Romantic Restaurants, Getaway Places in Water of Leith

"Edinburgh's Camera Obscura (meaning "dark room") is a fascinating and delightful way to take advantage of the wonderful views of the city from Castle Hill. Located immediately beside Edinburgh Castle, this intriguing attraction is housed in a Victorian rooftop chamber at the apex of the Outlook Tower. Inside this mysterious room, you can see moving images of Edinburgh's panorama projected onto the walls by the giant periscope."

"Weave your way through a world of illusions, and remember, nothing is what it seems. Venture through five floors jam-packed with over 100 illusions. You’ll need at least two hours to discover them all."

"If you head for the Balmoral Hotel (large clock tower in New Town) head Northeast and you’ll find your way up Calton Hill. There’s plenty to see up there – from Nelson Monument (see below) to just soaking up in the breathtaking views of Edinburgh!"

"Calton Hill is a mix of bustling commercial areas and quiet residential streets. The hill itself, with its city views, is home to the Collective contemporary art gallery and the unfinished National Monument. Calton Hill (World Heritage Site)"

"Located on the east part of the New Town, at the end of Princes Street, Calton Hill offers stunning panoramic views of Edinburgh."

"A gem within a gem, Bistro du Vin is a cracker of an eatery tucked inside the first-class boutique Hotel du Vin. With a knowledgeable sommelier, smart menu and chic décor, the set-up is seamless. However, the pièce de résistance is the courtyard, which is suited to intimate alfresco dining in summer months with divine seasonal nosh and innovative cocktails."

"Hemingway’s, a brand-new bar and restaurant overlooking The Shore, is set to become the go-to place for sophisticated yet relaxed drinking and dining in Leith. Hemingway’s offers a regular menu of speciality cocktails and seasonal small plates from their luxurious library-inspired bar and restaurant. The drinks menu is equally as inspiring, with a selection of bespoke house cocktails served alongside premium spirits and speciality wines and beers."

"The food is also said to fantastic, and according to those at the restaurant they "cook with passion and care and use high quality ingredients." They state on their website: "We are not just any high street Chinese takeaway. We offer another level of Chinese and Asian cuisines that is not only authentic but creative and fun too.". One reviewer didn't only have kind words to say about the green pepper and black bean sauce, and sweet and sour chicken dishes – they also took time to praise the "spotless" toilets."

"Why: Located close to Edinburgh Airport, the purple-galore Chinese Manor House is a popular choice with tourists, but the locals love it, too. With a dedicated children’s menu, it’s also an ideal spot for a family meal. It’s the first restaurant to bring the dish of Hong Kong lime duck to Edinburgh, so we recommend you give that a go."

"I've visited here several times with my partner. We always have a great time, the food is presented well and always tastes fantastic! Definitely our favourite Chinese restaurant." 2 Glasgow Road, Corstorphine, EH12 8HL. Photo: Chinese Manor House"

"Sitting just off Leith Walk is Word of Mouth, one of the best coffee shops in Leith and well worth a visit. These guys roast their own beans in-store every day to make sure your coffee is as fresh as it can be and with blends from across the globe, you are sure to find your favourite coffee here, as well as experiment with new blends. Along with great coffee, Word of Mouth have a reasonable menu offering breakfast and lunch options all day."

"***Since Mimi’s doesn’t open until 10 am on Saturday and Sunday, you can also try Word of Mouth Cafe if you want to start your day a bit earlier. Yes, it’s a bit of a hike (just punning it up left and right here) from Arthur’s Seat but totally worth a visit for their delicious vegetarian Scottish breakfast. Seriously one of the best breakfasts in Edinburgh."