Date spot in Edinburgh
The Shore, Leith
Have dinner on Leith's old harbour front, where seafood restaurants and pubs line the quay along the Water of Leith.
The Shore, Leith
Address: Fishers in Leith, 1 The Shore, Edinburgh EH6 6QW- Restaurant
- Mid-price
- Foodie
- Romantic
Why it's a good date: It has a different feel from the city centre: slower, by the water and easy to linger in. Book ahead at weekends, and walk the riverside afterwards while it's still light.
Photo: Alan Murray-Rust, CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped and resized)
More from our Edinburgh guide
Portobello Beach
Portobello Promenade, east Edinburgh
Address: Portobello Promenade, Edinburgh EH15 1HH- Outdoors
- Free
- Dog friendly
- Best in Spring, Summer
Take the bus to Edinburgh's seaside and walk the promenade along two miles of sand.
Why it's a good date: A day at the beach without leaving the city. Walk the prom one way and the sand the other, and warm up with chips or an ice cream from one of the cafés along the front. Dogs are welcome on the sand all year; from April to July, when birds are nesting, keep them close or on a short lead.
Photo: Graeme Yuill, CC BY-SA 2.0 (resized)
Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
Castlehill, at the top of the Royal Mile
Address: 549 Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2ND- Activity
- Rain-proof ☔
- Mid-price
Watch the live camera obscura show of the streets below, then work your way down five floors of mirror mazes and optical tricks.
Why it's a good date: Daft, hands-on fun that makes you both laugh, and it's dry. The rooftop terrace has one of the best views of the Old Town, so aim for a clear day if you can.
Photo: Interestingfax, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped and resized)
Victoria Street and the Grassmarket
Victoria Street and the Grassmarket, Old Town
Address: The Bow Bar, 80 West Bow, Edinburgh EH1 2HH- Bar
- Mid-price
- Romantic
Wander down the curve of colourful shopfronts on Victoria Street into the Grassmarket for a drink under the castle rock.
Why it's a good date: Independent shops on the way down, old pubs at the bottom and the castle above you. It's busy by day, so come in the evening when the pubs are lit up.
Photo: Daniel Kraft, CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped and resized)
