The List

Best cafés in Edinburgh

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

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

Hitlisted

Edinburgh's café scene continues to evolve and remains as vibrant as ever. These day-time foodies are often a source of real innovation, from coffee roasters to artisan bakers to scientists of salad, they push the boundaries of breakfast and lunch. And with creative menus, come creative spaces as cake counters make room for supper clubs and cookery workshops. Here we share the best of the new openings, rebrands and updates as well as our coveted Hitlist.

Archipelago Bakery
This stalwart of the New Town scene continues to produce ingenious breads and bakes that keep customers coming back for more.

The Bearded Baker
Homemade doughnuts compete with freshly baked bagels for the top spot at this tiny Canonmills bakery.

Brochan
Hopelessly devoted to oats and grains, this small Marchmont café turns porridge into an unexpected treat.

Bross Bagels
It's been the year of the bagel in Edinburgh as Bross expanded their empire to three shops and thousands of loyal fans.

Di Giorgio
A rustic yet cosy interior, exemplary Italian cooking, and invariably generous service all culminate in a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

Fieldwork
Personal and local, Fieldwork's food is as inventive as its welcome is warm.

Honeycomb & Co
This attractive Bruntsfield spot has really hit its stride, with excellent baking and lots of attention to the wee details helping set it apart.

Loudons
Now with two branches in the city, Loudons know how to throw a brunch.

Milk
The original Milk, this trendy café offers an eclectic menu of homemade breakfast and lunch favourites just a few minutes from Haymarket station.

Ostara
Definitely worth seeking out, Ostara is a friendly local café-bistro with a cosy atmosphere and genuine commitment to local suppliers.

The Pantry
Busy and deservedly popular spot, with beautiful options for breakfast, brunch and lunch.

Söderberg
A familiar sight around the city, Söderberg's cafés and bakery shops are an ever-reliable option for everything from a quick coffee stop to a more leisurely lunch.

27 Elliot's
Jessica Elliott Dennison's experience as a food stylist and writer helps this delightful café punch well above its weight.

Union of Genius
Just quietly making the soup year on year, Union epitomises the charm of the wee place. More power to their elbows.

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