Southside in Edinburgh

Southside is one of the Edinburgh's most relaxed areas, with green spaces, independent businesses and an eclectic vibe. Made up of the Bruntsfield and Morningside neighbourhoods, this is the go-to spot for those with a cultural outlook. It's where bookshops and artisanal bakeries stand beside vintage clothing stores and delicious ethnic eateries.

Weekend mornings are a great time to visit Southside, when the area’s diverse residents can be found milling in and out of their favourite stores or strolling in one of many parks. The area is also popular with affluent young families and students. It's home to the University of Edinburgh, which lends Southside much of its youthful, bohemian vitality.

Southside in Edinburgh - one of the highlights of 10 Most Popular Neighbourhoods in Edinburgh (Read all about Edinburgh here)

What are the highlights of Southside?

Southside Edinburgh offers great shopping, eating and cultural opportunities. One of the best ways to enjoy this area is to indulge in a long and leisurely stroll through its streets. Take in the splendour of McEwan Hall, an Italianate structure that feels more Bologna than Edinburgh. There’s also Surgeons Hall, a neoclassical beauty that remains as the home of the Royal College of Surgeons to this day.

2 of Edinburgh’s finest green spaces are in Southside, namely Holyrood Park and The Meadows. For those who prefer to have their fun indoors, the National Museum of Scotland is home to a wealth of exhibitions on the natural world, world cultures, art and design, science and technology and Scottish history.

Southside is also a hub for shopping, with independent boutiques dominating the retail scene in this part of Edinburgh. From original jewellery at Rosie Brown to the unique womenswear at Godiva, the area boasts a wide variety of fashionable shopping options.

What to eat in Southside?

Like any self-respecting hip neighbourhood, Edinburgh’s Southside is home to an increasingly diverse array of pop-up dining options. Tupiniquim might just be the best of these, a Brazilian street food vendor serving up gluten-free Brazilian crepes and freshly squeezed juices. With plenty of outdoor seating, this is one of Edinburgh’s most unique dining options and, as such, has developed quite the cult following in recent years.

For those who prefer to do their eating under a roof, Southside boasts some excellent sit-down restaurants. Field is a top option for those seeking a taste of Scotland, with a meaty menu that’s as sophisticated as the stripped-back interior of this trendy eatery. Herbivores meanwhile, should head over to Kalpna, purveyors of original Indian food that can lay claim to being some of Edinburgh’s finest.

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Good to know about Southside

As a hive of cultural activity, Edinburgh’s Southside is home to some of Scotland’s finest institutions of music, theatre and film. Summerhall is a top-class cultural venue in Southside, hosting an array of musical acts throughout the year in addition to visual art exhibitions, a quaint cafe and educational talks.

Nearby, The Queen’s Hall is home to the Scottish symphony orchestra and makes for an intimate yet arresting musical experience. For drama lovers, Southside’s Traverse Theatre has long been at the centre of Scottish new writing whilst Filmhouse offers a spot to take in the latest in arthouse cinema.

Getting to Edinburgh’s Southside is easy. From the Old Town, simply head south of South Bridge until you reach the Edinburgh University campus. This is the beginning of Southside and from there, it's possible to head west towards George Square or east to the green pastures of Holyrood Park.