Every year, my family goes on a trip together, and this time we decided on a family trip to Edinburgh, Scotland —a place my Dad has always dreamed of visiting. We began our Scottish adventure in Edinburgh before heading to the Highlands. My sister and I loved exploring the city, and we have lots of great food, drink, and sightseeing recommendations for your trip to Edinburgh. As you’ll notice, we did plenty of sightseeing, but even more eating and drinking!
Where to Stay
A trip to Edinburgh is best enjoyed by staying in accommodations in the center of the city; that way, you can walk to all the best sites. We stayed at the Caledonian, which offered a spa, a bar, a restaurant with a gorgeous Scottish breakfast spread, and views of Edinburgh Castle from our room – we couldn’t ask for much more!
What to Do
Tour the Edinburgh Castle: Located at the top of a hill, the castle is massive and deeply impressive. Built in the Iron Age, the castle offers a true experience in medieval history. Your visit to Scotland won’t be complete without a tour of the castle and its grounds. It has stood through many wars and, over time, has served as a residence, a treasury, a prison, and a military fortress. Now, it’s Edinburgh’s most popular tourist attraction.
Stroll along The Royal Mile: This fun stretch is home to many historical sites, including St. Giles’ Cathedral, the Writers’ Museum, and the John Knox House (Knox was a leading figure in the Scottish Reformation in the 16th century). The Royal Mile is also home to numerous restaurants and boasts a wide selection of shops for browsing.
Take a Ghost Tour: Known for its bloody history, epitomized by its famously gloomy writers, your visit to Edinburgh must include a ghost tour. We joined the vaults and graveyard tour, which took us underground to the hidden prison cells, torture chambers, and cellars under the city. Our tour guide did a great job of making the tour both scary and humorous!
Where to Eat
Edinburgh boasts a fantastic dining scene, so be sure to take advantage of it!
The Balmoral Hotel, Palm Court Afternoon Tea: If there is one dining experience you plan on your visit to Edinburgh, it has to be the high tea at the Balmoral’s Palm Court restaurant. The stylish dining room, dashing service staff, and elegant fare come together to yield the most extraordinary afternoon tea experience. The meal kicks off with a cool and refreshing cucumber-dill gazpacho, followed by the cutest mini sandwiches in flavors like egg salad, cucumber and mint, and cheese and tomato chutney, burrata and pesto tarts, and flaky scones. Then there is dessert, with mini macarons, tarts, panna cotta, chocolate mousse, and cake. The tea menu is extensive, and the optional add-on of a glass of champagne is a must.
Ka Pao: We loved this trendy Southwestern Asian restaurant in the St. James quarter for dinner; the menu was full of spicy dishes, including chili and lime peanuts, green curry with zucchini and peas, a chili-infused cucumber salad, and an enoki mushroom curry. We also loved the vegan corn ribs!
Auld House: We wanted an authentic pub experience when visiting Edinburgh, so I did some research to find one that was vegetarian-friendly. Auld House wasn’t in the center of the city, but we loved it so much that my mom kept asking to go back. From veggie dogs to burritos to chili and stacks of onion rings, the pub fare at this spot was excellent, as was the beer.
Dishoom: No visit to the U.K. is complete without a stop at Dishoom. My recommendation is to come for breakfast when you can indulge in their famous sausage rolls, spicy tofu scramble, homemade beans, and of course, plenty of hot chai.
Chaophraya Thai Restaurant: With its gorgeous views of the city and its dynamite Thai food, your visit to Edinburgh should definitely include a reservation here. From golden-fried tempura and spring rolls to pad Thai to creamy red curry, this is a great spot for a meal.
Where to Drink
Copper Blossom: We loved this bar so much, we came back twice. It’s charming, and the floral décor serves as the perfect backdrop for a glass of rosé or a summer spritz.
The Alchemist: If you love a creative cocktail, this is your place. With drinks that change color and have smoke billowing from them, and presented in all kinds of unique ways, we had a blast trying the different libations. My sister loved the lavender rain, with coconut rum and lavender, while I went for the pornstar martini. The espresso martini is also a delight with caramel caviar!
The Devil’s Advocate: With its extensive list of Scottish whiskies, this spot is popular with tourists and locals alike, but there is plenty of wine, beer, and cocktails if whiskey isn’t your thing.
Family Trip to Edinburgh: The Verdict
Edinburgh is a historical city with lots to see, do, and learn – and with plenty of good dining options. Take the time to stroll through their many parks, and be sure to make reservations for your dinners well in advance!
