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  • Restaurants

‘Scran’ is the old Scots word for ‘food’. Historically, it was used to refer to food of ‘an inferior quality’, but these days, we’d argue that’s no longer the case. In fact, we can bet you’ll find all sorts of delicious scran to get your teeth stuck into when visiting the Scottish capital – you probably won’t know where to start. Edinburgh’s food and drinks offering is well respected, with a buzzing hospitality scene that attracts some of the best chefs in the country. What’s more, many new, exciting ventures have popped up since the pandemic, offering everything from super-fresh seafood and gorgeous local produce to daring twists on international flavours and innovative plant-based dining.  So whether you want to go all-out with an elaborate Michelin-starred meal or would rather fill up with some loaded focaccia at a mouth-wateringly good sandwich shop, the city has you sorted. Here’s our pick of the top restaurants in Edinburgh, which are all well worth your attention (and bellies) if you’re on a trip up here. RECOMMENDED: The best Airbnbs in EdinburghThe best brunch in EdinburghThe best cheap eats in Edinburgh

  • Things to do

We all know that Edinburgh is a great place to visit in August, when the city hosts the Fringe: the world’s largest arts festival, bursting with hundreds of theatre and comedy shows. But if you’d rather visit at another time, fear not: the Scottish capital is an excellent place to explore all year round.  From tucking into its top-notch restaurant scene and exploring charming boozers to navigating its rich, fascinating history and checking out the city’s busy cultural offerings, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Oh, and did we mention the scenery? Absolutely braw (that’s the Scots word for ‘glorious’).  So, whether you’re planning a quick getaway, a longer holiday or even a Fringe-long trip, you won’t be short on options. Better get packing: here are the best things to do Edinburgh. RECOMMENDED:🪩 The best clubs in Edinburgh🍹 The best cocktail bars in Edinburgh🏨 The best hotels in Edinburgh🏘️ The best Airbnbs in Edinburgh This guide was last updated by Time Out’s features editor Chiara Wilkinson, who is originally from Edinburgh. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

  • Restaurants

There’s a reason why breakfast is often referred to as the most important meal of the day. The Scottish capital does it brilliantly, with plenty of places for morning diners to soak up their sins from a night at one of the city’s many whisky bars or clubs, or to kick-start the day with a strong cup of coffee before packing in some sightseeing.  Known for its vibrant food and drink scene, Edinburgh naturally has an abundance of breakfast options: from restaurants that serve up a full Scottish breakfast, haggis and all, to healthy veggie choices with the freshest of ingredients. So, whether you’re longing for a good ’ol greasy spoon or would rather opt for one of the city’s more swanky joints, look no further. Here are the best breakfast and brunch spots in Edinburgh. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in Edinburgh

  • Bars and pubs

Edinburgh has plenty of cracking pubs to warm up in. From fancy booxzers with 350 beers to choose from to low-key local hangs with excellent live music, this city boasts an abundance of cherished traditional boozers and ever-emerging new establisments. So, whether it be a casual catch-up, a sophisticated date night or an all-out celebration, there’s a boozer here for you.  Plus, there’s more to a good pub than just it’s liquid offerings. Our carefully curated selection features venues with intriguing histories, warm and knowledgable staff, charming beer gardens, cult film screenings and live traditional Scottish music.  So, ready to decide your destination for the evening? Our list of Edinburgh’s best pubs should have you covered. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best bars in Edinburgh This guide was last updated by Time Out’s features editor Chiara Wilkinson, who is originally from Edinburgh. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

  • Restaurants

Edinburgh is dripping with grandeur. Given the castle towers majestically over the city’s splendid buildings, and there are gorgeous palaces and galleries dotted throughout the streets, what better place is there to get a flavour of high society? And thankfully, Auld Reekie boasts a splendid roster of cafes, hotels and moving vehicles (we’ll explain later) offering posh sandwiches, scones, and even some fizz, if you’re feeling really fancy. So without further ado, here are the Scottish Capital’s finest spots of a drop of tea and a slice of cake. RECOMMENDED: 🥐The best breakfast and brunch spots in Edinburgh🍝The best restaurants in Edinburgh right now🥂The very best bars in Edinburgh At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

  • Restaurants

Going on holiday is expensive enough these days, especially if you factor in the price of train tickets and accommodation. Add on the cost of eating out and a few bevvies, and you will probably have spent a small fortune. Luckily enough, there are plenty of delicious restaurants and cafés in Edinburgh that will satisfy your hunger pangs for a pretty reasonable price. From moreish Italian to hearty Indian, fragrant Thai and comforting Scottish cuisine, there is a large handful of nice spots in the Scottish capital that do drool-worthy food for under a tenner – you just need to know where to look. So, if you’re a holidaymaker or a local and you’re looking to fill your bellies without draining the bank, don’t sweat it. Our list of the best cheap restaurants in Edinburgh has it all: all you have to do is dig in and enjoy. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in Edinburgh

  • Clubs

Edinburgh has a rich history when it comes to nightlife and clubbing, from former disco haven Cinderellas in Stockbridge to The Venue on Calton Road, which hosted the legendary Pure for over a decade. These days, there are still those special few clubs that are intimate and under-the-radar, drawing in crowds from all over for their unrivalled DJ line-ups and fabled parties. For an unforgettable night out in the city, our run-down of the absolute best clubs in Edinburgh will tell you where you need to go. And if you really want some help? We say fill up at one of many brilliant cheap restaurants in Edinburgh, then grab a pre-club drink at one of the city’s best bars. Round off an evening at one of these dancefloors and you’ll be getting the very best out of the city at night.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Edinburgh

Café St Honoré
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Restaurants
  • French

Café St Honoré has been around for donkeys, but still, quite rightly, comes up in conversation as one of the nicest spots for a smart bistro meal in the centre of Edinburgh. It’s on a cobbled side street behind Thistle Street, and looks like a chic Parisian bistro inside, with heavy linen tablecloths, mirrored walls and monochrome floor tiles. But the French angle got sidelined long ago in favour of locally sourced Scottish produce, cooked expertly, slavishly following the principles of Slow Food. The chefs clearly take the rules of the international Slow Food movement seriously – if there’s a sublime, but criminally overlooked variety of rhubarb, they’ll track it down and bake it in an almond tart. If there’s a rumour of a place in Peebles making the best hand-squashed apple juice, they’ll put in a phone call. Bog standard tomatoes need not apply, they’ll probably be using a black cherry or tiger stripe tomato from the very well respected Clyde Valley Tomatoes, or whatever sort is the most aromatic at that time of year (ask, and the waiter will almost certainly be able to tell you). Despite the earnest attention to detail, the foodie swottiness doesn’t feel overbearing – it just makes for some outstandingly fresh ingredients, cooked in rich, warming sauces. Gluten, dairy and meat-avoiders are well catered for, and, as well as the reasonably pitched Café Classics menu (three courses of their favourite dishes for £19.50 at lunch, or £23.50 at dinner), there’s now an Express L

  • Comedy
  • Stand-up

What is the ‘best joke of the Edinburgh Fringe’? How does one determine such a thing? It’s a herculean and even quite existentially challenging task, but beloved TV channel Dave has been giving it a shot for some years now with its annual competition, Dave’s Funniest Joke of the Fringe.  This year, Lorna Rose Treen took home the prize with her gag about an unfaithful zookeeper. The competition shortlist was drawn up by a panel of comedy critics, before members of the public were asked to pick their three favourite jokes.  It turns out Dave audiences basically like zingers, one-liners and snappy puns: there isn’t much overlap between this award and the much more progressive main comedy awards. The award made a return in 2022 after being off for two years because of the pandemic. Comedian Lorna Rose Treen’s one-liner was ranked one of the best by 44 percent of those surveyed. She’s the first female comedian to win the award since Zoe Lyons scooped up the very first one in 2008. Treen said she was ‘blooming chuffed’ with the result: ‘A huge thank you for awarding my stupid joke with this title!’ Liz Guterbock took second place with 41 percent of the 2023 vote, with her joke: ‘The most British thing I’ve ever heard? A lady who said ‘‘Well I’m sorry, but I don’t apologise’’.’ Keen to hear her winning joke? Check it out below, along with all of the winners.  RECOMMENDED:Your ultimate guide to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2023The best comedy shows at Edinburgh Festival Fringe

  • Bars and pubs

The Scottish capital has it all: majestic landmarks, sites of historical wonder and overwhelming beauty. But when the sun goes down, the city also has a lively and colourful nightlife to behold – nobody does it like the Scots, so they say. To warm yourself up ahead of a sweaty night in one of Edinburgh’s best clubs, why not down a few tipples in some of the many bars it has to offer? From buzzy speakeasies to swanky cocktail joints, the city is ripe for spending days floating between venues, savouring all manner of recipes and concotions across its burgeoning drinking scene. Buckfast in a cocktail? A vending machine for ingredients? The choice of over 400 gins? Edinburgh has it all. Whether you’re trying to impress with something high-brow or looking to loosen up in a unique and quirky dive-bar, you’ll find what you’re looking for from this list of the best bars Edinburgh has to offer.  RECOMMENDED: 🪩 The best clubs in Edinburgh🍹 The best cocktail bars in Edinburgh🍴 The best restaurants in Edinburgh🏠 The best Airbnbs in Edinburgh Chiara Wilkinson is Time Out’s features editor, originally from Edinburgh. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.