Top, Best & Fun Rooftop Bars in Shandon

"Address: 354 Castlehill, Edinburgh, EH1 2NEWebsite: The Scotch Whisky Experience. If you’re on a visit to Edinburgh your trip won’t be complete without a visit to the Scotch Whisky Experience, located just a short walk from Edinburgh Castle Esplanade on The Royal Mile. The attraction features tours and whisky tasting sessions along with a very enjoyable journey through the history of one of Scotland’s most famous exports, brought to you by several resident ghostly tour guides."

"For this reason, you may want to visit the Scotch Whisky Experience. Here you’ll find the largest private collection of whisky in the world, all in one room!. How about this as a top Edinburgh Instagram spot?"

"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.."

"Following on the success of their Hanover Street restaurant and the wonderful cafe in the values of St John's, comes a fully vegan restaurant situated in Thistle Street. This is Edinburgh's first fully vegan restaurant, and it looks to be a great success. The menu is brimming with luxurious flavourful dishes and there is certainly no sense that by eschewing meat and dairy diners are missing out."

"Harmonium offers vegan cuisine that everyone will enjoy|© Harmonium. Brought to Edinburgh by the people behind Glasgow’s fashionable Flying Duck, Harmonium evokes Leith’s maritime history with nautical decor. With offerings like chicken parmigiana and ground beef tacos, it might not be obvious they are meat-free."

"Situated on the streets of Old Town, Brew Lab prides itself on speciality coffee and artisanal delicacies, serving up a meticulously crafted espresso that will keep you focused all day (or at least until you reach the next coffee spot). With the mission to bring the best coffee possible to the people of Edinburgh, it would be a shame to not at least try this creative hot spot. These guys are so serious about creating exceptional coffee, that they also provide barista courses that teach you the beauty of creating an espresso, as well as creative latte art and filter brewing."

"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"

"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."

"While the decor highlights the venue's love of all things Scottish, the highlight of the restaurant is the menu. Serving a handful of traditional recipes - all made using local ingredients and cuts of meat - each dish has been purposely paired with a particular whisky to highlight certain flavours."

"4-7 North Bank Street, Edinburgh EH1 2LP (Tel: 0131 225 7224). With over 280 whiskies to choose from, Whiski Rooms is an absolute must for any whisky fanatic. Explore their collection and choose your favourite from one of the biggest malt selections in the city."

"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."

"I skipped this since I’m a veg and went with the Roseleafer, which consists of vegetarian haggis, beans, tomatoes, mushroom, egg, spinach, and toast. Talk about major deliciousness!"

"Another great Leith favourite, Roseleaf has Schiehallion Craft Lager on tap alongside two guest kegs, a range of guest ales, and a selection of the best bottles."

"Despite its ostensibly traditional exterior and unassuming decor, the Auld Hoose is not the run of the mill pub you might at first expect. For a start, it lays claim to the title of Edinburgh's only alternative pub with a juke box that covers punk, goth and metal music. It also hosts an impressive selection of malt whiskey and ales, and the bar staff is more than happy to chat about the merits of each with patrons."

"A photo posted by diego marquez (@diegoxmarquez) on Mar 6, 2015 at 6:32am PST. The perfect spot for those with healthy appetites, this pub is legendary for its enormous vegan nachos and also does a hearty veggie haggis served with traditional neeps and tatties."

"Now this post wouldn’t be complete without mentioning these BEASTLY nachos. The best vegan nachos in Edinburgh hands down. Wow just wow and this isn’t even the ‘large’ size."

"Average spend: £10 lunchtime deal of chef’s selection tapas for two, 12.30-5pm daily Tapa plates around £5 each individually. Whatta bargain – get six tapas dishes, bread and salad to share between two for just £10 every lunchtime. Tapa staples include griddled chorizo with tomato salsa, Iberico ham, squid with aioli and aubergine crisps drizzled with honey."

"Out of all Edinburgh's restaurants, Tapa lures me through its doors most often. The attraction is the fun and authentic Spanish tapas coupled with a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Load up on patatas bravas, meatballs and the most perfect tortilla you will ever eat."

"In the city centre, seek out the Heart of Midlothian for a uniquely Scottish piece of history. The Heart of Midlothian is set in the pavement on the Royal Mile, constructed from coloured granite blocks that form the shape of a heart and cross. This landmark records the position of the 15th century ‘heart’ of the town, the Old Tolbooth."

"The Palace of Holyroodhouse — usually simply referred to as Holyrood Palace — is the Queen's official Edinburgh residence and has frequently been at the center of Scottish history. Built in 1678, it was where James II and James IV were each married, where James V and Charles I were crowned, and where "Bonnie Prince Charlie" held court in 1745. When the Queen is away (which is typically 51 weeks of the year, as she's only here for "Royal Week" each summer), public access is permitted to the stunning Historic Apartments (former home of Mary Queen of Scots) and the State Apartments, famous for their fine furnishings, tapestries, and plasterwork."

"The abbey was later used partially as a royal residence, and as a location for the Scottish Parliament from the 13th to the 15th centuries. The abbey has seen a large chunk of Scottish history, politics and culture, including the end of the First War of Scottish Independence, and the birth and coronation of kings. The remains still show beautiful and impressive original architecture which have inspired numerous painters and writers."

"Adjacent to Holyrood Palace are the ruins of Holyrood Abbey which are an important part of the Edinburgh landmarks list. The history of this church dates back to the 12th century. You gain access to the abbey with your Holyrood Palace ticket."

"Edinburgh's gallery of modern art is split between two impressive neoclassical buildings surrounded by landscaped grounds some 500m west of Dean Village. As well as showcasing a stunning collection of paintings by the popular, post-Impressionist Scottish Colourists – in Reflections, Balloch, Leslie Hunter pulls off the improbable trick of making Scotland look like the south of France – the gallery is the starting point for a walk along the Water of Leith. Fees apply for some exhibitions."

"The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art is housed in 2 historic buildings. Art lovers will be in their element viewing the over 6000 pieces on display. For the latest exhibitions visit the official Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art website."

"You can explore Leith and visit the Trinity House Maritime Museum, stroll along the Water of Leith Walkway or see the latest exhibits on display at the National Gallery of Modern Art."

"Tucked away in Edinburgh’s Old Town, the Urbane Art Gallery is one of the most cutting edge spaces in the city. It covers a range of artists and mediums, but the majority of work has a hint of urban delight about it. Visit the gallery’s website."

"Cheerful, bustling, simply decorated with IKEA-style furniture and sitting in the pedestrian precinct of Rose Street, Mussel Inn does no more nor no less than it claims. There are starters like chowder, fishcakes, oysters, scallops or whitebait; mains such as spiced crab pasta, fish stew or sea bass. The speciality of course is mussels in half kilo or kilo pots which you can have completely unadorned, or in classic moules marinière style, they can come with blue cheese, bacon and cream, plus there are more options."

"The focus here is on tasty, freshly prepared seafood at very affordable prices. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming for the whole family. All of the seafood on offer is carefully sourced and the shellfish is cultivated in an environmentally-friendly way in the sea lochs of the West Coast and near the Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland Isles."

"If you’re a sucker for seafood, this is the must-visit restaurant for you. The grilled Queen scallops, paired with black pudding, viola flowers and a yellow bell pepper dressing are priced at a reasonable £6.90 and the menu also contains a number of classic seafood dishes which means you really can’t go wrong."