Edinburgh - Hidden Gems?

bumblesquatt

I am going to Edinburgh next week and wondered if anyone knew of any "hidden gems" that are a bit different to the usual touristy stuff and wouldnt appear in the tourist guides?

i found this http://blog.fempages.org/wp/2005/11/wild-west-town-in-edinburgh/

is it worth a wander to?

any other ideas?

thanks!! :beer:

Torry_Quine

Don't know about that but MarY Kings Close is worth a visit.

http://www.realmarykingsclose.com/

adouglasmhor

The Royal Botanic Gardens are worth a wander - especially the Pringle Chinese Garden, they do charge for the glasshouses but it's worth it.
National portrait gallery.
Mamma's Pizza
The Mosque kitchen, you have to do that at least once http://www.qype.co.uk/place/66315-The-Mosque-Kitchen-Edinburgh.

ILoveChocolate

I live in Edinburgh and havent heard of that place, hope it is still going, looks good. I would second Mary Kings Close, underground in Edinburgh great, lots of good ghost tours. For shopping, quirky shops, I love Victoria Street, down to the Grassmarket, west port area, not that great shopping in Princess Street. Good pubs/resturants in the Grassmarket.

National Potrait gallery is closed at the moment for a refurb, but is fab.

The National Museum of Scotland in Chamber Street, is great and used to be free a long time ago not sure if it still is. Lots to do and great if its raining.

Although a lot of tourists the Royal Mile is great for a walk and coffe shops/pubs/resturants.

My favourite Tea House is in Morningside area and called Loppy Lornas, very busy, lovely tea cosies and fab cakes.

Have fun.

Motivatedworkingmum

Torry_Quine wrote: »

Don't know about that but MarY Kings Close is worth a visit.

http://www.realmarykingsclose.com/

This place is amazing, I would go back again and again, you must go here!

bumblesquatt

thanks for the recomendations folks! :T

I saw something about Mosque Kitchen and it sounds right up my street. I like things a bit different Is it in the actual grounds of the mosque?

Mary Kings Close sounds good, but very touristy.

Any other suggestions? :beer:

alanrowell

bumblesquatt wrote: »

i found this http://blog.fempages.org/wp/2005/11/wild-west-town-in-edinburgh/

is it worth a wander to?

not especially, I live round the corner from it and it's the sort of thing I show visitors for 10 seconds but I wouldn't want to make a trip especially to see it unless you wanted to combine it with other Morningside treats like Loopy Lornas Tea Shop and the myriad of charity shops in Morningside.

The Mosque Kitchen is part of the Mosque itself but you eat outdoors under a corrugated roof. Nice food but don't expect restaurant standards

National Museum of Scotland is still free but they are doing a major refurbishment which means most of the older part is closed but is well worth a visit especially if you go right to the roof tops for some of the best views in Edinburgh

adouglasmhor

bumblesquatt wrote: »

thanks for the recomendations folks! :T

I saw something about Mosque Kitchen and it sounds right up my street. I like things a bit different Is it in the actual grounds of the mosque?

Mary Kings Close sounds good, but very touristy.

Any other suggestions? :beer:

It is in the Mosque complex, there is the Mosque itself, a community centre type building, often with exhibitions, and the kitchen. Wear a big coat though you are sitting at outside tables under a big roofed bit with no sides (though walls are on 2 sides and stairs behind it so it's not exposed) and Edinburgh is not exactly tropical at this time of year.

You can get in through the Mosque gate on the Potterrow and up the side of the Mosque and down some steps or through a little alley on the other side in West nicholson Street.Obviously being run by the Mosque there is no beer but they have a good range of soft drinks.

Lirin

Frankenstein's just off the Royal Mile is great-

www.frankenstein-pub.co.uk/

You can guess how it's themed, but the drinks are great, and very nice food.

bumblesquatt

cheers again folks, :beer:

ive been to frankensteins before, its alright but a bit too cheesy for me im more a fan of bannermans and whistlebinkies

im really looking forward to coming back

adouglasmhor

Guildford Arms and The Street are two decent bars in the centre area.