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Best Cafés in Edinburgh (2026)

Edinburgh has a strong independent café scene, and some of the best coffee and baking is found away from the busiest tourist streets. Stockbridge is a good place to start: Lannan Bakery on Hamilton Place is known for its viennoiserie and seasonal pastries, and it is closed on Mondays, so plan accordingly. By the Meadows, Söderberg serves Swedish buns, sourdough and pastries from early morning, and its other branches around the city follow the same style.

For coffee, Artisan Roast on Broughton Street is the long-standing home of one of the city's roasters, Cairngorm Coffee's West End store serves its own roasts from 7am, and The Milkman on Cockburn Street is a convenient stop between Waverley station and the Royal Mile. For something sweet, Mary's Milk Bar in the Grassmarket makes its gelato fresh every morning and is known for hot chocolate floats. Most of these cafés are small, so arrive early at weekends, and expect bakeries to have the widest choice soon after opening. Check opening hours before setting out, as several places change their hours with the seasons and some close in the late afternoon.

6 places · Updated November 12, 2026

Our top 3 cafés in Edinburgh

  1. Lannan Bakery Bakery and pantry, StockbridgeA Stockbridge bakery known for classic viennoiserie, custard slices, pains suisses and cardamom buns, with a regularly changing range and a pantry next door.
  2. Söderberg The Meadows Swedish bakery and café, QuartermileA Swedish bakery café at Quartermile beside the Meadows, serving buns, sourdough and Swedish pastries baked on site, open every day from early morning.
  3. Cairngorm Coffee West End Speciality coffee shop and roaster, West EndThe West End café of Edinburgh roaster Cairngorm Coffee, serving its own speciality coffee from early morning until 7pm, seven days a week.

Café

1. Lannan Bakery

Bakery and pantry$$Stockbridge

A Stockbridge bakery known for classic viennoiserie, custard slices, pains suisses and cardamom buns, with a regularly changing range and a pantry next door.

View details — Lannan Bakery

Café

6. The Milkman

Speciality coffee shop$Old Town

An independent speciality coffee shop on Cockburn Street in the Old Town, serving coffee and cakes, with a second branch further up the same street.

View details — The Milkman