Cafés, "Edinburgh"

Having sold his successful Home restaurant in 2012, chef Richard Logan is now looking to bring restaurant-quality food to the humble sandwich bar. Sandwiches will be based on Breadwinner bread and in addition to these he is planning to offer two or…

The characteristic Black Medicine carved natural wood chairs and tables may not invite the possibility of slouching around for hours, but nevertheless bring an individuality and quirkiness that chain coffee shops often lack. Lunch is the standard…

The Marshmallow Lady is part sweet kitchen, part apothecary and part craft fare. In a brightly decorated café with room for a dozen covers, the eponymous sweet treats line the walls in paper bags and jars labelled with the various flavours. The range on…

With cafés sprouting up around the New Town, survival depends on being different, and this establishment with its French-themed décor is working hard on that. An extensive range of teas and coffees is the domain of John Thomson, while his wife Gail…

Visiting the Bruntsfield café-emporium Pekoe Tea is an enlightening and entertaining experience – no surprise for a teahouse inspired by Glasgow’s boho Tchai Ovna. Pekoe’s décor may be plusher than a Nepalese yurt, with calming green shelves of exotic…

This award-winning specialist Italian grocer, wine merchant and café bar has legendary status in the capital, if not the country as a whole. 2008 marked a major development for Valvona & Crolla when a tie-up with House of Fraser saw them take over…

In 2005, at the Scottish Parliament, the Dalai Lama told Reka Gawa: ‘Don't forget you’re Tibetan; keep the culture alive.’ She had long dreamed of opening a shop, and in 2007, inspired by his words, she did so: the photo of their meeting hangs proudly…

Hernandez & Co is a Spanish café on Queensferry Street serving authentic bocadillos, sopas and ensaladas, mostly for take-away or sitting-in on its three stools. Good signs show lunch and breakfast are in safe hands: Spanish customers and staff, and…

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…

Skillfully combining healthy with tasty, it is unsurprising that this juice bar is frequently packed out. With around 40 people sat in between the main room and a snug at the back, as well as a steady stream waiting for takeaway, service remains…

Cafe dining doesn't come more sustainable than when the pork and most of the vegetables come from your own plot, and Gorgie City Farm's pleasant, old-fashioned cafe has the added advantage of bringing the countryside – and animal visits, if you've got…

Two Thin Laddies is a friendly neighbourhood café on High Riggs, the kind of place that feels sunny even when it's raining, decorated with paintings from the nearby Art College and alpine furniture worn smooth by years of hands and feet. Dishes are…

Disguised as an old warehouse, Earthy Market Café is a surprising hidden gem for those who love all things wholesome and hearty. Earthy, which also operates a bistro-café and small shop in Canonmills, is an operation run by people who care about food…

Indoors and out, Café Modern One is heaving with art-lovers, tourists and locals alike. The gallery is in a glorious setting, with the neat sculpture and herb garden round the back providing an ideal spot for outside lounging. The simple menu offers…

Situated in among the pubs and clubs of the Cowgate, Bar 50 is an ideal place for students and backpackers to relax over a pint and a game of pool during the day, or kick start a great night out on a budget. With large pitchers of cocktails for under a…

With a name like Angels with Bagpipes and a location opposite St Giles Cathedral on the Royal Mile, this restaurant is a tourist magnet. The upstairs area is compact with a pretty Edinburgh street view – but fear not, there is extra room on the lower…

Located inside an independent bookstore, with tables in between the bookshelves, this simple wee café feels almost like a community drop-in centre. Indeed since opening in November 2012 it has found regulars happy to come in and hang out for a few…

Situated in the heart of student-heavy South Clerk Street, this recent opening is a good choice for those in need of reasonably-priced classic café fare done well. The décor is still evolving behind the bright stack of teapots in the window: Starbucks…