Coffee, Crepes & Cobblers: Your Weekend Sorted ✅

Hey! Nashy here 👋

What's inside:

☕ A winter walk through Stockbridge and Dean Village
👞 Edinburgh's oldest family cobbler
🇧🇷 The story behind Edinburgh's police box businesses
🧱 LEGO for adults (with drinks)
🎄 Events, gigs, markets and family stuff

The bottom line: Your weekend sorted. Let's go 👇

Established 1923. Still family owned. Still fixing your shoes and cutting your keys.

Why it matters: This isn't just a business, it's a family legacy. Ian, Sandra and their son Cameron are carrying on what started back in 1923.

In a world of fast fashion and throwaway culture, they're proof that quality craftsmanship still has a place on Edinburgh's high streets.

The vibe: Warm welcome. Smells incredible. The kind of place where they remember your name and really care about doing a great job.

What locals say:

📍 11 Elgin Terrace, Leith

A Brazilian crepe business. Run out of a cast iron police box. At the top of the Meadows.

The backstory: Edinburgh has around 70 police boxes scattered across the city.

While most UK police boxes got scrapped, Edinburgh's survived as they're made from 100% cast iron, so breaking them down wasn't worth the cost. Lucky for us!

Back in 1995, Charlie's dad bought the first one for around £5k. Charlie a student at the time opened it up as a flower business next to the old Royal Infirmary.

Others followed. Now these wee boxes are home to coffee shops, crepe stands, craft sellers and all sorts.

Why it matters: Fernando and his family are part of that story. Serving up delicious Brazilian crepes from their iconic blue box and doing amazing community stuff too, like outdoor film nights and live music behind the box.

What locals say:

📍 Top of the Meadows

EMOJI KEY: 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Friendly | 💑 Date Night | 🎉 Night Out | 🎨 Hands-On/Creative | 🎟️ Book Ahead | 🆓 Free | 🧒 Great for Kids

Brick and Sip… LEGO for Adults 🎨 🎉 🎟️ Live your childhood dreams of being a LEGO Master Builder while fulfilling your adult dreams of having a drink. Three hilarious challenges, a drink on arrival, and you get to gleefully destroy your creation at the end. Win bonus drinks for the most impressive or ridiculous builds.

📍 Gilded Balloon, Lothian St
🗓️ Saturday 20th December, 4pm
🔗 Get Tickets

Winter Solstice Sound Bath Meditation 🎨 🎟️ Reconnect with your inner self as the wheel of the year turns. Shamanic drumming, crystal bowls, Tibetan singing bowls, and Koshi chimes to help you release anxiety and drift into deep relaxation. Ends with setting intentions for 2026. Not suitable for pregnant women, pacemakers, or epilepsy.

📍 The Open Door, 420 Morningside Road
🗓️ Friday 19th December, 7pm
🔗 Get Tickets

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 💑 🎟️ Cosy 15-minute mini photoshoot at Hot Toddy. You get 3 beautifully edited photos. Perfect for digital Christmas cards, gifts or just capturing a wee bit of festive magic. £38 per session, and £5 from every booking goes to Social Bite.

📍 Hot Toddy, Jeffrey St
🗓️ Saturday 20th December
🔗 Book a Slot
📸 @krutcreates

Tang Soo Do: Try a Free Class 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 🧒 🎨 🆓 Come try the traditional Korean martial art of Tang Soo Do. Classes are for everyone age 6 and up, great for families. First two classes are free.

📍 Gracemount Leisure Centre
🗓️ Saturday 20th December, 11am
🔗 More Info

Horror Films as Therapy: Why Scary Can Be Healthy 🎨 🎟️ A workshop exploring the psychological benefits of watching horror. Run by Dr Amy Beddows, trauma therapist and dedicated horror fan, it combines film analysis with therapeutic strategies for dealing with trauma, depression, grief and anxiety. Bring your favourite films and scariest villains in mind.

📍 The Banshee Labyrinth, Niddry St
🗓️ Saturday 20th December, 8.15pm
🔗 Get Tickets

Piedmont Wine Tasting 💑 🎟️ A taste of Italy's misty northwest — six wines from the Langhe region including sparkling Alta Langa, juicy Dolcetto, elegant Barbera and the majestic Barolo. Paired with truffle oil, fresh bread, Piedmont hazelnuts and Bresaola. Hosted at the Port of Leith Distillery with panoramic views.

📍 Port of Leith Distillery, Whisky Quay
🗓️ Sunday 21st December, 5pm
🔗 Get Tickets

TFEH Experimental Weirdo Musics Night 🎉 🎟️ The festive “office party" for fans of experimental and weirdo music. WEE DJs, L, Caroline Hussey and Off Brand on the bill. Expect noisy electro, confounding sounds, and dancing in Fruitmarket's café bar while folk gawp through the windows at your worst moves.

📍 Fruitmarket, 45 Market St
🗓️ Friday 19th December, 8pm
🔗 Get Tickets

Phil Cunningham's Christmas Songbook 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 💑 🎟️ Nearly 20 years of festive tradition. Traditional and modern Christmas music, exquisite musicianship, and breezy banter that'll have you falling about in the aisles. Experience some of the finest musicians on the Scottish folk scene plus a special guest brass band.

📍 The Queen's Hall, Clerk St
🗓️ Fri 19th – Mon 22nd December, 7.30pm
🔗 Get Tickets

🎉 🎟️ The Brothers Fife celebrate a decade of festive singalongs. All their most loved songs, a raffle, and good vibes. Standing only.

📍 Summerhall, Dissection Room
🗓️ Friday 19th December, 7pm
🔗 Get Tickets

Badly Drawn Boy 💑 🎉 🎟️ Mercury Prize winner Damon Gough brings his eclectic mix of folk, rock and electronica to Edinburgh. Best known for his debut The Hour of Bewilderbeast and the About a Boy soundtrack, he puts a fresh spin on the traditions of Nick Drake, Harry Nilsson and John Lennon.

📍 The Queen's Hall, Clerk St
🗓️ Friday 19th December
🔗 Get Tickets

Christmas Around the World: Scottish Chamber Choir 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 💑 🆓 A carol journey from Africa to Asia, through Europe and the Americas. Traditional favourites with audience participation. Entry by donation — tickets available in advance or at the door.

📍 St John's Church, 1A Lothian Road
🗓️ Saturday 20th December, 5.30pm
🔗 Get Tickets

RSNO Christmas Concert featuring The Snowman 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 🧒 🎟️ The Royal Scottish National Orchestra performs the beloved soundtrack to The Snowman live while the film plays on the big screen. Pure Christmas magic for the whole family.

📍 Usher Hall, Lothian Road
🗓️ Friday 19th December, 6.30pm
🔗 Get Tickets

Susan Morrison is Historically Funny 🎉 🎟️ BBC Radio Scotland's 'Time Travels' host takes you on a sit-down tour through Scotland's seediest, skankiest and most scandalous history. Who was Benjamin Franklin's pirate? Is an umbrella a good cure for the clap? Comfy seat, drink in hand, no walking required.

📍 The Stand Comedy Club, York Place
🗓️ Sunday 21st December, 5pm
🔗 Get Tickets

Sunday Brunch with Santa 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 🧒 🎟️ Festive family brunch at Scottish Gas Murrayfield. Brunch buffet, interactive kids' food stations, DJ, activity packs, photo ops, and special appearances from Santa plus a secret guest. Under 2s go free.

📍 Scottish Gas Murrayfield
🗓️ Sunday 21st December, 10am or 1pm
🔗 Get Tickets

Light Up Leith: Living Advent Calendar 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 🧒 🆓 A real-life advent calendar across Leith. Residents and businesses have decorated their windows for the community to find and explore. Head out for a wander, vote for your favourite on Instagram, and consider donating to Fresh Start — helping people who've been homeless settle into a new home.

📍 Various locations across Leith
🗓️ Throughout December
🔗 See the Map
📸 @lightupleith

Home Alone + Tea & Festive Cakes 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 🧒 🎟️ The Christmas classic on the big screen at Cameo Picturehouse. Ticket includes a boxed selection of festive treats plus tea, coffee or hot chocolate. Kevin vs the Wet Bandits. You know the drill.

📍 Cameo Picturehouse, Home Street
🗓️ Saturday 20th December, 1.45pm
🔗 Get Tickets

Crafternoons: Christmas Crafts at Scottish Parliament 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 🧒 🎨 🆓 Free drop-in Christmas crafting activities for all ages. No booking needed — just walk in and get creative.

📍 Scottish Parliament, Main Hall
🗓️ Saturday 20th December, 11am–4pm
🔗 More Info

3D2D Winter in the West End Christmas Market 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 🆓 Last weekend! Over 50 artisans selling handmade ceramics, wood, jewellery, textiles, prints, paintings, leather and knitwear. Meet the makers, support local and find something unique. Extends through the church hall into a large heated marquee.

📍 St John's Episcopal Church, Lothian Road
🗓️ Until Sunday 21st December, 11am–6pm (til 7pm Sat)
🔗 More Info

The House of Smalls Christmas Shop 🆓 Last-minute gift heaven. Original artwork by original artists — prints, jewellery, zines, cards, tote bags and more. Everything handmade, nothing mass produced, 90% goes to the artist. Prices from £1 to £450. Primarily women artists, entirely self-funded.

📍 The House of Smalls, 103 Henderson Row, Stockbridge
🗓️ Sun 21st & Mon 22nd December, 12pm–7pm
🔗 More Info

Coffee. Christmas shopping. Pint.

☕ First Stop: Coffee Wellington Coffee (33A George Street) Hidden below street level on George Street. Tiny, cosy, and absolutely rammed for a reason. "Best cappuccino in Edinburgh" according to multiple locals. The scones are massive! Staff are lovely and it's the perfect spot to warm up before you head out.

17 min walk → Head downhill through the New Town via Hanover Street and Dundas Street. Grand Georgian architecture all the way.

🎁 Second Stop: Last-Minute Gifts The House of Smalls (103 Henderson Row, Stockbridge) Original artwork by original artists. Prints, jewellery, cards, all handmade, nothing mass produced. Perfect for unique, last minute Christmas gifts.

28 min walk → The scenic bit. Drop into Stockbridge, join the Water of Leith walkway, pass St Bernard's Well, walk underneath Dean Bridge, pop out in Dean Village, then up the cobbled hill to the West End.

🍺 Last Stop: A Well-Earned Pint Teuchters Bar (26 William Street) A proper West End freehouse, tucked away and popular with locals. Around 120 single malts, 3 cask ales plus rotating guests, and 14 keg lines of predominantly Scottish indie beers. Dogs welcome. Kids welcome til 10pm.

Total walking time: Approx 45 - 50 minutes
📍 Get the Route

That's your lot for this week.

Get out there, support local, and enjoy it!

Know a local business that deserves a feature? Reply to this email or DM us on Instagram @keepedinburghthriving