Edinburgh Recommendations?

[LouH5]

Hello!
Currently in the car travelling to Edinburgh for the next couple of days with my boyfriend. I’ve got a travel guide on my lap and google on my phone but asking for some recommendations from people who live there/have visited for must-see things to do.
We’ve booked the Castle for tomorrow but otherwise are open. Are there any restaurants you’d really reccomend? Our budget is relatively normal (as in, would look to pay no more than £30/40pp for a meal- no alcoholic drinks needed).
Thanks in advance!

Surgeons Hall Museum is really interesting.
Ghost tours are fun, the one that takes you into Grey Friars is good.
Be prepared to book anything you want to do in advance online (zoo)
Avoid Gorgie/Dalry, there are far nicer places in Edinburgh to see and eat.
If you want to sightsee try the tour buses. You can jump on and off all round the city.
Definitely don't bother with your car, our bus services are great (and reasonable)
Try OpenTable for food recommendations, I have found that useful in cities I didn't know.
Enjoy Edinburgh, it's a fabulous place 😀

There is a bus stop outside the Dalmahoy and the X27 and X28 come past fairly regular. Probably takes about 20 mins to city centre. Alternatively, as someone suggested, you can drive to a tram stop. The tram stop at south gyle might be closer than Ingliston, it on street parking though.

Thanks @MiddleAgedDread for the park and ride tip- we will deffo do that!

Zoo is 5 minutes walk from Murrayfield! Suggest Leith or Arthur’s Seat if you want to avoid rugby crowds.

I thought you might be ok at the zoo if you timed it right but it closes at 4pm in November so you'd be coming out right into the match traffic. Although you'd be going against the rugby crowds coming into Murrayfield so might be ok.

at the bottom right of the castle in market square (go down the stairs at the side of the castle) we went to a restaurant called Le Petite Francais the food was simple but well cooked and reasonably priced compared to the royal mile they do an early bird fixed menu which was well priced

The Balmoral hotel for coffee. It’s expensive for coffee but they give you shortbread biscuits and replace them at no extra charge.

La Viola for well priced food and the sweet treats that they sell.

The zoo is not 5 minutes walk from Murrayfield, more like 15 or 20 minutes.
For something a bit different, go to Cramond on the outskirts of Edinburgh.There's the remains of a Roman fort, a small woodland walk and a tidal island that you can walk to at low tide. The island has the remains of WW2 fortifications and great views over the River Forth to the city and Fife. You can get a bus there from Princes Street.
I agree with everyone who suggested Arthur's Seat and the Museum of Scotland. Museum of Childhood is worth a visit, all these are free.
Dine restaurant at Cambridge Street beside the Usher Hall and the Lyceum Theatre has a fixed price menu at lunchtime with a hot drink included and no automatic service charge. Nice food too and some cheap cocktails.

We did a tour of the underground vaults which was excellent

www.visitscotland.com/info/tours/the-vaults-tour-6857aaf8

Dalmahoy is our favourite hotel! I’m so jealous! Definitely do the park and ride, it’s so convenient. I hope you have a fab time!

If you're in the city centre on George Street I'd highly recommend Baba for food. It's a mezze and grill place and open all day.

http://baba.restaurant/

I love the Surgeon’s Hall Museum!

Valvona and Crolla at the top of Leith Walk is a favourite place to trough away.

It’s lovely isn’t it! We’re just about to have a meal in tne hotel for ease, then an hour or two in the pool before an early night ready for a day of exploring tomorrow!

Sounds like heaven! The breakfast is amazing, it’s so relaxing with views over the golf course! I think I need to book a visit!

To avoid the rugby on Saturday, if it’s dry, you could drive to south Queensferry and get a boat to Incholm Island. Or have a wander through Dalmeny Estate (there’s a loop you can do - search online - takes a couple of hours.

Dean bridge/water of leith/stockbridge wander is lovely. Plenty of cafes, restaurants etc.

Go up Carlton Hill, short walk, view over the city, opportunity for some nice pics.

Watch out for the Christmas decorations outside The Dome on George Street.

food wise, in no particular order Baba, indigo yard, Lady Libertine (the ground floor cafe), Black Ivy (if you go for a wander in bruntsfield/morningside), the Raeburn, Kings Wark (Leith), The Raeburn or Hamilton’s (Stockbridge), Mowgli, Fava, Bonnie & Wilde (St James Centre - close to Carlton Hill).

Not quite the time of year but you can't go wrong with an ice cream at Mary's Milk Bar after you visit the castle (at the bottom of Grassmarket!) Whenever I'm in town the queue is always out the door and round the block!

Also love the Ting Thai Caravan off Bristo Square for a quick lunch (maybe after you've checked out the Museums!)

Another vote for Surgeons Halland Fruitmarket Gallery by Waverley Station. And no visit to Edinburgh complete without a climb up Arthur's Seat! Approach from Pollock Hall / Commonwealth Pool for a short climb if you don't fancy the long meander from Holyrood