Mentioned by Citybase Apartments
29 Free Things to do in Edinburgh
"It’s hard to imagine a more picturesque market setting than this – Edinburgh Farmers’ Market looks right up at the city’s medieval castle. Every Saturday (9am–2pm) the blue and white striped awnings on Castle Terrace shade an excellent range of products: meat, seasonal fruits and vegetables, jams, chutneys, crusty bread, handmade chocolates and pies. Tasting samples are commonplace, so try before you buy from some esteemed suppliers including Puddledub Pork, natural organic producers Caurnie Soap and – for some famously good Scottish soft fruit – Tay Valley Fruits."
"More than 55 producers sell meat, fish, eggs, honey, seasonal fruit and vegetables, cheeses, breads, plants, and a whole range of specialties here. Pull up a bench and have some creamy porridge with whisky or a hot hog roast roll while you gaze up at the forbidding walls of the castle. The adjacent NCP Castle Terrace car park offers a discounted rate during market hours – validate your ticket at the market information stall."
"TV chef Lloyd Grossman once described this as "one of the world's best farmers' markets". It is now in its 18th year and features a range of fresh goods from more than 35 specialist producers – with the majority growing or rearing what they sell themselves. Some of the speciality produce includes heart-warming soups, gourmet crisps and Shetland knitwear."
"This market, located on the banks of the Water of Leith, has become one of the most popular in town for a number of reasons. The paella served up there has become something of a local phenomenon while the impressive selection of cakes, pastries and donuts on offer rarely fails to whet the appetite. People also flock to the jubilee gardens each Sunday to sample some of the artisan breads and cheese brought along, and browse the selection of jewellery, arts and crafts."
"Come Sunday, follow your nose to Stockbridge Market and weave your way between stalls serving freshly baked bread, crêpes, sweet treats and more. While the farmer's market is not 100 per cent meat-free, there are plenty of plant-pushing stalls such as Casa Roble Paella (order a heaped plate of veggie paella) and Harajuku Kitchen, which serves great dumplings and udon noodles paired with Asian-style vegetables."
"A firm favourite with locals and people from further afield, Stockbridge Market gets busy. A mixture of street food and stands that sell food, ingredients or treats to take away, this is a fun and vibrant market. It takes over the square at Saunders Street and makes every Sunday a party."
"Ocean Terminal is designed by Sir Terence Conran in the heart of Edinburg occupying 45000 sqm space for shopping and recreation. What makes it one of the best shopping malls in Edinburgh is that not only does it have more than 75 shopping stores such as Debenhams and Charlie Miller, but it as well as has bars, restaurants, and even a gym!. There is also a cineplex inside the mall with 12 theatres!"
"Ocean Terminal is located in the Leith area of Edinburgh on the city's waterfront. The huge modern shopping centre has free parking and is ideal for dining, shopping and cinema goers. Inside, Ocean Terminal has a VUE Cinema and numerous shops, restaurants and cafes."
"Not quite as busy as its big sisters, Stockbridge and Grassmarket markets, but well worth a visit nonetheless. The market consists mostly of food traders, bringing you locally produced and sourced products as well as sizzling hot street food that you can enjoy sitting down at one of the tables. On the first Saturday of the month the market also hosts the Vegan Quarter with a variety of vegan treats to choose from."
"One of the smaller markets on the list, Leith Market has around 20 stalls and a friendly, laid back atmosphere. Here there’s an abundance of locally grown, fresh produce, including organic fruit and vegetables, artisan breads, smoked fish and much more. On the first Saturday of every month, the market also hosts a special Vegan Quarter where shoppers can buy a variety of vegan treats, from cupcakes to faux meat."
"A charming mixture of bread, cheese and soap, this bustling market has a large number or vegetarian and vegan friendly vendors. On a sunny day, it’s a fun and busy place to be. It’s positioned between Commercial Quay and the shore, perfectly situated between two areas of cafés and restaurants."
"This space is a working studio, gallery, non-profit organisation and shop. It's the first open-access printmaking studio in Britain, and has been going strong since 1967. Visitors can watch artists at work, see an exhibition, attend a lecture or buy original prints, books, jewellery and other splendid stuff in the shop."
"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."
"Frizzante is a multi-award winning restaurant that’s steeped in local culinary history. Run by the son of famed Italian chef and restaurateur Don Pasquale, Frizzante aims to continue the success of its forebears by providing locals with authentic Italian dishes, a friendly and charming atmosphere, fantastic service and value for money. It’s been a long-standing family motto that the real stars are the regular customers who come and eat time and time again."
"Frizzante is the most recent venture of the charismatic and accomplished Don Pasquale and his son jonathan. Don Pasquale has been serving delicious Italian food to Edinburgh patrons for many years, and his son has clearly inherited his enthusiasm and charm. Frizzante specialises in Neapolitan and Mediterranean food."
"This newcomer on the Edinburgh foodie scene is a collaboration with some of the Edinburgh restaurants: Cold Town House for pizza, Copper Blossom for cocktails and craft beer, Cold Town Beer, Kyloe for Sunday roasts and The Huxley (scran including burgers, loaded fries and dogs, served from a silver trailer). While they recommend you order online first, you can also show up at either collection point – one for drinks and the other for pizza – or the “Scranavan” for your choice of takeaways. Wooden benches are spaced out in the courtyard in anticipation of the beer gardens reopening and are ideal for a casual lunch one summer day."
"What: We’re a fan of any restaurant which thinks of an innovative way to make their outdoor area weather proof and that’s exactly what McLaren’s on the Corner has done. In 2020 McLaren’s installed a number of ski gondolas in the garden allowing you to sit inside them to enjoy the all-day food menu, while imagining you’re skiing in Courchevel.Where: 8 Morningside Road, EH10 4DD"
"Tucked away in Marchmont, Deadly Donuts pride themselves on serving up freshly made, high quality and different doughnut recipes on a daily basis. The shop is owned by classically trained chef, Freddie Spindler, and their selection of doughnuts range from traditional flavours, to the more intriguing flavours such as matcha green tea. Website: www.instagram.com/deadlydonuts"
"What:Monteiths is another restaurant nestled away down the backstreets of Edinburgh’s Old Town. Head down a tunnel made of twigs and decorated with fairy lights to find the restaurant’s small courtyard area. Here you can tuck into hearty Scottish dishes including hand dived scallops and a venison Scotch egg while sitting under the stars – the ideal setting for a romantic meal out.Where: 61 High Street, EH1 1SR"
"Also on The Royal Mile, adorned with fairy lights, is Monteith’s Kitchen and Cocktail Bar. This is a cozy basement hide-out that serves incredible cocktails and small plates at the bar and a full seafood and steak menu in the restaurant. Monteith’s has a tucked-away feel to it, and you’ll believe you’ve stumbled upon a secret basement restaurant no one else knows about."
"Image SourceThe market is an ideal place in Edinburgh to explore shops from leading-edge designers to fashion origins. The market is filled with designers, artists, and individuals selling crafts and classy clothes. Take a look for designer hats at Fabhatrix and Mr. Wood’s Fossils and if what you are looking for are old trend hats then Armstrong’s is the place to be."
"Disclaimer: My meal at Loudons New Waverley was a gifted experience. All opinions are my own. Loudons runs two cafes in Edinburgh – the original on Fountainbridge, and a new spacious location at New Waverley, a development project with living space, hotels, shops and restaurants just off the Royal Mile."