Di Giorgio
1 Brandon Terrace
There’s always a buzz at this Italian–run café. Sandwiches are full to bursting with garlicky mortadella, piquant salamis and gooey cheese, and are almost as substantial as the handmade pasta dishes. The homemade lasagne could keep you going for the whole day.

Krem Karamel
68 Inverleith Row
Part bookshop, part café, this corner spot has a handful of outdoor seats that catch the mid–morning sun. Brunch classics such as avocado toast and filled croissants dominate the savoury section, but home baking is the highlight, especially the signature San Sebastian cheesecake.

The Orchard
1-2 Howard Place
Huge windows let in plenty of natural light and the bar gleams with bottles and real ale taps. The fare is pub grub with a few surprises like a delectable goat's cheese soufflé. Sandwiches are packed with inventive fillings and come on hunks of soft bread. On summer evenings, the smattering of outdoor seats are bathed in sunlight.

Sip & Bark
108 Raeburn Place
Yes, there’s a dedicated doggie throne, treats for pups and water bowls on hand, but Sip & Bark café is a treat for humans as well as canines. Open sandwiches on sourdough make up the core of the brunchy menu and the coffee is top notch, but in the late afternoon, it’s a stylish and swish spot for a spritz or signature cocktail. They also run a series of supper clubs.

The Terrace Café
Royal Botanic Gardens, Inverleith Row
While the (currently named) John Hope Gateway Café might be bigger, flashier and offer hot meals, the Terrace Café within the Royal Botanic Gardens steals the heart. Maybe it’s the views over the hazy city centre towards the Castle on the walk up the hill, or the smattering of outdoor tables that almost always catch the sun. It’s self-service and the selection of quiches, sandwiches and frittatas is overseen by chef Roberta McCarron-Hall and features ingredients sourced from the Botanics’ cottage garden. 

The Tollhouse
50 Brandon Terrace
A restaurant set so close to the Water of Leith that you could canoe home, its terrace gives tantalising peeks of local wildlife while the food shows a deft hand with seasonal produce. The lofty dining room would pique anyone’s architectural intrigue and service is particularly attentive without feeling overbearing. All in all, it combines fine food, fine wine and a good time.

Also try... RGB’s new Botanics Brunch Club (Sun only) in The Arboretum, an epic expansion of the John Hope Gateway, which launches in summer 2025.

This TipList is taken from Eat & Drink 365, our sister mag recommending the best in restaurants, bars, cafés and more across Edinburgh. Want a copy? It’s available online or across all good stockists in Scotland’s capital.