Royal Mile vs Grassmarket area

We had a flat last August right on the Royal Mile, and would stay there again in a heartbeat, especially since there's now an Oink location at the east end of the Royal Mile (a few doors down from our flat), in addition to the original Grassmarket location. Being at the center of the city center, you're close to everything.

During festival time in August, when the Royal Mile is jammed with pedestrians and actors, the shortcut on foot between Grassmarket and the east end of the Royal Mile is down Cowgate street.

Cyn, forgive my ignorance - what is an Oink? Other than the noise a pig makes of course.

Both are safe. It is a city and both areas can be noisy due to pubs and restaurants--although I think that the Grassmarket is probably a bit rowdier.

Everything is really close though in Edinburgh. It is not like NYC or London where it takes you 45 minutes to an hour to get across town at a minimum. In Edinburgh it is a half hour max to get around the tourist areas. It might take you longer to get out of town at rush hour, but you can stay I either of those areas and eat or drink in the other and be home in10-15 minutes.

BTW another great area for restaurants and pubs is New Town.

Pam

Oink is a Pulled Pork restaurant (well mainly carry-out) usually served on a big bun with a choice of stuffing (sage& onion or haggis) and either apple or chilli sauce, it is quite delicious.
The Royal Mile would be my choice as the Grassmarket can get really busy at night with the many pubs but it really would depend on when you are visiting.

Most probably September or next June
thank you for all the answers

certainly I would plump for the Royal Mile. June is before the real tourist hoards hit the area and September is after the festivals when it tends to be a lost less manic and easier to get around.

Personally I would avoid the Grassmarket in June as there tends to be quite a few Stag parties around that time and many of the bars in the area and the nearby West Port and Cowgate areas ( either side of the Grassmarket) cater specifically for them and it can get a bit boisterous .The West Post area is where the strip joints/pole dancing bars are located we locals call it the Pubic triangle . Perfectly safe so don't worry about walking through the area just best to warn folk of what is around ,
if you have a shortlist of properties or hotels post them and I and others can try an advise , i live in Edinburgh and have done off an on for nearly 60 years so I know the areas pretty well.

Novatel
ibis
holiday Inn express

There are a few Ibis around , a new one on South Bridge and another on Hunter Square, they are only about 100 yards apart and would be in an ideal location. The Holiday Inn Express in on the Cowgate but far enough away from the aforementioned pubs and access to the Royal mile very easy from there.
The Novotel I think could be the Lauriston Place one?, that is very close the Pubic triangle that I mentioned but also almost next door to the Art School and the Fire Brigade Museum.
if it was me for a first time visitor then the Ibis either on South bridge or Hunter Square would be my choice ,both are basically tourist central .Loads of places to eat within a 5 minute walk, every type of ethnic food you could imagine, loads of carry out places, cafes and bars galore including several with live music ,easy walk to all the tourist sites and museums, close to the rail station and easy transport links to all parts of the city including the airport.

Unclegus is lucky to live so close to Oink! They only roast one pig a day for each location, and when it's gone, it's gone, so they might not have any left for sandwiches if you arrive late in the day. The friendly staff were happy to make mine with a combo of haggis and regular stuffing. It's not a 4-star restaurant by any means, but their food is still sublime! Wash it down with an Irn-Bru, a neon-orange soda pop unique to Scotland.

Yes that's the Novatel
public triangle.I don't think my dear wife would like that lol
the ibis one is south bridge the other says royal mile

the Ibis is brand new ,just opened last year.the lower part of the buidling is on the cowgate, it is hard to explain but South Bridge is above the Cowgate and they run perpindicular to each other, easier to work it all out when there.The actual place was a gap site for many years after a major fire in the area and was completly rebuilt over the last few years
The Holiday inn express says it is Royal Mile but is in the Cowgate,they just like to use the royal Mile as it seems more prestigious.
I think the Ibis on South Bridge would be ideal for you.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cowgate
this might help explain the layout. also mentions the fire that created the gap site which the Ibis was built in.

I hope it's ok to ask a question here. We are staying at the Knights Residence. I'm worried about the location now. We are staying in September. The apartment has good reviews but is it in a good area? I've also found a website called, eat walk Edinburgh. The food tours look fun!

seriously don't worry about it. there are a few bars and clubs that have strippers/lap dancers but you can walk past them and not really notice them.the Knights residence is supposed to be excellent and i would not worry about the area.I mention the area as it can be a bit of a suprise for folk that we have such areas in Edinburgh but compared to many other european cities out little area is just that,little and almost unnoticeable.

I have not heard that area called that since I worked in Edinburgh! As said, the seedier side of Edinburgh is not that seedy in comparison to some equivalent cities else where.

It's actually quite funny to see the Hen parties go by. I think, though, that I saw more of both Hen and Stag parties in Prague.

Pam

Doesn't answer any question but I'll definitely have to put Oink on our top restaurant list to hit! Thanks for the tip!