filmhouse
In association with
H
ome to the Edinburgh International Film Festival, Filmhouse sits on busy Lothian Road within hailing distance of some of the city’s bestloved venues. Just a hop, skip and jump over the road will take you to the Traverse, devoted to new writing; the Lyceum, with a packed Fringe and International Festival programme; and the Usher Hall, a stunning concert venue with near-perfect acoustics. The EICC is also nearby (it’s gearing up for a circus and comedy-themed August) while Central Hall is getting in on the action with a family-focused Fringe as well as some big Book Festival events. When it comes to food and drink here, you could do a lot worse than Filmhouse’s own café-bar; a comfortable casual hang-out with a straightforward menu and equally straightforward prices. If you’re after a quick fill-up, the usual chains are on Lothian Road, including Byron and Wagamama, while local fave Ting Thai Caravan is great for a speedy noodle stop. Landmark hotels like the Sheraton and Waldorf Astoria are also at hand. The latter is home to Mark Greenaway’s fine dining restaurant Grazing if you’ve a notion for a long, lazy lunch, while the new flagship Johnnie Walker visitor centre is across the junction. At the top of Lothian Road you’ll find Tollcross, home to one of the city’s most vibrant food and drink micro-districts. Try Ong Gie for excellent Korean, while Dumplings of China does exactly what it says on the tin. If real ale is your thing, the laid-back Cloisters bar has been pulling pints of excellence since 1995, and The Blackbird is worth the slightly longer walk for its excellent beer garden. This isn’t the greenest part of town, so if al fresco dining is on your mind, head to Princes Street Gardens, where you’ll find takeaway options plus the excellent Scottish Café & Restaurant at the Scottish National Galleries.
