Edinburgh-haggis, discounts and dining
Jan 8th, 2006, 04:20 PM
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Edinburgh-haggis, discounts and dining
Leaving for Edinburgh in a week, am very excited! A few last minute questions....
1) Are there are discount admission coupons to Edinburgh Castle and/or Holyrood Palace? I am planning on visiting both. The only thing I've found is the Great British Heritage Pass and it won't work on this trip.
2)is it best to see the Castle & Palace first thing in the morning or in January is it not crowded enough that it matters? Is there anything like the changing of the guard where you'd want to be at one at a specific time?
3) My first encounter with haggis was not so favorable, is there any place you would recommend to try it? I'll likely be staying in the Old and New Towns, only have 2 1/2 days total
4) From browsing through restaurant recommendations, I've come up with a short list of moderately priced places I may try, any thoughts on the following or other recommendations:
Barioja-Spanish
Kebab Mahal-Middle Eastern
A Room in the Town-Scottish
Il Castello-Italian
Monster Mash-bistro
Pasta Fresca-Italian
Mussel Inn-mussels
Mediterranean Gate
Thanks!
1) Are there are discount admission coupons to Edinburgh Castle and/or Holyrood Palace? I am planning on visiting both. The only thing I've found is the Great British Heritage Pass and it won't work on this trip.
2)is it best to see the Castle & Palace first thing in the morning or in January is it not crowded enough that it matters? Is there anything like the changing of the guard where you'd want to be at one at a specific time?
3) My first encounter with haggis was not so favorable, is there any place you would recommend to try it? I'll likely be staying in the Old and New Towns, only have 2 1/2 days total
4) From browsing through restaurant recommendations, I've come up with a short list of moderately priced places I may try, any thoughts on the following or other recommendations:
Barioja-Spanish
Kebab Mahal-Middle Eastern
A Room in the Town-Scottish
Il Castello-Italian
Monster Mash-bistro
Pasta Fresca-Italian
Mussel Inn-mussels
Mediterranean Gate
Thanks!
Jan 8th, 2006, 10:44 PM
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The Castle is looked after by Historic Scotland and they run a scheme of "Explorer passes". You can get the details here:-
http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/...properties.htm
Holyrood House is a royal residence. No deals available.
I doubt it matters much what time you go in the winter. No daily events to take into account
It is generally agreed that MacSween's make the best haggis. I suggest you contact them, and ask them which restarants they supply.
http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/...properties.htm
Holyrood House is a royal residence. No deals available.
I doubt it matters much what time you go in the winter. No daily events to take into account
It is generally agreed that MacSween's make the best haggis. I suggest you contact them, and ask them which restarants they supply.
Jan 8th, 2006, 10:50 PM
#3
You say the GBHP won't work for you. There is a 4-day GBHP for $51 which covers Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace/Abbey, Gladstones Land, etc.
Are you going anywhere else -- Stirling Castle, Linlithgow, or elsewhere? If so the GBHP will pay for itself. But if you are ONLY going to Holyrood and Edinburgh castle then it isn't a money saver.
Are you going anywhere else -- Stirling Castle, Linlithgow, or elsewhere? If so the GBHP will pay for itself. But if you are ONLY going to Holyrood and Edinburgh castle then it isn't a money saver.
Jan 9th, 2006, 02:53 AM
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Comments on your restaurant list :-
Bar Rioja-Spanish : not been but supposed to be good.
Kebab Mahal-Middle Eastern : *very* cheap - sort of Asian greasy spoon - takeaway + a few stools. I prefer the kebab place across the main road - I especially like the chicken shwarma sandwich (£4.50) or baba ganoush sandwich (£3.5) which are each a meal in themselves. Or Kalpna or Ann Purna on St Patrick Square - both Indian vegetarian.
A Room in the Town-Scottish. Not bad. You can BYOB which makes it cheaper.
Il Castello-Italian. Not bad.
Monster Mash-bistro. 'Bistro' makes it sound posher than it is IMO. Actually a 1950s style caff, specialising in sausage, mash 7 gravy, but also doing other old fashioned dishes like shepherd's pie. Nice food & cheap, but I've stopped going because it has a smoking section & since it's *very* small it's hard to escape the smoke.
Pasta Fresca-Italian. Not-very-nice-looking cheap tourist trap. Haven't been but wouldn't expect it to be good.
Mussel Inn-mussels. Nice.
Mediterranean Gate. Hadn't heard of this & not in phone book but did a google & found this entry which makes it sound OK - http://www.list.co.uk/restaurants/ed...p?q=u,v2299,o9.
(This is the restaurant listings section of the webhsite for 'The List', the Edinburgh/Glasgow fortnightly listings magazaine. Worth looking at the rest of the site, but be warned that they never say anywhere is actually bad.)
The haggis in filo pastry with plum sauce starter at Stac Polly is vg but it's not a cheap restaurant.
If you want any recommendations for specific types of restaurant I'll be happy to oblige. Where exactly are you staying ? If you are only here for 2.5 days I assume you're not staying in both the Old & the New Towns
Bar Rioja-Spanish : not been but supposed to be good.
Kebab Mahal-Middle Eastern : *very* cheap - sort of Asian greasy spoon - takeaway + a few stools. I prefer the kebab place across the main road - I especially like the chicken shwarma sandwich (£4.50) or baba ganoush sandwich (£3.5) which are each a meal in themselves. Or Kalpna or Ann Purna on St Patrick Square - both Indian vegetarian.
A Room in the Town-Scottish. Not bad. You can BYOB which makes it cheaper.
Il Castello-Italian. Not bad.
Monster Mash-bistro. 'Bistro' makes it sound posher than it is IMO. Actually a 1950s style caff, specialising in sausage, mash 7 gravy, but also doing other old fashioned dishes like shepherd's pie. Nice food & cheap, but I've stopped going because it has a smoking section & since it's *very* small it's hard to escape the smoke.
Pasta Fresca-Italian. Not-very-nice-looking cheap tourist trap. Haven't been but wouldn't expect it to be good.
Mussel Inn-mussels. Nice.
Mediterranean Gate. Hadn't heard of this & not in phone book but did a google & found this entry which makes it sound OK - http://www.list.co.uk/restaurants/ed...p?q=u,v2299,o9.
(This is the restaurant listings section of the webhsite for 'The List', the Edinburgh/Glasgow fortnightly listings magazaine. Worth looking at the rest of the site, but be warned that they never say anywhere is actually bad.)
The haggis in filo pastry with plum sauce starter at Stac Polly is vg but it's not a cheap restaurant.
If you want any recommendations for specific types of restaurant I'll be happy to oblige. Where exactly are you staying ? If you are only here for 2.5 days I assume you're not staying in both the Old & the New Towns
Jan 9th, 2006, 07:01 AM
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Thanks everyone!
Although I'd love to see Stirling and Linlithgow, I just don't think I'll be able to with just 2 1/2 days (one of which is jet lag recovery). So I don't think the GBHP works unfortunately.
Where do you want to be when the One O'Clock gun is fired? Inside the Castle or outside?
Caroline, thank you so much for running through my list! I got most of that info off list.co.uk and they looked like places I would like. Come to think of it, they really didn't have anything bad to say!!!
I eat almost anything, since I'm traveling on my own, like to fit a lot of sightseeing in and am using the weak US currency, I was aiming for faster, more moderately priced places. When in London I always go for fish & chips, doner kebabs, pizza, Italian, Belgian (mussels & fries) and usually stop by Wagamama.
I am staying at the Castle View Guest House and want to make sure I hit the Castle and Palace and will likely visit a couple of museums and do a couple of late night walking tours so I'll be visiting just the old and new towns, probably not Leith.
So I'd like one quick place in between the Castle and Palace for lunch on a weekday, at least one place to try local cuisine for dinner on my first night (won't be packing anything nicer than black jeans though), a good place for kebabs, I think I will try Mussel Inn and Barioja.
Thanks for any additional suggestions you might have!
Although I'd love to see Stirling and Linlithgow, I just don't think I'll be able to with just 2 1/2 days (one of which is jet lag recovery). So I don't think the GBHP works unfortunately.
Where do you want to be when the One O'Clock gun is fired? Inside the Castle or outside?
Caroline, thank you so much for running through my list! I got most of that info off list.co.uk and they looked like places I would like. Come to think of it, they really didn't have anything bad to say!!!
I eat almost anything, since I'm traveling on my own, like to fit a lot of sightseeing in and am using the weak US currency, I was aiming for faster, more moderately priced places. When in London I always go for fish & chips, doner kebabs, pizza, Italian, Belgian (mussels & fries) and usually stop by Wagamama.
I am staying at the Castle View Guest House and want to make sure I hit the Castle and Palace and will likely visit a couple of museums and do a couple of late night walking tours so I'll be visiting just the old and new towns, probably not Leith.
So I'd like one quick place in between the Castle and Palace for lunch on a weekday, at least one place to try local cuisine for dinner on my first night (won't be packing anything nicer than black jeans though), a good place for kebabs, I think I will try Mussel Inn and Barioja.
Thanks for any additional suggestions you might have!
Jan 9th, 2006, 07:22 AM
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Couple of suggestions for quick lunch places between the Castle and Palace:
There's a great baked potato shop at the top of Cockburn street near where it meets the Royal Mile. They do huge, cheap and tasty baked potatoes with a variety of hot and cold veggie fillings, including their own very yummy vegetarian haggis (nicer than the real thing in my opinion!). They only have one eat-in table, but you can often share it with other customers. If the weather's OK I usually take my potato out and eat it on a bench somewhere.
You could also try Café Florentin on St Giles Street, which is just off the Royal Mile, near the High Kirk of St Giles (not surprisingly). It's a French-style café-patisserie that does great coffee and cakes, sandwiches, salads, etc. More expensive than the baked potato shop but a nice spot to stop off and very solo-traveller friendly.
There's a great baked potato shop at the top of Cockburn street near where it meets the Royal Mile. They do huge, cheap and tasty baked potatoes with a variety of hot and cold veggie fillings, including their own very yummy vegetarian haggis (nicer than the real thing in my opinion!). They only have one eat-in table, but you can often share it with other customers. If the weather's OK I usually take my potato out and eat it on a bench somewhere.
You could also try Café Florentin on St Giles Street, which is just off the Royal Mile, near the High Kirk of St Giles (not surprisingly). It's a French-style café-patisserie that does great coffee and cakes, sandwiches, salads, etc. More expensive than the baked potato shop but a nice spot to stop off and very solo-traveller friendly.
Jan 9th, 2006, 07:24 AM
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We ate at Monster Mash. It is small, but I don't remember the smoke bothering me. The food was good- sausage and mash,they also had fish &chips, meat pies etc.
We ate twice at Gordon's Trattoria on High Street. Very good food and nice people. Not too fancy and good prices. We went in there because it smelled so good. You can always follow your nose.
Have a great time.
We ate twice at Gordon's Trattoria on High Street. Very good food and nice people. Not too fancy and good prices. We went in there because it smelled so good. You can always follow your nose.
Have a great time.
Jan 9th, 2006, 07:28 AM
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Hi Kristi.
A good thing for you to try would be to wander along Rose Street, a small pedestrian street very near the Castle View, which has lots of pubs (+ the Mussel Inn). Some pubs are better than others but most do food like fish & chips, pie & chips and, I'm sure, some must do haggis, neeps & tatties. I don't have any personal experience of eating there but I think the Abbotsford or the Rose Street Brewery would be OK. You are most likely to get talking to people in a pub, if you want to. You can also get a sandwich or nachos at the Great Grog wine bar, also on Rose Street.
For pizza, by far the best chain is Pizza Express & your nearest one is one Queensferry Street - c.£8-10 for a pizza I think.
But for a lovely non-chain experience, one of my favourite places is Centotre at 103 George Street, also v. near the CV. It's an Italian cafe/bar/restaurant in a converted banking hall (quite spectacular decor but very informal) & you can go in for anything from a coffee & pastry ((highly recommend the cannoli !), a cocktail, to a pizza or a full 4 course Italian meal. If you go for the full works it's not cheap but just a pizza (the best in town IMO) or a bowl of pasta is c.£8-10 & always very good. They also do home made Italian ice cream sundaes. It's the sort of place you can feel quite relaxed about going to on your own.
For Scottish, not so sure. The only Scottish restaurants I know of are quite posh, like Stac Polly. But maybe the pubs would supply what you're looking for ?
For a light lunch just off the Royal Mile, more or less half way between the Castle & the Palace, there's Cafe Florentin on North Bank Street. Or try another pub - the Halfway House down Fleshmarket Close is a short detour from the RM, is the CAMRA pub of the year & does good home cooked food. Otherwise thee's the Jolly Judge or Ensign Ewart right off the Royal Mile, near the top, down closes (wee alleyways) - they are signposted from the RM I think. Alternatively the branch of Plaisir du Chocolat pn the north side of the RM (near the bottom) does fantastic cakes as well as light lunch options such as soup & toasty things, but it's probably a bit more expensive.
I've now remembered that the kebab place I mentioned before is called Palmyra Pizza (Nicolson Street, almost opposite the Festival Theatre) - as well as kebabs it also does pizzas which are v. cheap & don't look bad, but I've never tried the with it being a Middle Eastern and not Italian place !
Anything else you think of, just ask.
A good thing for you to try would be to wander along Rose Street, a small pedestrian street very near the Castle View, which has lots of pubs (+ the Mussel Inn). Some pubs are better than others but most do food like fish & chips, pie & chips and, I'm sure, some must do haggis, neeps & tatties. I don't have any personal experience of eating there but I think the Abbotsford or the Rose Street Brewery would be OK. You are most likely to get talking to people in a pub, if you want to. You can also get a sandwich or nachos at the Great Grog wine bar, also on Rose Street.
For pizza, by far the best chain is Pizza Express & your nearest one is one Queensferry Street - c.£8-10 for a pizza I think.
But for a lovely non-chain experience, one of my favourite places is Centotre at 103 George Street, also v. near the CV. It's an Italian cafe/bar/restaurant in a converted banking hall (quite spectacular decor but very informal) & you can go in for anything from a coffee & pastry ((highly recommend the cannoli !), a cocktail, to a pizza or a full 4 course Italian meal. If you go for the full works it's not cheap but just a pizza (the best in town IMO) or a bowl of pasta is c.£8-10 & always very good. They also do home made Italian ice cream sundaes. It's the sort of place you can feel quite relaxed about going to on your own.
For Scottish, not so sure. The only Scottish restaurants I know of are quite posh, like Stac Polly. But maybe the pubs would supply what you're looking for ?
For a light lunch just off the Royal Mile, more or less half way between the Castle & the Palace, there's Cafe Florentin on North Bank Street. Or try another pub - the Halfway House down Fleshmarket Close is a short detour from the RM, is the CAMRA pub of the year & does good home cooked food. Otherwise thee's the Jolly Judge or Ensign Ewart right off the Royal Mile, near the top, down closes (wee alleyways) - they are signposted from the RM I think. Alternatively the branch of Plaisir du Chocolat pn the north side of the RM (near the bottom) does fantastic cakes as well as light lunch options such as soup & toasty things, but it's probably a bit more expensive.
I've now remembered that the kebab place I mentioned before is called Palmyra Pizza (Nicolson Street, almost opposite the Festival Theatre) - as well as kebabs it also does pizzas which are v. cheap & don't look bad, but I've never tried the with it being a Middle Eastern and not Italian place !
Anything else you think of, just ask.
Jan 10th, 2006, 06:59 AM
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Thanks for the additional recommendations Caroline! Plaisir du Chocolat looks lovely, I saw their hot chocolate menu and it looks fab! And this time of year, it is a perfect way to warm up
I've eaten several times at Pizza Express in England and do like their pizzas, I also like the idea of trying a non chain so I will check out Centotre.
I'm only sorry I only have 2 1/2 days!
I've eaten several times at Pizza Express in England and do like their pizzas, I also like the idea of trying a non chain so I will check out Centotre.
I'm only sorry I only have 2 1/2 days!
Jan 10th, 2006, 01:25 PM
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Hello,
Went to Edinburgh a couple of years ago in May. We bought a two-day double-decker bus ticket which included transport and tickets to the Castle, Holyrood and Britannia Yacht. Really worked well for us. I am quite sure it was hop on-hop off, but I am not absolutely certain of that. Saw some parts of the city we wouldn't have seen otherwise.
Went to Edinburgh a couple of years ago in May. We bought a two-day double-decker bus ticket which included transport and tickets to the Castle, Holyrood and Britannia Yacht. Really worked well for us. I am quite sure it was hop on-hop off, but I am not absolutely certain of that. Saw some parts of the city we wouldn't have seen otherwise.
Jan 31st, 2006, 03:11 PM
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Caroline, I just wanted to thank you, now that I'm back, for your help. I did try Kebab Mahal and was disappointed so I also tried Palmyra which I liked a lot better, both in atmosphere and food.
Mussel Inn was closed so I located an alternative, Fisher's in the City, which had a Beat the Clock special for mussels, I ended up paying L4.40 for a huge bowl of mussels in cream sauce and was extremely pleased.
I could kick myself for not getting to Centotre, I saw it on my last night and it was right around the corner from my guesthouse. Instead I ate at the mediocre Bella Italia because I couldn't remember where the Pizza Express was.
Barioja was very good, I had lunch there and tried a couple of tapas, the calamari was delicious, the croquettes were good.
And I did manage to stop at Plasir du Chocolat, the first time was divine, the 2nd time I ordered badly and they were gracious enough to give me a replacement cup.
Thanks again!
Mussel Inn was closed so I located an alternative, Fisher's in the City, which had a Beat the Clock special for mussels, I ended up paying L4.40 for a huge bowl of mussels in cream sauce and was extremely pleased.
I could kick myself for not getting to Centotre, I saw it on my last night and it was right around the corner from my guesthouse. Instead I ate at the mediocre Bella Italia because I couldn't remember where the Pizza Express was.
Barioja was very good, I had lunch there and tried a couple of tapas, the calamari was delicious, the croquettes were good.
And I did manage to stop at Plasir du Chocolat, the first time was divine, the 2nd time I ordered badly and they were gracious enough to give me a replacement cup.
Thanks again!
Feb 1st, 2006, 03:54 AM
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Hi Kristi. Glad to hear that you had a good time here & that a few of my suggestions were useful. Interesting tip about Fishers in the City 'beat the clock' deal - it's generally not cheap there but of course v. central, so will bear that in mind for when we need a a quick bite in town early evening.
Did you get away before the temperature plummeted this last weekend ? We were away last week but it was -4 (C) when we got home !! But back up to a balmy +2.5 by this morning
We'll be having an early tea at Palmyra ourselves tonight since we have our Italian evening class at 5.30 then straight on to the Festival Theatre at 7.15.
All the best, Caroline
Did you get away before the temperature plummeted this last weekend ? We were away last week but it was -4 (C) when we got home !! But back up to a balmy +2.5 by this morning
We'll be having an early tea at Palmyra ourselves tonight since we have our Italian evening class at 5.30 then straight on to the Festival Theatre at 7.15.
All the best, Caroline
Feb 1st, 2006, 07:58 AM
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Caroline, I was in Edinburgh for the early part of my trip (Jan 16-19) so although the winds were a little cold and I got a little drizzle of rain, I was pleased with the weather.
The Beat the Clock at Fisher's in the City was from 4-7 pm, it was probably the best meal I had in Edinburgh and one of the cheapest. Would highly recommend. I got that tip from someone at Mercat, I did two tours with them and both were good.
I'd love to come back and see more of Scotland some day, had a great time in your city!
The Beat the Clock at Fisher's in the City was from 4-7 pm, it was probably the best meal I had in Edinburgh and one of the cheapest. Would highly recommend. I got that tip from someone at Mercat, I did two tours with them and both were good.
I'd love to come back and see more of Scotland some day, had a great time in your city!
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