Edinburgh Foodies Itinerary

Start with a Full Scottish Breakfast

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, or so they say. If you’re staying with us at Parliament House Hotel, start your day in our cosy breakfast room, with a wonderful feast! We offer a continental buffet, along with a choice of cooked breakfasts. May we recommend the “full Scottish”? A great introduction to Scottish cuisine, a plate packed with bacon, pork sausage, haggis, potato scone, grilled tomato, mushrooms and two eggs the way you like them. A full vegetarian breakfast is also available, with vegetarian haggis, vegetarian sausage, potato scone, grilled tomato, mushrooms and two eggs.

Morning Sightseeing

Just a 10-minute walk from our hotel, head for The Royal Mile in the Old Town. This medieval cobbled street is home to historic attractions, souvenir shops, pubs, cafes and so much more. It’s about a mile long, a Scot’s mile to be exact. There is so much to see on this one street alone that you could spend several days here. So, you’ll find more than enough to fill your morning. Wander around, do some shopping and admire the ancient architecture. You can pick up some traditional Scottish treats like tablet, shortbread and Edinburgh rock. And visit one of these top attractions – Edinburgh Castle, The Real Mary King’s Close, The Scotch Whisky Experience, Camera Obscura and World of Illusions, St Giles’ Cathedral or The Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Lunch or Afternoon Tea

Time for more food, don’t you think? Here, on the Royal Mile you’ll be spoilt for choice with cafes, pubs and laid-back eateries. But for a very special and unique Edinburgh food and drink experience, Afternoon Tea at The Signet Library is a must! You’ll find this beautiful venue just next to St Giles’ Cathedral. A historic library-now-restaurant, which serves the most amazing afternoon teas, along with lunches and cocktails.

If you’re looking for a lighter lunch, you could go to Oink on Victoria Street for one of their famous takeaway pulled pork sandwiches, followed by a homemade ice cream from Mary’s Milk Bar in the Grassmarket. (Cheese lovers simply must stop in past I.J. Mellis Cheesemongers on the way down Victoria Street and grab some snacks for later!)

Afternoon Sightseeing

More sightseeing now. And if you’re ready to move on from The Royal Mile, perhaps a visit to Edinburgh’s Georgian New Town would provide some contrast? This part of Edinburgh was built in the 19th century and has a very different look and feel. Here, you can hit the high street shops on Princes Street or browse the designer boutiques on George Street. Climb the Scott Monument, visit the stunning Scottish National Portrait Gallery, take a tour of The Georgian House, or find out how gin is made at Edinburgh Gin Distillery.

Dinner with a View

For pre-dinner drinks, seek out Panda & Sons on Queen Street. It may look like a quirky barbershop, but trust us, once you enter through its secret doorway, you’ll be in cocktail heaven!

Here in the New Town, there are some excellent rooftop restaurants. For Thai food, dine at Chaophraya. If you book early you can request a table in the “glass box” with amazing castle views. Then there’s The Fourth Floor at Harvey Nichols, a chic restaurant and brasserie overlooking the city skyline. Or, how about The Lookout by The Gardener’s Lodge? Located at the top of Calton Hill, it offers breath-taking panoramic views from floor-to-ceiling windows and is within walking distance of your welcoming hotel room at Parliament House.

The day wouldn’t be complete without a wee dram of Scotch whisky. So, wind down with a nightcap in our lounge at the end of a truly delicious day of Edinburgh food and drink experiences.