Cafés and "Edinburgh"
- Dean Gallery Café
Where food and art lovers indulge in the art of legendary food. - Edinburgh Larder
A friendly Old Town cafe serving tasty food to sit in or takeaway - Café Milk
Café Milk offers seasonal, delicious food at fantastic prices! - Centotre
Centotre serves food made from locally sourced ingredients in a great location
Earthy Canonmills
1–6 Canonmills Bridge,
Edinburgh,
EH3 5LF
With two popular food markets and a thriving café under their belt already, the Earthy empire is set for further expansion in April 2012 with the arrival of their new Canonmills enterprise. As well as another store, the site (formerly Dionika) will also…
Favorit
19–20 Teviot Place,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2QZ
Favorit is a late night diner for the young and hip and – most importantly – for those with the munchies. Black and white chequered tiles, retro tables and benches and a large, red neon Favorit sign set the scene. All that's missing is Pulp Fiction's…
The Treehouse
44 Leven Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9LJ
Its enviable location on the corner of Bruntsfield Links makes the Treehouse a perfect impromptu picnic provider on a summery day, although eating in is no bad choice either. The interior has a slightly offbeat, kooky charm about it – from the vintage…
Empires
24 St Mary's Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1SU
There’s a dark, exotic, Aladdin’s Cave feel to Empires – a one-off kind of place that has walls covered with Middle Eastern fabrics and tiles, multi-coloured globe lamps dangling from the ceiling, and an upstairs seating area full of scatter cushions…
Angels With Bagpipes
343 High Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1PW
Don’t let the High Street buskers put you off. Through the back in the restaurant you won’t hear them. Instead, the smart sophisticated décor and modern tableware sets off an approach to Scottish ingredients that acknowledges centuries of continental…
Blue Moon Café
1 Barony Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 6PD
On a corner off Broughton Street this gay-friendly diner serves up simple hearty food at reasonable prices. Lunch is a particularly good deal with main courses all under £6. Daily specials include a couple of soups, which might be a velvety smooth leek…
Café Nom de Plume
60 Broughton Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3SA
Set upstairs from the Edinburgh LGBT Centre and owned by the same team behind the Regent pub, Café Nom de Plume is a gay and lesbian-friendly business and a relaxed hangout for all walks of Broughton life. The décor is a warm and welcoming jumble of…
Centotre
103 George Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 3ES
Centotre manages to pull off a neat trick. Despite the austere, ex-bank interior, from those lost days when financial edifices were akin to cathedrals, it still manages to maintain a feeling of warmth and intimacy in the evenings or bright and breezy…
Wellington Coffee
33a George Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 2HN
After a recent refurb, the focus at the Wellington Café is even more firmly on the best coffee they can coax from a bean. Panini and bacon rolls have gone; the food now consists simply of excellent daily delivered brownies, sizeable scones and tray…
Asti
73 Broughton Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3RJ
Owned by the same people who run the neighbouring Rapido, Asti is a refined, relaxed eatery in comparison to its neighbour, specialising in decent Italian dishes rather than fast food. Painted a pleasing shade of mocha, this café-cum-restaurant takes…
Spoon Café Bistro
6a Nicolson Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9DH
Home life getting you down? Move here. Seriously. It’s open from 10am till 10pm, serving everything from morning rolls through to a three-course dinner. There’s free wi-fi. People bring you drinks. The furniture is cool kitsch-retro-chic. If only the…
The Gateway Restaurant
John Hope Gateway Centre, Royal Botanic Garden, Arboretum Place,
Edinburgh,
EH3 5LR
Although lacking the panoramic views of its sister venue, the Terrace Café, the restaurant in the Botanics’ gleaming new John Hope Gateway enjoys a pleasant outlook over the Biodiversity Garden, especially from the lovely al fresco tables on its…
Glass & Thompson
2 Dundas Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 6HZ
Ask proprietor Russell Glass nicely and he might show you the copy of Alexander McCall Smith’s novel The Forgotten Affairs of Youth he keeps behind the counter, the one in which he and his café make a cameo appearance on page 173. It’s not an unlikely…
JoJo's Danish Bakery & Café
26 St Mary's Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1TA
This is the kind of operation which can give Edinburgh a cosmopolitan name. Fresh, well-crafted pastries from the hand of half-Dane Joanna Coleman (aka JoJo) are baked in the basement of this Old Town café and sold not just from the premises but also…
Valvona & Crolla Caffè Bar
19 Elm Row, Leith Walk,
Edinburgh,
EH7 4AA
No one who cares about good food in Edinburgh is unaware of the Contini family’s excellent Italy-inspired deli and café, the former being an Aladdin’s Cave of cured meats, fine cheeses and fresh-baked breads. The caffè bar itself is a deserving stop for…
Bar 50
50 Blackfriars Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1NE
Set inside a shiny modern hostel and marketing itself squarely at its backpacker residents and the students from the halls next door, Bar 50 is the kind of place it’s easy to walk past. While not exactly a hidden gem, its location and focus on cheap…
Kilimanjaro Coffee
104 Nicolson Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9EJ
Bang in the middle of studentville, Kilimanjaro has a laid-back vibe, conducive to whiling away an afternoon reading and nattering or making a start on that essay. The chunky tables, worn wooden chairs and leather sofas are comfy and inviting and the…
Grand Cru
79 Hanover Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1EE
Theatrically chic, Grand Cru is an energising venue for an upbeat evening meal. Though the large bar is devoted to drinkers, a separate dining area is juxtaposed comfortably enough to give you some space to enjoy your food. For a less noisy seat, though…
Metropole
33 Newington Road,
Edinburgh,
EH9 1QR
Taken over recently by the folks who make Canonmills’ Circle Café go round so nicely, the improvements at Metropole are clear. Always a pleasant, airy space, the mix and match floral crockery remains, as do the diner-style booths, though they’ve been…
Café at the Palace
Palace of Holyroodhouse,
Edinburgh,
EH8 8DX
Situated next door to Holyrood Palace, this café is the obvious place to grab a sandwich or hearty bowl of soup after visiting the Queen’s Gallery and Palace, or after an invigorating trek round Arthur’s Seat or tour of the Scottish Parliament. With…
Cucina LC
68 Haymarket Terrace,
Edinburgh,
EH12 5LQ
The initials LC come from the owner’s name (Lorena Crolla), but they could just as easily stand for ‘Lotta Choice’ considering the amount of items on the menu here. Including Asian, Italian and Scottish elements, there are almost 40 sandwich…
Earthy Market Café
33–41 Ratcliffe Terrace,
Edinburgh,
EH9 1SX
With reclaimed wood panelling and rustic hues, this converted warehouse could easily be the set for a new Channel 4 cookery show (you half-expect to see Jamie or Hugh pottering about). Thankfully though, like the food market upstairs, the style doesn’t…
Urban Angel
1 Forth Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3JX
Seasonal, local and organic are the buzz words for these bright, informal, modern bistros. A high proportion of the menu is made up of daily specials making the most of what produce is best that day. A nourishing parsnip soup is enlivened with mustard…
Café Marlayne
13 Antigua Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3NH
Longevity is not something always associated with Edinburgh’s French restaurants. That Café Marlayne has stuck around for a decade is testament to its ability to consistently please an eclectic range of diners. Tucked just north of George Street the…
Café Truva
251–253 Canongate,
Edinburgh,
EH8 8BQ
You can now pop in for the same Café Truva Mediterranean menu at three branches across Edinburgh. Leith, Lady Lawson Street and Canongate are all serving Turkish plates, a wide range of cakes and your usual café panini list against a varyingly elaborate…
Dalriada
77 Promenade, Portobello,
Edinburgh,
EH15 2EL
Situated in an imposing building at the Joppa end of the Portobello Promenade, Dalriada is a fantastic bar-cum-café that's just perfect for an afternoon coffee and cake while you watch the waves roll in, or an evening drink as the sun sets over the…
Project Coffee
196 Bruntsfield Place,
Edinburgh,
EH10 4DF
Bruntsfield doesn't suffer from a lack of sociable coffee venues, but that hasn't deterred relative newcomer Project Coffee. Like sister businesses Kilimanjaro, Press and Wellington Coffee, they use beans from small artisanal roasters to make their…
Circus
8 St Mary's Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1SU
The stone-walled courtyard in the back of this Old Town café/ restaurant is a mini sun-trap in the summer, and a good spot for enjoying some calm while the High Street might be getting unpleasantly hectic with crowds. Circus is run by the same folks who…
Edinburgh Larder
15 Blackfriars Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1NB
Tucked just off the Royal Mile, Eleanor Cunningham’s café features a menu that's a roll call of Scottish food heroes. From Creelers’ smoked salmon to Great Glen venison, Rannoch smoked chicken and Cunningham's mum’s jam and dad’s chutneys, everything…
Fair Trade Coffee Shop
30–31 Albert Place,
Edinburgh,
EH7 5HN
Inspired by the tiny coffee shops of San Francisco’s Mission District, the Fair Trade Coffee Shop’s owner Joe Jerome has created his own small slice of urban bohemia on Leith Walk. He’s gone one further, in fact –- the top secret brand of single source…
Maxi's
33 Raeburn Place,
Edinburgh,
EH4 1HX
Enjoying an airy, double-fronted location on Stockbridge's bustling main thoroughfare, Maxi's is a popular pitstop for almost-all-day (until 3pm) breakfasts, filling sandwiches and hearty but healthy lunches. Vegetarians are well catered for with a…
Peter's Yard
27 Simpson Loan (Quartermile),
Edinburgh,
EH3 9GG
The location of this aspirational Swedish establishment couldn't be better. Tucked alongside Middle Meadow Walk in the expensive glass forest of the Quartermile development, Peter’s Yard is a bright, well-ordered space that exudes a soothing…
Rocksalt Café Deli
46 Constitution Street,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6RS
In recent years owner Callum Morrison has established a strong local reputation for café Rocksalt and its sister deli, Relish, just round the corner. Although the departure of talented chef Craig Long has been felt, Morrison is keen to move forward and…
The Scottish Café
National Gallery of Scotland, The Mound,
Edinburgh,
EH2 2EL
Run by the acclaimed team from Centotre – Victor and Carina Contini – the Scottish Café and Restaurant has been a stylish addition to arts venues in Edinburgh since 2009. There is a Garden Café within the gallery reception, but the main operation is a…
Toast
146 Marchmont Road,
Edinburgh,
EH9 1AQ
Marchmont's residents have been withholding information from the rest of the city: they have jealously guarded the fact that Toast, tucked up at the top of Marchmont Road, is such a delight. It's understandable, given that queues for seats in the small…
Two Thin Laddies
103 High Riggs,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9RP
Pitch pine, exposed timber and white walls – the interior of Two Thin Laddies is reminiscent of an alpine ski resort, which is appropriate really, considering they serve the sort of food you’d want after a hard morning on the pistes. The décor might be…
Valvona & Crolla Vincaffè
11 Multrees Walk,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3DQ
Valvona & Crolla’s Vincaffe is only a short distance but several years away from the densely packed cornucopia of the family-run business’s original branch on Elm Row. With a bright, contemporary décor, evenly spaced, white dressed tables and a bank…
Artisan Roast
57 Broughton St,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3RJ
As the roasters and distributors of Scotland’s definitive coffee, it’s impossible to see beyond either branch of Artisan Roast as your first stop for a pick-me-up coffee buzz at any time of the day. Long black, flat white, espresso, macchiato or ice…
Café Marina
61 Cockburn Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1BS
Forget Ikea: this is where you’ll find the best meatballs in town. They're more of a hearty sausage shape than a ball here: get them cut up in pasta or squeezed into a ciabatta for a chin-dripping panini – but whatever you do, get them. With just a…
Foodies at Holyrood
67 Holyrood Road,
Edinburgh,
EH8 8AU
At first glance, this airy, light-filled café seems a touch out of the way. But factor in the tourist draws of Dynamic Earth and Holyrood Palace, as well as politicians popping over the road for their daily bread, and you’ll understand why it’s…
The Fruitmarket Gallery Café
Fruitmarket Gallery, 45 Market Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1DF
The Fruitmarket Gallery is well respected for its cutting edge contemporary art exhibitions, its specialist bookshop crammed full of artist publications and a café that is well established on the Edinburgh food scene. Located at the back of Waverley…
Le Marché Français
9a West Maitland Street,
Edinburgh,
EH12 5DS
From the outside Le Marché Français looks like just another of the flurry of delis that have sprung up around Edinburgh lately. But delve beyond the cold cuts and cheese counter, past the wines and assorted French goodies and you arrive in a modest…
Porto & Fi on the Mound
9 North Bank Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2LP
Those who cherish Porto and Fi's café in Newhaven will feel right at home in this city centre offshoot. The morning rolls and muffins, gorgeously Bunterish home-made cakes plus dishes adaptable to a light lunch or hearty supper are all here. But while…
Urban Angel
121 Hanover Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1DJ
Seasonal, local and organic are the buzz words for these bright, informal, modern bistros. A high proportion of the menu is made up of daily specials making the most of what produce is best that day. A nourishing parsnip soup is enlivened with mustard…
Café Cassis
Salisbury Hotel, Salisbury Road,
Edinburgh,
EH16 5AA
Tucked under the Salisbury Hotel in the quieter reaches of Edinburgh’s southside, Café Cassis makes good use of its semi-basement situation. Beyond the tight entranceway, the interior is warmly lit, welcoming and relaxed, and backs onto a…
Café Milk
232 Morrison Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 8EA
Sporting bright white tiles, pale pastel colours and reclaimed benches, Café Milk could easily have been plucked straight from the streets of trendy Shoreditch (although thankfully there's not a hipster in sight). But, while the interior decoration…
Café Modern Two
Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art Two, 73 Belford Road,
Edinburgh,
EH4 3DS
Café Modern Two (formerly Café Newton at the Dean Gallery) would be a fairly understated setting, with dark wood panellling and simple furnishings, if it weren’t for Eduardo Paolozzi’s impressive steel creation ‘Vulcan’ towering over everything in…
Circle Café
1 Brandon Terrace, Canonmills,
Edinburgh,
EH3 5AE
Behind the sleek glass frontage, Circle's stylish interior features lofty ceilings, bare brick walls and galvanised metal and wood furniture. But all those hard edges can mean that a noisy clatter replaces the convivial buzz when it's busy, which is…
Falko (Konditormeister)
185 Bruntsfield Place,
Edinburgh,
EH10 4DG
A firm fixture on Edinburgh’s foodie scene Falko continues to deliver goods be it rye breads, pastries or some of the finest, traditional cakes outside of central Europe. Produced to strict standards, no raising agents are used in the cakes, only beaten…
Fruitmarket Gallery
45 Market Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1DF
Located behind Waverley train station, this world-class gallery showcases work by many of the leading names in contemporary art. An all-glass frontage allows passing pedestrians to observe the lower level of the gallery beyond the bookshop and café, and…
Gaia Delicatessen
32 Crighton Place, Leith Walk,
Edinburgh,
EH7 4NY
The bustle is infectious in Leith Walk café Gaia, as various members of the Dragotta family busy themselves preparing food behind the counter. A family-run Sicilian delicatessen and café, everything here is homemade from scratch, including various meaty…
The Manna House
22–24 Easter Road,
Edinburgh,
EH7 5RG
In its few short years on earth, the Manna House has become an institution beloved of ladies from Morningside, builders on their way to a job and all walks of life in between. A first-class bakery and patisserie, it’s also branched out of late into full…
Press Coffee
30 Buccleuch Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9LP
Owned by the same people as nearby Kilimanjaro and with a similar, downsized menu, Press Coffee serves up great coffee to a largely student clientele. Formerly a bookshop, it’s now a bright, light and minimally decorated space with clean lines…
Reds
254 Portobello High Street,
Edinburgh,
EH15 2AT
The sign reading ‘Six buggy limit’ says it all. If you live in Portobello and have small children, chances are you’ll know Reds and its large, soft cage – sorry, play frame – in the back room, where your offspring can slide and scamper while you eat or…
Tea at 94
94 Buccleuch Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9NH
This newcomer to the Southside café scene is a cheerful and unpretentious place to pass an hour or two. Having opened its doors just before Christmas 2011, Tea at 94 still feels as if it's finding its feet somewhat in terms of the fare on offer. While a…
Word of Mouth
3a Albert Street,
Edinburgh,
EH7 5HL
It’s only five years old, but already Word of Mouth is one of Edinburgh’s definitive neighbourhood cafés, a recommended stop not just for the food but for the range of activities they manage to cram into the small dining space. An open mic poetry and…
The Beach House
57 Bath Street,
Edinburgh,
EH15 1HE
Perfect for a warming hot chocolate in winter or a luscious ice-cream on our too-rare summer days, the Beach House manages to straddle the seasons and maximise its beachfront location at any time of year. Painted in pastel blue and dotted with seaside…
Black Medicine Coffee Company
108 Marchmont Road, Southside,
Edinburgh,
EH9 1BG
The big daddy of the Edinburgh caffeine scene stands out amongst its competition in the snack bar-heavy locale for its emphasis on fresh, decent food and, naturally, rather fabulous coffee. The ambience is warm and slightly eclectic: customers perch on…
Black Medicine Coffee Company
2 Nicolson Street, Southside,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9DH
The big daddy of the Edinburgh caffeine scene stands out amongst its competition in the snack bar-heavy locale for its emphasis on fresh, decent food and, naturally, rather fabulous coffee. The ambience is warm and slightly eclectic: customers perch on…
Bon Papillon
15 Howe Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 6TE
It’s a tricky balancing act at Bon Papillon, but one its cheerful owners clearly relish. This café-cum-gallery-cum-framers, run by artist and chef Ingrid Nilsson and Stuart Allan, has an immediately welcoming vibe. Situated in the New Town, local, fresh…
Caffe Espresso
15 Bank Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2LN
The Brits might love to queue, but there’s got to be a good reason. So when you see a gaggle of solicitors, judges and students patiently waiting to reach the counter of this galley-like Italian café, you might want to get in line. Have they come for…
Carrubbers Café
Carrubbers Christian Centre, 65 High Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1SR
It’s the café wing of Carrubbers Christian Centre, but only the occasional food-related Bible quote on the wall or the menu hints at these origins. Still, it’s worth pondering the notion of Christian charity a little more, because with some of their…
Connect Café
153–155 Comely Bank Road,
Edinburgh,
EH4 1BQ
TV foodie Nell Nelson has a track record of seeking out passionate local producers and unearthing quality produce. In early 2011, Nelson and her business partner took over Connect Café in Comely Bank to bring this approach to the capital. Also a card…
Cuckoo's Bakery
150 Dundas Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 5DQ
Although first and foremost a cupcake bakery, Cuckoo's is a refreshing antidote to the mimsy, chintzy image of this most feminine of foodstuffs. The clean, crisp interior houses tightly spaced tables without a blousy tiered cakestand in sight. Instead…
Dovecot Café by Stag Espresso
Dovecot Studios, 10 Infirmary Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1LT
Nestled at the bottom of Infirmary Street, Dovecot Studios has established itself as an innovative drop-in for those fond of tapestry and contemporary crafts – and last year it got better still with the arrival of Richard Conway’s bright, airy daytime…
The Elephant House
21 George IV Bridge,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1EN
Perhaps hoping that diners will be distracted by its association with the boy wizard and his chums, the erstwhile haunt of JK Rowling appears to lavish more attention on its Potter-themed loos than it does on its food. While, admittedly, it has recently…
The Institute
14 Roseneath Street,
Edinburgh,
EH9 1JH
The Institute is very much a one-man band, and a new addition to Edinburgh’s roster of art venues. Photographer and owner Gavin Evans has combined a gallery of contemporary art with an assortment of imported teas to sip while contemplating the…
Mimi's Bakehouse
63 Shore,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6RA
Aimed squarely at the female and family markets, this family-run tea room has a strong sense of its audience and delivers for them in abundance. Standard lamps, velvet sofas and shabby chic furniture create an air of old-fashioned luxury and Mimi’s has…
Porto Café
25–25A Promenade, Portobello,
Edinburgh,
EH15 1HH
Portobello Promenade has a faded seaside charm that’s equally appealing for eating chips from a wrapper in the sun or watching rain stream down a window in grey winter light. With its traditional bay frontage looking out over the sea and now opening all…
The Scottish Café and Restaurant
National Gallery of Scotland, The Mound,
Edinburgh,
EH2 2EL
From its contemporary, light-filled space in the underbelly of Scotland’s National Galleries, the Scottish Café & Restaurant looks out serenely over the green and bustle of Princes Street Gardens. Created and run by the team behind Centotre, the…
Terrace Café
Royal Botanic Garden, Inverleith Row,
Edinburgh,
EH3 5LR
Location, as they say, is everything and it's true that the Terrace Café's position near the Botanics' top lawn, with its stunning views of Edinburgh's iconic skyline, is hard to beat. It's a shame that the food – a self-service selection of pre-made…
The Water of Leith Café Bistro
52 Coburg Street,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6HJ
Set on a sunny corner beside the water of Leith this bright little café-bistro draws locals, families and couples alike with its quality food and friendly ambience. A printed menu covers the basics but the blackboard is the main show here, presenting a…
Anteaques
17 Clerk Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9JH
Fans of tea in all its forms should be sure to wend their way to this charming café-cum-antique shop for an experience few others offer. This is a place where one takes – rather than merely imbibes – tea, and it’s best to set aside a couple of hours in…
ArtCafe Morita
204 Canongate,
Edinburgh,
EH8 8DQ
Positioned halfway down the Royal Mile, ArtCafe Morita combines traditional café, Japanese fast food outlet and ambitious gallery space. Proprietor Kozo Hoshino is the custodian of a large private art collection, the Victor Murphy Trust, from which he…
Blackcherry Café
29 Grassmarket,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2HS
If it’s a hangover breakfast, pre-lecture fuel-up or lunch-hour pitstop that’s required, Black Cherry in the Grassmarket is there to satisfy. A tiny but cheery café serving breakfast rolls, sandwiches, wraps and bagels, coffee and cakes to students…
Boobytrap Boutique
15 William Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 7NG
Fantastically-named lingerie specialist, stocking cool, hard-to-find scanty labels like Princess Tam Tam. There's a bit of a Sex and the City vibe about the place, with cupcakes and freshly-brewed coffee in the in-store café to up your indulgency quota.
Broughton Delicatessen
7 Barony Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 6PD
It’s rare for a café to try so hard to be all things to all people and not overstretch itself. Broughton Delicatessen doesn’t disappoint, though, with its front shop selling take-out snacks like baguettes, grilled sandwiches and crepes alongside cakes…
Café Blush
219 Morningside Road,
Edinburgh,
EH10 4QT
Morningside Road is not short of cappuccino options, but this dusky-pink painted café stands out, not just because of its adventurous coloured exterior but also its warm, friendly table service, easy-to-read simple menu and neighbourhood feel with local…
Cafe Hub
Castlehill, Royal Mile,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2NE
Glowering imposingly from the very top of the High Street, the black Gothic splendour of the Hub was transformed when it became the official home of the Edinburgh International Festival, with a now entirely contemporary interior which glows with colour…
Café Lucia
Edinburgh Festival Theatre, 13/29 Nicolson Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9FT
Situated on the bright, airy ground floor of Edinburgh’s popular Festival Theatre, Café Lucia is a decent pit stop for those seeking some respite from Southside shopping, a break from the office on their lunch hour, or a stop-off for local students on…
Café Modern One
Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art One, 75 Belford Road,
Edinburgh,
EH4 3DR
Located on the lower floor of the Gallery of Modern Art One, Café Modern One is canteen style dining that attracts regulars meeting for lunch (with or without taking in the art) and gallery visitors grabbing a quick bite. The menu offers, baked…
Café Renroc
91 Montgomery Street,
Edinburgh,
EH7 5HZ
Open from early in the morning until late, this corner café is the heart of its very own little local scene and a hub for Hillsiders, with frequent live music, poetry and story-telling evenings, even featuring – of all things – a beauty salon…
Drill Hall Arts Café
34 Dalmeny Street,
Edinburgh,
EH6 8RG
This café caters for a varied clientele of Out of the Blue Drill Hall resident artists, members of the Leith community and attendees of flea markets, vintage fairs, yoga or pilates classes not to mention their Bruncheon! event. The ethos here is very…
Elaine's Cuppa Cake
18 South Clerk Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9PR
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…
Elephants and Bagels
37 Marshall Street (Nicholson Square),
Edinburgh,
EH8 9BJ
If you’re looking for a lunch or snack option that healthy and filling, planet-friendly and low in salt, sugar as well as food miles, then Elephants and Bagels offers a handy solution. A penchant for pachyderms is a bonus; mostly customer-drawn they…
Embo
29 Haddington Place, Leith Walk,
Edinburgh,
EH7 4AG
With more than a decade’s history as a top o’ the Walk fixture, Embo is the kind of place which has established a personal touch for its regulars. Owner and head cook Mike Marshall knows them by name and their orders by heart, and it’s this which lends…
Eteaket
41 Frederick Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1EP
Eteaket has a target market and lads, you’re not it. From the pop-vintage hot pink chairs to the powder blue tea menus, this tea boutique is best for tête-à-têtes over a cuppa and cake. The extensive drinks menu is full of pretty things to drink, from…
French Press Coffee Company
25a Dundas Street,
Edinburgh,
City,
EH3 6QQ
Get ready for a new phrase to enter Edinburgh's coffee lexicography: the brew bar. French Press isn't the first coffee bar in Edinburgh by any means, but in offering a variety of methods by which to create a cup of the black stuff: espresso machine…
Loudon's Café & Bakery
Lochrin Square, 94b Fountainbridge,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9QA
Since opening in early 2011, Loudon’s has proved a welcome fillip for an area more au fait with coffee-house chains and run-of-the-mill sandwich shops. Consequently, it attracts a wide range of customers, from businessmen to yummy mummies looking for a…
Made in France
5 Lochrin Place,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9QX
The clue’s in the name, as Parisian-style prints and artefacts, cute lamp-lit tables and a counter hung with garlic and saucisson instantly transport you across the Channel. The owners import meats, cheeses, even butter and paper-wrapped sugar cubes…
Mediterranean Gate
48 George IV Bridge, Old Town,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1EJ
Although the Earl of Sandwich has done much for meal-times, variety is the spice of life. Mediterranean Gate has spice, it certainly has variety, and it provides a host of options that might be the best thing since sliced bread. It can be easily…
New Town Deli
23 Henderson Row,
Edinburgh,
EH3 5DH
A central communal table and low cube seating lend a convivial atmosphere to the New Town Deli's bright corner site on Henderson Row, while tall stools at the windows provide functional perches to watch the world go by. The deli counter’s the focus of…
