Cafés, Hitlisted

A good local eatery can be hard to find but not in Partick. Cafezique is attached to a delicatessen. Inside, simple décor and a mezzanine level is enjoyed by elegant young ladies chattering over wine with nibbles (olives and cheese fondue). And…

With its handsome interior, chunky Tim Stead furniture and globe lights, Café Gandolfi is the granddaddy of Merchant City bohemianism. Serving a mix of clientele from shoppers to concert-goers, it’s been dishing out high-end bistro food for more than 30…

The pillars holding aloft the Georgian ceiling at Centotre and clever use of booths provide nooks and crannies for romantic tete-a-tetes and broader spaces for parties and business lunches. There is a clear focus on the ingredients here: mozzarella…

A true chameleon, this innovative community enterprise café and arts venue attracts a varied clientele. The kitchen offers breakfasts, lunchtime specials, soup, sandwiches and unusual cakes including sweet potato and white chocolate. Familiar breakfast…

Light and spacious with a deli counter as well as ample seating, this neighbourhood café has a lot to offer. The menu's plethora of options take you from breakfast through lunch and light meals via coffee and cake. You can fill up on their comprehensive…

Housed in the CCA, this spacious café-bar attracts a predictably bohemian clientele in evenings, with workers and young families hanging out during the day, especially on Saturdays. Despite the cavernous space and clean, modern lines, there’s a sense of…

Nestled in the basement of the National Gallery of Scotland, the Scottish Café and Restaurant exudes professionalism from start to finish. Husband and wife team Victor and Carina Contini run a tight ship for a good mix of tourists and locals. Smart…

Rocking the boho bedsit chic, with elegantly mismatched retro furniture, lampshades and crockery, this is one Spoon that’s unquestionably more loving than greasy. The menu’s packed with wholesome, healthy options, a decent proportion of which are…

Happy birthday to the Traverse Theatre. In 2013 the venue celebrates its Golden Jubilee and to mark the occasion its fondly regarded basement bar/cafe has an updated menu. Fried sea bass with crushed new potatoes, or tagliatelle with mushrooms…

A short stroll from Leith’s busy Shore area, the Water of Leith Café Bistro enjoys a bright corner site and offers one of the most relaxed and friendly dining experiences around. Classically trained French chef Mickael Mesle prepares a menu that’s a…

A genuinely inspired eatery. From the delicately displayed cupcakes to the well-lit, nicely designed interior, it projects a contemporary, taste-driven approach. Its ethical stance is no less impressive, with locally sourced veg, ethically fished tuna…

Not just for art lovers and ladies who lunch, this is fine dining at reasonable prices in a unique and aesthetically appealing setting. The house may be a 1990s baby itself but the original Mackintosh design is from the first year of the last century.

Sneer as you might at Artisan Roast as a haven where West End hipsters gather to get their caffeine fix while tapping a Macbook, but this boho haunt has substance to match the style. The coffee – all roasted in-house twice-weekly – is as good a cup as…

As independent as they come, the quirky Cuckoo’s Bakery is on a roll, now supplying cakes to Waterstones. In the café itself, served on bespoke designer china, huge stuffed sandwiches are made fresh and with a steaming bowl of soup make for a hearty…

The Hidden Lane Tearoom is hidden only in name. Despite being just a couple of years old, it has clearly established a serious following, which means that at weekends, it can often get pretty busy – despite having two levels. Somehow though, owner…

A relative newcomer, Martha’s already has plenty of dedicated diners and with good reason. This buzzing city centre outlet provides great value fast food with a twist –- healthy, ethical and made on site from local and seasonal quality produce. The…

MJ’s gold-embossed frontage justifiably claims that it is a brasserie. It also has an appropriately Scottish twist and a daytime alter ego as a popular café. Customers are offered a cocooning and enjoyable experience, for which they usually return.

This quirky Victorian-styled West End venue is decked out with vintage tables and chairs, making a visit feel a bit like going round to friend’s for dinner – when your friend is a skilled chef who can knock out blissful burgers. Staff complete the…

There’s a good reason why people are advised to brew up some fresh coffee and put a loaf of bread in the oven when selling their house. The aroma of its on-site certified organic bakery makes this little café cosy and welcoming, now in its tenth year of…