Following on from our latest Edinburgh walking tour launch, we’re bringing you our guide to the best stops you can take along your route, whether it’s for a bite to eat, a quick tipple, or an evening meal with a view. Edinburgh is known for its quaint, historic eateries and pubs, and our walking tour takes you by plenty of its best options. So, as long as you’re not in race mode when solving The Cold Case of Ewan Mackenzie, take a look, pin these to your maps, and enjoy the food and drink delights of the city.
Sandy Bell’s Pub - 25 Forrest Road
2 mins from the Greyfriars Kirkyard stop
You’ve received your mission briefing, you know your first stop, but wait. Only two minutes from your meeting point, you’ve got Sandy Bell’s. Easily one of the best pubs in Edinburgh, and featuring in many an Edinburgh pub-crawl guide, this is a perfect spot to pre-brief and prepare for the puzzles ahead. A wide range of cask ale, some good old Scottish whisky, and of course Tennents on tap - this historical little pub delights locals and visitors all year round. If you swing back to Sandy’s once you’ve finished your trail, you’re also likely to find live music being played there by one of the myriad local bands that favour the spot.
The Jolly Judge - 7A Lawnmarket
2 mins from the National Library of Scotland stop
As you walk up George IV Bridge, back to the Royal Mile, take a left before you head on to the National Library of Scotland. Here, down a quaint little close, set in a stunning courtyard, you’ll find a hidden Edinburgh gem. Nestled just off the Mile (and yet not a tourist-trap!) sits The Jolly Judge. A favourite of many, the beer selection is exceptional and we have personally witnessed the staff take their time to enlighten the clientele on which whisky is best to sample. They know their stuff here. But, they don’t serve food, so if the brain-work is making you peckish, snack on some crisps before heading to your next stop and don’t fear - one of the best Cafe’s in Edinburgh is coming up.
Clarinda's Tearoom - 69 Canongate
2 mins from Canongate Tolbooth
On the way to the Palace of Holyroodhouse you’ll be passing by Clarinda’s Tearoom. An authentic, charming British tearoom experience, Clarinda’s serves up a delicious array of tea (obviously), plus scones, cakes, tarts, plus an array of savoury delights. Well known as a top Edinburgh cafe, this tearoom assaults the senses in the best possible way, and draws tourists and locals alike into its kitchy clutches. It’s a wee spot and booking isn’t available (except for a special afternoon tea slot), so expect some queuing during busier times.
Howies Waterloo Place - 29 Waterloo Place
Bottom of Calton Hill
In the mood for an elite dining experience rather than sweet treats and sandwiches? We’ve got you covered. One of the top rated restaurants in Edinburgh, Howies is set within a gorgeous Georgian hall which has been lovingly updated to deliver a stunning, informal but modern dining experience whilst retaining period charm. With a regularly rotating seasonal menu featuring locally sourced Scottish produce, we recommend sampling the catch of the day to truly make the most of your visit.
The Guildford Arms - 1 West Register Street
5 mins from Calton Hill
An elite ale establishment, The Guildford Arms also offers exceptional pub food options, if Howies wasn’t quite right for you. Serving up wholesome, traditional Scottish pub fare at very reasonable prices, you can happily fortify yourself here for the last leg of the journey. If you’re already eaten though, this pub is still well worth swinging by. At this point in the puzzle walking tour, you’ve got some pondering to do and deductions to make, so nestle in with a pint or two and enjoy the beautifully historical surroundings whilst you argue muse over where the story is going, and what choices you might make.
Whether you chose to use this as a reference for your very own self-guided pub crawl of Edinburgh, or opted to lean into the various culinary delights on offer, you’ve now experienced some of the very best our Scottish capital has to offer. Of course, if this was simply to wet your appetite before taking the plunge, you can book your Edinburgh puzzle walking tour and head to your first location (and Sandy Bells. Don’t forget Sandy Bells). Either way, we do hope the city is safe once you have finished…