Broughton Delicatessen
7 Barony Street, 558 7111, broughton-deli.co.uk
Breakfast served: Mon–Sat 8am–3pm; Sun 11am–3pm.
What does this place not do well? A great deli, healthy lunches and superb, made-from-scratch breakfasts from morning until 3pm every day. The Broughton Deli breakfast is a stand-out, with homemade potato scones and special recipe baked beans alongside bacon, black pudding and scrambled egg. Or, for an American twist, try maple syrup-doused pancakes with fruit or bacon. (David Pollock)

Falko Konditormeister
185 Bruntsfield Place, 656 0763, falko.co.uk
This German bakery/café, already renowned for its tasty selection of cakes, also offers two brunch menus on weekends: a two-course eggs Florentine and granola combo, or a hearty cold meat-and-cheese platter with a pretzel and croissant. Both come with fruit juice and a tea or coffee, and cost only £9.80. Yum. (Niki Boyle)

Heller’s Kitchen
15 Salisbury Place, 667 4654, hellerskitchen.co.uk
Breakfast served: Mon–Fri 9.30am–11:30am; Sat 9am– 3pm; Sun 10am–3pm.
At the opposite end of the spectrum to your standard greasy spoon is Heller’s, a spacious and sophisticated breakfast place offering an imaginative menu. If you can make it past the freshly baked sugar doughnuts in the window (always snapped up fast so get there early) we suggest ordering indulgent American style pancakes with either smoked bacon or fresh fruit. (Emma Prior)

The King’s Wark
36 The Shore, 554 9260, thekingswark.co.uk
Breakfast served: Sat noon–3pm; Sun 11am–12.30pm. Brunch served: Sun 12.30pm–3pm.
They only serve it on Sundays, but the Kings Wark’s brunch is an Edinburgh institution. The full breakfast, smoked salmon and scrambled egg bagels are positively pedestrian in comparison to a plate of smoked haddock, haggis and tattie scones or the fearsome rib eye steak with fried egg and potatoes. A spinach crêpe is also on offer for the veggies. (David Pollock)

Leo’s Beanery
23a Howe Street, 556 8403, leosbeanery.co.uk
Breakfast served: Tue–Fri 8am–noon; Sat & Sun 9am–noon; closed Mon.
A single sandwich board points the way down to Leo’s basement on Howe Street. It’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it place, making it the perfect hideaway from the city hubbub, and the buggy brigade in nearby Stockbridge. Enjoy free-range scrambled eggs on wholemeal artisan bread, or, for something different, oven-roasted aubergines on a bagel. All with excellent coffee, naturally. (Emma Prior)

Mimi’s Bakehouse
63 The Shore, 555 5908, mimisbakehouse.com
Breakfast served: Mon–Fri 9am–noon; Sat & Sun 9am–1pm.
This Leith café’s monochrome candystripes and 1950s pin-up artwork draws cupcake-lovers at afternoon tea time, but for something more sturdy, their breakfast menu includes a full Scottish, porridge with cinnamon and brown sugar, or delicious slices of French toast with bacon and maple syrup. They recently expanded into the premises next door, but small weekend queues are still likely. (Claire Sawers)

Peter’s Yard
7 Simpson Loan, 228 5876, petersyard.com
Breakfast served: Mon–Fri 7am–noon; Sat & Sun 9am–noon.
Peter’s Yard is a paragon of Scandinavian minimalism – a café where both food and décor are simple, elegant and very pleasing indeed. Breakfast consists of freshly-baked breads with cheese and preserves. Watch the magic happen through the viewing windows of the bakery or, if you’re in a hurry, grab a highly recommended latte and a traditional Swedish cinnamon bun at the Savour to Go shop round the back. (Emma Prior)

Spoon
6a Nicolson Street, 557 4567, spooncafe.co.uk
Breakfast served: All day Mon–Sat 10am–10pm; closed Sun.
There’s a lot to love about this artsy central hangout – up the stairs from Nicolson Street’s buzz, and offering breakfasts ranging from porridge or fruit salad through to a full mixed grill – but it’s their breakfast rolls that we adore in particular. Served on a fulsome and herb-infused crusty roll, they’re a contender for the best in Edinburgh. (David Pollock)

Toast
146 Marchmont Road, 446 9873, toastedinburgh.co.uk
Breakfast served: Mon–Fri 10am–noon; Sat & Sun 10am–3pm.
Worth braving weekend brunch queues for: breakfast classics are finely executed – expect good quality, herby sausages, just-crisp bacon and homemade beans in the full works – but there’s a wealth of more unusual options, too: French toast comes either with bacon and maple syrup or with goats cheese and honey-baked tomatoes. And save room for gorgeous cakes! (Laura Ennor)

Urban Angel
1 Forth Street, 556 6323; 121 Hanover Street, 225 6215
Forth Street breakfast served: Mon–Sun 9am–5pm.
Hanover Street breakfast served: Mon–Sat 9am–5pm; Sun 10am–5pm.
These smart, modern bistros do a good line in early morning pick-me-ups, catering as much for the calorie conscious or those who don’t give a damn. You can pick from yoghurt, bircher muesli and pastries, or go the whole hog with some of the best eggs Benedict served anywhere in Edinburgh. Arbroath smokies and a mix’n’match fry-up are also on offer and vegetarians will find themselves not unwelcome here. (David Pollock)

And if you're craving something specific …

{CROISSANTS}

Manna House
22–24 Easter Road
Falko Konditorei
185 Bruntsfield Place

{BACON ROLLS}

Spoon
6A Nicolson Street
Rocket
41 Morningside Road

{PORRIDGE}

Edinburgh Larder
15 Blackfriars Street
Café Milk
232 Morrison Street

{JUICE & SMOOTHIES}

Hula
103-105 West Bow

{PANCAKES}

Heller's Kitchen
15 Salisbury Place

{FRENCH TOAST}

Toast
146 Marchmont Road
Mimi’s Bakehouse
63 Shore

{EGGS BENEDICT}

Circle
1 Brandon Terrace
Urban Angel
1 Forth Street

{FULL SCOTTISH}

The King's Wark
36 Shore
Broughton Deli
7 Barony Street