Edinburgh for Hilton Explore

Dean McVey: The best afternoon tea in the city! Located on the old station platform with a dramatic 40 foot glass ceiling. A live pianist, harp player, jazz band and pianist all play on occasion, which is fab!

Dean McVey: A great place for all. Some wonderful visiting exhibitions, which require an additional cost, are always great. An impressive building with free entry, an exceptional space and award-winning.

Dean McVey: Amazing French patisserie in a beautiful, leafy part of town. The coffee here is great but the treats are even better. Have an éclair or a quiche - they are sublime. Go early and get it fresh!

Dean McVey: Worth the trip! A truly awe inspiring place - modern art in the most unexpected of situations. Featured and visiting exhibitions are top quality, you have to visit. You will want to go back again!!

Dean McVey: The most amazing views over the water. Come here for lunch and get a table at the window. You have to try the traditional Scottish Cullen Skink, the best I have ever had, anywhere!

Dean McVey: Serving French realness till late every night! I love this place and defy anyone not to. Bench seating so be prepared to share a table. House wine and steak frites. Sharing rabbit stew is awesome too!

Dean McVey: A great Scottish pub. Dog & family friendly in a great part of town. Good food & a nice atmosphere - get a booth & enjoy interesting craft beer & sharing platters! Two sunny outside terraces also.

Dean McVey: Turn up and wait. This place has had a queue since it opened 3 years ago. Singha beer to drink, tom yam soup and pad thai to eat. Very authentic and being in the heart of student land means vibrancy.

Dean McVey: A cavern of wonders. If you like cheese, then this is a must-stop. Knowledgeable staff and phenomenal varieties - the shop is an assault on the senses. You have to visit - even if only for a taste.

Dean McVey: An Edinburgh favourite. Come here for lunch or dinner. A great gin selection & super friendly service. The haggis is fantastic & with a daily fish special and casserole there is something for all.

Dean McVey: Venice in Edinburgh. You have to come here. A vibrant wine list & a great cocktail selection including a great spritz section. Try the nibbles, especially the croquette. Book to avoid disappointment.

Dean McVey: This place is super! Fun for sharing in groups or for something lighter. Authentic middle eastern food, but with a twist. Great interior and fast service. A true treat is one of their funky cocktails.

Dean McVey: A special place, nestled in Edinburgh's West End. This place is a wonder. You will leave with an appreciation of modern art you didn't know you had. Be sure to check out the Anthony Gormley work!

Dean McVey: Buy some silver knowing it was made right above you. A royal appointment for good reason. Buy something here for a special gift knowing it is a favourite of the Queen. A beautiful shop to just look!

Dean McVey: It's not the menu that's special, but the place itself that's magical. One location's famed as the birthplace of Harry Potter. Get a table at the back near the window. Don’t go after 11am in August!

Dean McVey: A glam place for a glam drink. This place gets it! Come during the day for a quiet buzz and at night to be seen. Ask for a table under the glass roof section. If you can get a seat at the bar, do it!

Dean McVey: Fun bar with an eclectic decor and crowd. Go at night, but expect it to be busy. A great DJ, good cocktails, red stripe in a can and an amazing atmosphere. A David Beckham whisky ad was filmed here.

Dean McVey: Ladies looking for something unique, but not too pricey? Go mid-morning & you will likely have the place to yourself. Small collection with a Scandinavian twist, you can buy something no one else has!

Dean McVey: A beautiful Georgian street littered with art galleries and antiques shops. Worth a stroll of an afternoon, be sure to visit the open eye gallery and stop by somewhere close such as Leo's for coffee.

Dean McVey: The best coffee in town. Always has a buzz, but they serve their coffee slightly cooler so ask for it extra hot. Get a bench by the little windows, take a cheese scone and indulge in café heaven!

Dean McVey: Fish, fish, fish! This is a must stop place in Edinburgh. Reservation is a must but the fruits de mer royale is hard to beat. Daily specials that sometimes include a monkfish curry. Go here #noregrets

Dean McVey: Small but perfectly formed. Local and off the beaten track ensures an authentic and eclectic experience. The best coffee, great and interesting breakfast and lunch options. Homemade bircher muesli!

Dean McVey: Ice-cream? In Scotland? Yea absolutely! A great place for everyone. Homemade to Italian recipes but some flavours are slightly more unusual. Very delicious and a real treat.

Dean McVey: Small and pricey but worth it. Nice cakes and great coffee. The sandwiches here are amazing. Don’t come at lunch unless you want to queue. A great stop for shopping respite.

Dean McVey: A kitsch, but super cool sun room vibe. I know it sounds odd but it works. Go here for drinks at any time of the day - atmosphere is always appropriate. Drink cocktails and nibble from the bites menu.

Dean McVey: Slick and different. 13 spirits - 13 amazing cocktails based on them. This then changes every few weeks. Always low key with a speakeasy vibe. Go here for a new and unique experience!

Dean McVey: Go here in the morning, take it in when it is quiet. Appreciate the neon installation over the front door giving peace to residents! Go to the gift shop for something fun and unusual.

Dean McVey: For that one piece that makes an outfit! Ladies, you will love this place. A treasure trove and super friendly staff! Located on a street with great supplementary shops, too!

Dean McVey: Go early or go late. Give yourself an hour and a half. More to see here than any other Royal Residence. Right beside a great park too! Tip: Check if the Queen is local, if so, you won’t get in.

Dean McVey: Shoes. What more is there to say. From big name designers to something a bit different. If Pam is in you will love her but she is often traveling looking at collections. A small friendly store.

Dean McVey: If you don’t know, it’s ok! The team here are like expert curators, not shop assistants. Go here and get something unusual and just enjoy the experience and expertise! Bask in infinite knowledge.

Dean McVey: If you know, you know! Another Edinburgh hidden gem. Enjoy the pate, the chutney, the cheese and the ham - best charcuterie ever and amazing staff. Arrive and wait, and go after 9pm for atmosphere.

Dean McVey: Fun, different Italian cuisine. But I like to come here for breakfast. Local ingredients with a continental twist. Have the bacon on focaccia, admire the wow factor interior of this former bank!

Dean McVey: The heart of a community! Go hungry and eat paella, curry, cake and amazing raw salads. Buy homemade soap and be sure to look at the local artists. Sunday only but go later in the day for bargains.

Dean McVey: The best - if you can find it. Drinks and service are the only emphasis, rough around the edges and no sign to tell you where it is, but an iconic institution. Have the drink named after the place.

Dean McVey: Best Mexican food in town! Be prepared to wait for a table, but the funky, street food vibe is worth it. Margaritas are fab. Wait across the road for a table. Once you get in, have the shrimp tacos!!

Dean McVey: Hard to find but a gem! Go early afternoon or late at night. If sunny, then take a terrace table. Eat if you can but do not leave without having an ‘Idle on Islay’. Cheap champagne too!!

Dean McVey: Loud and busy, but that's part of the charm. Open late and has a very eclectic crowd. The pianist takes requests and a place close to the piano is coveted. Get there before midnight to not queue.

Dean McVey: Great for dietaries and those with a sweet tooth. People working, people catching up, people having fun. I love the buzz of this place and the laid back service style. No need to book, but go early!

Dean McVey: Get out the city to the beautiful East. This place recently moves out of the city and enjoys a remarkable opinion amongst locals. Great for a sweet breakfast. Taking home a famous loaf is a must.

Dean McVey: Lots of options and a varied menu! Great for families and serves all day. For a quieter experience, ask for a table on the mezzanine. The cheese croquettes are the single best thing you will ever eat.

Dean McVey: Treat yourself - tasting menu all the way. Refurbished last year and very nice inside. Be sure to make use of the sommelier, one of the best in the city!

Dean McVey: Barbershop or bar? Go through the library at the foot of the stairs to find out. A large bar for the quality and innovation that happens here. Go and have a crazy cocktail in what feels like the 50s!

Dean McVey: You can’t not go! Save this for a clear day of weather if you have the choice. Book tickets and go early! Top tip - join the free hourly guided tour. The war memorial inside is moving and poignant.

Dean McVey: Ask for your coffee extra hot and with a side of grilled cheese! This place is fabulous. Grab a bite to eat by the window and watch the West End buzz around you. It's a pretty good looking place, too!

Dean McVey: Different, friendly and local. This place ticks all the boxes. Always ask for a table upstairs. The desserts are fantastic, the dip that comes with the bread is phenomenal. Have the lamb!

Dean McVey: Eggs for days! Book a table at the weekend. Have a cappuccino, have the eggs avocado and sesame dressing. Get a table at the window or upstairs. Old school service and modern classics on the menu.

Dean McVey: Cool decor, fun menu & friendly service. Book at the weekend but come here for a long brunch. Right beside the water & great outside seating for the sun! Baked camembert & house lager are my faves!

Dean McVey: Take the kids, but you may have more fun than them! A fascinating, very interactive take on a museum - A walk through the history of Earth. Get your hands stuck on a glacier! Great parking close by!

Dean McVey: Cocktails, nibbles and innovation. Everything here is fun and different and there is so much atmosphere! Come at night if you can brave the crowds but good for a great atmospheric lunch!

Dean McVey: Beautifully renovated and housing some of the Queens art collection. Take ID and with your ticket you can get in free for the rest of the year. Visiting exhibitions are also of high quality.

Dean McVey: Sexy and tucked away. A favourite with locals, make a reservation and take a camera for the prettiest restaurant entrance ever. A wee bar for a drink before dinner has some cool cocktails too!

Dean McVey: A city institution. Go to the cafe on the top floor for an unusual view of the city. The toy department is superb. If here at Christmas, be sure to take a picture in the main gallery with the tree!

Dean McVey: A sundae to dream of! The place to be and has been for years. Anything with their hot fudge sauce is a must. Go here in the evening for coffee and ice cream and you will look like a local.

Dean McVey: The best cake in the city. All handmade onsite, stop by before or after lunch to avoid a wait. Have the mille feuille for the best cake experience of your life!

Dean McVey: A favourite hangout in a trendy part of town. Eat the baked eggs. Sit outside even if it's cold as lots to watch. Bring kids, but be prepared to wait for a table at all times unless booked. Go early!

Dean McVey: Great for specialty diets and intolerances. A hot spot for locals, and Michelin star chefs. If it looks busy there might be a table round the back - so ask. You have to have a ‘croque-mon-scone’.

Dean McVey: Right at the edge of modern Scottish design. Ask for Hannah, get yourself an amazing fitted tweed jacket, you are now essentially a Scot!

Dean McVey: Cashmere for days! If for yourself or as a gift - this place is great. Uniquely Scottish, modern & classic designs with super friendly staff. Get yourself a pair of the cashmere socks for toasty feet!

Dean McVey: Typifies Scots-Italian culture. A deli-cafe-restaurant! The coffee is great and the atmosphere is buzzy. Full of arty, foodie types. Great little gifts too!

Dean McVey: Family friendly but please reserve! You simply have to have a cupcake. There is nothing left to say other than make a pit stop here. In a super cool part of town too!

Dean McVey: All the high-end names you would expect and want. Opens late on Thursdays. Visit the food court for delicious drinks and things to take home. If you can get an appointment, use the personal shopper.

Dean McVey: Oysters, oysters, oysters! The chicest place for a wee treat. Lunch here but make a reservation. For a bit of theatre for tables of two - ask to sit at the bar. The house champagne is fantastic!

Dean McVey: Pet friendly and great breakfast! All days of the week, a mean bloody Mary and the veggie breakfast is superb! Mean avo egg and chorizo combo too!

Dean McVey: Only book if going in peak summer. Fascinating insight. Take your time and listen to everything, even the extras on the audio guide. Some great photo opportunities, you won't forget this visit.

Dean McVey: Everything goes! Super friendly and fast service. The crepes are amazing, savoury and sweet. Go before 9.30am or be prepared to wait for a table! Also ask for a table in the conservatory!

Dean McVey: Less gastropub, more restaurant with beer. One of the city’s best chefs has this as his pet project. Duck leg confit is wow! Soft play and kid friendly staff mean this is a good ‘coverall’ location.

Dean McVey: Big, bright and friendly! Recently refurbished. The food here packs bang for your buck - being fresh and inventive, but full of flavour. Grand dining rooms & eclectic decor with a cute pre-dinner bar.