The Ultimate Guide to Your Edinburgh Business Trip

Any good trip starts with a bit of planning – whether you’re heading into a nearby city for the day or travelling further afield for a conference or a change of scenery. Since I’ve lived and worked in Edinburgh since 2010, I thought I’d put together a little guide to help you make the most of your next Edinburgh business trip.

Even if it’s not your first time here, Edinburgh always has a few more aces up her sleeve. From hotels and B&Bs to coworking spaces, meeting spots and excellent lunch options – here’s everything you need for a productive (and enjoyable) visit to this beautiful city.

Looking for something specific? Click any section title to jump to it:

Accommodation
Cafes to work from
Coworking spaces with a day pass option
Conference/meeting rooms
Networking events
Breakfast, Brunch and Lunch spots
Dinner options
Where to kill time between meetings

Accommodation in Edinburgh City Centre

Eden Locke – George Street – New Town

With a fully kitted out kitchen (microwave, hob, fridge freezer), a washer/dryer, superfast wifi and smart TV, the Eden Locke aparthotel studios are the perfect home away from home! If you’re coming to the city for a few days and fancy being able to cook for yourself instead of always going out, this is a great choice.

Located in the city centre on George Street, it’s a short walk from Haymarket and Waverley Station, and Princes Street and Edinburgh Castle are both on your doorstep.

The studios themselves are beautiful, and the hotel has a coffee shop, wine bar and coworking space all available to guests.

Motel One Edinburgh – Royal – Market Street – Old Town

If being close to public transport is key to your stay, look no further than the Motel One Edinburgh Royal! Located on Market Street, just a few minutes from Waverley Station, it’s a great option for a shorter stay.

Describing their style as “rustic yet regal”, this hotel is handy for the historic Royal Mile, the castle and so many restaurants, pubs and cafes! They also offer a healthy breakfast buffet and a wide selection of drinks and snacks.

They also note that pets are welcome (contact them directly to discuss), which is great if you’re bringing a furry friend on your trip!

Market Street Hotel – Market Street – Old Town

Sticking to that excellent central location, another Market Street option is Scotland’s first member of Design Hotels™! Market Street Hotel is a perfect choice if you’re looking for something a little fancier.

“Inspired by a unique historic site, the concept of our hotel to complete the Old Town skyline was born”, say the team behind this exciting option. If you’re looking for the hotel to be an experience in and of itself, not just a place to sleep and shower, this could be a real treat!

The Market Hotel is complete with a sensational rooftop champagne lounge (Nor’ Loft) which also serves breakfast, and a selection of bites, sharers and sides.

Crescent House – 13 Claremont Crescent – Canonmills Area

If being smack bang in the city centre isn’t your top priority, the Crescent House B&B is a lovely option! This beautiful boutique B&B is a bit of a hidden gem.

Located in the Canonmills Area, which is just a 15-minute drive or 30-minute walk from Princes Street, here you’ll stay in a gorgeous Georgian Townhouse. It has all the usual perks of a B&B, while being well-suited for a working stay.

The Canonmills Suite has a desk in the room, perfect if you want to get some quiet work done. However, there are multiple places throughout the house where you can work from, too. With desks in the open spaces, it’s ideal for anyone looking to have a bit more freedom and not just be confined to their room. This gives it more of a home-from-home feel!

The suites are beautifully decorated, modern spaces within a historic building, the best of both worlds. A perfect choice if you’re looking to stay somewhere a little quieter than the city centre!

Cafés to work from

The Garden – Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel – New Town

The Garden is a truly dreamy location! Filled with plants and natural light, they call it a “tranquil oasis” to escape to.

Part of the Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel, this is a popular location – and it’s easy to see why. It’s open from 9am to 3pm, Monday to Sunday, and has free WiFi, no need to book in advance and a delicious selection of pastries!

For a soothing backdrop to a couple of hours of work while visiting the city, this really is an excellent choice.

Levels – University of Edinburgh Cafe – Holyrood

Levels is a part of the University of Edinburgh. So, naturally, it’s set up really well for a session of work. It’s a popular spot for students, but anyone is welcome!

With stable WiFi, power sockets and work-friendly tables, you won’t ever feel like you’re working somewhere you shouldn’t be. Because of the student-friendly set-up, it’s a great option if you know you’re going to be working for a bit longer than you might want to in a run-of-the-mill cafe.

There are plenty of good food and drink options to keep you going while you work. And thanks to the quirky, modern vibe, it’s a nice place to spend some time away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre while only being a short walk away.

Lowdown Coffee – George Street – New Town

For a really central option, I recommend checking out Lowdown Coffee on George Street. It’s a basement cafe, but it still feels really bright and open.

They serve excellent coffee and delicious cakes, a win for any work session! And while it might not be the best option for a long work session (like Levels or the Garden), for a couple of hours between events or meetings, it’s a perfect choice.

I actually have an entire blog post dedicated to work-friendly cafes in Edinburgh – you can check it out here for more options!

Coworking spaces with a day pass option

JamaicaYARD – 3 Jamaica Street – New Town

Day pass: £30, 10-day pass: £225

While they also offer an ongoing membership, Jamaica Yard has the option of a day pass – perfect for anyone in town for a short visit! They describe their offering as “aesthetic, unique workspaces, including relaxed common areas, private pods, meeting rooms, and outdoor seating”.

There are five different spaces available within Jamaica Yard, ranging from “The Common Room”, which includes a coffee bar and is set up for both work and conversation, to “The White Space”, which fits ten people for quiet, focused work, to “The Vaults”, which have two mini pods, ideal for group work.

This is a really cool space if you’re looking for somewhere atmospheric to catch up on some work while you’re in Edinburgh! And, if you happen to be in town longer or more often, they also offer a £225 ten-day pass.

The Melting Pot – 15 Calton Road – New Town

4-hour pass: £21, Day pass: £30, Off-peak pass: £18

Located just beside Waverley Station, The Melting Pot is another membership co-working space with a day pass option! This is perfect if you have a meeting or appointment in the city centre and need somewhere handy for the train station to work in before or after.

What is great about them is that they offer a four-hour pass, if you only need to use the desk for a morning or afternoon. With that, you’ll get access to a comfy desk, fast wifi, unlimited tea and coffee and their cosy nooks and seating areas.

And if you happen to be in the city on a Monday or a Friday, you can take advantage of their off-peak option, just £18 for the day!

Kingsford Office – 26 Dublin Street – New Town

Day pass: £45 + VAT

If you’re looking for a little more luxury during your visit, the Kingsford Office might just fit the bill! Located on Dublin Street in the city centre, it’s a lovely space to work from for a day!

With your day pass, you’ll have unlimited access to printing, fast and reliable wifi and access from 7am to 7pm. There will also be gourmet tea, coffee, soft drinks and snacks available to keep you going!

It’s a really beautiful building, with spacious desks, quiet corners and “the wee snug”, a private booth for making calls. It’s perfect for anyone travelling alone or in a team of up to three.

I have an entire blog post dedicated to coworking in Edinburgh, which you can check out here if you are going to be in town more often!

Conference/meeting rooms in Edinburgh

JamaicaYARD – 3 Jamaica Street – New Town

From £30 per hour

Once again, I have to give a shout out to Jamaica Yard here. Their spaces “The Green Room” and “The Vaults” are great for meetings with up to eight people. They are set up perfectly for private discussions or calls.

The Green Room has a projector for running through any presentations, and a large table which works well for a planning session, while The Vaults has a main larger table and two “mini vaults” for breakaway discussions.

With natural light, comfortable seating and a simple, functional layout, The Green Room is the ideal choice for a more low key meeting. While The Vaults is a very cool space, complete with a disco ball and DJ booth if your meeting is more of a “unique event”!

Lister Place – 11 Rutland Street

Half-day team pass: £129, Full-day team pass: £179

With six boutique rooms to choose from, Lister Place embraces the motto “meeting up when it matters”, which I really like. It has a focus on flexibility, perfect for anyone working freelance or for a team that works remotely. And it also has a focus on fun!

Their rooms are really cool spaces. The Courtyard room is equipped with ping pong paddles and balls, transforming the table when you need a break! While The Library has a wall-to-wall bookshelf which they encourage you to read from.

Every room has a whiteboard and some of the rooms have either a TV, a video call booth, or in some cases both. So book depending on what you need!

With half-day or full-day team passes, the rooms vary in size, seating anywhere between 8 and 14 people. There is also a coffee bar and a kitchen to help you refuel mid-meeting.

The Auction Rooms – 22 Queen Street – New Town

From £50 per hour

If you’re travelling to Edinburgh specifically for a meeting, you can’t go wrong with The Auction Rooms! With five stunning rooms to choose from, and an assurance of privacy and discretion, this space is perfect for any important meetings in your diary while you’re in Edinburgh.

Each room is equipped with high-speed internet, AV equipment, and video conferencing capabilities, complimentary refreshments and on-site staff to help with set-up, tech support and anything else you need.

Their rooms accommodate anywhere from 4 to 12 people, and they have flexible booking options, allowing you to book for an hour, a half day or a full day depending on your needs.

Networking events

Love Your Business – 4 Alvanley Terrace – Bruntsfield

Perfect for – General Networking

If you’re looking for a relaxed, informal networking opportunity, Love Your Business could be perfect! These meetups happen on the last Thursday of every month at Black Ivy in Bruntsfield. If you happen to be spending time in the city on a Thursday, it’s a great opportunity to meet new people and hear stories from successful people with a range of backgrounds.

Each event features guest speakers to get you feeling inspired. Previous speakers have included Mike Welch (founder of many businesses including Blackcircles.com), Marie Owen (founder & CEO of LS Productions) and Scottish rugby legend Scott Hastings.

Hosted by founder Michelle Brown, tickets for these events cost £20 (+ booking fee), which includes tea/coffee and a 10% donation to SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health), their 2025 charity partner.

Creative Mornings Edinburgh – different creative space each month!

Perfect for – Creatives

If you’re a creative looking for a networking opportunity while you’re visiting, Creative Mornings Edinburgh is an excellent shout!

This networking event happens on the last Friday of each month, and is open to anyone – their motto is “everyone is creative, everyone is welcome”! They invite fantastic guest speakers from all sorts of backgrounds. Previous speakers have included award-winning photographer Andrea Thomson, founder of The Edinburgh Minute, Michael MacLeod, and Alex Porter-Currie, founder of High Tide.

Entirely volunteer-run, the team is made up of people from “all kinds of creative backgrounds and practices, united by a passion for connection and community”. If this sounds like your cup of tea, why not get involved next time you’re in the city!

I have another blog post covering networking in Edinburgh if you want to explore this a little more.

Breakfast, Brunch and Lunch spots

Photo by Marishalaugh from Pexels via Canva Pro

Cairngorm Coffee – 1 Melville Place – West End

Founded in Newtonmore in the Cairngorms National Park back in 2014, Cairngorm Coffee is the perfect spot in the West End of the city to grab something to eat!

Famous for their delicious toasties and excellent coffee (roasted in-house!), it’s a great option for breakfast, brunch or lunch. You can enjoy breakfast rolls, toasties, pastries, cakes, scones and more, perfect for starting the day or for a light bite.

It’s a lovely, airy space too, with panoramic windows to sit and watch the world go by from.

The Painted Rooster – 10 Melville Place – West End

I had to also give a shout out to The Painted Rooster, which is just a few doors down from Cairngorm Coffee!

The Painted Rooster is a great choice for food, with so much to choose from! Don’t let the outside deceive you – it looks smaller than it is. The main seating area is downstairs, with plenty of space and a fantastic menu.

From a classic “big breakfast” to delicious homemade soup, toasties, bagels and cakes, there is something for everyone. They serve simple, hearty meals as well as twists on classics, keeping things interesting. They are even home to handmade PIEROGI dumplings!

Enjoy with a speciality coffee, matcha, tea or even a smoothie, for a memorable start to your day.

Urban Angel – 121 Hanover Street – New Town

If you’re looking for the perfect brunch spot in the city centre, give Urban Angel a try! It has become an Edinburgh brunch institution, serving up delicious food for almost twenty years.

Some of their most popular dishes include their Eggs Benedict and French Toast (both served all day!), as well as their smoothie bowls. They also serve a wide range of smoothies, fresh juices and cocktails, if you have time for a leisurely brunch!

Urban Angel is an independent restaurant with a focus on sourcing local, free-range, seasonal ingredients for their dishes.

Dishoom – 3a St Andrew Square – New Town

Experience “Bombay via Edinburgh” at Dishoom! This iconic cafe is the perfect option if you’re in the mood for Indian food while you’re visiting the city. And it’s such a beautiful space!

The storytelling of this brand is amazing, it’s written into every aspect of the business. On their website they invite you to enjoy breakfast or lunch with them in this fantastic statement:

“Begin your day at Dishoom with breakfast, which might be a Bacon Naan Roll, a Kerjiwal or The Big Bombay. Then, lunch lightly on a Paneer Roll and fancy Salads, or linger with a feast.”

Located at St Andrew Square, it’s a great city centre option.

Dinner options

Baba – Charlotte Square – New Town

Baba celebrates “the vibrant flavours of the Middle East with the finest ingredients from Scotland”. With mezze taking centre stage, there is also a charcoal grill, feasting platters, snacks, sides and delicious sweets to choose from.

Their cocktails and wines are ideal for winding down after a busy day of work (with low or no alcohol options available). It’s a beautiful setting with a great ambiance, and a lovely choice for a dinner with clients or colleagues!

Located at the Kimpton Charlotte Square, it’s a handy location on George Street, great if you are basing yourself in the city centre!

The Royal Mile Tavern – The Royal Mile – Old Town

If you fancy spending your evening in a truly historic (and yes, touristy) part of the city, The Royal Mile Tavern could be the perfect choice. A traditional Scottish public house, this cosy, charming pub is perfect for enjoying homely, comforting food.

Order from a large menu including burgers, fish and chips, pies, bangers and mash and haggis, neeps and tatties! And with over 100 whiskies to choose from too, if you fancy a drink you’ll be spoilt for choice!

There is live music every night from 10pm to 1am too, so if you’re looking for some entertainment after dinner, you don’t even have to leave the pub.

Chakoo Bombay Café – 117 Lothian Road – City Centre

If you’re looking for rich, comforting flavours and a bit of escapism after a long day, Chaakoo Bombay Café is a brilliant pick for dinner.

Inspired by the Irani cafés of 19th-century Bombay, the menu is full of warming curries, small plates, and grilled dishes – with plenty of options for vegetarians and spice-lovers alike.

The interior is full of charm and character, and the atmosphere strikes a great balance between lively and relaxed – ideal for a laid-back meal that still feels like a bit of a treat.

Where to stretch your legs

Calton Hill – New Town

With several monuments (the National Monument, the City Observatory and the Dugald Stewart Monument), incredible panoramic city views and a perfect contrast of urban and natural landscape, Calton Hill is an iconic place to visit.

Whether you visit on a moody grey day or a dazzlingly sunny one, Calton Hill is a significant cultural landmark in the city of Edinburgh. It has a real historic atmosphere and some of the best 360-degree views over the city. As Edinburgh World Heritage notes, it represents “19^th century attempts to make Edinburgh the ‘Athens of the North’”.

Princes Street Gardens – New Town

Princes Street Gardens separate the Old Town and the New Town in Edinburgh. This alone makes it a really significant piece of land!

Built in 1820, this beautiful park includes over 37 acres of gardens. Did you know it was created by draining Edinburgh’s largest loch, the Nor Loch?

From the Winter Wonderland Christmas Market to stunning spring and summer blooms, Princes Street Gardens is a stunning choice for a break from work at any time of the year.

Dean Village/Water of Leith Walkway – Dean Village & Stockbridge

Fancy taking a stroll? One of the most picturesque places to do it in Edinburgh is the Dean Village area. Tucked away from the busy city centre, it’s just a ten-minute walk from Princes Street near the West End.

Wander through cobbled streets and admire the historic houses before following the Water of Leith walkway – a scenic, tree-lined path that winds its way past Dean Village and on towards Stockbridge. With pops of colour, calming greenery and the sound of the river alongside you, it’s the perfect way to clear your head between meetings.

Especially on a sunny day, this is a must-visit at least once for anyone coming to Edinburgh!