Hidden Gems & Local Secrets

Top local things to do in Edinburgh

24 May 2022

Before we give you our guide to Edinburgh, let’s agree you’re not allowed to complain about being a little chilly up in Scotland. You’ll be far too busy for that anyway. From the elegant Georgian architecture to the sublime surrounding countryside and all the places in between.

You’ll find great food, great hospitality, and quite probably a great whisky or two (just make sure you call it a wee dram), you’ll see why Edinburgh is one of our favorite cities. So whether you’re interested in the Old Town, the New Town or the whole town check out our guide for the top things to do in Edinburgh!

Photo: ents24.com

Cameo Cinema

For those evenings where you sort of fancy a cozy night in but also sort of want to go out, the answer is The Cameo. An arthouse cinema that shows indie releases and foreign language films as well as a few mainstream blockbusters.

This is one of the oldest cinemas in Scotland and has retained much of its original features and charm. The seats are comfy and there’s a great bar so you can settle in and make an evening of it.

Ting Thai Caravan

One of the best spots for a quick bite or dinner with friends, Ting Thai Caravan serves up delicious Thai street food that can be made Thai levels of spicy if you’re feeling brave enough to ask. It’s informal and relaxed, with tables bench style so you who knows who you’ll end up sat next to!

We would order the whole menu if we could, but a great way to get around this little problem of not being able to decide what to order is to grab your gang and order from the small boxes menu.

This way you’ll get to try a variety of authentic Thai street food tapas-style - perfect for sharing (or not). It’s pretty small and you might have to wait for a table since it’s always packed, but we promise it’s worth the wait! Little heads up, it’s cash only.

Photo: Edinburgh Outdoors

The Meadows

The Meadows is a large park in the south of the city, and the expanses of grassy areas mean there are always locals walking their dogs, playing rugby, or having picnics (in summer of course).

The park is beautiful all year round whether it’s covered in frost in the winter or the tree-lined avenues are in blossom over spring, and it’s the perfect place to spend a few hours relaxing or going for a long walk without actually having to leave the city.

Brew Lab

This coffee bar is always popular and with good reason. If you’re a coffee fanatic, their in-house cold brew coffee along with single origin espresso and artisanal blends are sure to deliver on the caffeine fix front.

Their food menu is by no means overshadowed though; there are artisan bread, homemade cakes, and award-winning soups (we’re not entirely sure what these soup awards are, but who are we to question) and one of the best brunch menus around.

Snax Cafe

This is a no-frills, back-to-basics local cafe serving up simple yet delicious basics like burgers, jacket potatoes, and sandwiches where the plates are big but the prices are certainly not. It’s great value and the perfect spot to try out the traditional Scottish breakfast.

If you’re not totally sure what this is, we’ll just tell you it involves rather a lot of food in the form of tattie scones, haggis, black pudding, eggs, sausages, bacon, and various other delicious delicacies.

And if you’re not totally sure what haggis is, you’ll just have to go and find out for yourself. They do also have numerous options for the vegetarians and vegans among you.

Sneaky Pete’s

A great place to go if you're looking for a night out in the city. Top tip for Sneaky Pete's: get there earlier than you might actually like to, it’s a pretty tiny club (capacity is only 120 people) so fills up quickly!

And with good reason - they host great drum and bass nights throughout the week and on weekends, and earlier on in the evenings new, up and coming bands take to the stage. It’s always packed, always buzzing and always a good night!

Royal Mile exploring

Running through the stunning Old Town from the Castle to Holyrood Palace, the Royal Mile Walk is just one of those things that you have to do when in Edinburgh.

But it’s a route that’s loved by locals too, as there’s always a new piece of history to be uncovered and the narrow streets that branch off the main street are full of little independent stores and quirky cafes.

So take your time on this one and don’t be afraid to get off the beaten path a little along the way, you might even discover a new hidden gem we don’t know about!

The Educated Flea

In the well-loved local neighborhood of Bonnington, just a stone's throw from the New Town is a quirky restaurant where you’ll find that only the best produce from local suppliers, artisan producers, and Scotland’s natural larder makes it onto the menu.

The Educated Flea is something of a local institution, serving up contemporary dishes combining the best of British and Scotch classics with some added global flair here and there.

Think roast venison haunch with Jerusalem artichoke mash and Scotch fillet with shallot stuffed marrowfat bone and wasabi cream. And if the food wasn’t quite enough, you’re always guaranteed a warm and inviting atmosphere - you’ll be made to feel like a local in no time, promise.

The National Museum of Scotland

The National Museum of Scotland has a little bit of something for everyone. All our locals who love this museum have their favorite collection, so from ancient history through to recent, science and technology to Scottish antiquities and world culture you’re spoiled for choice.

It’s all here under one roof, and they really engage with local communities too as throughout the year there are various events and pop-ups on, check out what’s on here.