Best Cafés in Edinburgh

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

Earthy Market Café

Yes, multi-national chain coffee-houses abound, but the independent café scene in Edinburgh remains healthy and strong. Many have their own story to tell: from ethical chocolatiers and tea hunters, to cat cafés, Italian-trained ice-cream makers and dedicated vegetable growers, the list is varied and long. Some of our canny bakers and baristas are making an impact on the wider world too, with elegantly packaged tea leaves, luxury chocolates and carefully selected coffee beans making their way across the UK and overseas. Meanwhile lucky locals can simply sit back and enjoy the pleasure of a good cuppa on the corner.

Best cafés in Edinburgh

Café Renroc
91 Montgomery Street, New Town, EH7 5HZ
Neighbourhood café that welcomes diners like an old friend with a smile and a spread of simple, delicious food.
caferenroc.co.uk | read our review of Café Renroc

Di Giorgio
1 Brandon Terrace, Canonmills, New Town, EH3 5AE
Smart and friendly family-run deli café adding a modern twist to traditional homemade Italian favourites.
digiorgios.co.uk | read our review of Di Girorgio

Earthy Market Café
33–41 Ratcliffe Terrace, Southside, EH9 1SX
Causewayside’s original outpost of calm and wellbeing promoting seasonal, local, organic and free-range eating.
earthy.uk.com | read our review of Earthy Market Café

The Haven
9 Anchorfield, Leith, EH6 4JG
Colourful community café bringing quality homemade breakfasts, lunches, coffee and cake to Newhaven.
havencafe.co.uk | read our review of The Haven

Leo's Beanery
23a Howe Street, New Town, EH3 6TF
Friendly, cosy café serving award-winning cakes, wholesome lunches, and breakfasts worth getting out of bed for.
leosbeanery.co.uk | read our review of Leo's Beanery

Lovecrumbs
155 West Port, Old Town, EH3 9DP
With a reputation for creative, well-executed bakes, this laid-back coffee house near the Grassmarket is a haven for the sweet-toothed.
lovecrumbs.co.uk | read our review of Lovecrumbs

Milk
232 Morrison Street, West End, EH3 8EA
More than just your average cafe – Milk has inventive choices for breakfast, lunch and a sweet treat.
cafemilk.co.uk | read our review Milk

Peter's Yard
27 Simpson Loan (Quartermile), Southside, EH3 9GG
The home of Swedish baking, strong coffee, open sandwiches and conversation.
petersyard.com | read our review of Peter's Yard

The Roamin' Nose
14 Eyre Place, New Town, EH3 5EP
Everything you could possibly wish for in a neighbourhood café and bistro – delicious food, great atmosphere and a warm welcome.
theroaminnose.com | read our review of The Roamin' Nose

The Water of Leith Café Bistro
1 Howard Street, Canonmills, Leith, EH3 5JP
Head for the specials menu at this friendly riverside spot where the food exceeds the expectations of a neighbourhood café.
thewaterofleithcafebistro.com | read our review of The Water of Leith Café Bistro

Best wee cafés in Edinburgh

Here are the wee spots that are so easily missed, but are well worth discovering. Peppered across the city are the bite-sized patisseries, the police-box coffee-stops and the cool gelaterias. Seating is often sparse, but it’s usually worth waiting for a table or grabbing and going. From perfect pistachio macarons to artfully churned homemade ice-cream and expertly baked crusty bread, a lot of work is going into creating big reputations for these little places.

Anteaques
17 Clerk Street, Southside, EH8 9JH
Charming tea room and antique shop serving and selling 80 fine teas in delightful surroundings.
anteaques.co.uk | read our review of Anteaques

Archipelago Bakery
39 Dundas Street, New Town, EH3 6QQ
Artisan New Town bakery committed to delivering all the joys properly made bread can bring.
archipelagobakery.co.uk | read our review of Archipelago Bakery

Casa Angelina
42 London Street, New Town, EH3 6LX
A small tearoom with a big character, serving delicious homemade breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea in a vintage setting.
casaangelina.co.uk | read our review of Casa Angelina

Fortitude Coffee
3C York Place, New Town, EH1 3EB
Compact, welcoming space run by knowledgeable owners, where coffee dominates but tea and food also find a place.
fortitudecoffee.com | read our Fortitude Coffee

181 Delicatessen
181 Bruntsfield Road, Tollcross, EH10 4DG
High-quality Bruntsfield deli/café with a focus on sourcing great produce.
facebook.com/181delicatessen | read our review of 181 Delicatessen

Pekoe Tea
20 Leven Street, Tollcross, EH3 9LJ
Pekoe is a tea-lover's dream, dedicated to the art of enjoying the humble leaf in all its glory.
pekoetea.co.uk | read our review of Pekoe Tea

Union of Genius
8 Forrest Road, Old Town, EH1 2QN
Don’t tell your mum, but Edinburgh’s first soup café takes locally sourced ingredients to create wholesome, comforting, better-than-homemade soups.
unionofgenius.com | read our review of Union of Genius

Best arts cafés in Edinburgh

There’s been something of a quiet revolution in the eating places attached to Edinburgh’s arts venues. The days of the over-priced scone and wee metal teapot-for-one that dribbles all over the tablecloth are long gone – now, whether you’re visiting a small workshop or one of the city’s biggest attractions, you can expect to be served sustenance that’s worthy of a visit in its own right. Scotland’s larder is one of her biggest treasures; it’s fitting then that so many arts-based eateries around the city choose to feature the best of local produce on their menus, whether that’s a simple soup or a simply sumptuous afternoon tea.

Bon Papillon
15 Howe Street, Stockbridge, EH3 6TE
Surrounded by local art and friendly chatter, this is a lovely place to while away the hours over tea and scones.
bonpapillon.com | read our review of Bon Papillon

Café Portrait
Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street, New Town, EH2 1JD
Quality sustenance, worthy of the impressive architecture and distinguished residents of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.
heritageportfolio.co.uk | read our review of Café Portrait

Colonnades
Signet Library Parliament Square High Street, Old Town, EH1 1RF
Opulent lunch or afternoon tea in a hushed library; elegant, delicious and excellent value.
heritageportfolio.co.uk/cafes/our-cafes/colonnades | read our review of Colonnades