Immerse yourself in the city’s quieter side and embrace the harmony of nature and culture to be found along the Water of Leith. Refreshing retreats amidst the noise of the Edinburgh Festival. Some calm amidst the chaos.
National Gallery of Modern Art
Beyond the gardens pebbled with interesting sculptures from the likes of Antony Gormley and Nathan Coley, you’ll find Modern One and Modern Two.
A small but perfectly curated collection of contemporary offerings well worth checking out.
Website | 73 & 75 Belford Road
Aetla
Discover a wonderful curation of fine jewellery made by talented local, international and lesser known designers and artisans.
Website | 46 St Stephen Street
Lannan Bakery
Viennoiserie. Pastry. Coffee. Lannan, which derives from the Scottish Gaelic for ‘house’, makes for a delicious stop-off.
Website | 29-35 Hamilton Place
Edinburgh Mercantile
Where utility and elegance go hand-in-hand. Beautiful objects designed with purpose and enjoyment. You’ll be hard pushed to come out empty handed.
Website | 18 North West Circus Place
Howdah Tea & Coffee Company
Established in 1992, Howdah is a family run business taking great care to serve the best coffee and tea blends, which comes easy thanks to the team’s passion for their products. The Amaretti cookie is not to be missed.
Website | 5 Deanhaugh Street
Royal Botanical Garden
A haven in the centre of our busy city. Edinburgh’s Botanical Garden is vast with lush greenery and exotic flowers, trees and plants. Explore the many paths and discover peaceful nooks to sit and while away the hours.
Website | Inverleith Row (East Gate) or Arboretum Place (West Gate)
The Gently Mad Bookshop
Just a short stroll from Edinburgh’s Botanical Gardens you will find The Gently Mad, a friendly and welcoming bookshop and bookbinders. A charming alternative to the many bookshops in the city.
Website | 2 Summer Place
Krem Karamel
One for the sweet-toothed amongst us. Krem Karamel is a comfortable rest spot to enjoy sweets and savouries baked to perfection. Their baked cheesecake is hard to beat.
Website | 68 Inverleith Row
Bard
Showcasing the work of contemporary Scottish makers and designers, Bard is a welcoming shop and gallery space that opens your eyes to the immense creativity of the Scottish, beyond tartan and shortbread tins.
Website | 1 Customs Wharf, Leith
Heron
Heron is a Michelin starred relaxed modern restaurant with views overlooking the picturesque Water of Leith. Their ever evolving menu celebrates high-quality seasonal produce from all over Scotland.
Website | 91A Henderson St, Leith
Nauticus Bar
With a space that embodies Leith’s historical ties to shipping and global trade, Nauticus is a fantastic place to eat, drink and soak up the many fascinating stories of the local area.
Website | 142 Duke St, Leith
