Best & Cool Bars in The Glasshouses

"Taste the water of life at The Scotch Whisky Experience, and let the whisky gurus reveal all there is to know about Scotland’s national tipple. Tour the replica distillery, gawp at 3,500 bottles of the iconic elixir, ride in a whisky-barrel car and take home a tasting glass. There’s an attached shop, restaurant and whisky bar, should you fancy a post-tour dram."

"On top of my personal list of vegan eateries in Edinburgh is Harmonium in Broughton. The restaurant is the little sibling of Glasgow’s vegan icons Mono, Stereo and co. and offers top-notch vegan cuisine in the casual environment of a cosy pub. The menu is very diverse and includes comfort food classics, like pizzas, burgers and mac & cheese, but also more creative options like scallops made from King Oyster mushroom (I order these every time) or beer-battered nori banana blossoms with chips."

"Offering a vast menu of vegan dishes, Harmonium is a haven for plant-based eaters. Come for brunch, when simple decision-making abilities will be thrown out the window as you're faced with choosing between dairy-free grilled cheese and "bacon" sourdough sandwiches and Belgian waffles topped with whipped cream, fresh berries, maple syrup and powdered sugar. Wash it all down with coffee from local Edinburgh-based roasters Williams and Johnson Coffee Co.."

"This bar and restaurant from the Stereo team doesn't even need to flag vegan options on its menu because the whole damn thing is free from any animal products. Offering all your favourite comfort eats, from burgers and macaroni cheese, to laverbread cakes with streaky bacon, they're easily one of the best vegan restaurants in Edinburgh."

"Specializing in single-origin specialty-grade coffee, Brew Lab serves up beans from Union Hand-Roasted, featuring two different espressos and filters each day so there is always something fresh to try. But for non coffee drinkers, craft beers and local wines along with salads, soups and sandwiches from local suppliers around Edinburgh are also up for grabs in this modern coffee house with a science lab vibe. 6-8 S College St, Edinburgh EH8 9AA, UK"

"Two former Edinburgh University students got addicted to coffee while trying to get their essays in on time. Then, they created Brew Lab. They converted an old university office into one of the best coffee shops in the city."

"Situated within a short distance of Edinburgh Castle, the Whiski Rooms boast stunning views over the mound and Princes Street. With a bar, bistro, restaurant and shop, the Whiski Rooms neatly captures a superb food and drink experience under one convenient roof. Their food menu seamlessly blends classic and modern dishes using only the finest and freshest, locally sourced produce."

"Give your next date night a sophisticated edge by heading to Whiski Rooms for an evening of tasting tipples and nibbling on cheese. Try out a selection of drams from all over Scotland, with paired bites for each drink."

"For a quirky and casual brunch outing, try a visit to Roseleaf, located in the historic Leith area of Edinburgh. It’s a mix of bar, cafe, and bistro, open all day and welcome to all ages. Furnished with second hand items, and a collection of unusual trinkets and treasures, and run by friendly and welcoming staff, you will have a laidback, but still top quality, dining experience."

"This unusual pub is off the beaten track just beyond The Shore in Leith. It's a little bit quirky, offering an imaginative range of food and booze which extends to some great breakfast options. It's very friendly, the furniture is mismatched and you can get cocktails served in teapots for your very own Madhatter's Tea Party."

"The Roseleaf serves top-notch grub|Courtesy of Roseleaf / © AdamJBellPhotography. There’s a real buzz in Leith just now, with the diversity of its restaurants, from gastropub to Michelin-star restaurants, unrivalled elsewhere in Edinburgh. One of its most beloved pubs serving top-notch grub is the Roseleaf."

"Bon Vivant lives up to its name: From the drinks menu to the atmosphere, everything is a bit indulgent – in the best possible way. Stylish and smart, the bar has a laid-back vibe thanks to Parisian flea-market lamps, dark walls, tabletop candles, and deep leather armchairs and booths. The sea of wine glasses is particularly noticeable in this beer- and whiskey-happy city – the bar’s selection has a reputation for being excellent."

"Bon Vivant has previously won the ‘Best Restaurant Bar in the World’ as their bar menu changes daily. Take your pick from the ‘bites’ section, where you can try tasters of haggis bonbon, pork belly, smoked haddock arancini and mushroom, truffle and feta rolls for £2 a plate. bonvivantedinburgh.co.uk/"

"Candlelight reflected in the warm glow of polished wood makes for an intimate atmosphere in this New Town favourite. The food is superb value for this part of town, offering a range of tapas-style 'bites' as well..."

"Owned by a group that runs several Edinburgh pubs, the Red Squirrel is at the bottom end of Lothian Road and it combines a well-stocked bar with cheap, tasty pub grub. You'll find standard Scottish options on tap alongside some more exotic options. You can get a breakfast, late into the afternoon, and choose from a wide range of burgers featuring haggis, venison, pork and chorizo."

"This Lothian Road spot has long been a popular haunt for beer lovers. The bar boasts over 20 craft beers and ales on tap, including a great variety of bottled options. They showcase a wide range of Scottish brewers, including some local favourites such Edinburgh Beer Factory and Pilot."

"The Pop Up Geeks offers a different theme every three months|© SJS Photography. If you’ve ever wanted to step into a scene from Game of Thrones, Stranger Things or The Walking Dead, visit The Pop Up Geeks. Every three months, this micro-bar in the arches of Waverley Station reinvents itself around a different pop-culture theme – complete with a food menu and cocktails to match."

"A post shared by The Pop up Geeks (@thepopupgeeks) on Jul 31, 2020 at 12:44pm PDT. Passionate about all things geeky, the Pop Up Geeks have become one of Edinburgh's hippest night spots. They create unique and immersive experiences based on popular films and TV shows."

"One of two places on this list that I haven’t made it to yet, but it’s worthy of a mention!. Now a permanent fixture along from Waverley train station, Pop Up Geeks changes its theme every few months. At the moment, it’s on a Star Wars theme until March!"

"A post shared by Loudons Cafe (@loudonscafe) on Nov 30, 2018 at 11:00am PST. Loudons bakery and cafe is located in Fountainbridge. They bake all of their bread and cakes on site and offer an all-day weekend brunch menu that caters for most dietary needs and includes options like American style pancakes, a full breakfast and scrambled eggs and smoked salmon."

"If you find yourself in the Fountainbridge area be sure to pop into this light and bright cafe to enjoy brunch or lunch!. Another bonus is they serve up delicious fluffy pancakes. Choose from classic American Style Pancakes, Vegan Blackcurrant Pancakes, or if you’re looking for a healthy boost they also serve Superfood pancakes (pictured below)!"

"Loudons is a stylish, spacious café in Fountainbridge that's ideal for getting some work done, or just relaxing on one of the comfy couches. They offer home-made breakfasts and cake, with gluten-free and dairy-free choices too. Their cooked breakfasts also come with a choice of brown and gluten-free bread."

"Papii may not seem like much from outside but this little café has a reputation as one of the best on Hanover Street. Their speciality is ''eggs Papii'': a toasted English muffin, poached free-range eggs and homemade hollandaise sauce (they also do more traditional options like eggs benedict, eggs florentine and eggs royale). If you don't fancy eggs, then don't miss their famous buttermilk waffles, which come with a number of different toppings including crispy bacon, fresh strawberries or honey and cream."

"What: Small and with no fuss, Papii is a very popular spot in the city, so you’ll have to make sure you get their early to secure a table. Although there’s no fried breakfast to be found here, there are plenty of other options to satisfy you, including the likes of filled breakfast rolls, paninis and bagels, as well as eggs any way you like. The main attractions though, are Papii’s indulgent buttermilk vanilla waffles and the smoothies which are made from fresh fruit."

"Finally, somewhat of a hidden gem on the brunch scene, Papii Café is a small, Mediterranean inspired café with a real neighbourhood feel to it. Their menu is varied, but the two dishes that get people talking are the waffles and the eggs benedict. Despite being a classic brunch food, waffles don’t seem to crop up on too many breakfast menus in Edinburgh."

"Catering for those who are hungry and in a hurry, Soul Sushi offers great-value grab-and-go boxes, nigiri, salads, soups, katsu curries, gyoza and poké bowls, all freshly made daily. The multi-award-winning takeaway’s concept of healthy, affordable Japanese food was inspired by the owner’s travels around Australia. For a real bargain, stop by the Newington shop half an hour before closing, when all remaining food in the chiller is sold with 50% off the price."

"Average Rating - 4.67Total Number of Ratings - 2352Location - Edinburgh SouthAverage price - £££Review - Simply delicious, no more to be said!"

"A few of my favourite dishes at Yes Sushi are the prawn dumplings, salmon skin roll, and their hot pot -which is reason enough to visit. Choose your broth, noodles, veggies, seafood, and meat (all of which are served uncooked), drop them into the boiling pot, and watch them cook in front of you. It’s £17.99 per person, and also includes all-you-can-eat sushi (from a limited menu), which is a bargain in Edinburgh."

"Notoriously expensive sushi is made more affordable at Hanover Street’s Yes Sushi, thanks to their bento box options. The perfect size for one, each box costs around £10 and contain enough delicious Japanese delights to fill you up. Each box is different, so diners can choose a few favourites from the likes of teriyaki tofu, tempura prawns, maki rolls, fresh sashimi and nigiri."

"A post shared by Martina (@maartinamar) on Jun 8, 2017 at 10:32am PDT. Always buzzing with happy customers, this lively joint in Edinburgh’s New Town is famous for its comforting hot pots and for its all you can eat sushi buffet. When enjoying the all you can eat buffet, you can choose either sushi by itself, or a sushi and hotpot combo for a little extra."

"A post shared by Eilidh Barbour (@eilidh_barbour) on Mar 28, 2017 at 6:35am PDT. Stylish and impressive, this is a lovely restaurant to go to when you are on a special date – or just whenever you want to feel a little fancy. The menu here is a classy one: think aubergine with miso, seared swordfish, and seafood salad to start with."

"Kanpai Sushi has become so popular in Edinburgh, that they have opened a new sister restaurant, Yamato. It's doing just as well, so again, you'll need to book in advance to avoid disappointment. The setting is beautiful and the selection of sushi is mouth-watering and perfectly presented."

"You don’t have to be a child to enjoy the Museum of Childhood, but it definitely is a place for the kids to go and see the toys of years past and get to try some of them out. This is the first museum of its kind that was dedicated to the culture of childhood and preserving toys and childhood culture, which also means adults will take great joy in seeing toys from their own childhoods. Of course, no one visiting would be old enough to remember playing with the Queen Anne Doll on display, as this dates back to 1740, but perhaps you remember the Peter Rabbit toy."

"If you fancy a wee trip down memory lane, head to the Museum of Childhood. Located on the Royal Mile, this quirky museum is spread across four floors and covers many eras of toys and games. It gives you an idea of playthings over the years starting from the 18th through to the 21st century."

"The Museum of Childhood is a fun day out for the whole family. Young people can learn about the children of the past and see a fantastic range of toys and games, while adults enjoy a trip down memory lane. And you can see the Subbuteo set in our adverts!"

"It's a chance to experience the primeval forces of nature as they shaped our planet, to journey through space and time and even go on a 4DVENTURE around the world. You'll be embarking on the interactive adventure of a lifetime - the lifetime of our planet."

"Transport yourself to the Outlander set at Callendar Park & House. Callendar Park & House was used for one of the most well-known Outlander scenes as the Duke of Sandringham’s home."