Southside & Bruntsfield Travel Guide

A quiet, walkable neighbourhood centred on The Meadows and Bruntsfield Place.

• Best for: Campus visitors, relaxed cafés and park access
• Vibe: Leafy, low-key and student-friendly
• Nearest station: Edinburgh Waverley (short bus or 20-30 minute walk)
• Price level: Mostly $-$$ for eating and stays, pockets of $$$
• To the main sights: 20-30 minute walk to the Old Town and Princes Street
• Safety: Generally safe by day and night; watch for busy nights during festivals

Great for:

• Students and campus visitors
• Park picnics and outdoor sports
• Coffee-shop hopping
• Laidback pub nights

Maybe skip it if:

• You want late-night clubbing and dance venues
• You need a central luxury hotel within minutes

Bruntsfield Place runs northwest-southeast through the neighbourhood with Morningside Road to the south and The Meadows to the east. Nicholson Street, Buccleuch Place and Lauriston Place provide northbound routes into the Old Town and the university precinct.

• Parks first: Bring picnic supplies, The Meadows is the neighbourhood’s social heart in fine weather.
• Festivals: Expect higher noise and crowds during the Edinburgh Festival and Fringe season.
• Bus fares: Buy a day ticket or use contactless for multiple short journeys.
• Weather: Carry a weatherproof layer, conditions change quickly in Edinburgh.

• The Meadows: Wide Victorian park for picnics, casual sport and summer barbecues; great for people-watching and easy walks into the Old Town. The Meadows
• Bruntsfield Links: Small historic common with open grass and mature trees, perfect for a quiet stroll or a coffee break beside independent shops. Bruntsfield Links
• Summerhall: An arts venue hosting exhibitions, theatre and Fringe events; lively during festival season and worth checking for smaller shows and late openings.
• Walk to Arthur’s Seat: A longer but pleasant walk across the Meadows will get you into Holyrood Park and up to Arthur’s Seat for panoramic city views.

• Edinburgh Airport (EDI): Tram to the city centre (Princes Street/York Place) takes about 30-35 minutes and is a convenient public option; from there catch a short local bus or taxi to Bruntsfield (10 minutes). Airlink 100 bus runs to Waverley in about 30 minutes as an alternative. Taxi or ride-hail from the airport to Southside & Bruntsfield is usually 25-35 minutes depending on traffic, with a rough fare range in the mid tens to low thirties (£).
• From the main sights: From the Old Town or Princes Street it is a 20-30 minute walk across the Meadows or a 5-10 minute bus/taxi ride; buses and local taxis are frequent.

• On foot: The neighbourhood is compact and very walkable; most cafés, parks and pubs are within 15 minutes on foot.
• Buses and trams: Lothian Buses cover routes into the city centre and east-west connections; the tram serves the Princes Street area for links to the airport.
• Train: Edinburgh Waverley and Haymarket stations are a short bus or taxi ride away for regional and national services.

Southside & Bruntsfield has lots of guesthouses and a handful of boutique hotels, making it strong for budget and mid-range stays. Rooms here tend to be cheaper than the Old Town and you get easy park access. Expect mainly independent B&Bs and university-run hotels rather than large luxury chains.

Luxury

• Black Ivy: Boutique hotel with a stylish bar and comfortable rooms; located within easy walking distance of The Meadows. $$$
• The Salisbury: Victorian hotel on a residential street close to Bruntsfield and the university; traditional décor and roomy public areas. $$$
• Glenalmond House: Well-regarded 4-star guesthouse offering more polished service and larger rooms, a short bus ride from central attractions. $$$
• Bruntsfield Hotel: Established Best Western property near Bruntsfield Place with straightforward comforts and convenient local access. $$$

Mid-range

• Residence Inn: Marriott apartment-style hotel offering practical rooms and kitchen facilities, useful for longer stays. $$
• Leonardo Boutique Hotel Edinburgh City: City-centre boutique option a short bus ride away, combining modern rooms with easy access to Southside. $$
• Moxy Edinburgh Fountainbridge: Younger-skewing, design-led mid-range chain hotel slightly west of the area with lively communal spaces. $$
• The Scott: University-run hotel offering dependable rooms close to campus and The Meadows. $$

Budget

• Argyle Backpackers: Basic hostel accommodation very close to The Meadows and local cafés; dorms and private rooms available. $
• Student Castle Edinburgh: Hostel-style student accommodation suitable for budget travellers, near the university and parks. $
• Tantallon Place: Small, friendly guesthouse within easy walking distance of Bruntsfield and The Meadows. $
• Blossom: Local guesthouse offering simple rooms and close proximity to cafes and parks. $

Eating here is café-led: plenty of bakeries, brunch spots and casual restaurants along Bruntsfield Place, Morningside Road and Nicholson Street. Price levels are mostly $-$$ for cafés and mid-range restaurants, with a few pricier independent places. Good for coffee lovers, vegetarian options and world cuisine in small, informal settings.

• Toast: Casual breakfast and sandwich café popular with locals; a good spot for a quick, affordable meal. $
• The Breakfast Bothy: Known for hearty breakfasts and brunches close to The Meadows; relaxed atmosphere. $$
• Cafe Artista: Neighbourhood café serving Italian-style coffee and light meals; convenient for a daytime stop. $
• Uplands Roast Coffee: Independent coffee roaster with excellent espresso and a simple food menu; good for takeaway. $
• Hendersons: Longstanding vegetarian restaurant offering wholesome, mainly local dishes in a cosy setting. $$
• Pudding’s: Dessert and coffee shop ideal for sweet treats and casual teas; small and popular. $
• Canopy: Contemporary neighbourhood restaurant with a varied menu and a relaxed vibe; suitable for a nicer evening meal. $$
• Sambuca: Italian restaurant near local streets offering classic dishes in a comfortable, unfussy setting. $$

Nightlife is laidback and local: think cosy pubs, a handful of lively student bars and occasional live music. Head for Buccleuch Place, Bruntsfield Place and Marchmont for the densest cluster of venues; prices and atmospheres are mostly modest. Summerhall hosts festival nights and gigs during event seasons.

• The Royal Dick: Arts-bar vibe linked to Summerhall with regular events and a friendly crowd. £
• Black Ivy: Bar attached to the hotel with a buzzy yet relaxed atmosphere, good for cocktails and small gatherings. ££
• The Earl of Marchmont: Traditional local pub close to The Meadows, popular with students and residents alike. £
• Meadows Tap: Small bar near the park with craft beers and a casual feel; handy after daytime cricket or football. £
• Drouthy Neebors: Friendly pub on Bruntsfield Place serving pints and occasional live music nights. £
• Argyle Bar: Compact neighbourhood pub good for low-key evenings and a local crowd. £

Shopping here focuses on independent boutiques, bookshops and food shops rather than large malls. Bruntsfield Place and Morningside Road are the best streets for gifts, homewares and artisan foodstuffs. Openings are mostly daytime, with smaller shops closing earlier than city-centre stores.