A good brunch is an essential part of any trip to Edinburgh. After some early morning exploring in the city, there’s nothing better than settling in for a hearty meal that will give you all the energy you need to get back out on the cobbles.
And boy, does this city know how to do brunch. Like so many of the best places to eat in Edinburgh, the city’s brunch spots often focus on local ingredients and specialities, or Scottish twists on international dishes. Think fry-ups that would make your granny proud, refreshingly elegant seasonal menus, and plates that can transport you from Scotland to Singapore without leaving your seat.
Here are the 10 best places to get brunch in Edinburgh for locals and visitors alike – the ones that are worth the wait, worth the walk, and worth coming back to again and again.
Pin this post for later!
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. Read more in my disclaimer.
Greenwoods
61 Frederick Street, EH2
Brunch trends may come and go, but one thing in Scotland will never change – the beauty of a full Scottish fry-up. And with generous portions, bold flavours and a touch of flair, Greenwoods is the place to get one. The full Scottish comes with the works – sausage, bacon, haggis, tomato, beans, egg…. I could go on!
Greenwood’s is also a great option if you’re looking for a vegetarian or vegan fry-up in Edinburgh. These aren’t just afterthoughts to the meat version, and you’ll find the likes of grilled paneer, scrambled tofu and crispy potatoes to elevate your plate – the kind of flavours that even the most committed carnivore wouldn’t turn their nose up at.
Although the fry-ups are the star of the show, you’ll find a generous menu of other dishes, including the fan-favourite banana tumble, or the Dutch brunch that pays homage to Greenwood’s other branches in Amsterdam.
Toast
65 Shore, Leith EH6
Despite labelling themselves as Edinburgh’s first wine café, the all-day eatery Toast is better known as one of the best places to get brunch in Edinburgh. Classic brunch dishes are done perfectly here, and there are a few international offerings, such as shakshuka, huevos rancheros and masala beans that add a little twist to the menu.
Once an art gallery, the bright and airy space offers brick accents, wooden furniture and a chic feel. Plus, it’s perfectly situated at The Shore in the heart of Leith, meaning you can enjoy a post-brunch stroll around one of Edinburgh’s coolest neighbourhoods. Just make sure you pick up one of the delicious cakes from the bakery counter before you go!
Pantry
1 North West Circus Place, Stockbridge EH3 | 1 Merchiston Place, Bruntsfield EH10
Pantry is a cult favourite for Edinburgh locals and is the place to be for fresh, locally-sourced brunch dishes. Set in the heart of Stockbridge, it’s the perfect spot for a laid-back meal after a morning exploring the charming neighbourhood.
Brunch here is hearty but wholesome, with plenty of Scottish produce at its core. The brunch dishes are served all day, with some breakfast and lunch dishes served earlier and later, meaning you can try different things depending on when you come! The Pantry Fry and Pantry Waffles are popular choices, and the Sunshine on Stockbridge, with sweet potato, courgette, and poached eggs, is great to get a kick-start on your 5 a day.
Pantry has also recently opened a second location in Bruntsfield. The menu is a little simpler, but it’s great if you want to avoid the weekend queues in Stockbridge (especially since they take bookings in Bruntsfield!). And once brunch is done, you can take a stroll through the nearby Meadows.
Stockbridge | Bruntsfield | Website
Check out the top activities in Edinburgh for your trip!
Singapore Coffee House
5 Canonmills EH3
Tucked away on a quiet street in Cannonmills is Singapore Coffee House, a cosy spot that brings a slice of Southeast Asia to Edinburgh’s brunch scene. Inspired by Singapore’s traditional kopitiam culture, the coffee house offers a laid-back, homely atmosphere thanks to its small, simple space and open kitchen.
Try the likes of Roti Canai, Kaya Toast, or Karipap Pusing – all classic Singaporean favourites bursting with rich and authentic flavours. Or embrace the Scottish influences on the menu, like the haggis-stuffed murtabak (a menu highlight for me!) and the full cooked breakfast. Whatever you try, make sure you wash it down with a traditional kopitiam drink. You could opt for Kopi, Hong Kong milk tea or Rose Bandung.
With just a handful of tables and a walk-in only policy, you’ll want to arrive for opening to avoid the long queue that tends to snake out of the door. But trust me, it’s more than worth the wait – as Edinburgh brunch goes, this place is one of the best!
Scran
7 North Bridge Arcade EH1 | 52 George IV Bridge EH1
Scran Bistro in Edinburgh does exactly what it says on the tin… good Scottish scran! Named after the Scots slang for food, this friendly bistro serves up an impressive menu of brunch classics and inventive dishes. You’ll find two locations in the Old Town – one on Cockburn Street and another on George IV Bridge – perfect if you want to fuel up before a day of exploring the Royal Mile or Edinburgh’s top attractions.
On the menu, you’ll find all-day breakfast and filled rolls, plus more lunch-focused dishes like burgers, wraps and loaded fries. The portions are big, the flavours are bold, and everything looks just as good as it tastes.
The Scran Stack (or the veggie version) is a menu highlight – a towering plate of breakfast favourites layered on top of toasted sourdough. If you’re more into sweet brunch, make sure you try the Biscoff and banana pancakes!
Margot
7-8 Barclay Terrace EH4
In an unassuming spot on Barclay Terrace, just along from Bruntsfield Links, lies Margot – a laid-back, stylish spot that feels more like a neighbourhood hangout than a typical brunch café. But despite that, it’s one of the best places for brunch in Edinburgh, with its elegant yet unfussy menu.
The menu is seasonal but always offers an enticing range of toasts, sandwiches and other dishes that you’ll hope make the cut every time a new menu is announced! Past favourites have included orange-roasted beetroot and cashew cream on sourdough, the croque Margot, and Turkish eggs with herby yoghurt.
And as seems to be a trend with Edinburgh brunch spots, Margot is an all-rounder. Come back in the evening for wine and small plates, or look out for the regular pop-ups, dinner parties and events hosted in the space.
Don’t Tell Mama
64 Home Street EH3
Fancy trying some fresh and authentic Greek food for your next brunch in Edinburgh? Head to Don’t Tell Mama for a taste of Hellas. Inspired by the owners’ childhood in Greece, the coffee bar offers both a menu sprinkled with Greek-inspired dishes and an atmosphere that transports you all the way to the Mediterranean.
Try the Greek breakfast, Spanakopita, or the thyme-roasted aubergine – or opt for some of the more creative dishes on the menu, like the pancake tacos or pork belly eggs benedict. Just make sure you grab one of their delicious freddo coffees to go with it.
Plus, if you want to come back for more, Don’t Tell Mama host regular events on Friday nights and weekends. The space turns into a lively bar, the coffee menu into a selection of cocktails and wines, and you can party until the early hours of the morning… and then head back for brunch later on!
Seventy One Steps
22 Rodney Street EH7
Aptly named for its distance from its parent bakery, The Bearded Baker, Seventy One Steps is a brunch stop in Edinburgh serving a humble yet delicious menu of bagels and sweet treats. The space is small but warm and welcoming, with a relaxed vibe that fits well with the surrounding neighbourhood.
The bagels are the main event – build your own from a list of toppings (make sure you add a fried egg to experience the famous ‘beggel’) or choose from their signature list. And if you’d prefer something sweet, there are pancakes on the menu too, plus smaller treats like doughnuts and cinnamon buns.
Stack & Still
83 Hanover Street EH2 | Bonnie & Wild, St James Quarter EH1
Taking the Central Belt by storm, Stack & Still is a pancake house with locations across Edinburgh and Glasgow. You’ll find their main Edinburgh brunch restaurant on Hanover Street, with a stall at the Bonnie & Wild Food Market too. The self-proclaimed ‘pancake pioneers’ offer a menu dedicated to the sweet dish, with both a build-your-own-stack offering and signature stacks.
With a dizzying number of toppings on offer, you can build the pancake stack of your dreams – sweet, savoury, or somewhere in between. Or let the team at Stack & Still do the work for you and choose a sweet or savoury signature stack. Try a fry up, shakshuka, or pesto eggs on a pancake, or opt for ‘death by chocolate’ or the cinnamon bun stack.
Make sure you look out for the specials at Stack & Still for the craziest pancake creations, like haggis, neeps, and tatties or Christmas dinner!
Cowan & Sons
33 Raeburn Place, Stockbridge EH4
First gracing the streets of Stockbridge back in 1997, Cowan & Sons has long been a go-to for locals in search of good food, great coffee and a welcoming atmosphere. The independent, family-owned café is one of the friendliest spots in the city and is always bustling with life on the weekends.
At Cowan & Sons, they’re known for their big brunch buns. Choose from the meaty, veggie or vegan and expect a buttery brioche bun filled with flavourful ingredients. You’ll also find breakfast bites and toasties on the menu, with great coffee to go along with it!
Beyond the food, Cowan & Sons also doubles as a gallery space, with rotating exhibitions by local artists lining the walls. The walls are lined with paintings and prints, providing decoration for the café and an opportunity for local artists to showcase and sell their work.
