Edinburgh with teen 1 day/night

[Karwomannghia]

Going to look at the uni, staying Friday night in premier inn central with dd 17. Have looked at other threads and think a wander down the royal mile, maybe go up a hill and do a secret tunnel tour- any advice about that/order appreciated! Also where to eat Friday? She’s a not very adventurous veggie and indecisive, I don’t want to spend hours looking at menus and having them vetoed! Thank you

I would recommend Mary Kings Close. Have a look online. It’s on the Royal Mile. Head up to the castle esplanade for the 1 o’clock gun. Wander down the royal mile.

Food wise, book. The weekends are always really busy. If you book a couple of place, you can always cancel on the day.

Great thank you, yes I thought Mary kings close that’s what I meant by secret tunnel tour sorry! Do you reckon by lantern or by day better?
do you know any interesting looking pizza or Indian places?

Sounds like a great plan. I've not done a secret tunnel tour but heard good things. Good idea to go up the Crags or Arthur's Seat or Calton Hill if you want something shorter.

Food wise - assume your daughter has a phone? Get her to research and suggest places!

Mary Kings is lit the same way day and into the evening. There are other ghost tours by touch light etc but they aren’t particularly good. Mary Kings is real Edinburgh.

Dishoom is good for Indian on St Andrew Square. Amarone on the corner of St Andrew Square is alright too. Both chains but if its ease you’re looking for I don’t think you can go wrong.

Grace Dent reviewed an Indian place called Tantra in yesterday’s Guardian. I’ve added it as a possibility for my upcoming trip.

There’s a Mowgli and a Dishoom. I’d say that generally the food in Dishoom is better than Mowgli

I read that too and love grace dent! Alas I predict it would be too much quirkiness for dd and a waste of money!
we love Mowgli here. I think I’ll book one of the Indian books restaurants mentioned thank you

Booked Dishoom looks lovely!

Great. Enjoy your trip.

You’re right she is rarely parted from her phone but waiting for dd to start a task can be painful and I’m aware time isn’t on our side!!

how long does it take to get up Arthur’s seat it does look amazing but carlton hill more doable

You’re right she is rarely parted from her phone but waiting for dd to start a task can be painful
Does she sound excited about the open day? If there's nothing else about it she has to plan then this could be something for her to get excited about - insta /tiktok recommendations etc.

Can you get her to set a deadline?

(If you have to make a last minute compromise and eat in the Premier Inn she's got more to lose than you as the veggie! Or are you worried she'd quite like to hide in the hotel?)

I did think about that as it’s cheap but I wanted to make it a bit special. No she likes going out she’s just fussy!

just realised I booked dishoom for 8am and they’re booked out for the evening.

Agree with others, Mary Kings is fantastic. Son (then 18) and I really enjoyed the ghost bus tour as well. Daft old nonsense but the guide was brilliant/hilarious.

Wouldn’t bother with castle tour, there’s hardly anything in there. Looking at it from outside is far more impressive.

David Bann veg restaurant in st Mary’s street is lovely. I think there is a Premier Inn across the road.

Do a wee ticky walk tour - include Victoria Street and its colourful shops, (Museum of Context shop if fab for HP), down to the Grassmarket to see the historic pubs, up Candlelmaker row and say hello to Greyfriars Bobby. Up to the Meadows and Bristo Square, via Napiers Herbalist to show her where to go when she gets Freshers Flu. You could then head back down to the High Street any number of ways but I like taking the back lanes. At the foot of the High Street is views of Arthur’s Seat.

loads of lovely cafes, dinner at Banns.

I am not sure Mary Kings would be my first choice if I had a day. Get a feel for the city, its views and perspectives. The tours and buildings and tunnels are for another time when you have longer

ps I meant to add a quick visit into St Giles Cathedral on the High Street as part of a nice tour

Just booked Mary kings close so too late! But I went for the latest slot so we can see other stuff in daylight. Will try these other restaurants thank you

If you're up near the Royal Mile and uni, I'd recommend Mother India for food - it's great for veggie options. Calton Hill also easier than Arthur's Seat if time is short. Alternative food suggestion: Civerinos for pizza (just off Royal Mile again). And if you've any more time, you might want to take a walk across the Meadows as that's the student area rather than the touristy centre.

For a veggie Indian which is delicious you could try Kalpna. It's Southside so a bus ride away from the centre or a decent walk. You would definitely need to book it.

Open top bus tour.
Kalpna opposite St Nicholas Square is a vegetarian Indian restaurant and depending on what your DD aims to study is right by the central Uni campus for a wander around.

I'd visit the pandas. They are amazing and going soon! Easy journey by bus.

I was going to suggest Mother India too.

Ting Thai Caravan is wonderful.

Maybe consider the bus tour so that she gets to see an overview of the city?

Makers Mash Bar is at a different price level to most of the suggestions you’ve had so far (it’ll be cheaper!) but might meet DD’s preference for simplicity?

I’m not a huge fan of bus tours but will see what she says. Yes I saw the mash place I think it sounds great and a bit different

Calton Hill and just wander around the university, the Meadows, the south side to get a feel for where the students hang out.