Tigerlily

Local restaurants

On Thistle Street, Fishers in the City brings the excellent seafood and fish dishes of its popular Leith outpost to town (+44 (0)131 225 5109); order Lindisfarne oysters, if they’re in season, or one of the Mediterranean‑style dishes. Award‑winning chef PC Thakur serves up authentic, flavour‑packed regional Indian cuisine at the delightful 9 Cellars restaurant and bar on York Place (+44 (0)131 557 9899). For an ultra‑romantic evening, dinner at The Witchery by the Castle’s atmospheric restaurant is second to none (+44 (0)131 225 5613).

Local bars

After a sedate meal or an afternoon of shopping, liven things up at one of the many buzzing bars along George Street: ever-vibrant Candy Bar (+44 (0)131 225 9179) is a top cocktail hotspot. Other options include Opal Lounge or Bar 38.

Local cafes

For an outstanding brunch with upstanding eco credentials, you can’t beat the Urban Angel café and deli on Hanover Street (+44 (0)131 225 6251).

Worth getting out of bed for

Amble up to Edinburgh Castle – if only to just wander through the surrounding gardens and woodland; ask Tigerlily to arrange a picnic for you. The hotel concierge can also arrange all manner of activities, including interactive cocktail training in the bar, personal shopping at Harvey Nichols or tours of local whisky distilleries - it's probably best to contact the hotel before your trip to arrange these.

Diary

25 January Burns Night. March Ceilidh Culture Festival (www.ceilidhculture.co.uk). July Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival (www.edinburghjazzfestival.co.uk). August The Edinburgh Festival colonises the town, along with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (see our events guide Smith 52 for details, or buy the book for the full insider lowdown), the Book Festival and the International Film Festival (www.edinburgh-festivals.com). December Shoppers ahoy! Edinburgh's Christmas market lights up East Princes Street  (www.edinburghscapitalchristmas.org). Hogmanay (also featured in Smith 52) is Edinburgh's way of ringing in the new year (www.edinburghshogmanay.org).

For a full list of eating and drinking recommendations in Edinburgh, check out our Edinburgh eating & drinking guide

For a full list of recommended activities in Edinburgh, check out our Edinburgh destination guide