Top 10 cooked breakfasts in Edinburgh

Nestled on Hanover Street, Urban Angel is a charming café that exudes a laid-back, yet chic atmosphere. The breakfast menu is a fun blend of classic and contemporary options. The traditional full Scottish breakfast here is a hearty affair featuring top-notch ingredients all sourced from local suppliers. The coffee is excellent and so are the freshly blended smoothies. The café’s airy interior and friendly staff make it an ideal spot to enjoy a leisurely start to your day in the city.

A staple in the heart of the city, City Restaurant on Nicolson Street is renowned for its warm, inviting atmosphere and generous portions. The full breakfast is not for the faint-hearted and includes fried eggs, bacon, sausage, haggis, black pudding, baked beans, and grilled tomato, all served with a side of buttery toast. The retro diner vibe adds a touch of nostalgia, making it a favourite spot for locals and visitors alike.

Fruitmarket Café, situated within the iconic Fruitmarket Gallery, offers a serene setting to enjoy breakfast. You can expect everything from Scottish classics like homemade cheese scones and savoury morning rolls, to more adventurous options like baked eggs with chorizo, tomato, potato, and flaked almonds. The art-filled space is child-friendly and certainly adds a unique cultural touch to your morning meal!

The Raeburn is an upscale hotel located in the picturesque area of Stockbridge. The breakfast menu features a traditional full Scottish breakfast with all the trimmings as well as porridge with a variety of toppings, buttermilk pancakes and plenty of breakfast cocktails (the Bloody Mary is particularly excellent!). Vegans and veggies rejoice — full breakfasts are available with meat and dairy substitutes that are just as tasty at the real deal. The service is five-star, and the setting is stylish but cosy. An Edinburgh must-visit!

At Holyrood 9a, breakfast is a serious affair and the pub’s rustic charm and relaxed atmosphere make it a wonderful place to kickstart your day. Menu highlights include warm waffles drenched in chocolate sauce as well as smashed avocado toast with poached eggs. For something more traditional, you can’t go wrong with the morning rolls, or indeed the Holyrood 9a Breakfast which includes smoked bacon, egg, pork sausage, baked beans, haggis, black pudding, flat cap mushroom, tomato, hash brown and bloomer toast! There’s plenty of vegetarian alternatives to the savoury stuff, as well as some pretty exciting breakfast cocktails such as the Red Snapper made with gin, lemon, tomato juice, Worcester sauce and hot sauce. Wow!

Dine offers a chilled-out environment perfect for long, leisurely weekend breakfast. The Murrayfield Grand Slam is guaranteed to set you up for a day of exploring the capital, featuring Ayrshire pork sausage, Lorne sausage, bacon, haggis, white pudding, black pudding, roast tomato, two free-range eggs, baked beans, and potato scone. Phew! Wash it all down with one of the inventive coffees (like the hazelnut cream cold brew or matcha tea latte) and soak up the leisurely vibes.

The Willow Tea Rooms is an iconic spot loved for its elegant setting and tasty breakfasts. It offers locally sourced traditional dishes with a range of gluten-free, vegetarian, or vegan options. Younger visitors have their own menu featuring tasty treats like French toast with icing sugar and porridge with Scottish heather honey. Don’t leave without trying one of the homemade bakes!

Located at the foot of The Mound, The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant offers a breakfast experience that highlights local produce. The butteries, a salty flat croissant hailing from Aberdeen, are served with Grierson’s Organic poached eggs and homemade hollandaise sauce — a uniquely Scottish start to your day. The café’s bright, airy space and stunning views of Princes Street Gardens make it a sophisticated breakfast destination.