Table of Contents
Edinburgh is known for its high-end fine-dining restaurants and innovative food and drink scene, but there are also some charming little spots and cafés where you can scoop up a quick cup of coffee or enjoy an extended chunk of indulgence. After all, whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned local, exploring the city can be thirsty work. Our list of best cafes in Edinburgh will tell you everything you need to know about where to find your new favourite pitstop.
We know how convenient it is to stop by your local Starbucks or Costa for a quick cup of coffee, but Edinburgh is full of great, independent coffee shops that are well worth a visit. But, with so many options, where do you even begin? Take a look at our list of the top 5 cafes in Edinburgh, which includes everything from relaxed brunches to brand-new vegan options.
Southside – Kilimanjaro Coffee
This Southside establishment has been serving fantastic coffee to students and locals for years, so it’s no surprise that it’s a local favourite. With its distinctive red front, this laid-back coffee shop, complete with comfy sofas and rustic tables, is the ideal place to catch up with friends or read a book. This place is quite certain to be a regular haunt for those looking for their caffeine fix, with some fantastic coffees and a great selection of teas. We can’t fault this place for its brunch options, which include both meat and vegetarian options. Kilimanjaro Coffee, located on Nicolson Street, is a 5-minute walk from the central University of Edinburgh campus at George Square.
Old Town – Edinburgh Larder Cafe
The Edinburgh Larder Café is located in the Old Town, just off the Royal Mile. This breakfast cafe in Edinurgh is well-known for its brunches and has earned a reputation as one of the best in town. Edinburgh Larder prefers to keep things local, using locally roasted coffee beans and tea blended by Edinburgh-based Eteaket. They are rightly proud of their brunches; whether you want a full fry-up (including vegan options) or porridge, you will find something you like here. To top it all off, their cakes are all baked in-house and are well worth the visit on their own; their dark chocolate and nut brownies are a particular favourite.
Leith – Word of Mouth
Word of Mouth, located just off Leith Walk, is one of the best cafes in Edinburgh and well worth a visit. These guys roast their own beans in-store every day to ensure your coffee is as fresh as possible, and with blends from all over the world, you’re sure to find your favourite coffee here, as well as try out new blends. In addition to great coffee, Word of Mouth has a reasonable menu with breakfast and lunch options available all day. Word of Mouth has plenty of food options to go with your coffee, whether you want their speciality eggs benedict or a croque monsieur (or a sweet or savoury crepe).
Bruntsfield – La Barantine
La Barantine, one of the top-rated cafes in Edinburgh is a hidden gem in Bruntsfield’s laid-back neighbourhood. While the coffee is excellent, this small French café is famous for its daily baked cakes and pastries. Celine and Vincent, a husband and wife team, sold their boulangerie-patisserie in France and opened a shop in Bruntsfield in 2010. Since then, they’ve opened three more cafes in Edinburgh: Grassmarket, Stockbridge, and Bruntsfield. They have a variety of bread, croissants, macarons, and cakes baked on-site every day, as well as afternoon tea options if you’re feeling fancy. If you want a cake with your coffee, La Barantine is well worth a visit; you won’t be disappointed.
Tollcross – Black Rabbit
Black Rabbit, is the only 100% vegan cafe in Edinburgh and it is one of the newest additions. The beverages at the Black Rabbit are excellent, as it is at all of the coffee shops on our list, and the emphasis here is on all things vegan. Their small but perfectly formed menu includes sweet and savoury bagels and breakfast rolls for all-day breakfast. Delicious toasties and burgers are available for lunch. You can also stock your pantry with their extensive selection of vegan meats and cheeses from their deli.
Conclusion
This list does not even begin to scratch the surface of the best cafes in Edinburgh, but we believe it is an excellent place to begin. There are fantastic independent coffee shops tucked into all sorts of corners of the City, so you’re bound to find a favourite just around the corner from where you live, no matter where you are. Edinburgh is been built for coffee lovers.
FAQs
1. Where can I sit and read in Edinburgh?
Edinburgh has amazing cafes and restaurants where you can sit and read peacefully. Some of them are Southside – Kilimanjaro Coffee, Old Town – Edinburgh Larder Cafe, Leith – Word of Mouth, and Tollcross – Black Rabbit.
2. What are some highly rated cafes in Edinburgh, United Kingdom?
Firinci Italiano Cafe-Bistro, Milk, The Sandwich Club, Southside, Leith, Tollcross – Black Rabbit, The Richmond Cafe & Colonnades are some of the highly rated cafes in Edinburgh, UK.
We hope that you have enjoyed reading our guide on, ‘5 Best Cafes in Edinburgh, UK You Can’t Skip! You can also read some of our blogs on-
Best Cafes In Boston That Need To Be On Your Bucket List!
