Best Coffee Shops and Cafes in Brightons

"Learn about the creation of our planet and travel through time as we explore Earth's past, present and future. Get thrust back in time to the very beginnings of our universe, and witness first hand the big bang and the very first moments of our galaxy and solar system. Make your way back to the present day through volcanic explosions, landscape-forming glaciers and the evolution of our life on Earth."

"Dynamic Earth is one of Scotland’s top visitor attractions and a guaranteed hit with the kids. It tells the story of our amazing planet through an immersive tour. You can feel the heat of a bubbling volcano or touch the icy cold of the arctic."

"Dynamic Earth is a state of the art family attraction near Edinburgh in Scotland. It takes visitors through our history from the Big Bang theory up to the modern-day. It's a chance to experience the primaeval forces of nature as they shaped..."

"Hula started off in Edinburgh as a juice bar but has now turned into so much more. They aim to be an “island in the city” where you can come and relax while enjoying amazing food and drinks that nourish your body at the same time!. They pride themselves on standing by their community and source all their food locally – including the coffee which is roasted here in Edinburgh."

"We didn’t know much about Scottish cuisine, except for Haggis and whisky we couldn’t actually think of anything specific. Imagine our surprise when we discovered the plethora of vegetarian and vegan dining options Edinburgh has to offer!. It must be one of the most vegetarian/vegan friendly cities we’ve come across during our travels so far."

"Offering simple healthy food that is full of flavour, Loudons Cafe & Bakery offers delicious home made treats made in their on-site bakery. Using high quality ingredients, and organic produce, breakfasts at Loudon’s are utterly delicious. Diners can tuck in to a variety of “Benny’s” – slang for eggs Benedict – complete with smoked salmon, cajun spices or haggis, or choose from french toast, smoothie bowls or super food pancakes and much much more."

"There are good reasons why Loudons is so decorated with awards. From its ethos of sourcing the best local produce to its attention to detail in everything from food presentation to decor, this independent Edinburgh brand devotes a lot of care into its work. For the full Loudons experience, pull up a chair at the original branch in Fountainbridge, the city’s financial district."

"Loudons represents the perfect place to take your parents, with garden centre vibes (in the best way), it is the ideal backdrop for lying to your folks that the reason you’re tired is from an all nighter in the library, not because of the eight vodka cranberries you had at the club last night."

"Another brunch hotspot in New Town is Urban Angel, a popular choice amongst tourists and locals alike. See also43 Most Beautiful Lodges with Hot Tubs in Scotland [2021]. Inspired by travels in Australia and New Zealand, the Urban Angel team focus on using seasonal ingredients to create everyday food and – spoiler – it’s delicious!"

"Urban Angel has been an established breakfast and brunch stop in Edinburgh for almost 15 years. The café is as cool as it sounds, reminiscent of an understated-yet-chic Copenhagen coffee shop. With breakfast available all day, there's no need to rush - our prayers have been answered."

"The aim at Urban Angel is to provide the people of Edinburgh with seasonal, organic, local produce. They offer a range of sit-in or take away options and they have a tasty brunch menu. You can opt for healthy, with porridge or muesli, or you can get a decent fry up."

"A local favorite, Artisan Roast began their empire in Edinburgh back in 2007, when their Broughton Street location opened as the first specialty coffee shop and roastery in Scotland. Since then, they’ve expanded to multiple locations, all which serve up a global selection of high quality beans from places like South America, Central America and Africa. Pro tip: If it’s too late in the day for caffeine, order up the lemongrass hot chocolate for a cozy treat instead."

"Artisan Roast has three café locations in Edinburgh|© Artisan Roast. Many people credit Artisan Roast with laying the foundations for Edinburgh’s independent coffee scene when it first opened up in Broughton Street in 2007. Now it has a total of three shops, a lab and a roastery in the city (and one in Glasgow, for extra measure)."

"The first independent coffee roaster in Scotland is always a good place to start. Artisan roast have branches in both Bruntsfield and Broughton. They are committed to small batch roasting and their coffee shops offer quirky yet humble interiors."

"This cafe and shop offer everything a chocolate lover could want from dairy-free hot chocolate, delicious vegan chocolate cake, tarts, vegan chocolate sorbet and vegan choc ice cream. The shop also runs guided chocolate tasting tours if you fancy being a connoisseur for the afternoon. 123 Bruntsfield Place, Edinburgh, EH10 4EQ, +44 (0)131 228 3144"

"This place serves a variety of foods — from vegan options to gluten-free selections tailored to meet the needs of each customer. It also greatly embraces families with a family-sized serving and an outdoor setting where the kids feel comfortable. The separate bar is also friendly to ensure that there is no mix-up with the minors."

"The Highland Tolbooth Kirk is a gothic style church established between 1842 and 1844. It has the tallest spire in Edinburgh, measuring 71.7 m. Highland Tolbooth was closed as a church in 1979 and was unused until it became “The Hub” in 1999."

"The BT Murrayfield Stadium hosts not only rugby matches but also concerts and other events|© Almondvale Photography / Alamy Stock Photo. The home of Scottish rugby, BT Murrayfield is a great draw for local and international sports fans. The stadium opened in 1925 with a victory of the home rugby team over England, an intense rivalry that continues to this day."

"Murrayfield is the largest stadium is Scotland and home to Scottish Rugby. Sports and rugby fans in particular would enjoy a visit to this iconic stadium. Check the schedule to see if there’s a rugby match on when you’re in town or alternatively, take a Murrayfield Stadium tour."

"Murrayfield is recognised as one of the most prestigious stadium in Europe and is the home of Scottish Rugby as well as the Murrayfield Experience."

"Also dating back to the 1800s, Old St Paul’s has since been renovated multiple times – the nave extended and the chancel floor raised with marble. Nearly all of the many panes of stained glass, ornaments and vestments were made possible by fundraising or donations. Unusually, the gargoyles at Old St Paul’s are located inside, not on the exterior of the church as is common on buildings of this period."

"I suggest a late lunch after you explore the charming, cobbled streets of this historic area and experience some street performers, Canongate Kirkyard (Adam Smith is buried here), Dunbar Close, St. Giles Cathedral, and eventually Edinburgh Castle itself, all the way at the top of the Royal Mile (Be sure to book your Edinburgh Castle skip the line tickets in advance). The charm and beauty of Edinburgh, Scotland never cease to amaze me."

"The modest Canongate Kirk was built in 1688 and completed three years later. It was founded for the residents of Canongate that had previously worshipped in the Abbey Church, until King James II converted the Church into a Chapel for the Order of the Thistle. Since the church is very bare, with practically no statues or paintings, the most eye-catching aspect of the temple is its blue benches on a maroon coloured carpet."

"If you’ve already seen St Giles’, you will notice that Canongate is designed in a very different style, much simpler and more austere, tipically Presbyterian."

"Cramond Island: This pretty tidal island is located an hour or so from Edinburgh’s Waverly Bridge by bus. Purchase some picnic essentials, grab a book and hop on a bus on a sunny day to make the most of this short day trip from Edinburgh. Nearby, there are coastal paths to follow and history to uncover; the most important Roman statue ever found in Scotland, the Cramond Lioness was uncovered in the estuary near Cramond Island!"

"This award-winning gourmet burger restaurant serve a range of mouthwatering burgers, crafted in-house daily. Situated on the bustling Royal Mile, their beer garden is a great place to enjoy beer & a burger as you people watch on this busy thoroughfare. Booking advised, but walk-ins also welcome."

"It’s often said that if you want to be a successful restaurateur, you need to specialize. At Burgers and Beers, they do exactly that. Burgers and Beers has the most extensive burger menu you’ll find in Edinburgh, and they proudly boast “Scotland’s Best Burger,” which I don’t doubt for a minute."

"This grill house reminds me of the restaurant we found in Nuremberg. The average menu item did not exceed 13£ and there is a dedicated children’s menu. The beer and drinks options are also fairly elaborate as well, suggesting there is a little something here for everyone."