EDINBURGH LIKE A LOCAL Part 2:
A Mini Guide to the Best Coffee and Food Stops in the City and Making the Most of the Inimitable Scottish Outdoors

by Cecile Paul · August 5, 2022

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Image Credit What’s On Edinburgh

Welcome back to the fabulous Edinburgh International Festival, where the best part of the month of August (5 – 29^th August 2022) is a sweeping feast of vibrant sights and sounds mixed with appetizing tastes and smells everywhere in the city, across the ancient cobbled streets, the narrow closes and the quirky nooks and crannies. A cocktail of artists, street performers, comedians, musicians, visitors, locals and of course the city’s extraordinary hospitality & festival venues together with all the other local businesses will play their part to ensure the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Edinburgh International Festival remain the famed and magical spectacle they’ve been known for over the past 75 years. This year is super special as the event celebrates three-quarters of a century of enchanting entertainment – unrivalled anywhere else on the planet!

We know you want to concentrate on all the extraordinary shows, plays. music and street action, hence we’ve taken the legwork out of figuring out where to stop for a bite, coffee or dram. Here’s your own …

Mini Guide to the Best Pitstops and Watering Holes in the City.

Should you want to take a break from the maddening crowd, clear your head after multiple action-packed days of theatre, music and crowds and make the most of the spectacular summery Scottish outdoors, we’ve got you covered on that score too!

That’s why we’ve added some Outdoors Adventures to your Mini Guide too.

From canoeing trips to walking and cycling tours, these are your outdoors-bound memories waiting to be realized!

Image Credit Eat Walk Edinburgh

But first things first, wake up to a fabulous cup of …

COFFEE & TEA

ARTISAN ROAST

57 Broughton St, Edinburgh EH1 3RJ

https://www.instagram.com/artisanroastcoffeeroasters

Arguably the best coffee in town! Artisan Roast are Scottish speciality micro-roasters (since 2007) doing what they do best: roasting unique, delicious coffee daily in a friendly, casual cafe.

Image Credit Artisan Roast on Instagram

ETEAKET TEA ROOM

1 Frederick St, Edinburgh EH2 1EP

https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/175012673234317/eteaket-tea-room/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=cbb4c055-3efb-42cd-afc6-94125620f041

Are you a tea connoisseur? For the highest quality selection of unique, ethically sourced and innovative loose leaf teas in Scotland, pop into this delightful café in Edinburgh’s New Town.

Image Credit Eteaket on Facebook

FOOD OFFERINGS ON THE HOOF

THE ARTISAN PASTA MAKER

138 Dundas St, Edinburgh EH3 5DQ

https://www.instagram.com/theartisanpastamaker

For stunning artisanal pastas and exquisite dishes, visit this store in the heart of the city and stock up for after-show meals!

Image Credit The Artisan Pasta Maker on Instagram

MELLIS CHEESE

6 Bakers Place, Stockbridge, Edinburgh EH3 6SY

https://www.facebook.com/mellischeese

An Edinburgh institution for fine artisan and farmhouse cheeses, quince jelly, best oatcakes, fresh eggs and chutney. And very good baguettes too!

Image Credit Mellis on Facebook

TWELVE TRIANGLES

90 Brunswick St, Edinburgh EH7 5HU

https://www.instagram.com/twelvetriangles

This bakery’s slow-fermented sourdough loaves are legendary. They use no additives or improvers, only seasonal and organic ingredients. Their jams, custards, pie fillings and ricotta are made daily in the bakery.

Image Credit Twelve Triangles on Instagram

CROMBIES OF EDINBURGH

97 Broughton St, Edinburgh EH1 3RZ

https://twitter.com/crombiesbutcher

The undisputed kings of the sausage (over 40 types of sausages!) since 1955, Crombies also offers a huge selection of deli items like excellent haggis, delectable pies and other take-away options.

Image Credit Crombies on Twitter

EDUCATED FLEA

32B Broughton St, Edinburgh EH1 3SB

https://www.instagram.com/educatedflea

Visit this humble little diner with its ornate furnishings on trendy Broughton street, serving Punjabi Indian-inspired cuisine since 1983.

Image Credit The Educated Flea on Instagram

POLENTONI

38 Easter Rd, Edinburgh EH7 5RG

https://www.instagram.com/polentoni_

This busy little café serves traditional rustic Italian home-cooking and excellent Italian sandwiches to an appreciative breakfast and lunchtime crowd. Definitely worth the short excursion from the city centre.

Image Credit Polentoni on Instagram

EDEN’S KITCHEN

32C Broughton St, Edinburgh EH1 3SB

https://www.instagram.com/edenskitchenedinburgh

Glorious pizzas for delivery as well as many vegetarian and vegan options!

Image Credit Eden’s Kitchen on Instagram

SIT-DOWN STOPS WITH A VIEW

THE LOOKOUT BY THE GARDENER’S COTTAGE

Carlton Hill, Edinburgh EH7 5AA

https://www.facebook.com/TheLookoutbyGC

With arguable one of the best views across the city from the top of Carlton Hill, The Lookout by the Gardener’s Cottage writes a new menu every day based on the freshest ingredients they can lay their hands on.

Image Credit The Lookout By The Gardener’s Cottage on Facebook

HARVEY NICHOLS BRASSERIE AND BAR

30-34 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh EH2 2AD

https://www.instagram.com/hnedinburgh_forthfloor/

Shop till you drop below, then reward yourself! Harvey Nichols boasts a refined Scottish brasserie offering views over the Firth of Forth. Great service, fabulous food and cocktails and the best views in town. There’s an excellent food and wine shop beside the brasserie, should you want to stock up.

Image Credit Harvey Nichols Brasserie and Bar on Instagram

THE DOME

14 George St, Edinburgh EH2 2PF

https://www.instagram.com/thedomeedinburgh

An excursion to this Edinburgh institution is a must. Dress up, enjoy festive cocktails, champagne and delicious food offerings in the opulent setting of this famous restaurant.

Image Credit The Dome on Facebook

L’ESCARGOT BLEU

56 Broughton St, Edinburgh EH1 3SA

https://www.instagram.com/lescargot_edin

For a good night out with guaranteed brilliant food offerings and a view over buzzy Broughton Street, look no further than this upbeat French bistro with its white walls, retro posters and classic French menu. The owners pride themselves on using local produce and their ingredients come fresh from the restaurant’s own allotment.

Image Credit L’Escargot Bleu on Instagram

THE DOGS

110 Hanover St, Edinburgh EH2 1DR

https://www.facebook.com/The.Dogs.Online

If you’re after super delicious traditional British cuisine in a quaint Georgian setting in the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town, get yourself to this quirky venue where owner David Ramsden (and his dogs) will give you the quintessential Edinburgh food experience.

Image Credit The Dogs on Facebook

PUBLIC HOUSES

THE BAILEY BAR

2-4 St Stephen St, Stockbridge, Edinburgh EH3 5AL

https://www.instagram.com/bailiebar

In the middle of all the action and sitting pretty on a quaint corner of Stockbridge you’ll find this old-school, atmospheric basement pub with traditional decor, real ale, classic pub menu and live folk sessions. Come down and meet the locals!

Image Credit The Bailey on Instagram

BARONY BAR

81-85 Broughton Street, Edinburgh EH1 3RJ

https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/1760883550849907/the-barony-bar

An Edinburgh institution without rival is art-deco-inspired The Barony Bar with its Victorian charm, gleaming mahogany taproom, brewery mirrors, high ceilings, open fires and 19^th century tiles. It’s the locals’ favourite for nips and drams, real ale or a glass of wine.

Image Credit Barony Bar on Instagram

KAY’S BAR

39 Jamaica St, Edinburgh EH3 6HF

https://www.facebook.com/kaysbaredinburgh

A hidden gem just off grand India Street is this quaint locals’ choice of pub. A favourite with the rugby fraternity, Kay’s Bar is a cosy Victorian establishment with wooden barrel decor and a vast variety of draught beers and simple, excellent lunches.

Image Credit Kay’s Bar on Facebook

TO MARKET, TO MARKET …

STOCKBRIDGE MARKET

Saunders St, Stockbridge, Edinburgh EH3 6TQ

https://www.instagram.com/stockbridgemarket

Since 2011 this lovely community market has been trading on Sundays under the trees in Stockbridge. It’s foodie heaven and hosts the best street food in Edinburgh. Wander down on a Sunday morning, meet the locals and buy brunch.

Image Credit Stockbridge Market on Instagram

And if you’re still at a loss as to where to make a Pitstop, here are a few more Recommendations for your your Brekkie, Lunch and Tea (errr…. Dinner of course!)

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Clear your head, leave the crowds behind and head for the hills! Or simply discover parts of town beyond the festival venues.

HETTY’S HISTORIC WALKS

https://www.facebook.com/HettysHistoryWalks

Walk through the nooks and crannies of the Old Town, visit the opulent Georgian New Town and much more with a knowledgeable expert at your side.

Image Credit Hetty’s Historic Walks

EDINBURGH BIKE TOURS

https://www.facebook.com/EdinburghBikeTours

In the mood for a two-wheeled adventure? Look no further, experience the city and beyond with the friendly folk at Edinburgh Bike Tours.

Image Credit Edinburgh Bike Tours on Facebook

BRIDGE 8 HUB AND PADDLE CAFE

Calder Crescent, Edinburgh, EH11 4NE

https://www.facebook.com/bridge8hub

Get a different perspective on things and see Edinburgh from the vantage point of its numerous panoramic canals and waterways!

Image Credit Bridge Hub and Paddle Café on Facebook

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN EDINBURGH

Arboretum Pl, Edinburgh EH3 5NZ

https://www.facebook.com/thebotanics

Step into the peaceful haven of the Royal Botanic Garden, a lovely 15 minute walk from the city centre’s hustle and bustle. Relax on the lawns, savour all the beauty of the different sections of this magnificent garden and enjoy a delicious meal in one of the restaurants.