BEST BITS
THEBESTOFEDINBURGH
Zoe Ingram The artist and illustrator on her favourite city spots
Coffee: The Milkman on Cockburn Street. It’s probably the tiniest coffee shop in Edinburgh and is such a charming setting. They have the best cinnamon rolls ever but you need to get there early to snag one. Cocktails: The Refinery St Andrew Square. Their espresso martinis are quite delicious. Burger: Burgers and Beers Grillhouse on the High Street. I took my kids here for lunch after visiting Camera Obscura and the burgers were a huge hit. Sunday roast: The Sheep Heid Inn. This is definitely the place to go for a cosy, Sunday roast. The quirky old skittle alley is a fun thing to do afterwards if you’re not too stuffed. Or you could walk it off
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Fish & chips: For a sit-in “chippie”, Bertie’s in Victoria Street is awesome, especially with a group of friends. Fashion: I love Swish on Cockburn Street and currently have my eye on a nice pair of Palladium boots and several pairs of trainers there. Interiors: I’m heavily into plants so I’m super excited to visit Green.Meadows, a new tropical plant shop on Buccleuch Street near the Meadows.
with a stroll through the picturesque Duddingston Village. Fine dining: Hands down, Howies. Delicious, elegant, traditional yet contemporary Scottish food. I have been to every Howies restaurant over the years since they opened in the early ‘90s and I’m always impressed.
Art: Visiting art galleries is my “me time”. It allows me to switch off, absorb inspiration and refill my artistic cup. There are so many amazing galleries in
Edinburgh so I can’t pick a favourite but I loved a recent visit to The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. The buildings and surrounding grounds are a sight to see in themselves. The Edinburgh Printmakers is also a little gem for seeing beautiful, contemporary artworks. Walk: Portobello Prom. The smell of the sea is so lovely and I love people (and dog) watching when I stop for a coffee at the Beach House. Remote working: The Papermill in Lasswade would have to be my coffee joint of choice for working if I need to get out of the studio. It’s my local and I love that it’s just a stroll away on the riverside.
Lockdown find: I was introduced to a lovely walk around my local area by my eldest child. It runs through some beautiful landscape down to the river Esk amongst trees, fields and ferns. Such beauty, peace and tranquillity on my doorstep.
