16 best brunch places in Edinburgh 

The Scottish capital of Edinburgh has an unforgettable culinary scene – and it’s probably one of the reasons why I love this city so much.

Personally, I don’t think there’s a better way to spend a leisurely morning than indulging in a delectable brunch in this magical city.

Having visited the Scottish capital numerous times over the years, I’ve unearthed some of the best brunch places in Edinburgh and have compiled them into this guide.

Whether you want to sample vegan haggis or a bacon naan, sip an expertly blended juice or munch on freshly baked goodies, I have no doubt that these Edinburgh brunch spots will delight your senses and satisfy a rumbling stomach.

The best brunch places in Edinburgh are scattered across the city, from the New Town or Stockbridge in the north to neighbouring Bruntsfield and Morningside to the south. 

So when it’s the weekend or you want a break from exploring the city, I’d recommend dropping into one of the following glorious local Edinburgh eateries and tucking into a fabulous feast.

1. Loudons

Best for: An artisan bakery

Address: 94B Fountainbridge, Edinburgh EH3 9AQ // 2 Sibbald Walk, Edinburgh EH8 8FT

The original Loudons branch on Fountainbridge has done so well that the team behind it have now opened a more recent addition in New Waverley. Which I think is great news for all of us!

Both are among the best brunch places in Edinburgh. Loudons is renowned for its delectable freshly-baked goods, the aroma from which accosts your senses as soon as you walk through either door. 

Loudons also caters well for special diets, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options available on the menu.

Highlights for meat eaters include black pudding and haggis, while the eggs Benedict and French toast is are favourites of mine.

2. Salt Café 

Best for: An award-winning brunch

Address: 54-56 Morningside Road, Edinburgh EH10 4BZ

Situated in the popular suburb of Morningside south of the city centre, Salt Café serves an award-winning brunch as part of its modern British menu.

With vegan and vegetarian options alongside the likes of wheat-free sourdough, I’m pleased to say that all options are catered for. 

Locally sourced goods are a speciality, including ‘kilted’ doughnuts from Leith and chocolate from Coco in South Queensferry. Other treats include what some call the city’s finest French toast and sausage rolls – and I would be inclined to agree!

Dogs and breastfeeding customers are also welcomed with open arms, the former having their own dedicated area.

3. Greenwoods

Best for: A top notch vegetarian breakfast

Address: 61 Frederick St, Edinburgh EH2 1LH

Recently voted in the top 100 restaurants in the UK by 1.4 million OpenTable users, I think Greenwoods definitely deserves a place on this list of the best brunch places in Edinburgh.

Using fresh, local ingredients, the breakfast and brunch options here are mouth-wateringly good. Plus, this is also a great spot for a hearty vegan or vegetarian brunch in Edinburgh.

I love that Greenwoods offer a Dutch twist on traditional brunch dishes and don’t miss the popular Dutch apple pie. This cosy spot combines great food with friendly service and a truly wonderful atmosphere.

4. Laila

Best for: An Instagrammable brunch

Address: 63 Cockburn Street, Edinburgh EH1 1BS

Laila certainly serves the best brunch in Edinburgh in terms of creating envy-inducing, Insta-worthy images – and the food’s pretty tasty too. 

This Mediterranean meets Middle Eastern eatery occupies an attractive corner spot on Cockburn Street. Featuring a pastel pink frontage bedecked with floral garlands, you can even get snapping before setting foot within. 

Vegetarian, vegan and Halal options are available and brunch fans adore the cosy ambience and slick, friendly service.

You can sample imaginative creations like candy floss pancakes, Aleppo eggs or a ruby rose latte here.The cocktail menu also means this is one of the best places for a boozy brunch in Edinburgh. 

I would say though, that if you’re the kind of person who gets aggravated at people snapping photos of their food left, right and centre, then I’d give this place a miss.

For more gorgeous cocktail spots, have a read of my guide to the best cocktail bars in Edinburgh.

5. Urban Angel 

Best for: A healthier option

Address: 121 Hanover Street, Edinburgh EH2 1DJ

If you feel like crossing to the other side of town, Urban Angel can be found in the New Town area just north of Princes Street.

It’s a leafy locale characterised by elegant Georgian buildings and spacious squares.  The blonde wood interior echoes the golden stone of the area, and the menu focuses on fair trade, local and organic ingredients.

Gluten, plant-based and vegetarian options are offered, and I’d recommend this as the place to come for a healthier or typically Scottish brunch.

6. The Pantry 

Best for: Cracking Eggs Benedict

Address: 1 North West Circus Place, Edinburgh EH3 6ST

Wander a little further out of town and you’ll hit Stockbridge, one of Edinburgh’s more bohemian quarters – and one of my favourite areas in the city.

The Pantry is renowned for its Eggs Benedict, which even boast The Sunday Times’ stamp of approval. 

A light, bright interior makes this a really pleasant place to be, even on one of Edinburgh’s cloudiest or most drizzly days.

Eggs any which way are definitely a thing here: think poached and served American-style with streaky bacon, or cooked with chorizo for a more Spanish twist.

7. Rabble

Best for: A boozy brunch

Address: 55A Frederick Street, Edinburgh EH2 1LH

Also in Edinburgh’s New Town is Rabble, a grill and taphouse on Frederick Street.

If you want the sort of bottomless brunch in Edinburgh that could lead to staying on all day, I’d say this is the place. It serves great cocktails, including a delicious and enlivening espresso martini.  

Food is grilled to perfection and the range spans meat, vegan, gluten-free and vegetarian options. With lots of trailing greenery and cane furniture, the place has the feel of a spacious garden room, which I love.

8. Mimi’s Bakehouse

Best for: Scrumptious sweet treats

Address: Various

The luscious goodies available at Mimi’s Bakehouse have gone down such a storm that there are now six in total across the Scottish capital.

These can be found in Leith, Corstorphine, Lauriston Castle, Comely Bank, at the City Art Centre and on the Royal Mile.

Brunch is invariably delicious and generously proportioned, and you simply must leave room to try one of the mouth-watering cakes prepared on site.

Any branch of Mimi’s is also one of the best cafés in Edinburgh, being great for a coffee stop or afternoon tea. I’m pleased to say that gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options are available. 

9. Honeycomb & Co

Best for: A dog-friendly brunch

Address: 1 Merchiston Place, Edinburgh EH10 4NP

Honeycomb & Co is located on Merchiston Place in Bruntsfield, close to The Meadows and Morningside Road.

I think this dog-friendly eatery is one of the best brunch places in Edinburgh, with its cosy, padded booths and smart marble tables.

All dishes are packed with flavour and the menu is great for those seeking healthy, vegan, gluten free or vegetarian options.

The interesting menu includes dishes like shakshuka, sweet potato fritters, French toast with apple, or mushrooms with cheese-topped toast. My mouth is watering at the thought!

10. The Larder

Best for: Local and ethically-sourced produce

Address: 15 Blackfriars Street, EH1 1NB

Positioned in the historic heart of Edinburgh on Blackfriars Street, The Larder is the place to go for locally sourced Scottish ingredients, a friendly welcome and coffee that’s roasted and served to perfection. 

If you want to try local favourites like porridge, haggis or scones, I’d really recommend this spot. Attention to detail is everything here: even the baked beans are homemade.

Which is probably why The Larder is rated one of the top eateries in the entire city. Venture off the Royal Mile to bag a table if you possibly can; it’s walk-ins only here.

11. Hula 

Best for: Delightful juice and smoothies

Address: 103-105 West Bow, Edinburgh EH1 2JP // 94A Fountainbridge, Edinburgh EH3 9QA

If it’s high time you treated your body as a temple, head to one of the Hula juice bars and healthy cafés in Fountainbridge or Grassmarket. Especially if you spent the night before in the area’s superb local pubs!

I love the adventurous menu, and the bowls and platters of nourishing food are a feast for all the senses.

Vegans, vegetarians and coeliacs are well looked after too – even the ‘Biscoffee’ is made with oat rather than cow’s milk. The smoothies and juices are also unparalleled. 

12. The Olive Branch

Best for: A Mediterranean brunch 

Address: 91 Broughton Street, Edinburgh EH1 3RX

The Olive Branch is perched on the edge of the New Town and is rustic-chic personified. Think exposed brickwork, wooden floors and vast windows that let in lots of light.

It offers an all-day dining experience from brunch right through to supper, so I’d recommend grabbing a table and relaxing for a while.

Food leans towards modern European style, and if it’s a pile of fries or sumptuous dessert you crave then you should be very happy here.

Though there are healthy, vegan, gluten free and vegetarian options too. 

13. Dishoom

Best for: An Indian twist on brunch

Address: 3a St Andrew Square, Edinburgh EH2 2BD

Dishoom is a name that’s known internationally. As you might expect, the Edinburgh branch specialises in serving brunch with an Indian twist.

It’s described as ‘Bombay comfort food’, and the range of dishes include gluten free, vegan and vegetarian choices.

The breakfast menu is available until 11:45am when you can switch to all-day dining. I can highly recommend Dishoom’s bacon naan roll, which is perennially popular and can also be ordered with twice the bacon.

Ingredients like pepper, chilli and coriander are used to pep up platefuls. I’d also recommend the banana and date porridge with oat milk.  

14. BBL

Best for: Great vegan options

Address: 65 Pleasance, Edinburgh EH8 9TG

BBL? Breakfast, brunch and lunch of course – which gives you some indication of what this place is really good at.

It’s quite simply the best spot for a vegan brunch in Edinburgh, and is located on Pleasance, between the University and Holyrood Park.

Though vegan fare is a speciality, meatier options are available for committed carnivores – or those who like to mix things up.

The plant-based haggis, sausage and black pudding are nothing short of legendary, and I think the prices are very reasonable too. 

15. Em’s Kitchen

Best for: An intimate atmosphere

Address: 38 St Mary’s St, Edinburgh EH1 1SX

Situated on St Mary’s Street in the Royal Mile, blink and you could almost miss Em’s Kitchen, with its deep teal frontage and elegant gold lettering.

It’s aesthetically pleasing both inside and out, as is the yummy food. Discerning visitors can enjoy a pleasingly snug, intimate atmosphere. 

Choose a Scottish speciality like a tattie (potato) scone, opt for a classic savoury treat like smashed avocado on toast, or indulge in sweet pancakes with fresh blueberries.

This lovely café draws in many visitors staying across the way, who flock here for the fabulous food. 

16. SEVEN

Best for: A local neighbourhood café

Address: 7 Home St, Edinburgh EH3 9JR

Formerly known as Café Class, SEVEN is a cosy neighbourhood eatery located in Tollcross. It’s situated on the south side of town as the road heads towards Bruntsfield Links and Morningside.

With flamingo-pink paint and plenty of foliage, I love that it has something of a tropical look.

You name it and SEVEN has got it, whether that’s vegetarian, gluten free, vegan or organic. Try to leave room for pudding after your vegan or meaty Scottish breakfast.

The cakes are to die for and there are plenty of herbal and fruit tea blends to pick from as well as great coffee. 

I think an indulgent brunch in Edinburgh is a must for any visit to the Scottish capital. It’s the perfect way to break up a morning of exploration and adventure.

Do you have any personal recommendations for brunch places in Edinburgh? Do let me know in the comments or get in touch on social media!

Planning a trip? Discover more of my Edinburgh guides:

• 15 best things to do in Edinburgh
• 15 cosy cafés in Edinburgh
• 12 bars and restaurants with a view in Edinburgh
• 20 amazing Michelin restaurants in Edinburgh
• 18 gorgeous luxury hotels in Edinburgh
• 10 amazing day trips from Edinburgh