Omni Centre

The Omni is a pretty decent place. I'm not really sure what they were going for, as it is basically a shopping centre with only restaurants, and no shops. So basically it is a slightly better version of Fountain Park but in the city centre.

There is a big cinema upstairs but it's a bit more expensive than the Odeon or Cineworld. £8.99 for a box of popcorn and a soda! Daylight robbery...

The amount of places to eat is good but the restaurants are a bit uninspiring. Nando's, Frankie & Benny's, Slug and Lettuce, the list goes on. I would much rather eat at a nice place in the Old Town rather than here. On the bright side, there is a Cosmo here but it is always packed out,

Fountain Park has bowling and a cheaper cinema but this place has better restaurants. All they have at FP is a Nando's, a Pizza Hut and a buffet whose name escapes me.

Unlike other more generous reviewers, I find it hard to get too excited about places like this. No matter which city you're in across the UK, you'll always find a big glass-fronted complex housing several bang-average restaurants, a cinema, some bars and usually a casino thrown in for good measure. They all look the same, and they're pretty soul-less and boring.

But, they're also all in great locations slap bang in the city centre, and on days when it's raining and you know you fancy doing something in the evening, but aren't sure what, whether you like it or not these places generally tend to save the day. For starters, it's the closest big cinema to to the city centre, otherwise you'd have to trek out to Fountain Park or up to Ocean Terminal. And there's also no denying that Walkabout is about so cheap for drinks that it would almost be rude not to. Unless of course you've parked in the obligatory on-site multi-storey car park, that is.

Just avoid it on weekend afternoons, when it's full of kids, or during the Fringe when it's full of tourists.

It is a big and beautiful place. On the top floor there is a large VUE cinema, and on the ground floor there are several restaurants and bars but, this place needs something else that will bring it a little more life. Especially during the week.
I love the two giraffe sculptures next to the entrance.

the Omni centre is like the Chuck Norris of entertainment.

Whatever you fancy doing - having a drink, going for a run, going to see a movie, maybe you fancy a swim, or if you fancy dinner, The Omni Centre is your place. They have everything from a Virgin Active Gym to a bar that does karaoke - WITH A LIVE BAND! I'm no Whitney, but I've been up on that stage more than once. The whole place is always buzzing and it's always busy. As a result of being in the Omni Centre, the bars and restaurants are really quite expensive and the parking is extortionate! (helpful hint...if it's after 6pm just park anywhere around the centre!) . It's a really nice place to come for the day, everything is under the same roof. I've been on a few first dates here and it makes the whole awkward and uncomfortable parts less! woohoo!

I've always had a great excitement for cinemas, but the Omni Centre just takes things to another level!

Vue Cinema has several large screening rooms, all extremely comfortable and nicely presented. The movie choices are usually the latest blockbusters, whereas the more indie and alternative films can be seen at other cinemas such as the Filmhouse, or Cameo.

Then we come to the incredible number of restaurants at the Omni Centre... the oddly named Slug and Lettuce (I'm finding it very difficult to eat there), Frankie and Benny's, a spanish place called La Tasca and an Australian sports bar/restaurant called Walkabout!

The Omni Centre is hugely and quite distinguishable, as it's one of the few modern buildings on Leith Walk. You're almost guaranteed to have a great night there, if you don't pick a crap movie ofcourse!

The great thing about the Omni Centre is its location. Its only 10 minutes walk away from Princes Street.

The Omni Centre hosts a Vue Cinema with 12 screens. The seats are comfortable and the screens are large enough.

The centre also hosts a good range of restaurants. I'd agree with the other reviewers that these are chain restaurants, and there is not an authentic restaurant in there, but then again if all you need is a decent dinner before your movie, those restaurants will do the trick. I personally like the La Tasca in there.

If you are living in that area and would like to go to a gym, there is a Virgin Active health club in the centre.

I visit here alot as it has so much choice. This is a huge complex with a large cinema area, Lots of Pubs and Clubs and a variety of Restaurants.


The cinema has 2 screens and a seating capacity of 2100. There are many films on and lots of great offers. And of course who can forget the yummy popcorn, hotdogs and nacho's.. mmmm


There are many various pubs and clubs, all have a great atmosphere and is a great meeting place. There is a mixture of lovely restaurants with amazing food and a family friendly atmosphere.


The outside of the building is unmissable with its huge glass building and unexpected, metal sculpture of an adult and young giraffe called "Dreaming Spires". There is also has a large car park. The Playhouse and St James's shopping centre are nearby.

OmniCenter

I am in 2 minds about this place.
It looks incredible and on a good day it makes for a great background and is an iconic building.
It is however utilised by chain restaurants, Virgin gym and a cinema.

Non of which are really worth a visit - well the cinema is, but still the establishments (like the cinema) are very expensive.

What do I use it for? - the cinema, rendezvouses & shelter from the rain.

Situated just at the end of Leith Street and well known for the huge giraffe sculptures outside, which are adorable, The Omni Centre is weird.

I like it, as there's a selection places to eat and drink, a cinema and an ATM (I don't use the gym so I won't mention it here). But none of the places in it are particularly nice, or good or appealing! I've tried out La Tasca, The Slug and Lettuce and Frankie and Bennys, with no memorable meal or experience. It's all quite meh.

Along with those you have the Filling Station, Cosmo, Pizza Hut and The Playfair lounge. I recently discovered that the newly opened(ish) boutique hotel, The Glasshouse, is also attached to the centre which surprised me!

The Vue cinema is the main attraction here for me. It's not the cheapest cinema in Edinburgh (hop on the 16/10/11/22 to Cineworld for that) but it's the closest to my house so yay for laziness!

Overall the Omni Centre fulfills a purpose but does so without stretching itself too much.

When it comes to an all sinigng, all dancing night out - your best bet is the Omni Centre. It's a real Jack of all trades, but thankfully its a master at everything it does.

Let me detail what a full night out using only the Omni Centre for entertainment could consist of:

1) A meal in many of the restaurants, such as pizza hut, frankie and bennies, and a chinese restaurant I cant remember the name of but serves the best spicy black bean pork ever. also, a brilliant little tapas bar, La Tasca.

2) Next, move onto the cinema located on the top floor of the Omnicentre - its a Vue, so it shows all the biggest blockbusters in about 15 large cinema's, so theres always something to keep yopu entertained.

3) After a film, you might fancy a drink - take your pick from the many watering holes in the Omnicentre. Theres pubs, bars and even a night club - Mood - for you to finish your night off.

4) In the morning when you are regretting sitting on your ass all night eating and drinking and stuffing your face with popcorn, theres even a gym for you to go to. They thought of everything.

The Omnicentre is a real hub of activity, and frankly a night out here is pretty good fun, if a bit restricted.