetriangles.co.uk/

Fish and chips on the harbour at Newhaven. Happily there is now a chippy right there so you don’t have to buy them elsewhere then head north www.thefishmarketnewhaven.co.uk/

Colinton Tunnel along the Water of Leith path www.colintontunnel.org.uk/

And finally, an absolute essential - cardamom bun from Soderberg www.soderberg.uk/

Stockbridge has a market on Sunday and on Saturdays there is a market at Castle Terrace. The latter is quite focused on actual food shopping, Stockbridge has a few more options if you want to eat there and then.

National galleries of Scotland (family friend is art curator there), camera obscura, Mary Kings close, vaults

@electrocautery

1. Panda snd Sons, fab prohibition style bar with a hidden entrance.

1. Auld Reekie underground city tours
2. Department of Magic potion making and escape room
3. Chaopraya, Forth Floor Harvey Nichols amd the new Johnny Walker top floor, all rooftop bars with amazing views
4. Johnny Walker whiskey tour
5. The Alchemist in St Jame's quarter
6. Bonnie and Wild food court, again St Jame's quarter
7. Surgeons hall museum for the history or medicine and dentistry ( a bit quirky and macabre)
8. Supercube for karaoke

10. The Dome ( especially at Christmas time) 11. South Queensferry for browsing and nice food 12. Bruntsfield and Morningside for coffee and boutique shops 13. Water of leith from Roseburn to Stockbridge. Stop at the art galleries en route. Finish up at Ian Mellis Cheesmonger 14. Camera Obscura on the Royal Mile 15. Gladstone Land and the Georgian house 16. Cramond. Walk to the island when the tide is out ( check with the coastguard) 17. Dominion cinema in Morningside for luxury seats and waiter service 18. Mary Kings close 19. Museum of childhood

@electrocautery - DB and SIL went to Edinburgh with their toddler and he loved it!

Sorry I mean to museum of childhood

Another vote for Howies.