Best cafés in Edinburgh

Eating and Drinking Guide
16 April 2018

Brochan

From tea and coffee to cake and pastries, these Edinburgh hotspots do café culture right

Edinburgh's thriving independent café scene has put the Scottish capital on the coffee map. From the wee artisan to the established branches, you're never more than a few blocks away from the ideal flat white or the perfect laid-back brunch spot. With vegan and gluten-free cuisine gaining a stronger foothold in the café field, there's now truly something for everyone.

Alplings
The food of the mountains on Henderson Street. And why not? Martin Auer reflects his Tyrolese roots in his wholesome, hearty cooking.

Archipelago
Quality shines out of every part of this bakery and café, from the sheer variety of their delicious bread to the warm welcome from Caroline and her team.

Aurora
One of the brightest new openings in a very long time, get in quick before it becomes impossible to bag a table at Kamil Witek's North Junction Street café/bistro.

Brochan
This wee place is dedicated to porridge, but porridge like you've never seen before. Simple idea, perfect execution.

Loudons Café & Bakery
The kind of café you dream of having at the end of your street, Loudons manages to be all things to all people without ever dropping their high standards.

Ostara
Simple and wholesome food, a real commitment to local suppliers and a genuinely warm welcome – Ostara is one of Leith's treasures.

The Milkman
Limited seating and no loos, but this tiny wee spot punches above its weight with fantastic coffee, pastries and chat.

The Pantry
Stockbridge is well-served with cafés, but the Pantry never puts a foot wrong. A fresh and bright décor, plates and welcome guaranteed.

The Pastry Section
This Stockbridge newcomer has made a big impact with some fantastic baking and a relentless pursuit of brownie perfection which has won over fans near and far.

Söderberg
With three bakery shops and three cafés, Söderberg is a familiar sight around town and a real beacon for quality and Scandinavian simplicity.

Union of Genius
Scotland's first soup café; brilliant soup, brilliant choice, brilliant concept. Nuff said.

Eating & Drinking Guide 2018/19

25th Edition published April 2018. Widely recognised as the most reliable, comprehensive and authoritative guide to eating out in more than 950+ restaurants, bistros, cafes and bars in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

A	The Pastry Section 86 Raeburn Place, Edinburgh, EH4 1HH It's all about the cake at this Insta-friendly Stockbridge bakery.
B	Loudons Café Lochrin Square, 94b Fountainbridge, Edinburgh, EH3 9QA Bright, spacious and relaxed, Loudons is a great spot to watch the world go by over a leisurely brunch.
C	The Pantry 1–2 North West Circus Place, Edinburgh, EH3 6ST Popular gathering spot in Stockbridge dishing up beautifully presented breakfast, brunch and lunch.
D	Archipelago Bakery 39 Dundas Street, Edinburgh, EH3 6QQ Artisan New Town bakery committed to delivering all the joys properly made bread can bring.
E	Brochan 24 Marchmont Crescent, Edinburgh, EH9 1HG This wee café is all about the oats – healthy bowls of porridge and granola served with inventive and delicious toppings.
F	The Milkman 7 Cockburn Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1BP Tiny wee pitstop coffee shop with excellent coffee and charming service.
G	Union of Genius 8 Forrest Road, Edinburgh, EH1 2QN Edinburgh’s first soup café takes locally sourced ingredients to create wholesome, comforting, better-than-homemade soups.
H	Söderberg Bakery Shop Broughton Street 45 Broughton Street, Edinburgh, EH1 3JU There are three branches of the popular chain of Swedish artisan bakery shops now – in the West End, on Broughton Street and in the Meadows. The shops make an excellent, if slightly pricey pit-stop in the morning – the coffee is excellent and they do a…
I	Ostara 52 Coburg Street, Edinburgh, EH6 6HJ Friendly Leith café/bistro with an engaged attitude to its local neighbourhood, suppliers and good, fresh food.
J	Aurora 187 Great Junction Street, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 5LQ A local café/bistro serving highly satisfying breakfasts, lunches and weekend dinners using seasonal, local produce and creative culinary design.
K	Alplings 16 Henderson Street, Edinburgh, EH6 6BS A cafe serving tasty European mountain food, also know for their food truck which sells their Austrian dumplings around the capital's street food markets.