The Best of Edinburgh: Hidden Gems and Must-Visit Spots

One of Edinburgh's most iconic hostels, situated right under the castle.

Right outside of the Waverley Station you will find this multi-story gallery featuring both a plenty of free art to peruse and special paid-to-enter exhibitions. It even has its own Mimi's Bakehouse!

Surround yourself with the art of storytelling in this event space on Royal Mile - and afterwards, get a taster of haggis in their cafe!

Same part casual and fancy, this is a place where you can combine a chill date with testing out Scottish cuisine. Menu features a very tasty Chicken Balmoral, perhaps a less full-on option for the ones of you who can't seem to get excited for the good old Haggis Neeps and Tatties!

An old classic worth a little wait. Even Rabbie Burns apparently had a bit of a crush on Clarinda, but then again he had quite a lot of those. Perfect for teatime to recover from a day of Old Town explorations.

Feel at home in this boutique aparthotel - only a short walk away from Edinburgh's photogenic New Town.

Leith's most aesthetic vista and the home to many of the areas best eateries and cafes. On a sunny day, locals simply lounge around the Water of Leith with pints or impromptu picnics - partake in the summer day tradition and feel like a real Leither!

Lucky enough to experience the elusive Sunshine on Leith? See if you can get a beer garden table at this popular pub just by Leith's Shore area. Plenty of whisky to try and seafood to enjoy.

Do you like your dessert a bit over the top? At Krema, the buns are the fluffiest, brownies the gooiest and brioche covered in layers of rich chocolate.

Conveniently situated on Rose Street (so, just behing Princes Street!) this mexican eatery is the best way of rewarding yourself after a day of exploring New Town!

Hiding out of plain sight in Leith, this spot opened by a local chef legend Roberta Hall offers one of the most euro-chic takes on Scottish breakfast, alongside with small plate style brunching.

Home of Edinburgh University's historical observatory and an all-round winner when it comes to views over the whole city. Never too busy, but always enough doggies to say hi to.

Live out your Bridgerton dreams in this luxurious historic mansion hotel - and even if you're not staying overnight, you should at least check out their afternoon tea!

If you're feeling brave, pop over to Stockbridge and spend an hour in the queue for Lannan bakery's vienoisserie. Your dedication shall be rewarded with some of the most precisely made, luxurious pastries and cakes. Pastries hit the shelves first thing in the morning, followed by other bakes and sandwiches later in the day.

Fan of classical music? Check out the Royal Scottish National Orchestra's programme or any of the supporting concerts and treat yourself to a classy evening.

A little day trip for anyone with a generous time budget: this chapel made famous by Dan Brown's bestseller is in fact a wonderful place to explore the art of masonry and medieval symbolism. I wouldn't miss out on a walk through the Roslin Glen valley while here - it does feature some steep slopes especially as you descend into and walk out of the valley, but otherwise can be a very relaxing stroll among plentiful flora.

Do you have a bit of... nerdy tendencies? Then do not miss out on Cocktail Geeks and their themed menus which get changed up every three months or so! And fear not, the team behind this venture is too talented to make this "just a gimmick" - these are amazing, inventive and often STRONG cocktails!

An absolute institution among pizza lovers of Edinburgh and one of the small number of pizza haunts where you can order a single slice to takeaway and eat at the Meadows! Full of personality and flavour.

A gallery for modern and alternative art. Free to visit, plus it has one of my favourite gallery shops full of hard to find modern art books, essay collections and design gifts.

One of the top views you can get over the city, and it doesn't get any more gothic than this (it hasn't been given the nickname "Gothic Rocket" for nothing!) The space can however get quite tight, especially towards the very top, so please do keep this in mind!

This one is for all you photography fans! Hiding in plain sight on Cockburn street, this galllery is a perfect nibble of culture while you're shopping for gifts!

For a memorable stay, book yourself one of these little canal boats - nothing beats falling asleep to the sound of water lapping against your... hotel room?

A local network of artisanal bakeries - not only great for a treat and a cup of coffee, but also for picking up a fantastic sourdough to take home. Most branches also offer inventive salads and tasty sandwiches around lunchtime.

A great choice if you want a good pub grub but you want to avoid spots that seem too tourist centric!

Hand pressed corn tortillas, fresh takes on taco classics, smokey mezcal based drinks and a lot of flavour to share around your group of pals.

Cheerfully affordable way of trying Scotland's national dish! Located at the Storytelling Museum, this is the best way of taste testing haggis while staying right on Royal Mile!

An elevated cafe experience, where you can segue from lunch date with a friend right into a little wine tasting session.

A fantastic way of learning how Edinburgh as we know it today came to be. A relatively extensive exhibition, good when you need to dodge a rainy morning!

Need something delightfully greasy to help prevent a hangover? This canadian burger joint serves dishes well beyond beef patties, my personal favourite is The Dip - a soft roast beef roll to be dipped in decadently rich beef jus.

Italian lunch spot in a lesser visited but easy-to-reach Abbeyhill neighbourhood. Garlicky focaccias and Italian bakes galore!

A LGBTQIA+ friendly pub with some simple pub snacks, board games and good vibes available to all!

One of Edinbugh's classic movie theatres - featuring indie movies, talks with cinematographers and a movie-lover's perfect cafe.

Another one of Edinburgh's amazing restaurants that combine local seasonal produce, expert craft and a casual atmosphere.

A lesser know cocktail bar owned by the same people who have brought us the world famous Bramble bar. Moody lights and delightful drinks, perfect for a date night.

Japanese style pod hostel, futuristic and cozy at the same time.

Sitting right under a wine bar owned by the same lovely people, this coffee shop sells delicious bakes, fresh lunch plates and of course perfect coffee brews. AND around Christmas this is where you can get on of Edinburgh's most buttery, most delightful mince pies!

Bookworm? Then you're surely aware that Scotland was once the home of great authors like Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson - and in this Old Town museum you'll get to see their original manuscripts and rough drafts! Also - the hidden court it's situated in is extremely photogenic!

A visit to this island is a bit of an adventure - look up the tide times, otherwise you might get stranded for half a day! You can find remnants of old anti-submarine fortifications and, not surprisingly, amazing views of the Firth of Forth landscape on a clear day.