These are the best places to study and brunch in Edinburgh

Sick and tired of queuing at Starbucks for the same old run-of-the-mill latte and cookie? Want the insider knowledge, the secrets of success to finding a cosy corner with some serious food and caffeine fixes? Then read on for some hints and tips to favourite Edinburgh eats.

Fieldwork

Situated at 105 Fountainbridge, Fieldwork offers the most amazing Scottish Steampunk coffee, definitely a place to visit if you’re needing perked up after a late night study sesh. They also stock a small range of speciality teas and the renowned Chocolate Tree hot chocolate. Originally focussing on cakes and pastries, Fieldwork have just introduced four types of delicious porridge bowls – a favourite of mine being the apple crumble combo with Bramley apple compote, crumble, cinnamon and skyr yogurt.

The atmosphere is very chilled out, relaxed and friendly. This is helped by the lovely staff who are happy to have a chat and talk you though the different food and drinks on offer.

Peter’s Yard

With a great choice of drinks and food, Peter’s Yard at 27 Simpson Loan, Quartermile, is great whether you want a full meal or want a taste from the huge selection of Swedish cakes, buns and desserts. Head here for the Breakfast tray which includes flat breads, crisp breads, prosciutto, cheese, fruit, yogurt, granola and juice – what a great way to start the day and fuel up.

There is a chilled out atmosphere helped by the natural light which shines in the floor to ceiling glass windows. Get here early if you want a good seat and space to study, it fills up quick.

The Caffeine Drip

The Caffeine Drip at 10 Melville Place is a South African café and bakery serving up a huge selection and variety of food and drinks. This place has a mix and match type breakfast menu where you can design your own cooked breakfast, omelette or French toast with a great choice of fillings and toppings.

For lunch, there is a huge choice of flat breads, panini, club sandwiches and vegan burgers. Their drinks menu has a variety of smoothies and shakes (including your favourite chocolate bars), the highlight being the premium hot chocolates – forget calorie counting here.

The Caffeine Drip has a rustic and folksy feel (eg. coffee bean sacks stapled to the wall) and gives a real South African vibe. Remember that it’s counter service here, so go to the till to place your order if you feel like you’re being ignored in an alcove where the staff can’t see you

Loudon’s

Loudon’s, which can be found at 94B Fountainbridge, has a large and ever changing menu but are specialists in the fine art of brunch. Particularly, they offer a variety of eggs Benny dishes with different toppings and flavours. They make all of the bread, cakes and pastries on the premises (if you go downstairs to the toilets you may see the bakers at work through the viewing window) and are a delicious offering to accompany their Artisan Roast coffee or Pekoe tea.

It is the type of place you can sit for hours and not be bothered or pestered by the staff due to the room available. However, this is only on week days as there are queues down the street on weekends for their famous brunch menu. The best seats are next to the huge windows with lots of natural light, but arrive early if you want these spots.

Cuckoo’s Bakery

Cuckoo’s Baker is renowned for its excellence and variety of cupcakes with a flavour to suit everyone (e.g. raspberry and white chocolate, sticky toffee pudding, and chocolate and sea salted caramel). Although their Bruntsfield shop at 116 Bruntsfield Place doesn’t sell food, you can stop and sit in for a cupcake, traybake or scone.

While their coffee is delicious, my recommendation has to be to their range of house teas (Blue Lady being a particular favourite). This is one of the best spot to grab a sweet treat to give you a small sugar rush before returning to a textbook or essay that’s calling. The flavours change every day and they regularly have special cakes on offer such as their Friday cuptails (cocktail cupcakes).