Urban Angel on Hanover Street in Edinburgh New Town, opened 2003, a basement organic-leaning all-day cafe serving breakfast, brunch and light lunches.
Tip: Brunch is the volume play; their Forth Street branch is smaller and easier to walk into on a Saturday.
Address: 121 Hanover Street, Edinburgh EH2 1DJ
Matt and Helen Carroll's York Place coffee bar in Edinburgh New Town, opened 2014, a 10-seat third-wave room pouring filter and espresso from rotating UK roasters.
Signature drink: Filter coffee
Tip: The York Place branch takes no laptops; the South Bridge cafe is the work-friendly sister site.
Edinburgh Larder cafe on Blackfriars Street in the Old Town of Edinburgh, opened 2009, a Scottish-provenance all-day cafe serving breakfast, lunch and brunch plates.
Signature drink: Filter coffee and a Stornoway black pudding roll
Tip: Closes 16:00 most days. The cafe on Blackfriars Street is calmer than the larger bistro round the corner.
Valvona and Crolla caffe on Elm Row in Edinburgh, opened in the 1990s at the back of the city's longest-running Italian deli, pouring espresso and serving.
Signature drink: Espresso and a Pugliese pastry
Tip: Stand at the bar for the proper Italian experience. The deli at the front is open till 17:30; shop on your way out.
Leith Walk Police Box on Pilrig Street in Edinburgh, opened 2016 inside a 1950s blue police box, a 3-square-metre coffee counter pouring filter and espresso.
Signature drink: Flat white
Tip: There is no seating; coffee in hand on the Leith Walk central reservation. Cash only on most days.
Artisan Roast on Broughton Street in Edinburgh, opened 2007, the city's third-wave coffee pioneer roasting on-site in Glasgow and pouring filter and espresso.
Signature drink: Filter coffee
Tip: Open from 08:00 weekends and busy by 10:00; the back room takes laptop users for longer sessions and stays open till 18:00.
Matt and Helen Carroll's York Place coffee bar in Edinburgh New Town, opened 2014, a 10-seat third-wave room pouring filter and espresso from rotating UK roasters.
Signature drink: Filter coffee
Tip: The York Place branch takes no laptops; the South Bridge cafe is the work-friendly sister site.
Brew Lab on South College Street in Edinburgh, opened 2012, a third-wave coffee bar pouring filter and espresso into a long basement room near the University.
Signature drink: V60 filter
Tip: Their training arm runs Saturday public cuppings at 11:00; sign up online for a week or two ahead.
