My Ultimate List of Edinburgh’s Best Independent Spots

Living in Edinburgh I get asked for recommendations a lot! I have a list on my phone which I update and send to friends; the idea of this blog was to replace that list but with so many places opening all the time and having a busy indie biz to run I simply do not have enough hours in the day to write that many blog posts.

So here’s the deal, I’m letting you into my ultimate list. This list is a jump off point for your own research as there is little to no context for each place but it’s where you can find me when I’m not in my studio.

Everywhere is independent and will hopefully highlight how unique and diverse Edinburgh is.

Breakfast Lunch – Brunch

Margot’s 
71 Steps – bagels
Pantry
Seb’s Urban Jungle 
Foodstory
The Old Spence
Sly Fox – Vegan
Alby’s
Faceplant
Mootz

Bakeries

Twelves Triangles
Pastry Section
Babyfaced Baker
Krema
Company Bakery
Lannam – be prepared to queue!

Dinner

My regular spots, mainly casual, vegan options and mostly dog friendly:

Vessel (small plates and craft beer by Pilot Brewery)
Baba – Middle Eastern)
Bodega (tacos, no dogs)
Paloma (tacos)
Mirin (Asian)
Soul Vegan (Malaysian)
Hendersons (Vegetarian)
Paradise Palms (dive bar vibes)
Cafe Andeluz (tapas, my mum’s favourite)
Edinburgh Street Food (variety of vendors)
Tapa ( Tapas)

Notable places recommended by foodie friends:

Noto
The Palmerston
Dogstar
Heron
Eleanor
Little Chartroom
Timberyard
Norah
Little Capo

Coffee

There is a blog post featuring my regular coffee spots if you want more details.

Little Fitzroy
William & Johnson
Source
Artisan Roast (various locations)
Beatnik
Cult 
Kul
Santu
Ante
Fortitude
Lowdown
Wellington 
Room and Rumors 
Cairngorm Coffee
Machina 
The Milkman
Bearded Barista (Leith Market on Saturdays – Stockbridge Market on Sundays)

Pubs

Predominantly Leith because that’s my neighbourhood:

Roseleaf (good for food including brunch)
Teuchters Landing (also serves food and has beer garden)
The Finch (good drinks, pop up kitchens)
Brass Monkey (lowkey local spot classic pub food)
Lioness (known for burgers)
Dreadnaught (drinks pub with pride)
Joker and Thief (drinks and takeaway pizza from Orgiano)
Wully Dug (drinks old man pub vibes)

Taprooms and Brew Pubs

If you want to know more I have a post on my favourite Edinburgh Taprooms:

Newbarns (Taproom)
Campervan (Taproom and Lost in Leith Bar)
Bellfield (Taproom and Nobles Bar)
Moonwake (Taproom)
Pilot (Vessel bar)

Nice Drinks

Spry (wine)
Ardfern (wine and food)
Bon Vivant
Nauticus
Panda & Sons
Hey Palu

Bookshops

I also have a blog post highlighting my most frequently visited Edinburgh Bookshops and why I love them:

Argonaut
Portobello Bookshop
Rare Birds
Lighthouse
Tills
Toppings
Golden Hare
Edinburgh Bookshop
Armchair
McNaughts

Homeware and Gift Shops

An Independent Zebra
Life Story
Stòr
Logan Malloch
Scottish Design Exchange
Handsel
Red Door Gallery
Tron Kirkgate

There are always loads of creative markets and events in Edinburgh including:

Leith Market & Hot Snakes Art Market (Saturdays)
Stockbridge Market (Sundays)
Westend Fair (August)
Leith Witch Market (Various dates)
Lunar Midnight Market (Various dates)
Tea Green Events (Various dates and locations throughout Scotland)
Support the Makers (Various dates and locations)
Out of the Blue Drill Hall (Events space)
Assembly Rooms (Events space)

Magic Shops

Portal Leith
Blackmoon Botanical
Wheel of Fate
Wyrd

Instagram accounts

It’s Pippa – great for cool openings and reviews
Edinburgh Enthusiast – super helpful weekly roundups of what’s going on
My Little Edinburgh – Pretty Edinburgh lifetsyle
Edinburgh Eats – Food instagram