Edinburgh recommendations please!

[BuddlesOfMine]

We’ve booked a few nights in Edinburgh for my partner’s 50th birthday and are really looking forward to it! Any recommendations of must-see/must visit other than the obvious tourist sights? Any gems of restaurants/quirky bars, places with views etc. We’ll have the car so can drive out too and see things nearby. You guys came up trumps with the Bradford trip a lady was planning so hoping you can do the same for us! Thank you!

We liked:
Cannonball
The Outsider
Lucky Liquor
Under the Stairs
Lookout

A walk to Arthur's Seat with some great views. For a rainy Day the National Museum of Scotland is worth a visit.

When are you going? Would advise booking in advance for restaurants and some activities.

Cold town house at the end of the grassmarket for quirky bar. Sit in a cable car on the roof terrace right under the castle rock. Book ahead though as it's not big. Also make sure to walk up Victoria street at the other end of grassmarket then back along the terrace part. And just wander up and down closes all around the old town. Be prepared for your legs to ache from all the stairs.

If you don't have time or energy for Arthur's seat then climb the Crags from the commonwealth pool end for the same views with just a short climb.

Also, if it's back open then climb the Scott's Monument, quite a squeeze at the top though so not for the claustrophobic.

For quirky restaurants/bars: Gardener’s Cottage, Badger and Co, The Witchery, Panda and Sons, Tuk Tuk, Makar’s Gourmet Mash Bar and The Table
For a view: Harvey Nichols Forth Floor Restaurant
Unusual things to do:
Chocolate tasting: cocochocolatier.com/pages/tasting-evening or the Chocolatrium www.chocolatarium.co.uk
Distillery tour www.edinburghgin.com/distilleries-and-tours
Three Bridges bus and boat experience www.forthtours.com/cruise/three-bridges-bus-and-boat-experience/

If it’s a nice day Jupiter Art World, about 10 miles outside the city is amazing. A lovely walk in the woods and stunning artworks to see.
Climb Carlton Hill for great views, the restaurant at the top looks good but I haven’t been yet. There’s a cafe too.
On the Royal mile pop into The Jolly Judge for a drink, it’s a tiny pub with an original painted ceiling.

The restaurant at the top of Calton Hill is The Lookout, sister restaurant to Gardener's Cottage - highly recommend for both views and food.

Go for a wander down the Water of Leith to the Galleries of Modern Art (the Ray Harryhausen exhibition is on at the moment.) The Botanics are also worth a visit if the weather is nice.

Jupiter Artland is fantastic but there's plenty to do in the city if you're only here for a couple of days.

If you like Thai food, Nok’s Kitchen is lovely. The one in Stockbridge is lovely. Stockbridge is a lovely area. There’s a weekly market and it’s nice to walk along the water of Leith through Dean’s Village. Feels like a quaint little town in the middle of a city.

Enjoy your trip!

Yes to the roof terrace at Cold Town House, views amazing.

For something very different from luxury but cool, with a great atmosphere and food, we love www.thepitt.co.uk

And if in Leith - which is a must - much calmer than central Edinburgh - 'Lost in Leith' - I like the owners story, plenty of space to sit outside, next to water for a beer.
www.campervanbrewery.com

The Shore and Fishers are both fab. We had the best service ever at the The Shore.
Michelin starred The Kitchin

Teuchtars - sit on the 'barge' behind for drinks.
teuchtersbar.co.uk

Also Leith - the Royal Yacht, and as seen on BBC 's Remarkable Places to Eat'.
www.thefishmarketnewhaven.co.uk - we went for the 'oyster happy hour' and stayed watching the sunset over the water from the patio deck.

I love the 'areas' of Edinburgh more than the centre. We like Stockbridge, great high street and market, Morningside and Marchmont. This is an interesting pub www.cannymans.co.uk

And try Edinburgh's secret bars. I can recommend Panda & Sons. www.designmynight.com/edinburgh/secret-bars-in-edinburgh

Have a great time, amazing city.

Bus to portobello if it's a nice day - lots of little independent shops and cafes and a lovely sandy beach with promenade.

Hope you have fun and use some of these suggestions @BuddlesOfMine

Thanks so much everyone! We’re travelling up tonight. Unfortunately none of the restaurants you have mentioned were available when I tried the other day but we’ve booked a few that look nice. We’ll certainly try some of your suggestions of the areas of Edinburgh to visit! Can anyone recommend somewhere to drive out to at all? Thinking along the coast somewhere for an afternoon/day if there’s a nice town or two to visit? Thanks so much again-I really appreciate the helpful info!

I'm not sure why you would want to leave Edinburgh on a short visit as there is so much there for many days exploring... but South queensferry is a short drive, fab views of the bridges and there is a lovely place to have lunch called the rail bridge bistro, or if you want fancier then Orocco pier.

North Berwick is good for a walk up the law. Great lunch in osteria.

Or you could go to gullane and have a walk along the bents

Or over to Fife to visit crail etc

Loving this thread ❤️

Where are you driving from? It might be more efficient to stop somewhere along the coast on the way home? Hope you’re not caught out by the A1 closure tonight!

The Ship on the Shore in Leith is an absolutely fabulous sea food restaurant. We've eaten all over in Edinburgh and that is by far my favourite.

@BuddlesOfMine - Elie and right up the coast to St Andrews is lovely for a drive out.

The 'beer garden' for this pub is right on the beach.

shipinn.scot