Buying pastries at Elephant house. Photo: Axon Manage

The Elephant House
21 George IV Bridge

The Elephant House is famous for three things. First of all, the elephants that gave the place its name: there’s loads of them dotted around this charming café. Then there’s Harry Potter. J.K. Rowling apparently wrote some of the first Harry Potter sitting in this café’s back room that has what you might call inspirational views over to Edinburgh castle. And, finally, there’s the food. Although it does open in the evening, this is mainly a sandwich and soup, or a coffee and cake kind of place. Attracting academics from the National Library of Scotland opposite as well as Potter tourists and aspiring novelists, the Elephant House is a great place to sit and people watch for an hour or so.

The Mosque Kitchen 
22 Nicolson Street

Another firm student favorite, this eatery—as the name suggests—is related to Edinburgh’s mosque. It originally served the congregation but opened its kitchen to all, much to the delight of curry lovers around the city. You’ll need to queue, and it’s more of a canteen than a restaurant (meals are served on paper plates), but when you can pick up a tasty chicken curry with two sides for less than a fiver, it’s more than worthwhile.

North African favorite Nile Valley Cafe. Photo: Gary Denham

Nile Valley Cafe
6 Chapel Street

Situated right by University of Edinburgh, its influence can be felt in the flyers and posters for student events decorating the walls, as well as the cheap prices of this North African eatery. Think flavorful falafel, kebabs and flat breads with great dips and sauces, perfect for adding some color on a cold Edinburgh day. Charmingly scruffy around the edges, you can enjoy a set lunch at £5.99 or evening meal for £15.50, and make the most of their bring your own booze policy.

A Room in the West End & Teuchters Bar
26 William Street

This place is perfect if you want a Scottish experience—it’s basically a highland bar transplanted to the center of Edinburgh. That means football and rugby on the TVs and an extensive range of whiskys behind the bar. There’s a bar menu—a tempting variety of things served in mugs—or head downstairs to the cozy ‘room’ to enjoy a more formal dining experience. Food is suitably Scottish, with an emphasis on seafood, but many a fond word has also been said about their Banoffee pie. Mains are around £13 each, but you can get a good deal on a set lunch. There’s another branch in the Leith area of the city.

Cottage pie with braised red cabbage at The Dogs restaurant. Photo: Edinburgh Blog

The Dogs
110 Hanover Street

The Dogs was set up to provide a good value dining experience. It’s a fun, young and informal atmosphere with mismatched plates and crockery, dark wood tables and hearty mains, using locally sourced food where possible. In the day, you can get mains for under £7, while in the evening around £13 will get you delights such as a generous portion of stuffed pork belly. At busier times in the city, such as Hogmanay or the Edinburgh Festival, you’ll probably need to book ahead.

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Sure, accommodations can still be a bit of a budget-buster, especially in those year-round tourist hot spots like Scotland’s capital city, but with a few local Cheapo tips, you’ll be enjoying old world charms with money to spare.

First things first – What not to do

There are two times of year when you cannot get cheap accommodations in Edinburgh:

– Hogmanay (that is New Year’s Eve to you non-Scots)
– August. Yes, the entire month. Have you heard of the Edinburgh Festival?

If you absolutely must join us for one of these two events (and why wouldn’t you?), book in advance to get a reasonable price. Say, six to nine months in advance. Really.

So, what are the great budget hotels?

One of my personal favourites is the Edinburgh Central, a member of the Scottish Youth Hostels program. It is one of the few hostels in the world that’s rated higher than some 3 or 4 star hotels – with ensuite rooms, a bistro with fresh and tasty breakfast fare that even attracts some locals, and all of the typical amenities you would expect in a good hostel. With rock-bottom rates, the Edinburgh Central is centrally located on the top of Leith Walk, just a ten minute walk to the busy Prices Street, but also surrounded with local pubs and kitsch restaurants.

I had guests in September (2008) who stayed near me here in the Old Town at the brand, spankin’ new Holiday Inn Express – Royal Mile. It’s not on the Royal Mile but only one block away; it actually sits on the Cowgate, which is full of late-night pubs and clubs, but thankfully the noise never drifts down this direction. The rates are reasonable, especially considering the top-notch facilities and very friendly staff.

Lastly, I would suggest checking out the Premier Inn Edinburgh. It is near Haymarket Station in the West End, a ten to 15 minute walk into the center of town. This part of Edinburgh is great for food and drink; there is also plenty of that timeless Georgian architecture for enjoyment.

How about some great, unexplored neighbourhoods?

The great thing about Edinburgh is that it is so easy to get around, either by walking or taking one of the efficient and inexpensive buses. There are a couple of great areas to check out that have budget accommodation options. Unfortunately, these neighborhoods are often overlooked by tourists:

Newington. This is just south of the Old Town and sits in between Holyrood Park and the Meadows. The main street here, Clerk Street, is full of fun costume shops, boutique restaurants, and nearby you can find a really great wine and whisky shop, The Great Grog. The further away from the city centre you are, the better the deal you’ll get. So, this is a great budget-friendly option with flair.

Stockbridge. Most people think of the trendy, posh side of Stockbridge, but a closer look reveals that this neighbourhood extends up into Inverleith Park, as well as west along the Water of Leith. Get away from the main street and you’ll find a deal.

If you go…

My absolutely favourite part of Edinburgh is the Water of Leith. Catch Bus #26 or 31 and have the driver let you off at Roseburn Terrace. Join the trail here and walk the scenic, peaceful two to three miles back into Stockbridge, where you can finish off the stroll with a coffee or a nice glass of wine in a nearby café.

Tell me, Cheapos: What’s your top tip for Edinburgh?

Andy Hayes is a freelance travel writer and one of Edinburgh’s top local Cheapos. For more travelogues and inspiring travel ideas, visit his website called Sharing Experiences.

The post Edinburgh Tip: How to find a budget hotel, and more! appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.