Hayley Daen

Sometimes you do just need that ice-cold pint from a traditional British pub. The Dagda Bar is an old-school classic; it may not be fancy, nor are there any frills though that's why we love it. 

Relaxed fine dining is having its moment. We see why when we enter the Michelin-starred spot, Heron on Leith shores. Here, hand dived scallops are served with a spoonful of pata negra on a bed of squash, chipotle and juniper, the langoustine comes as a nori crème patissiere and mackerel is rightfully paired with hand-foraged gooseberries. 

Edinburgh continues to amaze us with its growing culinary sphere. And so, it's hard to be all that surprised that a phenomenal French-inspired tasting menu "from nature to plate" can be found on the streets of Leith. Taking you through a journey of the seasonal Scottish larder, the wild countryside and the sea; the Kitchin has to make it to the top of your go-to list. 

Pickled, poached, grilled and baked the brunch scene at Argyle Place is something to behold. If we trust any nation to conjure up the creamiest porridge, it's the home of the spurtle (aka Scotland) and so you can bet just how tasty the vanilla porridge topped with honey roast peach and toasted hazelnuts at this neighbourhood spot is. Porridge not your thing? Don't fret, the ham benedict is something to write home about. 

There's multiple reasons why we are drawn back to Ardfern time and time again. It's teeming with soul and character but it's also mastered the art of being a kitchen, day and night, a shop and a wine bar. So, whether you're grabbing a bottle to go, popping by for brunch or settling down for a three-course extravaganza (save room for the tonka bean tiramisu), Ardfern has you covered. 

A macaroon (but make it savory), partridge ravioli topped with golden trompette mushrooms and salt baked golden beetroot perfectly paired with black truffle and burrata. The combinations may be unusual, though trust Martin Wishart to make it work. 

Late night grooves, lectures, craft markets, ceilidh clubs and performances; Summerhall has it all. To top that all off you can grab a coffee from the MF Coffee Shop for that oat cappuccino and an afternoon pick-me-up. 

What better than a post-culture pint. Pop on by The Royal Dick for a drink or two, and hope that the sun will be out so you can settle down in the courtyard. The perfect summer routine!

Home to one of the oldest, largest and most historic pathology collections in the United Kingdom, Surgeons' Hall Museum first opened the doors in 1832. A truly fascinating visit, and that's before mentioning the beautiful building the collection is housed within. 

Walking into First Bloom for the first time can be a slight sensory overload. There's basket after basket of in-season, ripe fruit and veg, more gourmet tinned and canned goods than you know what to do with and pastas of all different shapes and sizes. You'll have a hard time leaving this place without a bucket load of ever-so tasty ingredients.