INSIDER'S GUIDE
Edinburgh in August: The Fringe Edition
Flyers in hand. Queues round corners. Pop-up venues in places that weren’t venues yesterday. Every August, the city turns into one giant, unpredictable stage. The buzz is electric. Whether you’re here for five days or cramming in five shows in a single afternoon, here’s how to do the Fringe like a local.
SOMEONE TO SEE, SOMETHING TO WATCH
La Clique
Step inside The Famous Spiegeltent, a must, and into Edinburgh’s own cabaret–circus fever dream. Olivier Award-winning. Slick. Surreal. A night that’s part spectacle, part secret club.
Baby wants candy
From Chicago, LA, and New York, this cast turns your made-up title into a full-blown improvised musical. Live band. Sharp comedy. Ridiculous plots. Every show is a one-off.
Fringe Sunday at The Meadows
Not a show, a state of mind. Head for the meadows, coffee in hand and wander through buskers, open-air acts, and pop-up madness. A little chaos, a lot of charm.
Circa: Wolf
Step into Wolf and let yourself be swept off your feet - literally - with Circa’s uncanny blend of acrobatics, grit, and graceful choreography that pulses with raw energy. It’s not just a show, it’s a visceral, elegant journey that leaves your heart racing long after the lights fade.
Local Tip: Don’t overbook. Leave space for the flyer you’re handed in the street. It could be the best thing you see. The random flyer might be the next Fleabag.
BITES, SIPS & FRINGE BREAKS
Café Kiltane
Steps from the Royal Mile but calm enough to catch your breath. Espresso, iced coffee, award-winning pastries, and a prime street-view seat for people-watching.
Twelve Triangles
Cardamom bun. That’s it. Well, that and great coffee, flaky pastries, and a spot that feels like the perfect Fringe morning reset.
El Cartel
Late-night tacos, punchy margaritas, and the kind of buzz that matches post-show adrenaline.
Dishoom
Dinner that feels special even if you’re still in trainers with a day-pass lanyard round your neck. Legendary black daal and refreshing kulfi.
Pickles
Wine, cheese boards, and cosy candlelight in a tucked-away cellar on Broughton Street. Ideal for a mid-Festival exhale.
PLACES TO STAY
The Edinburgh Grand
Right in the middle of it all, but somehow still a retreat. Apartment-style rooms and a rooftop bar for the “one last drink” crowd.
Gleneagles Townhouse
A five-star beauty just a stone’s throw from Waverley Station. Elegant rooms, an all-day restaurant, and a rooftop terrace for golden-hour city views.
The Hoxton
New to the city. Stylish, central, and walking distance to just about everywhere worth going.
Kimpton Charlotte Square
Spa hotel vibes in the New Town, overlooking a private garden. Old-school glamour meets modern Scotland.
