I visited pretty UK seaside town with amazing high street | UK | Travel

The sun is finally shining here in the UK, and many of us will be gearing up for a weekend spent at the beach. Temperatures are set to soar for much of Britain, and there’s no better place than the coast to spend a warm and sunny day.

There are so many gorgeous spots to choose from, but if you want to eat some brilliant food and do a bit of shopping as well as sunbathing, there’s one that should be on your radar. I visited Portobello, near Edinburgh, late last year, and I’m astonished I hadn’t made the trip sooner. Boasting a high street brimming with independent shops, superb cuisine and excellent transport links, it’s a truly ideal destination for those looking to venture slightly off the tourist trail.

The bus ride from the city centre took just 15 minutes, dropping us right in the heart of the town, and it was immediately clear that this place was something special.

Naturally, our first order of business was heading straight to the waterfront for a wander along the coast. The conditions were gloriously bright and clear, and it was so refreshing after the hour-long train journey from Glasgow.

Portobello’s shoreline stretches for two miles, featuring a Victorian-era promenade and sweeping panoramic views across the Firth of Forth. As it was a bright Sunday morning, the area was pleasantly busy, with plenty of families out for a stroll and dogs bounding enthusiastically across the sand. The first thing that caught my eye about the beach was its immaculate condition. It’s plain to see that the residents of Portobello, or ‘Porty’ as it is affectionately known, take tremendous pride in their surroundings.

In 2024, Portobello was crowned the second-best coastal town in the UK by JoJo Maman Bebe, and its beach has also been recognised with a Keep Scotland Beautiful award.

After a stroll along the shoreline and building up quite an appetite, we decided it was time to find somewhere to eat. The seafront at Portobello beach is brimming with a wide variety of dining options, ranging from generous pizza slices at Civerino’s to brunch and coffee at The Beach House.

A great number of these places offer outdoor seating, allowing you to dine virtually on the beach itself, and it was wonderful to see so many visitors doing exactly that. We decided to visit Shrimp Wreck, a seafood joint offering a small but enticing menu. This street food vendor was showcased on BBC‘s My Million Pound Menu and has built its reputation on fish finger sandwiches – even reaching the finals of the Birds Eye Fish Finger Sandwich Awards in 2017.

Unsurprisingly, this was my choice, and it’s easy to understand its popularity. Battered flaky fish fillets, mushy peas and the best chips I’ve ever tasted, all nestled in a soft roll, was possibly the messiest meal I could have selected, but I have no regrets.

After this, it was time to explore the high street where the bus had dropped us. Located just behind the promenade, while it wasn’t quite as lively as the beach itself, there were still plenty of people wandering around – and crucially, a decent number of shops open.

One of the highlights for me was The Portobello Bookshop, a charming independent bookshop packed with novels, cookbooks and far more. The interior was bright, welcoming and comfortable, the kind of place where you could happily spend hours browsing without getting obred.

They also organise events, such as Q+A sessions with authors, so it’s worthwhile looking at their schedule if you’re considering a trip.

Cove is another essential stop for those who like a good gift shop. This one was crammed with every trinket you could ever want, from Jellycat toys to candles and shampoo bars, as well as pretty cards and irresistible chocolate bars. Portobello’s high street may not be the biggest, but it’s one of the nicest I’ve seen. With a variety of food and drink places, pubs and even an Aldi, you’re unlikely to find yourself short of choices any time soon.

One spot we didn’t get the chance to visit, and which I’m keen to return for, is the swim centre. Within Portobello, you’ll find a real Victorian Turkish bath, one of only 11 in the UK, alongside a gym and fitness studio.

If you’ve yet to explore Portobello, it truly is the perfect destination for a weekend break. Its close proximity to the vibrant city of Edinburgh makes it an ideal retreat for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle, while enjoying fine food, drink and some well-earned relaxation by the waterside.