Mentioned by An Orcadian Abroad
15 Quirky & Unique Places To Eat & Drink In Edinburgh
"The lunch menu at Bell’s Diner has barely changed in 40 years, but why change a winning formula?. This cute little diner on the corner of St Stephen Street has been serving up gourmet burgers long before the likes of Byron got in on the act. Its steaks are also excellent and come with a choice of five sauces (go for the garlic butter), while the large hot fudge sundae pancakes are legendary in these parts."
"Housed in a converted warehouse and serving a menu that’s about as far removed from stereotypical Scottish cooking as imaginable, Tapa has earned itself a loyal following among in-the-know residents in Leith. Its take on Spanish tapas dishes provides a break from the norm: there are melt-in-your-mouth ribs, and the chef’s mother offers her own recipe for venison stew that’s not to be missed."
"Since opening in 2011, the National Museum has become one of Scotland's most popular attractions, and one of the best things to do for free in Edinburgh. Welcoming over two million visitors each year, it incorporates collections from a number of Edinburgh's older museums, with highlights including national archaeological collections; medieval artifacts; and displays focusing on natural history, geology, art, science, and technology. In its 16 galleries, containing more than 8,000 artifacts, are Dolly the sheep — the world's first cloned mammal — as well as some of Elton John's more elaborate stage costumes."
"Chambers Street, Edinburgh EH1 1JF Open daily from 10.30 to 16.30 Free to enter, donations welcome. Arguably Edinburgh's largest and busiest museum, the National Museum of Scotland has a range of exhibits from around the world, showcasing the Natural World, World Cultures and Scottish History and Archaeology. Before you explore the exhibits on display, take a moment to take in the striking architecture of the Grand Gallery, a beautiful example of Victorian design with soaring high pillars, large windows and a magnificent glass ceiling that floors the gallery with light."
"Stuffed animals, sarcophagi and ancient chessmen are all housed at the magnificent National Museum of Scotland. The museum's roof terrace is also worth a visit, offering unique views of the city. Visit: Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF - nms.ac.uk"
"Italian is ever so popular, but finding a good quiet place is never easy. However, at Mia this ticks all the boxes; a quiet relaxing atmosphere, good fine Italian wine, and great Italian food makes this place the ultimate restaurant to have a BFF date. Making it extra special is the quaint layout looking out onto the Dalry area, so there’s a lot to see and talk about."
"Located: 96 Dalry Road, Edinburgh EH11 2AX & 394 Morningside Road, Edinburgh EH10 5HX. Website: mia-restaurant.co.uk. Image: Mia Italian Kitchen website"
"Offering traditional Neapolitan pizzas from the heart of Italy, Pizzeria 1926’s menu is fresh, simple and delicious. The generously sized pizzas are all under £10, and come with a range of interesting toppings such as baby octopus, Gaeta olives, baked potatoes, smoked buffalo mozzarella, croquettes, and spicy broccoli. Visit: 85 Dalry Road, EH11 2AA - pizzeria1926.com"
"Gaia is one of those small family friendly places where what really matters is the quality of the product. What you will find in this restaurant are a variety of pasta dishes, homemade soups and excellent sandwiches. Although it's not in the center, if you fancy well-made Italian food, it's worth the walk."
"This Sicilian delicatessen is also a great cafe and it has a warm, family friendly atmosphere. You'll find a wide array of tempting homemade breads, soups, salads and pasta dishes. They also make a mean cup of coffee."
"This is a new space in a historic area, just off ancient Canongate in the heart of the Old Town. Envisaged as a community arts and commerce project, the Old Tolbooth Market (daily 11am to 6pm) has a multicultural remit, with a Scottish/Afro-Caribbean street buffet, Jam Rock Jamaican chicken and more. You’ll also find hot Tanzanian hot chilli sauces, flowers, arts and crafts, plus live music and performances."