A Wine Lover's Guide to Edinburgh

While wine may not be the first thing you think about when visiting Edinburgh, that doesn't mean there isn’t plenty of amazing places to satisfy the wine lover in you. Edinburgh is home to some of the best wine bars and restaurants we have ever been to, and that’s saying something! We can’t think of many better ways to spend an afternoon, cozying up in one of these spots with a glass of wine, a bite to eat, and a friend or two.

We have teamed up with This is Edinburgh to share with you our wine lover's guide to Edinburgh.Follow the link below to find out where our favorite locations for wine connoisseurs and casual wine drinkers to visit in Scotland’s capital city.

Continue reading A Wine Lover's Guide to Edinburgh on Edinburgh.org

Here is our list of favorite locations for wine connoisseurs and casual wine drinkers to visit in Scotland’s capital city.

xxx Ivy & Eve

Smith & Gertrude

Located in Stockbridge, this hip wine bar is a cheese, charcuterie, and wine lover's wonderland. We love their wine flight option, which changes weekly. We can see why it’s their best seller. They also offer a huge selection of wines by the glass and by bottle. There is plenty of room for large and small groups, or grab a seat at their communal center table and make some new friends! If you stop by on a Sunday, bring in your own vinyl and play DJ while drinking great wine.

26 Hamilton Place, Edinburgh EH3 5AU (0131 629 6280)

Vino

With three locations within Edinburgh, the Stockbridge location is our favorite bottle shop. One half of the store lined with neat shelves of hand selected wines and the other a large selection of beer, liquor, and snacks. Vino features Scotland's first Enomatic wine tasting machine, giving customers the opportunity to try up to 8 wines before purchasing.

26 North West Circus Place, Edinburgh EH3 6TP (0131 225 6998)

Ecco Vino

Despite being located just off the Royal Mile, this restaurant is surprisingly quiet and non-touristy. With a great wine list and affordable meals this is a great place to grab a quick bite to eat or spend a few leisurely hours sipping wine and enjoying the company. We recommend trying their Mackerel Ravioli and the Skipper's catch of the day!

19 Cockburn Street, Edinburgh EH1 1BP (0131 225 1441)

Veeno

Conveniently located on Rose Street, in the heart of Edinburgh's New Town (with another in Quartermile), this wine bar is an awesome place to take a break from the bustling streets beyond. They do everything from flights to a killer weekday lunch deal: sandwich/salad and a wine/beer/prosecco/soda for the price of the main. Need we say more? One of the most interesting things about their menu is that all the wines come from their family estate vineyards in Sicily, and offer authentic Italian spuntini (Italian style tapas) from ingredients sourced solely from Italy.

76 Rose Street, Edinburgh EH2 2NN (0131 225 3239)

The Fat Pony - closed

The Fat Pony is the latest venture of David Ramsden, who is no rookie to the Edinburgh hospitality business. David is the mastermind behind The Dogs, a longtime favorite restaurant of ours in Edinburgh. The Fat Pony wine bar is situated in the Haymarket area of the city and is a must for any wine enthusiast. The menu consists of a large ever-changing wine list available by the glass and bottle, several amazing hand-crafted cocktails (the bloody mary is to die for), and delicious small bites. Not to mention their knowledgeable and hilarious staff! 

Goya 23 - closed

Situated in Edinburgh’s area of Stockbridge, Goya 23 specializes in Spanish wines and also has several interesting sherry flights on their menu. There is a large selection of wines you can purchase for in-house consumption or to take back home. The service is exceptional, with the staff helping guide you through the wine selection process based on your own unique wine preferences. They also feature a nice tapas menu to nibble on while you enjoy your wine. If you’re in a hurry, stop in and purchase their to-go wines, charcuterie, and tapas!

Henri - closed

Located in this location now is Whiskers Wine Café . We have visited Whiskers a number of times and it is equally as delicious! Whiskers focuses on fresh local dishes and has a fabulous wine selection.

Locals Only Guide to Old Monterey, California - Updated 2021

We were very lucky to have grown up on the beautiful Monterey Bay Peninsula. Raised in Carmel Valley, we spent lots of time in "Old Monterey". These days, we appreciate Old Monterey even more and enjoy the fabulous restaurants and night life it has to offer.

Here are some of our favorite places to eat, drink, stay, and play in Old Monterey. Enjoy!

xxx Ivy & Eve

Eat & Drink:

Jacks Monterey- $$$ Located in the Portola Hotel & Spa this newly renovated restaurant is nothing short of amazing! The Portola Hotel lobby is lined with giant (living) trees which stretch into the restaurant seating area. With lantern like lights hanging from the tree branches, there is a really magical feel to the space. Jack Monterey's menu is full of tasty fresh dishes and creative twists to classics. They also have an excellent selection of local and international wines to enjoy by the glass and/or by the bottle. Their glass selections change frequently so if you are like us and tend to order by the glass (that way you can try several!) you have the opportunity to try something new, or revisit a favorite wine. For starters we recommend the Cast-Iron Skillet Rolls to share with the table. The rolls were SO light and fluffy and paired perfectly with the super creamy artichoke and pecorino sauce they smother the rolls in! You also MUST try the Crab Cakes as well. Probably the best we've had in years! For our entrees, we enjoyed the Diver Scallops Three Ways which was the stand out dish of the night. The scallops are served in a lemon butter sauce (more traditional), salsa verde style (light and fresh), and in a Romenesco sauce (completely decadent). We also tried the Lamb Moussaka - comforting with its mashed potato topping while still tasting fresh with all of the veggies and succulent cubed (not ground) lamb. For dessert we went with the classic Chocolate Lava Cake and coffees to round out the night. Eve had her eyes on their dessert cocktails... so we know we will be back soon!

Overall, we would suggest Jacks Monterey for girls night, dates and other special occasions. We also recommend the lounge and bar as a great place to meet for drinks post-work or just for a date night! It's a 10/10!!!!

Montrio Bistro- $$ This is a great place for happy hour or a romantic dinner out. With their upbeat and slightly whimsical decor, creative cocktails, and seasonally inspired dishes, everyone is sure to leave Montrio happy, full, and wanting more. They also have two separate rooms for private parties. Eve has planned several parties here in the past and they are always a hit!

Alvarado Street Brewery- $-$$ This ultra trendy brewery and beer garden is always packed with locals and tourists alike. They make awesome beers in-house (and at their second brewery in Salinas) and serve up great casual dishes created specifically for pairing with beer. We recommend grabbing a brew and ordering their macaroni and cheese, street tacos, and their burgers!

Pacific Bowls & Rolls- $ A popular place for a quick bite to eat. Pick a bowl from the menu or build your own, there's something for any sushi lover here! Very Insta-worthy!

Yummy! (now in even larger containers!)

Paris Bakery- $ For a truly authentic French feel, come here for a croissant and a mini bottle of bubbly (served in cute little coupes). We recommend trying their princess cakes too! They also serve their lattes and cafe au lait in bowls for the true French experience!

Parker Lusseau- $ For the delicious coffee and delicious pastries. We recommend trying the custard filled brioche and chicken curry sandwich!

Ocean Sushi Deli- $ A cosy local sushi bar with quick service and friendly staff. Workdays we often grab a quick lunch but also love to order their sushi platters to go - when we are too lazy to cook at home. 

Scales Seafood & Steaks- $-$$ There are dozens of restaurants along the wharf to end your hunger for seafood. We usually dine at Scales on the Go, which is Scales Restaurant's sister cafe. Here you can enjoy food to-go or sit down and relax in their small cafe and enjoy their seafood spread. We always get clam chowder in a bread bowl. Yes, we recommend splurging on your calories and carbs here because the bread bowl is so delicious!

Domenicos on the Wharf- $$-$$$ We love Domenicos for their killer happy hour at the bar as well as their more fine dining setting in the back. Order the grilled sardines, and artichoke for apps, and calamari steak for dinner. Ask for a window seat to soak in the beautiful views of the bay!

Sandbar & Grill- $$ This is our go-to for fresh seafood and a locals vibe. Located at sea level on Wharf #2 (the commercial wharf) it is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the old school ambiance and equally enjoyable food. We love their strong cocktails, Crab Louis Salad, and of course, their signature dish - Sand Dabs.

1833- Closed - $$$ We love 1833 for it's history and slightly spooky speakeasy vibe. Named after the year John Stokes, (a fake doctor-who ended up killing 40% of Monterey's population one year!) moved to Monterey and into the adobe house that now holds Restaurant 1833. Their cocktail menu is full of artistically crafted drinks and great wines and beers. With outdoor fire pits and perfectly decorated rooms such as the library room (our favorite) with a cozy fireplace. They also have a great happy hour where you can select a cocktail/beer/wine and a tasty bite for $12. 1833 is a great place to meet friends, share stories, and maybe even see a ghost!

Boardwalk Subs Shop- Closed - $ If you are a sandwich person you must go here. They have so many cold and hot East Coast style sandwich options it is nearly impossible to pick just one. We love the Chicken Parm, Meatball, and the Jersey Italian Sub. Order a side of Old Bay fries to share and wash it down with their fresh brewed iced tea or rotating list of local beers and wines!

Stay:

Although we rarely have a need to stay in hotels in our hometown we have visited all of these hotels below and recommend each one.

Portola Hotel & Spa- Home to the Jacks Monterey restaurant mentioned above this hotel is lovely and features a great location to nearly everything in Old Monterey. We also highly recommend making reservations as their spa, the pool has some of the most gorgeous views of the bay around. A massage + wine + a great view = perfection!

The Monterey Hotel- This hotel is perfect for those looking for a boutique hotel with true character. Featuring Victorian style furnishings that are sure to charm you and within walking distance of everything your heart desires while exploring Old Town Monterey.   

Casa Munras Garden and Hotel- This historic hotel has stayed true to its' past life as a Spanish Hacienda. These days rooms feature Spanish style furnishings with modern luxuries. Another great location.  

Hotel Abrego- Eve has stayed here and completely recommends it! While it is a few blocks away from the excitement of Old Monterey. It is easily walkable to all Old Monterey locations and has free overnight parking which all other hotels we mention do NOT have! The hotel features beautiful rooms with electric fireplaces, a small bar (open pretty late) and breakfast daily.

Play:

Monterey Museum of Art- Did you know Monterey was one of the earliest West Coast artist colonies? For a dose of art and culture, head to the MMA! Their 6 small galleries are brimming with wonderful California art dating from the 1800’s to the present. You will find galleries focused on Early California paintings, Photography (Edward Weston and Ansel Adams were both locals), and contemporary works.

Golden State Theater- From country music stars, big name comedians, up and coming artists, and old classics- Golden State Theater has something for everyone. Built in 1926, the exotic Moorish style interior makes your visit unforgettable. We recently fulfilled our dreams of seeing the Beach Boys in concert here and it was nothing short of magical!!!

Wale Watching- This is a quintessential Monterey activity!  Monterey Bay is home to some of the most extraordinary wildlife. You will almost always be guaranteed to see dolphins, whales, seals, or otters. Plus, its a great way to see our beautiful coastline from a different perspective. 

Ghost Tour of Old Monterey- Monterey was California's first capitol city, and that being said there is a LOT of history here. It is so historic that Old Monterey is only second to Williamsburg, VA for having the most historical buildings in America! While on the tour, learn about Old Town Monterey's dark past and spooky secrets!