The Edinburgh Guide

The Scotch Whisky Experience (Old Town) - If you are a Scotch Whisky novice looking to expand your palate, the Scotch Whisky Experience is a great introduction. I recommend the gold tour as you get the full tour plus a tasting from each region of Scotland.

Edinburgh Castle (Old Town) - Visible from all parts of the city, but I recommend at least getting a little closer. You can pay for access to the interior.
Arthur’s Seat (Old Town) - Approx 5 mile round trip hike to the top of an extinct volcano right on the edge of Edinburgh, with most panoramic view of the city.
Leith Walk (Stockbridge) - One of the best ways to see Edinburgh at its cosiest is to walk along the Leith Walk from Dean Village to Stockbridge. Check out my Google Map for walking directions.

The Dome (New Town) - Iconic upscale restaurant. Popular spot for Christmas dinners (bookings for the holidays must be made more than 6 months in advance!).
Witchery By the Castle (Old Town) - Very cozy Scottish restaurant in Old Town near the Edinburgh Castle. Great for a rainy or cold day as the interior exudes warmth.
BABA (New Town) - Absolutely delicious Mediterranean tapas.
Tattu Edinburgh (New Town) - High quality Asian cuisine. The interior is stylish and upscale, so recommend this spot for a weekend night out.

SCOTCH Whisky Bar (New Town) - In the Balmoral Hotel, SCOTCH has over 500 varieties of scotch whisky, making it one of the largest collections. The bar is traditional, beautiful, welcoming, and tasteful, so a must go if you are a Scotch fan.
Tigerlily (New Town) - There is nothing more “UK” than bars dressed up with tons of faux flowers and pink ambiance. Tigerlily is the epitome. The cocktail list is long, and the music is great for a night out.
The Abbotsford Bar & Restaurant (New Town) - Iconic traditional pub. Stop in for a pint.

La Barantine Victoria (Old Town) - Lovely cafe in the streets of Old Town, where JK Rowling wrote most of Harry Potter and got the inspiration for Diagon Alley.
The Pantry (Stockbridge) - Check out this cafe for brunch and lunch in Stockbridge after you’ve walked the Leith Walkway and did a bit of sightseeing in Stockbridge.