We're sorry, we can't find the page that you're looking for

‘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

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🏰 The best attractions 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. 

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

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. 

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

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. 

Edinburgh is top notch, but in its most touristy months, it can be a little, you know, much. So if you’re looking for a day off from the hustle and bustle and the Harry Potter fans, we’ve got good news: there’s loads of great spots nearby for a day trip, and you can reach them all by public transport or a quick drive.  On our list you’ll find coastal towns, mountainous landscapes, cultural monuments and more, where beach walks, quaint shopping streets and rigorous hiking routes await you. Our top tip? Stop for lunch, and then head back to Edinburgh for a great dinner and pub trip. That’s where the good stuff is, eh? Here are the best day trips from Edinburgh.  RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Edinburgh 🎨 The best art galleries in Edinburgh🏰 The best attractions in Edinburgh🏘️ The best Airbnbs in Edinburgh This guide was updated by Edinburgh-based Arusa Querishi. 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. 

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

If you’re new to Edinburgh, it can be hard to know where to start. From a castle in the middle of the city to a palace a mere mile away, it can feel like there’s something worth exploring everywhere you turn. Even for locals, it’s sometimes easy to forget exactly what’s on your doorstep, whether it’s museums and art galleries packed with history, penguin parades or tea with waterfront views. So here’s our pick of the best attractions in Edinburgh – whether you’re a first-time visitor or if you’ve lived here all your life. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Edinburgh This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

What is the Edinburgh Fringe? Its full name is the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, ie it was conceived as a fringe event to the Edinburgh Festival, aka the Edinburgh International Festival. Both events began life in 1947: the big, government-funded EIF was staging its first edition, and eight theatre companies rocked up into town to capitalise on its presence. The EIF still exists in loosely the same form as it did 77 years ago, but the Edinburgh Festival Fringe – usually just called ‘the Fringe’ – has become much bigger and isn’t really the fringe to anything, with thousands of shows all over the Scottish city each year. While theatre remains a vital component of the Fringe, it’s probably best known for stand-up comedy these days. When is the Edinburgh Fringe? The Fringe always officially runs for three weeks, ending with the August bank holiday weekend. Its official dates for 2024 are August 4 to 28. Where is the Edinburgh Fringe? It’s in… Edinburgh, duh. Oh, you want specifics? It takes place at a huge number of venues, ranging from a sprawling former medical school (Summerhall) to a student’s union (Pleasance Dome) to innumerable smaller bars. They are generally concentrated within a fairly small area, though, and the majority of venues are within a 15-minute walk of each other. How much does it cost? It varies significantly, but generally tickets top out around £20, with most considerably cheaper (think £12-£15). Seating is also almost never reserved, so you can get the best