Are you planning a trip to Edinburgh and looking for the perfect brunch spot? My guide to the best breakfast places in Edinburgh includes 16 of my favourite restaurants, serving everything from a traditional Scottish fry to breakfast with an Indian twist.
Edinburgh’s foodie scene is pretty unrivalled, and it’s drawn me back to the Scottish capital time and time again.
I’ve visited the city nearly 20 times over the years, and each time I fall more in love with it. But in a city of this size, it can be overwhelming knowing what to do, where to stay, and most importantly, where to eat.
And as you’ll need plenty of fuel for exploring, you’ll want your breakfast to be perfect. Luckily, you don’t have to look far to find the best breakfast places in Edinburgh.
I’ve sampled plenty of brunches around the city, and I have a firm list of favourites. This article covers all of the best places to grab breakfast in Edinburgh, and a few tips and tricks to help you make the most out of your choice.
1. The Spence
Best for: Beautiful interiors
Location: 39 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh EH2 2AD
Photos courtesy of The Spence | Best breakfast places in Edinburgh
Newly opened Gleneagles Townhouse is Edinburgh’s most beautiful place to stay. So it’s no surprise it’s also home to one of Edinburgh’s most beautiful restaurants – The Spence. Scottish chef Jonny Wright is head chef, and he brings years of experience working at renowned London restaurants.
The Spence is open all-day, but does a breakfast menu until 10:30am. Gleneagles is a luxury hotel, so expect to pay more to eat here than the other places on this list. But in return, you’ll get quality food in an incredibly designed space.
Things to note: The tables around the outside of the room are VERY close together and we actually felt quite uncomfortable eating there as we could hear the conversations of the table next to us, and it was a tight squeeze to get in and out. If you can, request a table in the middle of the room. It’ll give you a completely different experience.
2. SALT
Best for: An all-day breakfast in Edinburgh
Location: 54-56 Morningside Rod, Edinburgh EH10 4BZ
Photos courtesy of SALT | Best breakfast places in Edinburgh
Slightly further out of the city, in the leafy suburb of Morningside,award-winning Saltis one of the best breakfast places in Edinburgh. They serve an all-day breakfast menu and all the food is made fresh in the café.
Head chef Steve is an award-winning butcher and makes all of the bacon and sausages from scratch. And Head Baker Liv makes the cakes!
The menu is an extensive offering, with a huge selection of sweet and savoury options. There’s even a dedicated section to eggs benedict, there’s 7 different variations!
Their “butcher’s breakfast” is the star of the show – consisting of back bacon, sausage, black pudding, haggis, mushrooms, 2 eggs, homemade beans and sourdough fried in beef fat.
There’s brilliant vegetarian and gluten-free alternatives, and a selection of pastries if you only want something small. There’s also a great selection for children, with a pick and mix “wee ones” menu. Rest-assured you’ll find something you like here.
Walk-in tables are available but booking is recommended.
3. A Pinch of Salt
Best for: A quick bite
Location: Former Police Box, Lauriston Place, Edinburgh EH3 9JN
If you’re in a rush, SALTs newest location, A Pinch of Salt, is perfect. It’s based out of a converted police box and serves takeaway coffee and pastries, supplied from the café.
4. Toast
Best for: Exploring a new neighbourhood
Location: 65 Shore, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6RA
Photos courtesy of Toast | Best breakfast places in Edinburgh
You’ll find Toast in Leith, a neighbourhood in Edinburgh full of brilliant restaurants and pubs on the waterfront. It’s an area well worth exploring and Toast is the perfect place to eat before you do.
Whilst it’s actually a wine bar, it serves a brilliant food menu throughout the day. At breakfast, there’s plenty of choice, including shakshuka, avocado toast and huevos rancheros.
5. The Pantry
Best for: A varied menu
Location: 1 N W Circus Pl, Stockbridge, Edinburgh EH3 6ST
Photos courtesy of The Pantry | Best breakfast places in Edinburgh
One of my favourite breakfast places in Edinburgh,The Pantryis one of the first restaurants I discovered when I visited with my mum 13 years ago. It’s only a 2-minute walk from Circus Lane, so it’s another great option if you’ve got plans to visit.
Breakfast is served until 11 and the ‘pantry fry’ will set you up for a full day of exploring. It includes sausage, streaky bacon, black pudding, haggis, tomato, baked beans, confit mushroom, hash brown and a poached egg.
There’s also a vegetarian option and a smaller fry up if you’re not super hungry. Bringing children? There’s a mini menu perfect for them – sausages and beans on toast, mini waffles and bacon.
If you’re visiting later in the day, brunch is available until 3pm. Choose from eggs benedict, waffles, chorizo black beans and smashed avocado.
6. Mayvn
Best for: The central location
Location: 127 George St, Edinburgh EH2 4JN
Photos courtesy of Eden Locke | Best breakfast places in Edinburgh
Mayvnis the café and wine bar at Eden Locke, one of my favourite hotels in the city. It’s a beautiful airy space, filled with plants, rattan furniture and flooded with light from the large windows of the Georgian listed building. The breakfast menu is small but offers a selection of bites, sandwiches and drinks.
Plus, it’s perfectly located just a few minutes walk from Princes Street and a 15-minute walk from the castle.
7. Duck and Waffle
Best for: A special occasion
Location: St James Quarter, 400-402 St James Square, Edinburgh EH1 3AE
Photos courtesy of Duck and Waffle | Best breakfast places in Edinburgh
This iconic London restaurant hasn’t even opened its doors yet, and it’s already being talked about. The clue’s in the name that the speciality here is the duck and waffle – crispy duck leg, with a fried duck egg, waffle and mustard maple syrup.
But if that doesn’t tempt you, there’s plenty of other classics, including an English breakfast, Eggs Benedict, pastries, greek yogurt and more.
On the weekend, they offer an all-day brunch, from 6am to 4:30pm, and this is where things get even more adventurous. Expect to see dishes like crispy pig ears, ox cheek doughnut and foie gras creme brûlée.
This is the perfect choice if you want an experience as well as a breakfast.
Duck and Waffle opens on February 1st 2023, and reservations are open now.
8. Dishoom
Best for: Breakfast with a twist
Location: 3a St Andrew Square, Edinburgh EH2 2BD
Photos courtesy of Dishoom | Best breakfast places in Edinburgh
Dishoom might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of breakfast, considering it’s an Indian restaurant chain. But it’s one of the best breakfast places in Edinburgh, especially if you’re in the mood for something a bit different.
Menu favourites are Kejriwal – two fried eggs on chilli cheese toast, and The Big Bombay – their take on a full English. But you can’t have a Dishoom breakfast without trying the bacon naan, they’re famous for this dish.
Smoked streaky bacon is matured and then smoked, and each naan is baked fresh in the tandoor. It’s topped with cream cheese, tomato-chilli jam and coriander, and then filled with the delicious bacon.
9. Urban Angel
Best for: Delicious food, and being close to Circus Lane
Location: 121 Hanover St, Edinburgh EH2 1DJ
Photos courtesy of Urban Angel | Best breakfast places in Edinburgh
Urban Angelis a cosy café on Hanover Street, around a 10-minute walk from Edinburgh’s most famous street, Circus Lane. I ate here on my way to see the iconic lane, and it became my favourite breakfast spot in Edinburgh.
They serve an all-day brunch Monday-Friday until 2:30pm and Saturday & Sunday until 3:30pm, so it’s perfect for late risers.
They use fresh, local ingredients, including bread they bake in-house. The menu is a mix of breakfast classics like eggs benedict and english muffins, as well as more creative options like roast potato hash and brioche french toast.
I had the avocado on toast with feta and it was the best brunch I’ve had in Edinburgh. There’s plenty of options for vegetarians and also offers takeaway salads, juices and smoothies, if you’d prefer something on the go.
10. The Edinburgh Larder
Best for: A traditional Scottish breakfast
Location: 15 Blackfriars St, Edinburgh EH1 1NB
Photos courtesy of Edinburgh Larder | Best breakfast places in Edinburgh
The Edinburgh Larder has been on the map as one of the best breakfast places in Edinburgh for over 13 years. Tucked away just off The Royal Mile, you don’t get much more central than this spot.
Consisting of two café’s side by side, they both serve the same menu comprising of locally-sourced Scottish products.
There’s something for everyone here, with great options for vegetarians, vegans, meat-eaters and children. I’d recommend booking a table in advance, it’s a really popular spot in one of the busiest locations in Edinburgh.
11. Greenwoods
Best for: An Edinburgh institution
Location: 61 Frederick St, Edinburgh EH2 1LH
Greenwoods first opened its doors on the canal in Amsterdam back in 1988, and quickly became the go-to breakfast spot in the city.
Fast forward 30 years, and the Scottish general manager saw an opportunity to bring Greenwoods over to Edinburgh, and for her to move back home. In 2021, the café opened on Frederick Street, in the heart of the New Town.
Its Dutch roots are present throughout the menu, you have to try the ‘appeltaart’ (apple pie). There’s also a brilliant selection of classic dishes, using fresh, local ingredients.
12. Brioche
Best for: Fans of brioche buns
Location: 144 Dundas St, Edinburgh EH3 5DQ
Photos courtesy of Brioche | Best breakfast places in Edinburgh
The clue’s in the name that this is the best breakfast place in Edinburgh for all things brioche. They serve cooked to order brioche buns with your choice of fillings. It’s a really unusual concept and definitely worth trying on your trip to the city!
Menu highlights include The Brie – deep fried brie, red onion marmalade, spinach and basil mayo, and the The Madame – pulled pork, cheese, bechamel and fried egg.
13. The Ivy
Best for: Breakfast with the girls
Location: 6 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh EH2 2BD
Photos courtesy of The Ivy | Best breakfast places in Edinburgh
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard of The Ivy. The restaurant chain has locations across the UK, and is famed for its beautiful interiors and quality food.
Located in the beautiful St.Andrew Square, just behind Princes Street, The Ivy is one of the best breakfast places in Edinburgh.
There’s something for everyone on the menu, with a selection of juices, pastries, cooked food and healthier options.
14. LOWDOWN
Best for: The best coffee in Edinburgh
Location: 40 George St, Edinburgh EH2 2LE
LOWDOWN is a coffee shop on George Street, just behind Princes Street in Edinburgh’s New Town. This cosy café has plenty of vegan and vegetarian options, and some of the best coffee in the city.
There’s a brilliant selection of breakfast items, including avocado toast, pastries, porridge and buns.
15. Brunch-field
Best for: A cheap breakfast in Edinburgh
Location: 3 Viewforth Gardens, Bruntsfield Pl, Edinburgh EH10 4ET
This unassuming café is a bit further out of town, around a 20-minute walk from Haymarket, but it’s 4.9* rating should reassure you that it’s worth the trip!
There’s great options for meat-eaters and veggie’s, and you get a lot more for your money than other places on this list.
The morning rolls are perfect if you only want something light. Choose from bacon, sausage, black pudding and haggis, or potato scone and egg.
Best of all, they only cost £2.50! Brunch-field is an independent café, so not only will you get a great meal, you’ll be supporting a local business.
16. Montpeliers
Best for: Locally-sourced food
Location: 159-161 Bruntsfield Pl, Edinburgh EH10 4DG
Located in the heart of Bruntsford, a largely residential area in the South of Edinburgh, Montpeliers is focused on providing locally-sourced food and works closely with Scottish butchers and suppliers.
If you’re hungry, try The Full Monty, with chargrilled chicken, sausage, bacon, eggs, potato scone, minute steak, haggis, black pudding, tomato, mushrooms, baked beans, toast and orange juice, tea or coffee.
There’s also a Veggie Monty and a Wee Monty for children. Fancy something lighter? The bacon, sausage and egg breakfast butties come with homemade chilli jam and will only set you back £3.50.
As you can probably tell from this list, you don’t have to look far to find the best breakfast places in Edinburgh. Let me know if you try them in the comments.
What to read next:
- 29 Things You Must Do in Edinburgh in 2023
- The 12 Most Romantic Hotels in Edinburgh
- Eden Locke: A Budget-Friendly Edinburgh Hotel
