Mentioned by visitscotland.com
18 Quirky Places to Eat 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."
"Our final day involved trips to the National Museum of Scotland and Edinburgh Castle, so we concentrated our café search on the Old Town. As we vaguely hunted for souvenirs/bribes-for-the-grandparents-so-they-agree-to-look-after-the-children-for-a-week-again, we wandered past Deacon’s House. The site was established in 1788 as a workshop for the Brodie family, one of whom – “Deacon Brodie” – ended up being hung for housebreaking, crimes he often committed using the tools from his workshop."
"If you are a fan of Elemis spa treatments, PURE Spa is the one for you!. The contemporary design of the spa is sophisticated and relaxing, with a brilliant relaxation room where you can completely unwind after your treatment and enjoy some complimentary fruit juice. Here in Edinburgh, we are lucky to have 3 amazing locations where you can experience a PURE Spa; Lothian Road, Rose Street & Newhaven."
"Behind Usher Hall lies 4042 – a fun, late-night alternative to clubbing named after its address (40-42 Grindlay Street). Here, you can play games of ping-pong until 3am, with beer and cocktails to fuel your serve. The walls are stripped back to their old tile work with metal beams on show, giving it an industrial feel."
"From the ashes of the Citrus Club a new late-night bar, club and ping pong hall has arisen. That's right, ping pong hall. This odd, but strangely appealing, combination is called 4042 after its address (40-42 Grindlay Street)."
"Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by 4042 Edinburgh (@4042edinburgh)"
"You can try haggis in many places in Edinburgh, but the White Hart Inn is a particularly good choice, for a few reasons. It claims to be the oldest pub in Edinburgh, dating back over 500 years to its establishment in 1516. Many famous historic figures have stayed at the Inn, including English Civil War leader Oliver Cromwell, poet William Wordsworth and even Robert Burns himself, on whose birthday Scots traditionally dine on haggis as part of a Burns Supper."
"Another popular Grassmarket pub with alfresco dining out front is The White Hart Inn. Did you know that The White Hart Inn is haunted?. Maybe best pulling up a pew outside if you can."
"Recently nominated for the Spirited Awards, the most prestigious competition in the global drinks industry calendar, The Bon Vivant (Thistle St) is the FIRST Scottish restaurant bar to ever be nominated for an award in the competition's seven year history. With an ever-changing cocktail list, a broad and accessible champagne list, a comprehensive wine list and a gantry stocked full of classic and rare spirits, it's easy to see why. The Bon Vivant takes a unique approach to its wine list by offering all 44 wines by the 175ml glass, 500ml carafe or by the bottle."
"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/"