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Dining in Europe > Edinburgh Dining and drinking in Edinburgh are fun and tasty pursuits. All manner of eateries and watering holes lurk around every corner, ready to silence any rumbling stomachs. From traditional haggis haunts to romantic Italian restaurants, traditional whisky-stained pubs to trendy bars - there is something to suit most cravings. The city centre offers many tastes and tipples and the Old Town is a great place to sup and pub. For a European flavour try the Grain Store, just off the Royal Mile, whose rather unpromising name belies tasty Scottish/French fodder. Ciao Roma - the names just get better and better - will tickle an Italian fancy, whilst haggis and tatties at Doric Wine Bar & Bistro will educate a foreign palate. Pub-lovers should prop up the Bow Bar, just below the Castle, and veggies should check out Banns Vegetarian Café. Fed up with whisky? Try vodka of all flavours imaginable at Bar Kohl, but go steady - this can easily be a messy night. Cowgate and Grassmarket are very popular drinking haunts. Try Bannermans for a traditional pub atmosphere or wander down Candlemaker Row and check out Greyfriars Bobby. Driving? Maison Hector is great for non-alcoholic beverages. If hunger strikes, forget the Shreddies, grab a slice at Mammas Pizza. Towards Holyrood Park, there are some good eateries near the Festival Theatre. Those with the Mexican munchies should try Mothers, whilst Ayatthaya serves great Thai food. At the Canongate end, the Holyrood Taverns cosy atmosphere will help you nurse your pint. On the other side of Princes Street Gardens, New Town has many treats worth sampling. Dining à la française is particularly satisfying here; the Café St Honoré offers excellent brasserie fare, whilst Pompadour is perfect for expensive French cuisine. For a continental luncheon La Cuisine d'Odile has a very good menu. Not to be outdone, the Italians and Spaniards are also well represented in New Town. Try La Rusticana or the Patio Restaurant for a taste of pasta/pizza paradise, or Tapas Tree for some great Hispanic nibbles. If your tastebuds are craving the land of the rising sun, Tampopos noodles will fill your stomach without emptying your wallet. Kids in tow? Check out our old favourite the Hard Rock Café, then drop the smalls home and relax with a late-night cocktail at Po Na Na. Further out of town is the dockland area of Leith, a must for seafood seekers. All along the shore, fish restaurants can be found offering menus that are fresh from the ocean. If you're going to try any of them, make sure its the charming Fishers Bistro at number one. Set back from the water, the Raj Restaurants curries will put fire in your belly, but if you prefer lighter delicacies, the French seafood dishes at Vintners Room are wonderful. For that post/pre-prandial refreshment, Bar Java will not disappoint. Entertainment in EdinburghThe Edinburgh Festival is, without doubt, the highlight of the capitals entertainment calendar. This summer extravaganza centres on two festivals that run concurrently - The International Festival and The Fringe, both of which focus on the performing arts. The former invites touring professionals from all over the world, whilst the latter welcomes new talent and crowds of students and wannabees. Up-and-coming comics frequent The Pleasance, whose outdoor bar is open late into the night, and the Gilded Balloon. The comedy is one of the best things at the Festival, which is a must on the stand-up circuit - you are very likely to see acts that will later appear on TV. Amateur theatrical and dance productions are often of a very high standard, although one of the joys of the Fringe is being the only member of the audience at an obscure, incomprehensible play. Edinburgh goes crazy during the Festival, its packed with street-performers, tourists, talent-scouts and wannabe-stars. There are so many productions on, that you are never short of entertainment. If you are at all interested in the performing arts, the Edinburgh Festival should not be left off your summer schedule. Edinburgh Military Tattoo also takes place in the summer - during the month of August. The Tattoo is one of the worlds finest military displays, attended by over 200,000 people. Its a splendid mix of pomp, pageantry, music, ceremony, entertainment and drama - all set against the stunning backdrop of Edinburgh Castle. Hogmanay! It was THE party of the Millennium - though now a ticket-only (ish) affair, Edinburgh is an incredible place to see the New Year in. The festivities stretch over days and cover all forms of entertainment - a programme is available near the end of the year. Art Galleries are everywhere in the Edinburgh. From Architecture and design, to oils and watercolour, a plethora of disciplines can be found on show. For fine art, the National Portrait Gallery and the National Gallery of Scotland are the must-sees. But its the contemporary art scene that is particularly exciting in the capital. Formerly thought of as Glasgows exclusive terrain, Edinburgh now frequently displays fresh Scottish talent and cutting-edge art. The Fruitmarket Gallery is the best for this, whilst the nearby City Art Centre and Collective Gallery are also worth a look. Contemporary craft can be found at The Scottish Gallery and Nexus Gallery. Cinema is a popular diversion for tartans and tourists. The land of Sean Connery, Ewan McGregor and Trainspotting, its no surprise that the Scottish capital has plenty of cinemas. Whether its arty or mainstream movies that are your bag, there is sure to be one to suit. Lothian Road, behind the castle, offers both types of flicks - Filmhouse for art-house, and ABC Film Centre for general release. At the other end of town is an Odeon, for that multiplex experience. Music, Dance & Opera are all on tap to entertain you in this city. You can listen to The Scottish Chamber Orchestra at Queens' Hall, rock at The Venue and indie at Liquid Room. The best place to experience classical music, ballet or opera, however, has to be the Festival Theatre. There are many venues - from tiny darkened dive to classical theatre - you'll find them all in Edinburgh. Museums make a real exhibition of themselves here and they've got much to be proud of. Educational excitement for kids and grown-ups can be found all-over, but especially in the Old Town. The Royal Museum of Scotland is a must-see, full of ancient and modern exhibits - its new facade boasts a great restaurant and lost of exciting new features. Although a visit to the capital is clearly incomplete without Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyrood, the fun doesn't stop there. The Royal Mile holds many treats, including Gladstones Land and the John Knox House Museum, and it would be a sin for any good whiskey-drinking soul to miss the Scotch Whiskey Heritage Centre. To the south of the city centre, the Royal City Observatory, is a more space-age experience. Nightclubs are illegal in Edinburgh - only joking! Gags aside, clubbers will not be disappointed with the wide choice - indie fans, rock chicks, laid-back lounge lizards and hard-core house fanatics can all shake their tushes here. Cowgate is a popular clubbers haunt, with the Attic, la Belle Angele and Wilkie House offering something for everyone. Not far from here is the rockin' Rocking Horse. Live music at the Liquid room and gay cabaret at CC Blooms offer twists on the classic club-scene. Theatre really comes alive during August and the Festival, but happily, the Edinburgh boards are also walked during the rest of the year. Behind the Castle, the Royal Lyceum offers mainstream and avant-garde performances, whilst the Traverse Theatre is a real treat for contemporary writing. Dining in Europe > Edinburgh
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