Best Brunches in Edinburgh
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1 year ago
Where to get your brunch fix in the Scottish capital
Edinburgh has a thriving food scene, with cosy cafes, sophisticated dining rooms and buzzy bars dotted all over the city. Whether you’re a local or are visiting for the weekend, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to dining there – particularly if you’re after brunch. The Scottish capital has become something of a brunch mecca in recent years, with endless spots serving up all manner of sweet and savoury dishes. Discover the best spots in Edinburgh with our handy guide, offering everything from Scottish fry-ups to smoothie bowls and decadent pancake stacks.
Best Brunches in Edinburgh
Urban Angel
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No list of brunch in Edinburgh would be complete without a mention of Urban Angel, a neighbourhood cafe which has been feeding locals for over 15 years. An all-day brunch menu is available on weekdays and weekends, with a wide array of dishes on offer, all made using carefully sourced ingredients. Nursing a hangover? Tuck into one of the filled rolls, such as the bacon and lorne sausage roll with a za’atar fried egg, or the brioche French toast, topped with banana and butterscotch sauce. If you’re after something lighter, pick between smoothie bowls, nutty granola, oat milk porridge or poached eggs on sourdough. Pair with a fresh juice or matcha latte if you’re on a healthy vibe – or toast to the weekend with a good old mimosa.
121 Hanover St, Edinburgh EH2 1DJ, urban-angel.co.uk
The Pantry
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Husband and wife duo Charlotte and Chris Thompson launched The Pantry back in 2012, born out of a simple passion for good food. Brunch is the restaurant’s specialty, served all day and ranging from traditional dishes to more unique creations. There’s Eggs Benny cooked to perfection (you can choose to have it ‘naked’ or top with honey roast ham or smoked salmon), but also Cantonese guinea fowl, served with pickled melon and topped with a fried egg. Charlotte is vegetarian, so she ensures there are plenty of meat-free options – our top pick, for instance, is the Sunshine on Stockbridge, made with roasted sweet potato, grilled courgette, smashed avo and poached eggs. Drinks-wise, channel your inner child with The Pantry’s famous hot chocolate, a melt-in-the-mouth concoction laden with marshmallows and cream.
1 N W Circus Pl, Stockbridge, Edinburgh EH3 6ST, thepantryedinburgh.co.uk
Laila
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Sucker for an Instagrammable spot? Head to Laila, a pretty pink cafe bedecked with flowers – with branches in both the new and the old town. The pink theme continues in the menu, with aesthetic dishes like the rose buttermilk pancakes topped with candy floss, and pink avocado on toast made with beetroot hummus. It’s not all style over substance though: Laila’s Middle Eastern-inspired fare is delicious. Sweet-toothed diners will love the Oreo French toast or the churro and popcorn pancakes, while savoury diners can enjoy shakshuka with poached free range eggs, or halloumi and honey pitta bread.
63 Cockburn St, Edinburgh EH1 1BS and 1 Antigua St, Edinburgh EH1 3NH, lailabrunchedinburgh.co.uk
Montpeliers
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A favourite with Bruntsfield locals, Montpeliers is all about making Scottish produce shine. The all-day restaurant is famed for its brunch, which is available until 5pm – perfect for those partial to a weekend lie-in. Hungry? The Full Monty is an enormous brunch feast complete with chargrilled chicken, Ayrshire bacon, minute steak, Heatherfield haggis, black pudding, tomatoes and baked beans. If that feels a little daunting, there are Tattie Tot Skillets made with chorizo, fried egg and saffron; breakfast butties; pancakes and waffles. Cocktails are a highlight here too – the House Bloody Mary in particular is a fiery number that’s sure to blow the cobwebs away.
159-161 Bruntsfield Pl, Edinburgh EH10 4DG, montpeliersedinburgh.co.uk
Hula
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Established back in 2007, Hula was the first juice bar in Edinburgh, designed to bring island vibes to the Scottish capital. There are now two sites in the city centre, both focusing on nourishing fare, from organic porridge topped with fruit to smashed avocado on toast and smoothie bowls. Juice is still a big focus, from freshly squeezed to green super juice and milkshake smoothies blended with yoghurt – we love the Nutty Professor, made with peanut butter and banana.
103-105 West Bow, Edinburgh EH1 2JP and 94a Fountainbridge, Edinburgh EH3 9QA, hula.co.uk
The Olive Branch
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On the corner of Broughton Street and Broughton Place you’ll find The Olive Branch, a relaxed bistro-style restaurant centred around locally sourced, seasonal produce. Classic brunch dishes are given a Scottish twist: the hearty OB Bigger Breakfast is made with haggis, free range eggs, bacon and black pudding, while the potato rosti is topped with haggis and hollandaise sauce. On weekends, the brunch offering includes more lunch-style fare from 12pm to 2pm, such as crispy shredded duck with watermelon and pomegranate, and salt and pepper squid with pineapple salsa. That’s the best thing about brunch – there are no rules.
91 Broughton St, Edinburgh EH1 3RX, theolivebranchscotland.co.uk
Mimi’s Bakehouse
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With branches dotted all over the city, Mimi’s Bakehouse is famed for its showstopping cakes – but it also serves a stellar breakfast. Pop in to try the indulgent French toast, which you can have with toppings including banana Biscoff, Nutella and hazelnut, or Ayrshire bacon and maple syrup. For a traditional Scottish brunch, go for the Mimi’s Scottish Breakfast, which features haggis, black pudding, Crombies of Edinburgh pork sausage, tattie scones and sourdough toast. And if you fancy something a bit different, there’s Three Cheese Macaroni, served with garlic bread (hangover heaven).
Various locations, mimisbakehouse.com
Featured image: Davey Gravy, Unsplash
