Best Spots in Edinburgh for The Unhurried Travellers
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For a relaxed pace
From the classic St Giles' Cathedral and Scott Monument, to lesser-known spots worth adding to your trip.
★ 4.6 · 13,535 reviews
Walk into St Giles' Cathedral, the crowned Gothic landmark at the heart of the Royal Mile. Inside, take in the carved details and calm atmosphere that contrast with the busy street outside.
★ 4.7 · 8,042 reviews
Look up at the Scott Monument, Edinburgh's soaring Gothic tribute to its most celebrated author. Climb the 287 steps to the top for views across Princes Street and the Old Town skyline.
★ 4.9 · 2,139 reviews
Discover Hendersons, Edinburgh's celebrated vegetarian restaurant with a stylish, upmarket feel. Order from its inventive plant-based menu and finish with a Hugo spritz that reviewers call the city's best.
★ 4.6 · 16,184 reviews
Climb into Camera Obscura & World of Illusions, a five-storey tower on the Royal Mile packed with playful optical tricks. Work your way up through interactive exhibits, step through the spinning tunnel and mirror room, and see Edinburgh projected live in the camera obscura.
★ 4.9 · 2,785 reviews
Discover Topping & Company Booksellers, Edinburgh's grand bookshop of towering shelves and rolling ladders. Browse a broad range, enjoy tea in a warm atmosphere, and linger into the evening, as it stays open until 21:00.
★ 4.7 · 599 reviews
Treat yourself to Restaurant Martin Wishart, Leith's flagship address for refined French cooking. Settle in for a long, polished lunch or dinner of seasonal Scottish ingredients, with attentive service and optional wine pairings.
★ 4.7 · 6,815 reviews
Discover the Scotch Whisky Experience, an audiovisual introduction to Scotland's national spirit. Follow the journey from cask to glass, view the huge bottle collection, and taste whisky guided by regional aromas.
★ 4.6 · 2,783 reviews
Discover The Bow Bar, a compact, no-frills pub devoted to cask beer and single malt whisky. Let the bartenders guide you through a dram or a pint, with a hot pie on the side.
★ 4.8 · 3,205 reviews
Discover the Johnnie Walker Signature Experience, a polished whisky journey built around your own tastes. Take the flavour quiz, watch the story unfold through projections and live performance, and sample three drinks matched to your profile.
★ 4.4 · 3,786 reviews
Discover Cafe Royal, a grand Victorian pub just off the city centre, famed for its tiled walls and stained glass. Order real ales, a dram or fresh oysters beneath its soaring ceiling.
★ 4.4 · 2,504 reviews
Settle into Baba, a warm, rustic-chic spot where Mediterranean plates meet the charcoal grill. Share roasted garlic and grilled dishes with a cocktail in a handsome historic building.
★ 4.4 · 2,880 reviews
Dine at The Outsider, where split-level rooms frame views of Edinburgh Castle. Settle in with candlelight, hearty seasonal plates like steak frites or fish, and a relaxed pace.
★ 4.5 · 1,246 reviews
Step into 10 to 10 in Delhi, a tiny Edinburgh tea house that diners call a little gem. Share classic Indian dishes with a twist, such as mattar paneer, in a cosy, beautifully decorated room.
★ 4.5 · 2,266 reviews
Pull up to Civerinos on Forrest Road for pizza that locals say lives up to the hype. Order a thin New York-style slice or a whole pie with creative toppings in a small, buzzing room.
★ 4.6 · 4,480 reviews
Queue or book for a table at The Edinburgh Larder, a Blackfriars Street favourite for seasonal Scottish produce. Order the Eggs Royale or brisket benedict and enjoy a proper cup of artisan coffee alongside.
★ 4.6 · 1,314 reviews
Step into Valvona & Crolla, Scotland's oldest Italian deli, open since 1934. Browse shelves of regional Italian produce, pastries and wines, then sit down in the attached cafe for something to eat.
★ 4.6 · 945 reviews
Book a table at Timberyard, the converted warehouse where local Scottish produce meets inventive cooking. Settle into its warm, industrial-chic dining room for a multi-course lunch or dinner with bar drinks on the side.
★ 4.6 · 726 reviews
Grab a table at Ka Pao, a trendy restaurant that keeps going until midnight. Share flavour-packed plates, many of them gluten-free adaptable, in a lively room that rewards repeat visits.
★ 4.4 · 3,579 reviews
Squeeze into Chez Jules, Edinburgh's cheerful red-and-yellow French bistro. Order the steak frites or the good-value set lunch and soak up the lively, noisy atmosphere.
★ 4.4 · 921 reviews
Slip into Noto on Thistle Street, a Bib Gourmand restaurant tucked into New Town. Share inventive small plates, sip a signature cocktail, and choose between the dining room and the bar.
★ 4.5 · 2,781 reviews
Step into The Scran and Scallie, an Edinburgh gastropub where pub comfort meets Modern Scottish cooking. Dig into a hearty steak pie or scallops, then browse the whisky list in a warm, rustic-chic room.
★ 4.8 · 2,469 reviews
Seek out The Roseleaf, a playful Leith bistro near the waterfront where the cocktails arrive in teapots. Sit among the vintage decor and share halloumi fries with honey or a bowl of Cullen skink.
★ 4.4 · 3,574 reviews
Join the line at The Milkman, a brick-walled former candy shop turned much-loved coffee house. Wait for a flat white made with carefully sourced beans, and pair it with a slice of cake or a pastry.
★ 4.7 · 4,590 reviews
Start early at Hula, an Edinburgh favourite with fresh, healthy plates and friendly staff. Order apple crisp pancakes or avocado and poached eggs on sourdough, ideally at an outdoor table.
★ 4.7 · 3,478 reviews
Join the brunch crowd at The Pantry, where a virtual queue keeps the wait manageable. Share truffle potatoes, then dig into avocado toast with streaky bacon or a stacked waffle.
★ 4.6 · 714 reviews
Step into Armstrongs Vintage, Edinburgh's landmark pre-owned clothing store. Flick through rails of vintage women's and men's pieces under decorative displays, hunting for a one-off find at budget-friendly prices.
★ 4.7 · 1,485 reviews
Join the queue at Greenwoods, where Edinburgh brunch comes in a bright, stylish room. Tackle the generous full Scottish or order the bacon pancakes that regulars keep coming back for.
★ 4.6 · 982 reviews
Squeeze into Razzo Pizza Napoletana, a tiled, family-run pizzeria that Edinburgh pizza fans rate highly. Order a Neapolitan-style pizza with antipasti or dessert in a cosy, relaxed room.
★ 4.7 · 845 reviews
Grab a wrap at Nile Valley Cafe, the budget favourite Edinburgh's students swear by. Order the Thuri Best at the counter and eat quickly and cheaply before heading back out.
★ 4.6 · 135 reviews
Pause at Greyfriars Kirk, an early 17th-century church in the heart of the Old Town. Look around the interior, hear the stories from the volunteers and stroll through the atmospheric graveyard outside.
Edinburgh · 🏛️ Landmark
St Giles' Cathedral
30 min
Scott Monument
Edinburgh · 🍽️ Food
Hendersons
1h15
Edinburgh · 🎭 Entertainment
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
1h30
Edinburgh · 🛍️ Shopping
Topping & Company Booksellers of Edinburgh
45 min
Restaurant Martin Wishart
2h30
Edinburgh · 🍸 Drinks
The Scotch Whisky Experience Tour and Tasting
The Bow Bar
The Johnnie Walker Signature Experience
Cafe Royal
Baba
The Outsider Restaurant
10 to 10 in Delhi
Civerinos
1h
Edinburgh · 🥐 Breakfast
The Edinburgh Larder - Blackfriars Street
Valvona & Crolla
TIMBERYARD
Ka Pao Edinburgh
Chez Jules
Noto
The Scran and Scallie
Roseleaf Bar Cafe
Edinburgh · ☕ Coffeebreak
The Milkman
25 min
Hula
The Pantry
Armstrongs Vintage
Greenwoods Edinburgh
Razzo Pizza Napoletana
Nile Valley Cafe
Greyfriars Kirk
