40th birthday trip to Edinburgh

[Mummytothearkbuilder]

Evening all

I know Edinburgh recommendations are often requested on here but I'm after some ideas for a long weekend away happening in a couple of weeks.

3 long time school friends all turning 40 this year are leaving the kids at home with this husband and looking for some nice places to eat, shop, have a few drinks (not clubby type places) and just enjoy ourselves.

Any recommendations would be fab!

Thanks x

Book afternoon tea on the Royal Yacht Britannia.

Had a decent meal at Brewhemia by Waverley station - they often have live music too.

Chaophraya Thai has an amazing view. Ditto for Harvey Nichols Fourth Floor Brasserie.
Tattu looks amazing inside and the food is special too.

We ate at Rollo recently and it was one of the best meals I've eaten in a long time: www.barrollo.com/welcome

The Outsider is a great restaurant. We had a lovely meal there a couple of weeks ago.

Ohh amazing! Thank you! Will check these out! Xx

George street for shopping and cocktails and the St James Centre for shops. Brewhemia is usually lively and the outsider is great if you can get a table with a castle view. Sunday morning stroll along the water of leith from Dean village to Stockbridge for brunch and the wee market.

Heads and Tales is a gin bar in Rutland Square (at Lothian Rd/Princes St) nice gor some drinks, lots of places on George Street to eat drink, many are chains. Ideal for Friday drinks and dinner, most shopping is in St James Centre, George St and Multrees Walk, again most of these are chain stores, if you fancy more indies head to head to Bruntsfield/Morningside, nice way to spend a Saturday afternoon or alternatively have a wander down royal mile. Visit the National Gallery.
There are some nice restaurants/bars around Broughton St or could get the Tram to Leith but I would have a look and book in advance.
On a Sunday there is a nice farmers market in Stockbridge. Its a 20 min walk down there and you could grab a nice brunch/lunch and even walk round the Botanics.
The bus service in around Edinburrgh is pretty regular and decent and there is a price cap on the buses (max of around £5) which you can tap with your cards. However you do need to bug tram tickets in advance.

The Dome is really lovely for dinner.

Have a lovely time op.

Edited to add: wrap up as it will be freezing 🥶

Was about to suggest the Dome. Contini and Amarone are good Italians in the New Town nearby.

Dishoom is also lovely and I really fancy trying Hawksmoor! If you fancy something more laidback, the Mash House on the mound is great!

I think Hawksmoor is a bit overpriced. It was nice but lunchtime is much better value than dinner.

Have a look at Somewhere by Nico, it's a cocktail experience with paired tasting plates. The theme changes every few weeks. I haven't been yet but it looks really good.

Papillon - a lovely Italian restaurant. .

Tattu is very instagrammy and full of people who like that sort of thing.
Hawksmoor is overpriced and has an odd vibe. Perhaps people being paid for by work or something.

What sort of vibe do you like?

The W hotel for cocktails, or Nor' loft

There’s a nice zoo at Edinburgh with koalas which you don’t often see.

Royal yacht Britannia.

walk up Arthers seat.

Portobello us a nice little seaside area.

Breakfast the Ivy , lunch the dome , the restaurant in Cafe Royal for dinner or lunch, afternoon tea palm court in the Balmoral, I really like Mowgli for a late dinner. Secret cocktail bar Panda & Sons & Bramble Bar also like voodoo rooms for cocktails . I like to visit the Stand Comedy club two shows a night the early and late show. Edinburgh if a great city loads of great bars and restaurants

You can't go wrong with Vittorias Italian on George IV Bridge (you say 'George the Fourth bridge'), The Outsider next door is also fabulous.

If you like mainstream covers bands and an upbeat vibe, Finnegans Wake on Victoria Street is a blast (and is my happy place - spent the entirety of the Tony Blair administration getting hammered in here and meeting all manner of men, god I could write a book!)

If you fancy staying in the south of the city (and why wouldn't you) Montpeliers and Black Ivy in Bruntsfield are both awesome for early drinks and even a whole night out.

If you walk down to Stockbridge then don't miss Handbag Heaven on Dundas Street, it's full of preloved designer goodies to suit all budgets. The Sunday farmers market is crap in my personal opinion but Stockbridge itself is great for a Sunday mooch, you can even swing past the Botanic Gardens.

These are amazing! Thank you all so much xx

Many Galleries are free - there are two Modern art museums across the road / park from each other (and have nice cafe...), and I like the portrait gallery.