Hello! When did this wee gem spring up?…read more It's not really wee, and it looks new - I'm guessing it's only been on Cockburn Street under a month. Old Town Context is a refreshing, traditional store on Cockburn Street, steering away from the style of the tourist traps on the Royal Mile to offer alternative gift ideas. They have some old English, French and American advert poster art, cards, stationery, gifts, mugs with pin ups on them, clocks made out of recycled glass drinks bottles - a very eclectic and classy selection. Its inspiration is clearly from bygone era's, and I was very impressed with their postcard range. They also have some cracking cards and original prints with cats on them. These cats are wearing kilts and rugby shifrts, quoting Burns and other Scottish poets within the print. It's a very odd idea but entirely up my alley. Overall a very enjoyable shop for the family. It's difficult to walk out of here without buying anything.

I am glad that my 200th review is on this hidden gem... actually it isn't that hidden, but I have a…read morefeeling that lots of people just walk right on by. In a very different and almost vintage way, it is a souvenir shop. I say that because there were lots of prints, cards, coffee mugs of the city and various British 'things', but they are not the types of souvenirs that you would find in the every single store on the Royal Mile... yeah, you know what I mean. I loved the different prints of the city, my favourite was a very art deco-ish print highlighting the castle in a yellowy-orangish hue against a dark background. They had it as a large print, a card, and a coffee mug. I am now kicking myself that I did not buy it. If you love globes or tin signs, they have loads of them! If you are looking for a different kind of souvenir for someone... or just something for yourself, stop in here because they have some really wonderful items.

This shop on the Royal Mile is dedicated to all things "Fringe" and if you're after any kind of…read morememorabilia for this annual festival then this is the place. Even though The Fringe is only on in August, the Fringe Shop is open all year to get goodies. They stock various different t-shirts and hoodies in various designs and colours, but all with the Fringe logo. You will also find postcards and posters, so great if you want to decorate your wall and you're a Fringe fanatic. They also stock usual souvenirs such as mugs, teddies, pens and you can even buy gift vouchers. You can also pre-order the annual Fringe programme so you know what going to be on in the coming year. Just thinking about it's making me all excited - I love The Fringe! I suppose this shop serves it's purpose and it's so unusual to have a shop dedicated to a festival so for individuality and because I love The Fringe I'm giving it 4, but I still can't help but think it's a little bit pointless...

Adding to what the girls have outlined, I can't help but wonder why this shop is open all year…read moreround. Saying that, it has its uses - it keeps visitors and locals up to speed on upcoming Fringe events, and nearer the time (i.e from June onward) you can buy tickets for various shows to guarantee your front row seat. It sells some Fringe merch, which seems a bit empty unless you are actually at the Fringe that year and want something to remember it by. But I can imagine some tourists being interested in the t shirts and teddies they have on offer. Like Eleanor, I find the Fringe Shop's year long opening a little bit pointless. But if I need to use it nearer the time of the festival, which I sometimes do, I am usually caught saying the opposite. So I'm four starring it since it's a great resource of information if you're wanting to secure your place in or at the Fringe early!

It's 5 stars all the way! It's just a great spot that connects you to many different parts of Old…read moreTown. The views of the castle from here are also incredible. Especially if you want to see the volcanic plug under the castle. The best views of it are from here. It's also where you can make your way up the Vennel Steps to see the old defensive walls of the city. There are even two or three different ways that you can get to the castle from here. The Granny Green Steps are located on the west side of the square. It will take you up to Johnston Terrace where you can take another set of stairs called Castle Wynd North up to the castle. The second option is to take the Castle Wynd South path in the middle of the square which will lead into the Patrick Geddes Steps and directly to the North Steps. Another way is to walk up West Bow from the square to Victoria Street (also in Grassmarket). Take the stairway up to Victoria Terrace and then make your way up to the steps at Castle Wynd North or to the Royal Mile. You'll get a different perspective of the Grassmarket area and the castle from all angles. We visited it daily. We even passed through it on our way to Greyfriars Kirkyard via Candlemaker Row. The National Museum of Scotland is also easily accessible from here. The square in Grassmarket is the perfect meet up location. There's a lot of dark history here as well. It was one of the public execution sites that included the unsuccessful one of "Half-Hangit Maggie Dickson" in 1724. There's a bar at the square named after her. You'll also see a memorial written on the stones of the square for the last person (James Andrews) to be hanged at the gallows there on 4 February 1784. All creepiness aside, it's a very lively and active place that you'll pass through at some point. I mean, how could you not? It's an area full of beauty and history. *Updated on 5/5/2026 to correct a name.

Grassmarket is located in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town, just behind Edinburgh Castle. It's one…read moreof the oldest parts of the city, dating back to the 14th century. it is a popular area of the city today, just as it has been for many years. The Grassmarket is one of the most vibrant and charming neighbourhoods in Edinburgh and it's not a place you want to miss. However, one of the best parts about visiting this area are the views you'll get of the castle! Lined with buzzing bars, restaurants with worldwide flavours, delicious coffee shops and eclectic shops, the area's winding streets are a delight to explore at your leisure. Take a historic walking tour. Free historic walking tour maps are available from the local pubs and shops in the area. You can read or listen to the audio history of the area here. OR Visit the Greyfriars Bobby monument and grave site of a devoted little dog.

I have to admit I'd never heard of this market before today. We stumbled across it quite by chance…read moreone saturday as we were wandering through Morningside looking for somewhere to go for lunch. On the one hand, it's always great to see local retailers and designers being supported locally. And although I'm no art conoisseur there was some gorgeous stuff on display - mainly paintings and sketches of Scottish scenery - and I was surprised at how reasonably-priced some of it was. However, I did get the impression that in the huge big room of stalls and stands there were only about 3 or 4 different categories of things being sold. If you're the kind of person who loves browsing stall after stall of almost identical-looking glass jewellery or silver-plated chokers with semi-precious stones on them then you'll be in heaven here. Otherwise, you probably won't need to spend mor than 15 minutes or so here. That said, if you're in the area on the first saturday of every month then you should pop in for a browse.

I have been to this market about 3 times now and I love the idea of local crafters being able to…read moresell their wares without necessarily having a shop to do so. However, some of the sellers are well established and also sell elsewhere in town. There are some lovely homeware and gift items such as art prints, lots of jewellery, knitted crafts, clever wooden items and ttweed purses, cafetieres etc. This market is not well advertised, as like others, I came across it by chance one day. The hall location is good for all weathers and for picking up Morningside foot traffic when the sign is out. However, the downside is that there are so many good home and giftware shops in the Morningside and Bruntsfield area, that they have a lot of competition.

CUTTEA SARK DOES CUSTOM BLENDED COFFEE & TEA, DUNOON CUPS AND TEA SETS!…read moreI'm told by the staff that Cuttea Sark has been in business and owned by the same family for twenty eight years. This summer, I stopped by twice over three weeks looking for Dunoon tea cups for my wife. On the first visit inventory was low so no purchase. On my second visit, the Dunoon inventory was replenished and I purchased a beautiful specimen. Along with the cup I was able to purchase colorful postcards of their Victoria Street location and a bag of custom ground coffee to give for a gift. The postcards are beautiful fridge decoration and the coffee (I'm told) was delicious. This is a beautiful shop inside and out. I stop nearly everytime I'm in Edinburgh as I'm always looking to add to the family Dunoon collection. The staff are always polite, never aggressive; an enchanting escape from the big coffee shop crowds, confusion and expense!

lovely little place, haven't tried my tea yet but the prices were unbelievably low, so excited for…read moremy new beverages!

Love this place. The people working here are very friendly and their coffee and foods are very nice…read morequality. I especially enjoy the art and jewelry pieces made by local artists throughout the cafe.

The atmosphere here is so comfy and relaxing! I love it! I took the pancakes with bacon & syrup and…read morethey were good, also they kept me full for a while. The staff is kind and polite. Maybe the local is a little far from the centre of the city, but for whoever stays nearby it's perfect for a good start of the day!

Simply Scottish isn't any different to the other souvenir shops on the Mile, apart from the fact…read morethat it seems to stock the most t-shirts I've ever seen... all with a Scottish theme, of course. It stocks Scottish flags, shortbread, Nessie toys, hip flasks, ornaments, personalised tartan pens and various other tourist tat items. I did, however, notice the cute Highland Coo toys that Gavin was talking about and was very tempted to buy one for myself as I've always had a soft spot for the wee coo's but on my better judgement decided to leave without it. I'll put it on my Christmas Wish List to Santa.

It's almost a given that any purveyor of Scottish tourist tat will receive a frosty reception on…read moreYelp and I myself have been among their harshest critics. With Simply Scottish however, I might just be thawing towards them a tiny bit. The usual suspects are all here. Ginger wigs, I Love Scotland hoodies, tartan mugs blah blah blah, but there were a couple of things in the window that did genuinely make me smile and thus go in for a look. These were namely some cute Highland Cow toys which looked almost lovingly made, and some medieval-style armour. The latter would do you well at 3am after a night in Lava and Ignite.

They do just about everything right here. For one; they focus on the food and what you as a…read morecustomer would like to eat and how you'd like to eat it. Secondly: No, actually, that is it. Alcohol license? They have a 12 seater restaurant, barely space for a cash register. So... Nah.. people will eventually complain about the coldness of their beer, or the off-ness of their wine. Nope, they'll stick with the green Jasmine / Lotus tea and to the food and concentrate on that. You bring in what you like at the temperature you'd like to drink it. Delivery? They will not have a driver on standby for you to eventually complain about the lateness and missing items. No no no. If you like the food that is cooked; you will come over and get it yourself. And trust me you will. I now understand those people that drive for miles to get their perfect hot chocolate served at some obscure farmers' coffee shack. I would be happy to order, jump on a bus and get food from here, if I feel flush I may even pay a taxi to collect and deliver... Heck, I may even visit people I know in the area a bit more to persuade them to do a takeout. You just swing by or phone up your order. They'll prepare and pack it in front to you so you'll know what you got. Ordering complicated dishes that take a long time to prepare? Sure you can, just order 24-48 hrs in advance - advice for how many people - and they'll have it ready for your the evening you visit. The lady that served us knew all about the dishes that were available, supplied recommendations and was in general very friendly, accommodating and extremely helpful. As they are popular they do turn the tables around. We had 2.5 hours on our table, which is more than ample. Be prepared to get stuck in, eat with your hands and get pretty messy with your meal... (Oh was that just me...?) But they provide napkins, wet towelettes, fingerbowls, etc... As it is such a small place I don't recommend this for families with young children. You cannot run around, highchairs, trolleys, car seats etc.. will be in the way and most possibly restrict movement of servers and guests. They have one toilet and it is down a very(!) steep flight of stairs. If you do insist I'd say book the whole restaurant. I recommend this place for couples and close group of friends around 6-8 We had a wonderful time and I'd like to thank the B&D Kitchen for having us!

Small establishment with one of the best authentic Cantonese cuisine in Edinburgh. One and only…read moreand probably the best in Edinburgh. It is really hard to get authentic cuisine here in Edinburgh as the Chinese population here is not as high as London. Definitely give this place a try and try what the Cantonese community has to offer. Staff are really nice and helpful as well.