Restaurants, Cafés

Although still a relative newcomer, this family-run bakehouse has built a loyal following in just a few years. With a reputation for brilliant baking, their counter is piled high with traditional and inventive sponges, cheesecakes and tray bakes beneath…

It’s beginning to test the meaning of careworn slightly these days, but there’s still no café in Glasgow homelier than Offshore, nor even as homely. Hugging the corner of Gibson Street where it crosses the River Kelvin, with leafy views to the park…

Situated in the Southside of Edinburgh, in the region of The University of Edinburgh’s central campus and the Peartree pub, Scoopz brings a truly novel and unique experience to Edinburgh. Specializing in premium ice-cream, fresh milkshakes, coffee, tea…

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…

Part of the earlier wave of cafés that popped up as the Southside got younger and hipper, Tapa has responded to the increasing number of openings in the area by stripping back its menu to become a more straightforward daytime café, offering breakfasts…

This café offers a range of breakfast options, such as bacon toastie, pancakes, eggs, plus lunchtime paninis, baguettes and sandwiches, yet they all play second fiddle to the range of delicious ice-creams on offer. With around 16 flavours to choose from…

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…

Balfour’s diehards might be bamboozled when confronted by the enigmatic grey façade that has appeared on this erstwhile drinking den, but there’s no doubt that Leith Walk’s latest addition will soon attract an equally loyal – if somewhat different…

The couple who run this small café seem to know most of their customers and like to share a joke or two with them, which makes for a nice neighbourhood feel. The inclusion of halal chicken, vegan food and gluten-free dishes among more typical café fare…

Anteaques is to tea drinkers what Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory is to small children. A smell of floral blends wafts between rows of tin caddies filled with weird and wonderful concoctions for the teapot. Forget lunch and savoury snacks, you won’t…

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.

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…

This Bay Tree can count a good few rings in its trunk; it's been around for over 50 years and was one of the first Arabian restaurants in Scotland. With large portion sizes, and generous servings of salad and creamy hummus served with almost everything…

Since opening in late 2012, Bees has garnered its own budding community, from small clubs using it as a base, to fellow hospitality professionals who congregate in the early hours when it transforms from daytime café to late-night hangout. Inside, it’s…

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…

Bloody Marys this good can make the rest look bad. That’s not so much of a surprise; enjoy some more while looking at the name on the sign outside – it’ll all make sense. This stylized and lightly eccentric bar in the heart of the West End gets away…

With deli goods and takeaway sandwiches to the front, and 24 covers of eclectic furniture to the rear, Broughton Deli does not concern itself with vanities. The international menu has a surprising mixture of platters, burgers and noodles available all…

Café Camino, the café and Parish Centre for St Mary's Cathedral, is well established as a regular breakfast and lunch venue for shoppers, mums and buggies and office workers. The menu offers full Scottish breakfasts, scrambled eggs with smoked salmon…

'Don’t go changing' was the overwhelming response to this iconic Maryhill café and ice-cream parlour's owner James Evans’ recent request for feedback from his faithful customers. Between the red leather crescent booths, wood-panelling, retro jukebox 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…