Day 1: B&L Edinburgh Spooky Day

10:00 AM: Train Ride into Edinburgh
We took a relaxed train ride into the city, soaking up the countryside views and gearing up for a day of exploration.

11:30 AM: Coffee and Shopping on Cockburn Street
As we walked up Cockburn street from the train station, our first stop was Milkman, a charming café that has blown up on tiktok and instagram. Cockburn Street is lined with unique shops filled with locally made gifts and trinkets. If you’re into thoughtful souvenirs, this is the spot to wander.

12:00 PM: Lunch at Tupiniquim
I cannot rave enough about Tupiniquim, a gluten-free crepe stand that served the best thing I ate all trip. My savory crepe was packed with sweet potato, chicken, spicy sauce, and spinach—pure magic. This charming stand is set up in a decommissioned police box, giving it an extra layer of quirkiness. Right behind it, there’s a small park where someone was playing the piano in a makeshift hut, adding a magical touch to the experience. Whether you’re craving savory or sweet, this spot is a must-visit for anyone exploring Edinburgh.

12:30 PM: Barbour Store Visit
Next, we made a stop at the Barbour store. I’d fallen in love with a jacket at the outlet the day before and wanted to explore more options. (Spoiler: It was the start of my Barbour obsession.)

1:00 PM: Hot Chocolate at Knoops
It was chilly, so we warmed up with a hot chocolates at Knoops. I got the 72% dairy-free version with an oversized marshmallow. Barry went for the 62%. Both were heavenly.

2:00 PM: Dean Village Stroll
We walked to Dean Village, a picture-perfect neighborhood straight out of a storybook. This historic area, once a milling village along the Water of Leith, offers cobblestone paths and postcard-worthy views of old-world charm.

3:30 PM: Drinks at Johnnie Walker 1820 Rooftop Bar
After exploring, we headed to the Johnnie Walker Experience on Princes Street for a drink at their 1820 Rooftop Bar. We met one of Barry’s coworkers, had some laughs, and soaked up views of the city skyline.

5:00 PM: Dinner at Ciao Roma
Craving gluten-free pasta, we dined at Ciao Roma. It wasn’t our favorite meal, but our waitress, who happened to be from Florida, made it a fun experience.

7:00 PM: Pre-Tour Pick-Me-Up
By this point, I was fading, so I grabbed a Coke Zero while Barry had a Red Bull. Fuelled up, we were ready for the main event!

8:00 PM: Haunted Underground Vaults and Graveyard Tour
This tour was hands-down one of the best experiences of the trip. We explored Edinburgh’s eerie underground vaults and graveyards, hearing spine-chilling ghost stories and learning about the city’s haunted history.

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Day 2: Halloween Party Time

Morning: Lazy Start with a Fire
Barry started the day by making us a cozy fire and a wonderful breakfast. After some downtime, we returned to the Barbour outlet store, and I finally bought the jacket I’d been eyeing. Baby’s first Barbour—what a moment! (They also sell jackets for dogs, I can not wait till I owe a dog and can match with them lol)

1:30 PM: Lunch at The Kitchin
For lunch, we splurged at The Kitchin, my first-ever Michelin-starred restaurant. The experience began with a beautiful selection of amuse-bouches: an oyster, a deep-fried shiso leaf (honestly my favorite part), in-house baked gluten-free bread, and a cold beet soup that was to die for. Every bite was thoughtfully crafted, showcasing local ingredients with intention.

For the main meal, I started with local veggies and truffles, followed by venison prepared two ways with farm-fresh squash, and finished with a bramble and lime curd dessert. 

Each dish felt like a masterpiece, and it was incredible to see the level of care that went into every detail. It’s a meal I’ll never forget and one I’d recommend to anyone looking for a truly special dining experience in Edinburgh.

5:00 PM: Drinks at Panda and Sons
Our next stop was Panda and Sons, a speakeasy-style bar that’s ranked among the world’s 50 best bars. From the outside, it’s cleverly disguised as a barber shop (seriously, Edinburgh has a million of them!). Once you walk down the stairs and open the bookcase, you step into a cozy speakeasy with a vintage vibe.

I ordered the DayDreamer, a bright and refreshing cocktail made with Grey Goose, freeze-dried pineapple, tropical rooibos, honey, lemon, and a splash of Schweppes soda, topped with a freeze-dried lemon sherbet. The drinks here are as fun as the atmosphere, and the experience felt like stepping back in time with a playful, modern twist.

7:00 PM: Potion Making at The Cauldron
To stay on brand with Halloween, we booked a spot at The Cauldron, where you basically make cocktails while pretending to be wizards. Think Harry Potter-adjacent (but, you know, legally not officially Harry Potter themed).

They give you hats and capes when you walk in, which was honestly hilarious. We went all in, mixing our potions (aka cocktails). It was chaotic in the best way—after the first drink, we were good to call it a night, but nope, we stuck it out for round two. It was ridiculous and so much fun, definitely worth it for the laughs alone.

Dinner and Nightcap

After the potions, we tried to check out the Frankenstein bar, but it was so packed you couldn’t even move. Neither of us was in the mood to deal with the chaos, so we pivoted and went to Bertie’s on Victoria Street for gluten-free fish and chips (or “a chippie,” as Barry calls it). Honestly, such a solid choice—their gluten-free options are some of the best.

Once we finished, we hopped on the train back to Barry’s place and wrapped up the night with cocktails and some American Halloween candy I had brought over. By then, we were completely wiped, so we called it a night and crashed.

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These two days were everything I could’ve wanted—cozy, spooky, and filled with amazing food. Edinburgh is truly a dream destination for Halloween. Whether you’re into haunted tours or just looking for great eats, this city has it all.

Let me know your favorite Edinburgh spots or if you’re planning your own trip—I’d love to hear!