Hidden gems · Edinburgh

Hidden gems in Edinburgh

Skip the tourist circuit. These Edinburgh spots are the ones locals actually send their out-of-town friends to.

Curated by locals

Top spots in Edinburgh

  • Dean Village

    Outdoors

    Water of Leith

    Hidden ex-mill village 5 min from Princes Street — Insta gold.

Where to eat

  • Mary's Milk Bar

    $

    Ice Cream · Grassmarket

    Daily-changing gelato and hot chocolate — under-the-castle queues.

  • Ondine

    $$$

    Seafood · George IV Bridge

    Sustainable Scottish shellfish — oysters and lobster thermidor.

  • The Kitchin

    $$$$

    Modern Scottish · Leith

    Tom Kitchin's Michelin-starred 'nature-to-plate' tasting menu.

  • Timberyard

    $$$

    Modern Scottish · Lady Lawson Street

    Cosy warehouse, fire-pit cooking and a serious cocktail list.

Frequently asked

  • Locals' under-the-radar picks include Edinburgh Castle, Arthur's Seat, Royal Mile. These are the places that don't show up on the first page of mainstream travel guides.

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