Edinburgh

John Lewis still has a nice cafe (and good loos) on the top floor with a view to the Forth.

It seems an age since Princes street was the place to go. Santa in the Toy dept in Jenners and the giant Christmas tree.

Where can you take DGC now to impress them?

Bainbridges in Newcastle had a tearoom/café called the Chattery,
My mother used to wear a suit (called a costume) and a hat when we went there !! There was also a model who would show clothes there.

The tearooms/restaurants were usually on the top floor. My mum hated lifts but loved tearooms. So we had to trudge up about four flights of stairs after her.

Of course Jenner's had a tea room as well as several restaurants. Binns aka Fraser's had a cafeteria. Neither opened directly on to the road. I don't know why the powers that be vetoed restaurants and cafes on Princes St but I'm pretty sure they'll very soon be allowed. That'll affect George St and St Andrew Square where many bars are restaurants are currently located.

I had Jenners' tearoom (never referred to as 'café') for getting my job in Kenya. The headmistress was home on leave - in 1964 - and a mutual acquaintance gave me an introduction. There was a grand view towards the Castle. Was never in Binns' tearoom but all the big department stores had them in those halcyon days.

I bet Jenners and Binns used to have a café !??

I don't know why Alegrias. I'm sure the rules will change though. Would be nice to sit outside with a coffee and look over to the castle.

Is that because of the desire to maintain the "tone" of the place Aveline? Princes Street is so different to how it was when I was young, and it would benefit so much from nice street cafes, I think.

Seems crazy given the footfall. We walked the length of princes street pretty much on way to station hoping to find somewhere for lunch, no joy at all.

Cafes not allowed on Princes St. However, due to the dire nature of the shops since so many retailers have closed or moved to the St James Quarter, there are plan for a rethink about the regulations regarding this.

Aveline

Forget Princes street for shopping! All the old shops have closed. Phone shops and tourist tat!

So true. princes street now has primark ….and ann summers….and not a single café

Forget Princes street for shopping! All the old shops have closed. Phone shops and tourist tat!

Princes Street for shopping. Walk up to Arthur’s Seat, lovely views of Edinburgh. Edinburgh castle and the cobbled streets leading up to it with curio shops.

My daughter and I went on the Royal yacht Britannia which of course is in dey dock now. We really enjoyed seeing the Queens rooms, and also the crews quarters. We had a nice lunch onboard too. You will have to pre book.

hilz

Wonderful city, I would book a walking tour, visit Holyrood, stroke Greyfriars Bobby's statue, visit a pub with live music in the evening.Maybe the castle, go to the coast. Listen to the pipers, people watch but most of all have a great time and no peeping under any kilts !

Please don’t stroke Greyfriars Bobby. It is ruining the wee statue. Nobody seems to know what idiot started the trend but it really doesn’t bring luck!

Went a week or so ago by train with my sister to see my niece at uni there . Loved the tourist buses you can hop on and off . Really enjoyed the Botanic Gardens and the castle gardens . We stayed in a premier inn near the station - think it was Rose Street, which was fine .
Must go back again …!

www.sawdays.co.uk/britain/scotland/edinburgh/2-cambridge-street-the-dynamite-club/

Madmother21

I am also planning a couple of days in Edinburgh, Lucca, I’ve found all these comments really useful. We’re going up by train just for fun, but don’t know the best central area to stay. We want to be able to walk to areas with restaurants, bars etc, any ideas please?

You might be better asking Tillymint who lives here !
We stayed in a lovely but quirky B and B just beside the Usher Hall
I’ll put a link up in a minute

Take the train to Galashields to see the Great Tapestry of Scotland. It's spectacular.

I am also planning a couple of days in Edinburgh, Lucca, I’ve found all these comments really useful. We’re going up by train just for fun, but don’t know the best central area to stay. We want to be able to walk to areas with restaurants, bars etc, any ideas please?

Oh yes, Omasweetie , the Dome's a great place if you like a bit of sparkle - especially at Christmas when the exterior is covered in fairy lights. The last time we had afternoon tea there I succumbed to a gigantic meringue which probably took years off my life. My only complaint was the handle of the heavy silver teapot was extremely hot. Safest to ask the waiter to pour.

Afternoon tea at The Dome…yum.

For Inspector Rebus fans - when I was last in Edinburgh 7 years ago I went on an organised tour of all the places mentioned in the books. Found the tour on Google.

Couldn't agree more with Museum of Childhood. We visit every time we are in Edinburgh.

Highly recommend the Gallery of Modern Art 1 - haven't yet been to 2, so can't recommend it. It's a fair walk but you can get a bus -Agree about the National Portrait Gallery, superb!!