As a travel photographer, I’m a sucker for an Instagrammable storefront probably a bit more than the next person, and there is surely no shortage of them in a city as gorgeous as Edinburgh! Nearly every street you walk down will have something either stunning or quirky for you to take a snapshot of, from restaurants to landmarks, to statues and shop windows. There’s a little bit of everything in this city, and pretty much all of it is worthy of a spot on your feed!
After spending over two months exploring this city through my camera lens, I’ve put together a list of my 10 favorite aesthetically-pleasing shops to get those Instagram-worthy pictures.
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ARMCHAIR BOOKS
Possibly the cutest bookstore in the entire city, Armchair Books is a tiny little haven away from the hustle and bustle of Edinburgh. The store is as small as you can imagine from looking at the entrance, and it makes for a cozy spot to browse through used books and old, historical texts bound in leather. Tuck yourself away in between the winding bookshelves - or if you’re claustrophobic, just snap a photo of the adorable doorway from across the street.
72-74 West Port, Edinburgh EH1 2LE, United Kingdom
THE COURT CURIO SHOP
Located smack at the top of the Royal Mile just before you head up the hill to the castle, you’ll find the Court Curio Shop. It’s a picturesque little shop selling gorgeous jewelry, flasks, and other metalworks, and it’s proudly family-run since 1945! I’ve popped in here a few times just to marvel at the gorgeous rings and earrings available, and the outside facade is just as appealing as the treasures inside.
The Royal Mile, 519 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2PE, United Kingdom
THE MILKMAN
The Milkman is a popular destination in Edinburgh for locals and tourists alike, both for their great coffee and their two charming buildings on Cockburn Street! If you search up “Edinburgh coffee shop” you’re bound to see curated videos from their iconic window seats, perfect for people watching and content creating. I’ve never been able to snag those window seats to get photos from the inside, but who needs them when both storefronts are as cute as these?
7 Cockburn St, Edinburgh EH1 1BP, United Kingdom
52 Cockburn St, Edinburgh EH1 1PB, United Kingdom
MAISON BLEUE
If you’ve seen photos of Victoria Street in Edinburgh’s Old Town, you’ve seen this gorgeous blue restaurant aptly named Maison Bleue. It’s an elegant restaurant serving unique French, Scottish, and North African dishes on one of the most popular streets in the entire city - so it’s definitely worth a visit, even to just grab a photo.
36-38 Victoria St, Edinburgh EH1 2JW, United Kingdom
GUILDFORD ARMS
You’ll find the Guildford Arms tucked away behind Princes Street in this stunning, flatiron-esque building. The contrast of the deep red and sapphire blue is truly eye-catching, especially with the gold accents throughout the pub’s design. I wasn’t able to stop inside, but from the photos I’ve seen, it looks like an elegant, yet comfortable, old world pub with cozy leather booths, dark wood, and gorgeous ceilings and accents. Around the holidays, the side streets next to this building get decorated with lights and greenery, making it extra festive and extra Instagrammable!
1 W Register St, Edinburgh EH2 2AA, United Kingdom
MARY'S MILK BAR
Mary’s Milk Bar is an absolute institution in Edinburgh, and you must visit not only to photograph the adorable storefront, but also for the gelato and hot cocoa! It’s only fitting that a shop this cute serves cute food and drinks, too. Despite how teeny tiny it looks in this photo, it’s definitely a normal-sized shop! The cafe entrances next door are just much taller, but that does help with their reputation of being the cutest ice cream parlor in the Grassmarket, and probably all of Edinburgh. After you finish your cone, snap that photo (and then maybe go back for seconds).
19 Grassmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2HS, United Kingdom
THE NUTCRACKER CHRISTMAS SHOP
If you love Christmas year-round, this is the spot for you! There’s no better place to get your holiday fix than the Nutcracker Christmas Shop on the Royal Mile. It’s filled floor to ceiling with gorgeous Christmas ornaments, nutcrackers, figurines, and more, and it’s the perfect store to get some memorable souvenirs that will get years and years of use! Plus, that storefront is just too inviting to pass up - come on, those life-size nutcrackers?! I’ll personally shame you if you don’t get a photo here, if not just for the smiles.
High St, Edinburgh EH1 1TB, United Kingdom
I.J. MELLIS & SON
Over in Stockbridge, I.J. Mellis & Son is serving up some seriously gorgeous boutique cheesemonger vibes. It feels very European just looking at the storefront, with stacked wheels of cheese, fresh fruit in wooden baskets, and that moody burgundy like a warm hug inviting you inside. Stockbridge itself is a beautiful area of Edinburgh, so do some extra exploring while you’re in town - but be sure to stop by this cheese shop for a photo at some point (extra points if there’s an adorable bike in your pictures, too).
6 Bakers Place, Edinburgh EH3 6SY, United Kingdom
MUSEUM CONTEXT
Harry Potter lovers unite! This whimsical shop on Cockburn Street is filled to the brim with wizarding world memorabilia. It’s completely fitting since Edinburgh is the birthplace of Harry Potter, and there are a few locations around the city for you to visit if one stop isn’t enough! Even if you don’t buy anything, it’s worth a trip just for the photo and the nostalgia - trust me.
42-44 Cockburn St, Edinburgh EH1 1PB, United Kingdom
PETER BELL BOOKS
Another adorable bookshop on West Port, Peter Bell Books has this gorgeous deep green storefront that might as well be actually beckoning you inside. Unfortunately, this bookstore is temporarily closed, but that shouldn't stop you from snapping a quick photo and exploring the area nearby!
68 West Port, Edinburgh EH1 2LD, United Kingdom
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