Edinburgh with its winding cobbled streets, beautiful views and exciting food scene is not only one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe, but it has also recently been named number 1 city in the world.
From the sophisticated elegance of the New Town and the Old Town's tangled maze of ancient alleyways, Edinburgh provide visitors an ever-changing experience in addition to an abundance of fascinating historical and cultural attractions.
The bustling city centre of Edinburgh is a delight to behold, offering visitors a unique combination of local shops, beautiful architecture, and of course, some great spots to dine and drink. We've captured the most popular places in Edinburgh according to Obvlo users.
Chop House
Having lived in Edinburgh for 10 years, it would be hard to disagree with this one. Chop House seriously does do some of the best steaks in town. Having first opened its flagship restaurant in Leith back in 2015, Chop House has since grown to open further sites in Market St and Bruntsfield, with a reputation built on serving the Best of British Beef, dry-aged and butchered in-house.
Not only does Chop House pride themselves in serving some exceptional cuts - the chateaubriand always goes down a treat if you’re up for sharing, but the steakhouse truly excels in their side game. From beef dripping chips to mac and cheese quite literally oozing in goodness, a visit to Chop House is a real treat!
Johnnie Walker Princes Street
Having only opened in late 2021, Johnnie Walker Princes Street has been quite a success. Popular with both locals and tourists, the unique distillery tour is quite the show.
In essence, it is a whole whiskey experience that includes bars, tastings, shops, and shows that both entertain and educate. It's an exciting, theatrical, colourful, and enjoyable attraction with great architecture that all come together to provide an immersive experience. An experience that will not be forgotten.
Cairngorm Coffee
A trip to Edinburgh is not complete without getting the ultimate caffeine fix. With a city bursting with artisan roasters, Cairngorm Coffee is definitely at the top of many lists. Beginning as a roaster in the Cairngorms, this coffee joint roasts its own beans and has been serving high-quality, speciality coffee in the West End since 2016.
You'll find a broad mix of people ranging from informal business meetings during the week to friends catching up at the weekend. With a strong focus on quality and community, Cairngorm is proud to be a part of a fantastic Scottish coffee scene.
P.S. A trip to Cairngorm is not complete with grilled cheese. Trust us.
Ecco Vino
This snug and relaxed spot near the bottom of Cockburn Street is the perfect place to stop for a glass of wine or a bite to eat on the way between the old town and Waverley train station. Ecco Vino offer some of the finest, freshest local seafood in town, with their outstanding seafood platters paired with crisp white wines make the ultimate hotspot in the heart of the old town.
Scran Bistro
Now, it's time to get real with your brunch game. Yes, the most instagrammable brunch in Edinburgh is in fact just as tasty as it looks. Having opened back in 2018, Scran Bistro is a hit with Edinburgh foodies for its sweet treats, teas, cakes and coffees, as well as hearty portions of loaded fries, burgers and filled wraps.
The brunch joint has racked up stacks of views on TikTok and is known to whip up mouth-watering dishes. From dreamy-looking pancakes to a macaroni cheese wrap, and from my own experience, a veggie breakfast of dreams, it’s no surprise that this brunch joint has been a favourite of Obvlo users!