Best Things to Do in Edinburgh in Winter
Home · Edinburgh · Winter
From the classic Topping & Company Booksellers of Edinburgh and Valvona & Crolla, to lesser-known spots worth adding to your trip.
★ 4.9 · 2,785 reviews
Discover Topping & Company Booksellers, Edinburgh's grand bookshop of towering shelves and rolling ladders. Browse a broad range, enjoy tea in a warm atmosphere, and linger into the evening, as it stays open until 21:00.
★ 4.6 · 1,314 reviews
Step into Valvona & Crolla, Scotland's oldest Italian deli, open since 1934. Browse shelves of regional Italian produce, pastries and wines, then sit down in the attached cafe for something to eat.
★ 4.8 · 60,185 reviews
Start your Edinburgh day at the National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street. Wander from industrial relics to natural history displays and world cultures, all free to enter, with a cafe for a mid-visit break.
★ 4.9 · 431 reviews
Settle into Golden Hare Books, an independent Edinburgh bookshop warmed by a wood-burning stove. Follow the handwritten recommendation notes across fiction, local authors and a well-stocked children's section.
★ 4.4 · 3,574 reviews
Join the line at The Milkman, a brick-walled former candy shop turned much-loved coffee house. Wait for a flat white made with carefully sourced beans, and pair it with a slice of cake or a pastry.
★ 4.5 · 155 reviews
Warm up at Fortitude Coffee on the route toward Holyrood Palace. Try the fresh, fruity espresso and judge for yourself whether its bold flavour suits your palate.
★ 4.5 · 728 reviews
Settle in at Lovecrumbs on West Port, where mismatched cups and a wooden dresser of handmade cakes set the tone. Order an oat chai latte and a slice of yogurt cake, then linger over conversation.
★ 4.3 · 616 reviews
Settle into Burr & Co., a quaint Edinburgh cafe with cosy corners for reading and writing. Pair a well-brewed coffee with fresh cake, a pastry or a savoury wrap.
★ 4.4 · 1,715 reviews
Step into Origin Coffee on South College Street for a polished specialty coffee stop. Sip a single-origin brew in a rustic room with lavender on the tables, and add a pastry from the counter.
★ 4.7 · 124 reviews
Start the day at Oh Deer Bakery & Coffee House, a cosy spot with friendly staff and a short menu of bagels and sweet bakes. Pair a cheese and avocado bagel with a latte, then linger over the latte art.
★ 4.8 · 2,469 reviews
Seek out The Roseleaf, a playful Leith bistro near the waterfront where the cocktails arrive in teapots. Sit among the vintage decor and share halloumi fries with honey or a bowl of Cullen skink.
★ 4.7 · 1,790 reviews
Step into LOWDOWN on George Street, a clean, modern coffee shop with indoor and outdoor seating. Work through the coffee flight or order a flat white with a baked treat.
★ 4.7 · 306 reviews
Pop into BEATNIK, a sleek coffee shop beside the Meadows with exposed concrete and a relaxed crowd. Sip a flat white or matcha from its stylish cups, and linger for a chat.
★ 4.8 · 835 reviews
Stop by The Source Coffee Roasters, a small, welcoming roaster for people who love strong coffee. Taste a well-pulled double espresso and ask about the single-origin beans behind it.
★ 4.4 · 1,790 reviews
Drop into Cairngorm Coffee, a light, white-walled shop that doubles as a neighbourhood hangout. Order a beautifully poured cappuccino and a cinnamon bun, or settle in with a grilled cheese sandwich.
★ 4.6 · 428 reviews
Duck into Ante, a tiny Edinburgh coffee shop known for its rotating guest roasters. Sip a flat white or pour over, then pick from the pastry case, perhaps the croissant bun.
★ 4.9 · 116 reviews
Stop at Bedrock Coffee on West Port, a short walk from the Grassmarket. Enjoy a carefully made flat white, glance over the baked goods, and admire the coffee packaging on your way out.
★ 4.4 · 265 reviews
Drop into Machina Coffee, a bright and relaxed café in Marchmont where locals start their mornings. Order a well-made coffee or a cold brew, then pick up a bag of the house beans on your way out.
★ 4.5 · 1,933 reviews
Treat yourself to brunch at Urban Angel, a bright, blonde-wood bistro built around organic and local ingredients. Order the BLT or hummus toast and enjoy the friendly, buzzing room.
★ 4.7 · 1,001 reviews
Start the morning at Artisan Roast on Broughton Street, a cosy cafe for coffee lovers. Order a flat white or one of the two batch brews, then choose a bag of roasted beans for home.
★ 4.8 · 503 reviews
Plan an evening at LYLA Restaurant & Rooms, one of Edinburgh's most talked-about tasting-menu addresses. Work through a paced sequence of courses, with caviar, scallop, langoustine and halibut among the highlights.
★ 4.6 · 533 reviews
Grab a coffee at Gordon St Coffee, steps from Waverley Station. Sip the lighter-roast house blend espresso and pair it with a buttery cheese scone before you head off.
★ 4.7 · 3,478 reviews
Join the brunch crowd at The Pantry, where a virtual queue keeps the wait manageable. Share truffle potatoes, then dig into avocado toast with streaky bacon or a stacked waffle.
★ 4.5 · 2,781 reviews
Step into The Scran and Scallie, an Edinburgh gastropub where pub comfort meets Modern Scottish cooking. Dig into a hearty steak pie or scallops, then browse the whisky list in a warm, rustic-chic room.
★ 4.3 · 1,718 reviews
Step into Montpeliers Bruntsfield, a decorated corner brasserie that runs from breakfast to late-night drinks. Try a morning plate with vegan haggis or settle in with a craft beer in the warm, bustling dining room.
★ 4.4 · 1,647 reviews
Head to Down The Hatch for a slice of Canada in the middle of Edinburgh. Share poutine and fries under the hockey memorabilia, with a beer from the bar to match.
★ 4.3 · 1,347 reviews
Slip into Kilimanjaro Coffee for a slow morning in Edinburgh. Sink into a sofa with a freshly roasted coffee or chai latte and a panini or soup.
★ 4.4 · 551 reviews
Begin your Edinburgh day at Mimi's Bakehouse, steps from Waverley Station's Market Street exit. Order a scone with clotted cream and jam, or the savoury beforenoon tea, and browse the cake counter over a relaxed coffee.
★ 4.3 · 887 reviews
Pop into Thomas J Walls Coffee, a character-filled café with brick and wood-panelled walls. Sink into a couch with a chai latte or soup of the day and bread.
★ 4.4 · 3,786 reviews
Discover Cafe Royal, a grand Victorian pub just off the city centre, famed for its tiled walls and stained glass. Order real ales, a dram or fresh oysters beneath its soaring ceiling.
Edinburgh · 🛍️ Shopping
Topping & Company Booksellers of Edinburgh
45 min
Valvona & Crolla
Edinburgh · 🎨 Museum
National Museum of Scotland
2h30
Golden Hare Books
30 min
Edinburgh · ☕ Coffeebreak
The Milkman
25 min
Fortitude Coffee
Lovecrumbs West Port
Burr & Co. Edinburgh
Origin Coffee (South College Street)
Oh Deer Bakery & Coffee House
20 min
Edinburgh · 🥐 Breakfast
Roseleaf Bar Cafe
1h15
LOWDOWN
BEATNIK
the source coffee roasters
Cairngorm Coffee
Ante
BEDROCK COFFEE
Machina Coffee - Marchmont Cafe
Urban Angel cafe
Artisan Roast Broughton street
Edinburgh · 🍽️ Food
LYLA Restaurant & Rooms
1h45
Gordon St Coffee Edinburgh
The Pantry
The Scran and Scallie
Montpeliers Bruntsfield
Down The Hatch Edinburgh
Kilimanjaro Coffee
Mimi's Bakehouse - City Art Centre
Thomas J Walls Coffee
Edinburgh · 🍸 Drinks
Cafe Royal
1h30
