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a) GETTING BREAKFAST
Breakfast in a Box/ Sandwiches for Lunch
We are currently in the process of introducing a reasonably priced breakfast in a box option.
Will update!
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Getting Breakfast Outside the House
The Pavillion Café on the Meadows
The bottom line is
a) perhaps just pick up some pastries for Scotmid (can be seen on the right when leaving the house or just after the Rabbit Hole) or Sugar Daddy’s (which is just before the Rabbit Hole but only opens at 10 a.m.)
b) Or just go for the Detour as a safe bet for coffee and pastries.
c) If the weather is nice, give the Pavillion a try (does not have a specific breakfast menu) and only opens at 10 or go to Victor Hugo’s as both have outside seating and view of the Meadows.
Or … order in a full Scottish breakfast from Snax.
The blue dot is 3 Sciennes Road
The Rabbit Hole and Pomelo are both restaurants. So they are open at lunchtime and in the evening (recommended but you will have to book).
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First Choice
a) The Detour (4.6 on Tripadvisor) (1 min walk) 9.00 a.m. to 2 p.m.
39 Argyle Place,
Quality coffee with pastries in a pleasant atmosphere.
b) Scotmid Supermarket (2 mins walk) 7 a.m. to 11 pm
34 Warrender Park Road (can be seen from the gate of the house)
Good selection of Viennese and French pastries available in the morning. Probably the cheapest way of organising your breakfast.
Not so much for breakfast, even if it is Scotland, but as the evening sets in, this is also a source of alcohol until 10 p.m. (alcohol cannot be sold in shops after 10 p.m. in Scotland)
c) The Pavillion Café (4.5 on Tripadvisor)
Jawbone Walk (on the Meadows) (5 mins Walk)
Open 10 to 5 (11.00 to 5 Sundays) (so it would have to be a late breakfast)
Does mostly wraps:
Gets good reviews. Alternative café with laid back feeling. Home painted, mismatched furniture, small shops selling crystals, pendants and second hand clothing alongside it. Like Vicor Hugo’s the great advantage is outside seating in the summer.
d) Snax Cafe (4.1 on Tripadvisor) (12 mins walk) (08 to 15.00)
118 Buccleuch St (walk down to the Meadows and follow round to the right)
Reasonably priced “greasy spoon” café that does three sizes of a “full Scottish breakfast”! Prices for a full breakfast range from £6 to £9.
Why not just order it in? Possible to get your breakfast delivered to 3 Sciennes Road (pronounced “Sheens Road”) by Deliveroo
e) Victor Hugo Deli (3.3 on Tripadvisor) (5 min walk)
26/29 Melville Terrace, Edinburgh …. 08.00 to 18.00 every day
Formerly a Delicatessan, the family business has slowly mutated into a café with a French bistro feel. One of the best offerings in the neighbourhood although a bit more expensive than other nearby cafés and reviews are mixed to say the least. The great advantage is the outdoor seating overlooking the Meadows on sunny days.
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Second Choice
The Birchwood (4.4 on Tripadvisor)
146, Marchmont Road 9 am to 3 pm
(5-7 mins walk)
Café with a good brunch menu although a little more pricey than other offerings. Possible to sit outside. The Birchwood is only on the second choice list because it is longer to get to than Victor Hugo and it does not have seating that looks onto the Meadows. But if you are ready to walk 5 to 7 minutes and you do not mind sitting in or paying quite high prices, probably a better offer than Victor Hugo’s.
The Abbey (4.6 on Tripadvisor) (12 min walk) 9.30 to 22.00
65 S Clerk St, Edinburgh EH8 9PP
9.30 to 22.00 (last orders for food are at 9.30)
abbeybar.co.uk
Cheep and cheerful pub that does food, including breakfast. It is on the way to the centre if you go down Clerk Street.
Argyle Place Café (3.8 Tripadvisor) (1 min walk) 8.30 to 15.30/ 16.00
(closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)
Not on Google Maps but just slightly down the hill from the Argyle Pub and before the Detour, the latter having better reviews.
New café with a minimalist, post-industrial feel … Not sure that they have fully managed to get their service ethic right. No menu to upload, mixed reviews on Tripadvisor but some are glowing.
Machina (3 Tripadvisor) (3 mins)
38 Marchmont Road
(0pen 8 to 4)
Sugar Daddy’s (4.8 Tripadvisor) (1 min walk) 10.00 to 15.00
8 Roseneath Street Every day:
(Not easy to find on Google maps … but turn right when leaving the house and it is just after the Argyle pub)
https://www.happycow.net/reviews/sugar-daddys-bakery-edinburgh-141576
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g186525-d8499516-Reviews-Sugar_Daddy_s_Bakery-Edinburgh_Scotland.html
Basically a takeaway bakery: the opening hours mean that it is perhaps not really suitable for breakfast. But it is a gluten free bakery with a wide range of baked products on offer. Excellent reviews on Tripavisor. Perhaps buy in the stuff the night before …
Cuthbert’s Deli (4.4 on Google) (4 mins walk) (Formerly Redbox Café)
2 Spottiswoode Street
https://restaurantguru.com/Red-Box-Marchmont-Edinburgh/menu
On the way to the Birchwood … At least when it was still the Redbox Cafe, reasonable prices but gOT mixed reviews. The Cuthbert’s website gives the Redbox cafés menu. You can judge …
h) Toast (4.5/5 on Google)
37a Warrender Park Rd, Edinburgh EH9 1HJ
(3 mins walk) 8.00 to 18.00 (weekdays) 8.00 to 22.00 (weekends)
https://restaurantguru.com/Toast-Edinburgh
Café with a good supply of Viennese pastries, cakes and the like. Not on the cheap end of the spectrum and be careful not to confuse with the Leith café of the same name.
Give it a Try?
i) Leaf and Bean Deli Café (3.9 Tripadvisor, 3.0 on Google) 10 am -3pm
(4 mins walk)
1a Marchmont Crescent, Edinburgh
Advertises hot food (breakfasts and lunches) as well as pastries and cakes Strong freshly ground coffee as well as tea. Baby/ high chairs are available. Lots of space in a rather pleasant, minimalist décor. But does not get consistently good reviews mainly on account of poor service ethos …
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b) TAKEAWAYS NEARBY
Takeaway outlets open and close with alarming rapidity just along from the house. The first three, however, have stood the test of time. They are all to be found by walking towards the Supermarket.
If not, you can of course order in from all around Edinburgh. These outlets have the advantage of allowing you to pick up directly or having short delivery times. Just be sure to listen out for the doorbell.
a) Salvatore’s Fish and Chips (1 min)
Closes at 23.00 and Midnight on Friday and Saturday (but might close earlier if not all that busy)
16 Roseneath St, Edinburgh EH9 1JH 0131 229 4087
https://www.salvatoresfishandchips.com
Scottish phenomenon of the Italian Fish and Chip shop! This one has a good reputation. No fish sitting forlornly waiting to be picked up: everything cooked at the time of order. Also possible to order pizzas here but perhaps Hollowstone Pizza just opposite is a better bet.
b) Kasbah Takeaway Indian Food (3-5 mins)
0131 228 5888/ 0131 229 200
60 Warrender Park Rd, Edinburgh EH9 1EX
https://www.kasbahedinburgh.co.uk
Good Indian takeaway. Reasonably priced
c) The GY Chinese Takeout (1 min)
Closes at 11.00
27 Roseneath Place, Edinburgh EH9 1JD 0131 322 1537
https://www.gychinese.co.uk/order#/where
Basic Chinese take away. Reasonably priced.
Free local deliveries for orders over £22
d) Hollowstone Pizzeria (1 min)
Closes at 21.00
28 Warrender Park Rd, Edinburgh EH9 1JG
https://www.hollowstonepizzeria.co.uk
Newly opened Pizza Takeaway.
e) Matto Pizza (4.7 on Google Maps, 4.2 on Tripadvisor) (12 mins walk)
12.00 to 21.30 (10 on Friday and Saturday)
29-33 Newington Rd, Edinburgh EH9 1QR
mattopizza.co.uk
Pizza restaurant in walking distance. Possible to sit in but the whole place is basically set up as a takeaway. Good quality and delivery should be quick.
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c) BARS and PUBS
BARS IN WALKING DISTANCE
You will not be surprised to know that Edinburgh is not short of pubs. Here are some “locals”. For bars that accept children, see the section below.
To get to these bars (immediately above), turn left when leaving the house and go to the end of the road, turn left again onto Sciennes and you will see Sciennes Place on your right.
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Pubs (that Do Not Accept Children) that Are Not Too Far from the House
Pubs in Edinburgh tend to score relatively low on Tripadvisor. Not quite sure why good pubs (for me) do not do so well but anything over 3.5 is going to be “good” and anything over 4 is going to be “better than just good”.
THE ARGYLE (Bar) (3.8 on Tripadvisor)
On the corner
Local pub with regulars in the early evening, students later on. Does not do food. Possible to sit outside in the early evening in fine weather.
THE EARL OF MARCHMONT (Bar) (3.8 on Tripadvisor)
Beside the supermarket
Student pub. Does not do food. My personal preference is for the Argyle.
SUMMERHALL/ THE ROYAL DICK (Bar) (10 mins walk) (3.7 on Tripadvisor)
Go left coming out of the house and carry on until you get there. Go through the Summerhall Arts Venue to find the bar, the Royal Dick, at the back.
Community Arts venue with a good bar and extensive outside seating arrangement (some of which is covered). You go in through a door that looks as if it might be for a public library. While used by everyone, it is popular with young people. Recommended: particularly on account of the large outside seating area in the summer.
CASK AND BARREL (only one review on Tripadvisor … 5!) (10 to 15 mins walk)
24 West Preston Street
https://www.caskandbarrelsouthside.co.uk
A personal favourite: a typical old school Edinburgh bar with engraved mirrors and plenty of space. Has a local clientele … predominantly male around the bar, predominantly 40+ … a good selection of quality whiskies and friendly and willing staff. Often has unobtrusive live music provided by local enthusiasts. It is a good place to drop off at on the way to or on the back from Nicholson Street for restaurants. The Cask and Barrel is a stone’s throw from Isola, a recommended restaurant).
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THE GRASSMARKET (10 to 15 mins walk)
There are bars on the other side of the Meadows and then a plethora of bars in the Grassmarket (which is worth a visit for tourist purposes anyway). I recommend the Bow Bar on Victoria Street, the street with the multi-coloured buildings up from the Grassmarket. Don’t forget to have a quick look at the Greyfriars Kirkyard ont he way there or on the way back (a real trip back in time).
The Bow Bar (4.4 on Tripadvisor)
80 West Bow
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CAUSEWAYSIDE (15 minutes walk)
Two traditional pubs away from the tourist circuit. Gives you a view of how the indigenous population lives and drinks! Also has a very highly rated Indian restaurant in the vicinity.
The Old Bell (4.5 on Tripadviser)
https://www.oldbelledinburgh.co.uk
233 Causewayside EH9 1PH
Traditional bar that does pub food (allows children until 20.00) and has plenty of space. The food is quite pricey. Mixed clientele of locals and students and others. Pleasant and typically British experience guaranteed.
John Leslie’s. (4.5 on Tripadvisor)
45 Ratcliife Terrace, EH9 1SU
https://edinburghpubreviews.substack.com/p/john-leslies-bar-repost
Traditional bar that has not changed in years. It is worth it just for the 1902 architecture. Friendly staff in this oasis of calm that caters for a mostly older clientèle. A personal favourite.
Steel Coulson (4.7 on Google Maps …)
114 Causewayside
https://camra.org.uk/pubs/steel-coulson-southside-edinburgh-150826
Never been to this one but will give it a try and update. You are allowed to bring in food that you have bought from outside.
Brass Monkey (4.8 on Tripadvisor)
1 Grange Road
https://www.brassmonkeygrange.co.uk
I usually go to either The Old Bell or John Leslie’s but this pub does food (not all that cheap) and admits children until 8.
PATAKA (2000 reviews and 4.8 star rating on Tripadviser!)
190 Causewayside EH9 1PH
Whilst you are at this end of the town, why not get a beer and a curry:
Or, if you would prefer a high end option, you could try:
CONDITA (171 reviews and 5 star on Tripadviser) (Closes at 9)
15 Salisbury Place EH9 1SL
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Child Friendly Pubs
Children are, of course, accepted in restaurants in Scotland.
However, you can only take children into pubs in Scotland if the pub does food. After a long day of exploring Edinburgh, if you would like to combine having a drink with food, here are some pubs that do food (and that accept children).
Be careful, generally speaking children cannot enter a pub (even if it does food) after 8 at night (sometimes later).
If you arrive late in the evening, the main takeaway outlets (here) close to the house are open until late …
Bottom line if you want to eat out with children (in a pub) in the evening and do not want to walk too far: opt for The Abbey or the Salisbury Arms. If you have a car, The Forester’s Guild is down by the beach in Portobello and has heated beach huts in which a whole family can sit around a table for standard/ good pub menu whilst enjoying the fresh air. If you are in the centre already and are looking for a child friendly pub, all the Wetherspoons pubs have cheap, standard pub food, cheap coffee and beer and plenty of space. The Standing Order in the centre is an experience in itself on account of the architecture.
Walking Distance from the House
The Abbey (4.6 on Tripadvisor) 9 mins walk
65 S Clerk St, Edinburgh EH8 9PP
9.30 to 22.00 (serves food until 9.30)
abbeybar.co.uk
Cheep and cheerful pub that does food, including breakfast (from 9.30). Nothing pretentious about it and does all the pub standards, including Haggis, mashed potato and turnips. Why not give the Haggis, the Scottish national dish, a try. It is not as bad as it sounds. Really!
Salisbury Arms 15 mins walk
58, Dalkeith Rd, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 5AD 15 mins walk
Can host adults and children for a meal (with drinks) until 10 p.m and can also host adults with children for drinks alone until 8 p.m. Serves food until 23.00 on weekdays and Midnight on Friday and Saturday!
Reasonably priced food, very good hours for adults with children and an upmarket decor.
The Pear Tree (3 on Tripadvisor) 12 mins walk
38 W Nicolson Street
Website does not say but will most probably serve adults with children until 8 in the evening. Serves food until 12 at night!
https://www.peartreeedinburgh.co.uk/menu
One of the oldest pubs in Edinburgh. Used to be a pub that was favoured by academic types. It now evidently caters for a younger public and has a more corporate, commercial feel to it. Possible to eat inside and out (in the huge beer garden) and the food is reasonably priced.
Bennet’s Bar (18 mins walk) (4.1 on Tripadvisor)
An impressive, local bar now open until 1 in the morning. There is a restaurant area at the back but no menu on the minimalist website or indication of when they sell food until. Have a feeling that they have changed their business model and aim now for students.
Grassmarket (15 to 20 mins walk)
The Grassmarket is a lively centre for going out at the weekends (as is Causewayside with its bars and clubs open until the early morning). It has great views of the castle and is interesting in itself as a late Medieval market place.
Beehive Inn (3.7 on Tripadvisor)
18-20, Grassmarket, Edinburgh, EH1 2J
Busy pub in a picturesque location.
The Black Bull (3.9 on Tripadvisor)
12, Grassmarket, Edinburgh, EH1 2JU
blackbulledinburgh.co.uk
Sports bar, burgers, open until late ….
High Street and Centre
Evidently, there are hundreds of bars in the centre and on the High Street. I have only picked out two (basically because I like them)
Guildford Arms (4.1 on Tripadvisor)
1 West Register Street
https://guildfordarms.com/children
Children are allowed into the upstairs restaurant. Website does not say but most probably only until 8 at night. Worth it for the spectacular late nineteenth century decor? A real trip back to another era.
Wetherspoons Pubs
Weatherspoon’s is a popular, cheap bar and food chain. There are 6 in Edinburgh and you will be able to feed a family and have a drink at a really quite reasonable price. Children are also able to eat in until 21.00. No need to book. If ever you feel like having a beer at 10 in the morning … Wetherspoons is reputed the place to go! Still a good option for a cheap meal and a favourite with families.
The Standing Order (3.8 on Tripadvisor) is recommended. It is right in the centre of the New Town shopping area.
Others that You Might Want to Use Transport For
The Forrester’s Guild (4.3 on Tripadvisor) (20 minutes by car)
40 Portobello High Street
https://www.forestersguild.co.uk
This pub has outdoor seating in heated beach huts at the back. It makes for an enjoyably experience in itself. Probably best to book.
Sheep Heid Inn, (3.8 on Tripadvisor) (14 mins in a car)
43-45 The Causeway, Edinburgh, Lothian, EH15 3QA
Despite this being the oldest pub in Edinburgh (and so a beautiful old building) the relatively low Tripadvisor score is not a surprise. Basically, the pub has been commercialised by a large chain. However, plenty of space outside, Duddingston is a good base for a walk around the loch. Proabably best to book.
Cannymans (3.8 on Tripadvisor) 7 mins in a car.
237 Morningside Road, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH10 4QU
A bar that markets itself as upmarket, this is a well established family run business with seating arrangements for eating. Probably best to book.
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d) RESTAURANTS NEARBY
Restaurants in Edinburgh are likely to be fully booked on a Friday and Saturday night and so if you would like to go to, say, the Rabbit Hole or the Left Field, it is good to book beforehand. If you are used to continental opening hours, be advised that kitchens in Scotland very often close between 8 and 9 in the evening.
RECOMMENDED RESTAURANTS
The blue dot is 3 Sciennes Road
The Rabbit Hole and Pomelo are open at lunchtime and in the evening (recommended but you will have to book).
EASY WALKING DISTANCE FROM THE HOUSE
The Rabbit Hole (Restaurant) (1 minute) (4.6 on Tripadviser)
11 Roseneath Street
(Turn right, go past the Argyle Pub, and it is on your right)
Popular quality restaurant that is good …. even excellent …. value for money (count somewhere in the region of £30 to £50 per person depending on what you order). It is a go to place with visits from friends, birthdays and other celebrations. They have a website with a menu. Open at lunchtime and in the evening from 6 pm to 10 pm.
NADAIR (4.9 on Tripadviser)
15 Roseneath Street
I have not been but it gets good reviews (not sure all of them are authentic). Very basic décor and cost of £65+ per person for an evening meal. Soi probably has to be a bit of special occassion.
ARGILE (5 on trip adviser)
21 Argyle Place
Also one that I have not been too. Clients sit around a kitchen bar that looks onto the kitchen where the meal is prepared. Seems a bit intense for me but amateurs of fine dining might appreciate. The price is also “special occasions”. Seasonal multi-course menu £100 (service included).
It is best to reserve for all three restaurants.
15 TO 20 MINUTES WALK
LEFT FIELD (15 mins walk) (4.7 on Tripadvisor)
12 Barclay Terrace, Edinburgh EH10 4HP
Have not been to this one myself but have been meaning to. This small restaurant (6 tables) is only open Thursday to Sunday (inclusive) and gets really top class reviews. It is also at a comfortable walking distance from the house across an open park (Bruntsfield Links). If you hope to go in the evening, this is going to be one that you will almost certainly have to reserve weeks (if not months before). It is easier to get a lunch time slot a few days before. Pricing will be roughly the same as for The Rabbit Hole (so count on somewhere between £60 and £120 for two).
DAVID BANN (23 mins walk) (4.4 on Tripadvisor)
56-58 St Mary’s St, Edinburgh EH1 1SX
Quality vegetarian restaurant with a good reputation. Open from 12 to 10 p.m. Has a website that is easily accessed by typing in David Bann restaurant Edinburgh.
RISTORANTE ISOLA (less than 15 mins walk) (4.7 on Tripadvisor)
85-87 Newington Rd, Newington, Edinburgh EH9 1QW
Open every day until 21.30 or 22.30 on Friday and Saturday
Pleasant, family run Sardinian restaurant. It has a bit of a café/ tea room feel to it but the service is great (or always has been whenever I go) and the food varies from pizzas to more exotic Italian food and, at least the last time I ordered it, a wonderful, reasonably priced seafood platter for two. Good value for money, great mid-range Italian food and lovely service.
MACAU KITCHEN (Restaurant) (less than 15 mins walk) (4.8 on Tripadvisor)
93 St Leonard Street.
Pleasant little family run restaurant that does a fusion of Portuguese and Chinese family cooking (hence the name). Not really fine dining – although it does get very good reviews – but, perhaps, worth it for the experience. The British comic Phil Wang rates it very hightly. Staff are very friendly and engaging.
BLONDE (4.7 on Tripadvisor)
71-75 St. Leonard’s St, Edinburgh EH8 9QR (15 mins walk)
Easy to get a last minute reservation at this well-priced restaurant (including at the weekend). Not really Michelin starred dining but does what it says on the tin. Slightly surprised by the Tripadvisor score: 3.7 or something for me.
HAPPY HOT POT (15 mins walk) (3.4 on Tripadvisor)
1 S Clerk St, Newington, Edinburgh EH8 9NZ
Chinese hot pot restaurant that is popular with a (usually young) Chinese clientele. Interior is in the style of an American diner. It is quite an experience in itself.
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OTHER PLACES TO GO
South Clerk Street/ Nicholson Street (20 mins walk)
TANJORE (Restaurant) (4.2 on Tripadvisor)
6-8 Clerk St, Newington, Edinburgh EH8
Cheap and cheerful, family run Tamil cuisine (from the south of India). Recommended. If you want to drink alcohol, bring your own bottle (or cans).
Otherwise, there is a wide variety of restaurants on Nicholson Street and South Clerk Street closer to us than the Tanjore (see below).
South Clerk Street/ Nicholson Street has a whole range of (mostly cheap and cheerful) restaurants … Korean, Mediterranean, Italian… The Korean restaurants such as On Bap have a café feel but good food. There is also a good, sit in and take away Turkish fast food place – Marmaris – that does kebabs but also a whole range of Turkish food offerings. These restaurants will come up on trip adviser or yelp. If not, on South Clerk Street/ Nicholson Street, you can also just wander down until you find one that appeals to you.
These are just a selection of the restaurants on Nicholson Street
Broughton Street (30 mins walk)
The Café Royal is a beautiful bar in the New Town After that Broughton Street (east end of Princes Street and near top of Leith Walk) is a good place to have a drink and find a pleasant restaurant. Just type in “Restaurants Broughton Street” and the Google Map with the restaurants will come up. Going this far down will also give you a chance to visit the New Town by night (classical architecture, upmarket flats but also, basically, during the day, a lot of office space). It is recommended that you reserve before going to a quality restaurant in the centre: they are likely to be fully booked already if you simply turn up on a Friday or a Saturday night especially.
B901 is Broughton Street
COCO: 66 x 5 star reviews (and nothing less than 5 stars) cannot be bad. Count £45 per head for an evening meal.
High Street and Castle Restaurants
The Mitre Bar (4.0 on Tripadvisor) (20 to 25 min walk .. avoid using a car)
131-133 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1SG
Smart looking bar with tables in booths at the back. Food in a British pub style genre. If you have been in Scotland for any time, you will know the routine: fish and chips, steak pie, burgers …
Canonball Restaurant and Bar (4.4 on Tripadvisor)
This is a smart restaurant more for special occassions than for everday purposes. Has great views of the castle and is about 20 mins walk from the house: