Where to go for waffles in Edinburgh

Red Squirrel is like a local but on Lothian Road — the bustling heart of the city’s financial district and much of its cultural quarter. This gastropub is a cosy haunt to hang out with everyone, from your work colleagues to a first date, to the family. And their waffles represent some classic combos; bacon and maple syrup, spicy buttermilk fried chicken with maple syrup, and strawberries, banana and Nutella. The independent venue specialises in local craft beer too and serves through the day, from brunch till late into the evening. 

With waffle in its title, you’d expect this component to feature heavily at the fancy restaurant. And it does. The upscale brand has made its way from a 40th-floor perch in London to the top of the St James Centre in Edinburgh. Its signature dish contains crispy dug leg confit, fried duck egg, mustard maple syrup and waffle and is available as a breakfast, brunch, lunch or main evening meal. There’s also a Wanna Be veggie version, with crispy hen of the woods mushroom tempura, fried duck egg, mustard maple syrup and waffle. 

But book for breakfast and you can peruse a much wider range of waffles, with the likes of avo, poached eggs with hollandaise, Aleppo chillies, lemon meringue, caramelised banana and homemade chocolate and hazelnut spread, Shetland Crab and deep-fried Mars Bar (a cute nod to Scotland).

Beloved Italian restaurant chain Vittoria has an extensive menu catering to every conceivable taste and preference. It’s one of the city’s oldest establishments having been launched by Nonno Alberto Crolla back in 1970 (these days it’s his grandsons who have the reins). And when it comes to waffles, Vittoria doesn’t disappoint. Served warm with sugar, theirs are topped with Madagascan vanilla ice cream and fresh whipped cream, then drizzled with chocolate sauce and a wafer.

Meal deals at Paii start at £5.50 per person, making it an excellent budget choice. Operated on a first come first served basis, the small Hanover Street cafe is open every day except Monday. Their homemade buttermilk waffles come with either banana, honey and cream, crispy bacon and maple syrup, fresh strawberries and maple syrup, or bacon, maple syrup, strawberries and cream. The waffles are a staple of the simple menu, which focuses on fresh and fast, rather than providing an endless array of items. Wash your food down with a cappuccino, brewed using the brand’s very own blend of coffee.

There are many different branches of Mimi’s across the city now, some of which are pop-ups. But you’ll need to book a table at the Corstorphine cafe if you want a bite of their famous waffles, as they’re not served elsewhere. Made using the best free-range eggs, these come with Ayrshire bacon or Crombie’s sausage and optional maple syrup, banana Biscoff and vanilla creme fraiche, or Nutella, hazelnut and vanilla creme fraiche. This second-generation family business was launched in 2010 by Michelle Phillips, who sold her family home to open the first Mimi’s Bakehouse (a leap of faith that certainly paid off).

The cafe has made the bold statement on its Instagram, that waffles are superior to pancakes. Whether you agree or not, you should certainly test out this level of confidence and passion for the waffle, by wrapping your lips around their own version. Like all of their dishes, The Pantry makes their waffles from scratch on the premises. They are Belgian-style and typically served with a blueberry compote, fresh blueberries and 100% Canadian maple syrup (you can add some bacon too, if you like sweet and salty vibes in your brekkie). Sit inside to tuck in, or ger there early, to grab one of the limited number of tables in the sun beside the cobbles that lead between Stockbridge and the New Town. 

If you like your waffles with a touch of class, book a table at this elegant dessert restaurant in the St James Quarter. Catering for up to 90 guests at any given time and designed in soothing shades of pink, blue and white, it’s a charming stop-off for shoppers in particular. Here you can order what is somewhat of a unicorn on the Scottish culinary scene; the croffle. You’ve heard of the cruffin? Well this is a similar creation, except rather than merging a croissant and muffin, it brings together the world of the croissant and the waffle. Believed to have started life in South Korea, they’re now in Edinburgh for your delectation. 

And Haute Dolci have come up with some fun names for their waffles and croffles; The Must, Chocoholic, An Offer She Can’t Refuse, Best Of Both, Cara-Melt My Heart, Choco-Berry Croffle, Lotus Biscoff® Croffle. And there’s a menu just for the bambinos, featuring Choco-Loco, Candy Floss Magic, Fluffy Nutty and Berry Splash. Visiting as part of a birthday or anniversary? Let the team know when booking and they can personalise the plate with chocolate decor. 

Only one waffle appears on the menu at Edinburgh Larder’s cafe, and it’s £11.50 (plus £2.25 if you want bacon), but it’s a sheer delight. The fully homemade dish is slathered in spiced butter, with roast apple and walnut cream cheese, for a quirky and nutrient-packed meal that’ll keep you going for hours. Plus it can be enjoyed in fashionable surroundings in the heart of the capital’s historic quarter. 

The food at Edinburgh Larder is all seasonal and locally sourced, so you will find the menu changes in line with what’s being harvested at the time of year. And it can be enjoyed with a steaming hot cuppa courtesy of the Edinburgh-based tea blender, Eteaket, safe in the knowledge that your consumables all have a low carbon footprint. A kids waffle with roast apple or golden syrup, priced at £6, is also on the menu. 

Honey, golden syrup, bacon and berries are the classic toppings offered to complement the Belgian waffles made at Word of Mouth. As its name would suggest, this cafe relies on the spread of reputation and positive reviews passed from person to person, rather than a strong online presence. And it’s more than ample, given the cafe is consistently heaving at the weekends, loved for its tasty, good quality fresh food and great coffee. Word of Mouth is tucked just off Leith Walk, convenient for those who live further into Leith or on the east side of the city.

Said to be flower-powered, this hip little spot is quirky and colourful. A great place to park yourself with your laptop, a brew and some Belgian-style sugar waffles with lots of fruit, it prides itself on being warm and welcoming to all (that includes your pups). Vegan-friendly and with a close-knit international team of staff, the cafe’s philosophy is all about spreading love and ensuring everything you encounter on the menu is 100% cruelty-free. If you like the sound of this, you can also try LPC’s savoury sister venue, Love, Peace and Toasties, established in 2021.