Edinburgh is one of the most unique and beautiful cities in the world. Its literary heritage, Gothic architecture, and unparalleled views make it a favourite destination for tourists and locals alike.
If you’re visiting the capital of Scotland, you can rest assured that whatever food craving you have will be answered, whatever time of day. And when it comes to a leisurely mid-morning meal, the city’s brunch spots are some of the very best. Discover where to find the best brunch in Edinburgh with CrossCountry.
Scran Café & Bistro
The food at Scran Café is big and beautiful. Plates full to the sides with sausage, haggis, black pudding, beans, and potato scones, or piled high with buttermilk pancakes dripping with maple syrup. With plentiful sandwich options filled with as much good stuff as possible, there are delicious options for any appetite. If you’re not quite hungry enough for a full meal, you have to visit Scran for their milkshake, specialising in the chocolatiest flavours you can think of.
Scran Café feels casual, and you’ll always be welcomed in like a friend. However, its location inside North Bridge Arcade, with its stained-glass domed ceiling and intricate wrought iron gates makes a visit here feel quite fancy – ideal for a first date when you’re looking to impress. The floor-to-ceiling windows make it the perfect people-watching spot, too, even better if you can grab a table out on the cobblestones of Leith Walk.
Scran Café & Bistro is close to Edinburgh Waverley station, roughly fifteen minutes' walking distance. This makes it the perfect place to visit for something to fill you up before your train journey home, or to energise you for your trip around the capital.
Cowan & Sons
Cowan & Sons can be found in the darling neighbourhood of Stockbridge, one of our favourite places to go if you're exploring Edinburgh on a budget. What sets Cowan & Sons apart is their devotion to local produce, as well as their dedication to local artists. You might enter the charming café expecting to order a flat white to go, but you’re almost certain to come out with a unique framed print for your living room.
And now to what makes this a truly special brunch place in Edinburgh: the food. We have to recommend the Big Brunch Buns. Served in a perfectly toasted brioche bun, it somehow manages to hold together herby pork sausage, crispy potato rosti, melting Monterey Jack cheese, a fried egg, and sriracha mayo. Every bite is heavenly, and that’s before you even explore their vegetarian and vegan options.
To reach Cowan & Sons from Edinburgh Waverley, hop on a bus from Princes Street and within twenty minutes you’ll find yourself in Stockbridge. Be sure to enjoy the wonderful shopping opportunities here, too!
MUMS Great Comfort Food
MUMs Great Comfort Food on Forrest Road is another spot that doesn’t do dainty bites. Their ethos ‘top nosh at half the cost’ draws hungry customers in from all over, and it’s easy to see why. The MUMS Great Breakfast Menu is concise but effective.
Meat-eaters will love the Classic Breakfast, while vegetarians can rejoice at the Veggie Classic. If you fancy something you can hold, get the smoked salmon and scrambled eggs served on a toasted muffin. If you like a dollop of whipped cream with your breakfast, get the pancake stack. There’s a reason why MUMS is one of our favourite spots to get pancakes in Edinburgh.
The vibe is delightfully retro and completely unpretentious. It’s the perfect place to visit for some down-to-earth grub. Be sure to come back to try MUMS Traditional Herby Pork Sausage with mash and gravy for a heartier meal later in the day.
MUMS is just ten-minute walking distance from Edinburgh Waverley, just go South along North Bridge and you’re there.
Margot
Margot, painted in sage green and surrounded by plants in terracotta pots, is exactly what you need from a neighbourhood café. This also makes it the perfect place to visit while you’re exploring Edinburgh as a tourist – it makes you feel at home.
Celebrating artisanal ingredients and natural wines, their brunch menu is comforting while still feeling like a special treat. Though you may not be able to order the same dish twice, you can rely on the jam to always be bright and fresh, the egg yolks to be vivid orange and runny, and the sourdough to be deliciously crunchy.
On a blustery day in winter, be sure to order one of their unbelievable hot chocolates. Sourced from Edward and Irwyn Chocolatiers on Morningside Road, you can either have a sea salt and muscovado hot chocolate, or a Scandi spiced hot chocolate, both are out of this world.
From Edinburgh Waverley, it’s a twelve-minute walk into the New Town, where Margot awaits on George Street.
Ardfern
Ardfern is the place to go for an elevated brunch. Think duck liver parfait on sourdough and crab dauphine. This is also one of the best places in Leith to have fresh oysters, either natural or with an enticing carrot hot sauce. Inside, the atmosphere is warm and intimate, the ideal spot to linger in conversation with a friend or a date.
Ardfern has only been open since the Summer of 2024. Just a couple of months later, they made it onto the Michelin Guide, and by February 2025, they had earned themselves a Michelin Bib Gourmand – the ultimate indicator of quality food at great value.
Head north from Edinburgh Waverley for around fifteen minutes, crossing through the New Town towards Canonmills, and you’ll find Ardfern.
The Haven Café
The Haven Café is the perfect encapsulation of neighbourhood charm. Their treat cabinet is full of crumbly, flaky, and unctuous delights, including the most amazing cakes. Past successes include banana split cake drizzled in chocolate and decorated with glacier cherries and sprinkles, and pistachio and lime cake dappled with edible pansies.
The brunch menu is simple and unfussy, with favourites you can rely on to be affordable and delicious. They know their way around a proper fry-up or a bowl of soup, but what makes The Haven really special is the genuine warmth from the staff members. You can come here if you fancy a chat over the counter and stay to enjoy the friendly atmosphere.
From Edinburgh Waverley, hop on a bus from Princes Street and head down to Leith in about twenty minutes.
If you’re planning to try some brunch or breakfast cafes in Edinburgh, don’t forget to book Advance rail tickets via our website or the CrossCountry app. Before you travel, make sure to check scheduled train times to find the best journey for you. If you need more information, you can contact us here.
Info
At the time of publishing, all information given is correct. Details of events, businesses, and locations included may be subject to change by third parties. Please make sure to check any details with organisers before you travel.
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