Stay Like a Local in Edinburgh – Ambassador Interviews

To help you plan your ideal stay in the city, we have partnered with a collective of Edinburgh ambassadors spanning hospitality, culture, sport, food and drink and visitor experiences to create a list of top local recommendations. Each ambassador shares their personal take on the perfect Edinburgh stay.

Read on to discover some inspiring ideas for your next holiday to Edinburgh.

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Roberta Hall-McCarron – Executive Chef/Owner, The Little Chartroom, Eleanore and Ardfern  

As a chef and local foodie, Roberta knows the best spots for hidden gems and standout new openings in and around Edinburgh.

“My favourite way to start any day is at a bakery, a new favourite is Company Bakery situated in Musselburgh, just outside of Edinburgh, it has a great selection of savoury and sweet pastries, loaves of bread to buy to go, good coffee and is a short 5 minute drive to Newhailes Estate – a beautiful house with woodland walks and a fab play park for the kids!   

Norah café, opposite Newhaven harbour, newly opened and a very welcome addition - cosy, thoughtful interiors with a small but on point menu with breakfast options, changing slightly at midday for lunch, also just a 15-minute walk to The Port of Leith distillery, which is definitely worth checking out.   

We’ve had a flurry of openings in recent times and the newest is Dogstar, a Scottish neighbourhood restaurant with an incredible team at the helm, showcasing the best produce that Scotland has to offer, a delicious and well considered menu.   

Head down to The Finch for a drink – beautiful bar with original features, dark wood tones, brightened by large floor to ceiling windows.   

Fun, tasty food popups that change each weekend, with a fantastic selection of beers on draught, and is family friendly until 8pm!   

Stockbridge a great area to wander round for a few hours – bustling, picturesque, home to an array of wonderful independents and it’s perfectly situated being within easy walking distance to the city centre, Inverleith park and the Botanical gardens- which after years of reconstruction will soon be reopening their stunning glasshouses.   

For an extra special experience Lyla is my go-to. Situated in a stunning Georgian townhouse near Carlton Hill. The elegant and sleek decor matches the food perfectly which has a precision and lightness that leaves a long lasting impression.”  

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Ross Barr – Bar Manager, SCOTCH at The Balmoral

Working in hospitality, Ross is the go-to for insider tips on cafés, markets and classic Edinburgh pubs.

“Stockbridge Sunday Market. I go pretty much every week and almost always get something different, it’s very busy so get there early!”

“…New Town Deli on Henderson row would be my hidden gem café, great local business perfect for a light lunch and great coffee…”

“…Athletic Arms, ‘The Diggers’, at Angle park terrace. Although it’s not in the city centre you have to visit The Diggers when coming to Edinburgh. This old maroon pub is an Edinburgh institution and well worth a visit with over 800 open bottles of whisky and great pies for unbeatable value.” 

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Angie Fowler – Visitor Experience and Industry Engagement Manager, The Royal Yacht Britannia  

Angie’s role means she knows the city’s best casual dining spots and hidden culinary delights.

“A visit to Mary’s Milk Bar in the Grassmarket has become a Sunday tradition for me. The owner learned how to make gelato in Florence, and her flavours are so unusual and creative! This is easily the best chocolate gelato I have ever tasted.

Nok’s Kitchen in Stockbridge is inside such a beautiful old 18^th century house (it’s small, so booking is essential!). It’s my favourite place for an informal dinner with friends because the staff are always so smiley, and they serve delicious Thai food with such beautiful presentation.   

I’ve always enjoyed a wonderful welcome at Fishers in the City - their high-quality seafood is an absolute treat, and they’ve got a lovely setting in which to enjoy it. When you go in, don’t miss their beautiful bar which is shaped like a boat!”

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Jonathan Taylor-Blair – Assistant Manager, Golden Hare Books  

Jonathan’s local knowledge combines peaceful walks, art and market treasures.

“I’ve lived in Edinburgh for almost twenty years, and most of that time has been in the Canonmills area of the city.   

I truly love walking down the water of Leith to grab a coffee at Williams and Johnson at the Shore. It’s a really peaceful walk and I know I’ll get a great coffee in a relaxing environment at Williams and Johnson.  

We’re so lucky to have a plethora of fantastic art galleries in Edinburgh and I’m always hugely excited for the Edinburgh Art Festival to start each year. Talbot Rice Gallery and The Fruitmarket Gallery are a couple of my favourites, but nothing quite compares to Jupiter Artland. It’s thirty minutes on the bus from Princes Street in Wilkieston and it’s just one of my favourite places in the world. It would be a stunning place to just spend some time in, even if it wasn’t for the world class sculptures that are present throughout the park.  

Working in a bookshop, I normally don’t get many Saturdays free, but if I do I pray that they are on the last Saturday of the month so I can go to the Out of The Blue Drill Hall Flea Market. They take place on the last Saturday of the month, and the hall is stowed out with people selling all manner of things. Clothing, jewellery, antiques, toys, you name it, and you can find it at this market.” 

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Linda Bates – Master Storyteller, Mercat Tours  

Linda uncovers Edinburgh’s hidden history and secret spots in the Old Town.

First on Linda’s list is a true hidden gem of Edinburgh’s Old Town, one even many locals don’t realise they can visit: Parliament Hall.  Tucked just behind St Giles’ Cathedral within the Courts of Session, look for door number 11. It’s free to enter, Monday to Friday during office hours, with a security and bag check on arrival. Visitors must speak in hushed tones and photography is not permitted as the courts are in use.  

Once inside, you’ll be rewarded with the splendour of a magnificent hammerbeam roof. An engineering marvel crafted entirely from wooden struts and pegs and stunning 17th-century stained-glass windows. Ever wondered about the colourful windows as seen from George IV Bridge? These are those very windows!  

Next is a quiet treasure tucked away on the Cowgate near the Grassmarket: the 16th-century Magdalen Chapel. This Category A–listed building is home to the only intact pre-Reformation stained-glass window in Scotland, featuring the Royal Arms of Scotland and the Arms of Mary of Guise. Some say it is the last surviving example of its kind. The Chapel is lovingly cared for by volunteers, so visits are by request. It’s best to call ahead to arrange access.  

Heading down the Royal Mile towards the Canongate, Linda recommends a stop for some truly authentic retail therapy at Celtic Craft Centre Kiltmakers in Paisley Close. Welcomed in by traditional Scottish music, you’ll find some of the finest and extensive examples of real tartan, hosted by a wonderfully knowledgeable and passionate team. Don’t be fooled by the name, they offer far more than kilts, including sporrans, brooches, scarves, shawls and quaichs (a traditional two-handled Scottish drinking cup – they can tell you more when you visit!).  

And you don’t need Scottish heritage to wear tartan. With over 4,000 registered tartans worldwide, there are designs for US states, countries, organisations, clans and families. It’s well worth popping in for a browse and a blether.  

Now we’re heading up the Royal Mile to Advocates Close, where history hides in plain sight. Look closely at the old stone doorways and you’ll spot oyster shells embedded in the walls. Why oysters? The nearby Firth of Forth was once teeming with them, and oysters were a common snack. Beyond strengthening the early mortar, folklore held that oyster shells warded off evil spirits, particularly witches. Witches were believed unable to cross running water, so these shells were thought to offer protection.  It’s a fascinating reminder of the layers of folklore woven through Edinburgh’s history. For more hidden details like this, Linda recommends joining Mercat Tours’ Secrets of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile tour.  

Finally, Linda takes us beneath the streets to one of Edinburgh’s most atmospheric and storied spaces: the Blair Street Underground Vaults.  These chambers, created when Edinburgh’s South Bridge was built in the 18th century, then forgotten and rediscovered centuries later, offer a rare glimpse into the darker side of Old Town life. Once home to trades and taverns then illicit activities and the city’s poor, the vaults are steeped in real human history – and more than a few ghostly tales.  

Whether you join a history walk or a ghost tour (if you dare!), it’s one of the most immersive ways to experience Edinburgh’s past, and Mercat Tours has exclusive access. 

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Nicky Wilson – Co-founder and Director, Jupiter Artland 

Nicky brings an artist’s eye and local knowledge of cultural and outdoor experiences. 

“For me, Edinburgh is all about those moments that feel both epic and intimate. Edinburgh, a centre of law, academia and government can sometimes feel heavy but the counterpoint is the light and incredible views of the Forth, a diverse community that produces, creates and weaves magic. I am blessed to live in such a city. Saturday mornings I love heading to the Ingleby Gallery – it’s housed in a former Glassite meeting house and the interior design, Richards and Florence Ingleby’s use of sumptuous colours is incredible. They show world-class, serious art in this beautiful space, and it always makes you think differently about both art and the city itself.  

If the weather’s kind, nothing beats the walk out to Cramond Island at low tide – the causeway appearing from the sea feels like pure magic, and suddenly you’re on this wild little island with the city skyline behind you. For something completely different, take a trip on the Maid of the Forth to Inchcolm Island, seeing Edinburgh from the water gives you this whole new perspective on the bridges and the coastline along with the seals and puffins.   

For Sunday lunch, The Free Company is the kind of place that feels special but relaxed. Started up by young brothers, they specialise in home-reared pig or beef and wild cocktails. I love it there - it’s a free-spirited place full of good heart.  

And in the evening, you’ll find me at Barry Fish with my friend Barry Bryson – he’s just won a place in the Michelin Guide for sensational mouthwatering fish and the perfect pud, it’s got that perfect low key cool atmosphere where you want to go back time after time. It’s one of those Edinburgh spots that feels like you’re in on a secret.” 

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Scott Aston – Skipper, Maid of the Forth  

Scott knows Edinburgh from the water and beyond, perfect for outdoor activities, food and cocktails.

“I really recommend Lost Shore Surf Resort in Ratho. It’s a bit outside the city, but if you’re into outdoor activities or water sports it’s absolutely worth the trip.  

I’d also recommend The Climbing Hangar in Edinburgh, a great indoor bouldering centre with routes for all levels and a really welcoming atmosphere.  

For drinks, I’d suggest Mortal Kocktail just off Cockburn Street for a relaxed atmosphere and great cocktails, and The Cocktail Geeks on Market Street which changes theme every few months which is always really fun.  

Another lovely spot is The Blackbird Bar & Garden in Bruntsfield. Great food, good cocktails, and a nice outdoor garden space when the Scottish weather behaves.  

For food, Kanpai Sushi is my top choice. The quality is outstanding, genuinely the best food I’ve had outside of Japan.”  

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Hannah Walker – Full-back, Edinburgh Rugby  

When Hannah’s not representing the city at Murrayfield, it’s all about Edinburgh’s history and greenery.

“My three favourite things to do in Edinburgh would be: going for coffee – a great place is Disposition near Murrayfield; painting pottery at Doodles Ceramics in Marchmont; and going to Portobello Beach to Soul Water Sauna for a cold dip and sauna!  

I think what makes Edinburgh so special is the landscape and architecture. The historic buildings and lovely skyline are great, and there is green space everywhere. The city is a nice size that’s very walkable. 

I’d love to try the Apline Coaster out at Midlothian Snowsports Centre at Hillend!”

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This project is funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund

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