Winner of TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Award 2025: Haymarket Café by L&G
Tucked just across from Haymarket Train Station at 36 Haymarket Terrace, this charming independent café has quickly become one of Edinburgh's best-kept secrets—though perhaps not for much longer. Haymarket Café by L&G recently earned a TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Award 2025, placing it among the top 10% of restaurants and cafés worldwide - an impressive achievement for the small, passionate team of Louis, Greg, and their staff.
With a perfect 5.0 rating on TripAdvisor based on 56 reviews, and almost 600 google reviews, this minimalist café clearly knows how to impress. Visitors consistently praise the outstanding service, with one reviewer noting they walked 30 minutes specifically to visit after hearing about it, declaring they were "not disappointed at all."
What the locals are saying
The café's appeal lies in its combination of quality, atmosphere, and genuinely warm hospitality. One TripAdvisor reviewer mentioned that they found it after another couple recommended it while they were weighing up nearby options, praising the outstanding service and delicious fresh food. It's the kind of place where staff remember regular customers' children by name—a testament to the community feel that Greg and Louis have cultivated.
A Menu Worth Travelling For
The all-day menu showcases fresh, beautifully presented dishes that cater to diverse tastes. Popular breakfast and brunch items include bacon rolls, avocado toast, smoked salmon, croissants, pancakes, and waffles.
For lunch, the coronation chicken sandwich with side salad and the chicken noodle soup receive particular acclaim, with one visitor declaring the soup "to die for." What sets Haymarket Café apart is its unexpected specialty: Filipino-inspired treats. The café offers ube products, including the beloved ube cake and ube latte, which have become signature items. One delighted customer mentioned it was a pleasant surprise to find authentic ube cake in Edinburgh, describing it as "super flavorful and delicious and not too sweet."
The café also offers plenty of vegetarian and gluten-free options, alongside their renowned homemade cakes and specialty coffees, teas, and smoothies. Everything is fresh, and the attention to presentation makes each plate Instagram-worthy.
More Than Just Great Food
The café's modern yet cozy atmosphere, complete with tasteful décor, creates the perfect environment whether you're grabbing a quick coffee before catching your train or settling in for a leisurely brunch. Reviewers consistently mention the excellent value for money, especially considering the prime location.
All just a stone's throw from your room at The Haymarket Hotel, this little café is rapidly becoming unmissable. With its combination of exceptional food, warm service, and that coveted top 10% global ranking, Haymarket Café by L&G proves that sometimes the best experiences come in the most unassuming packages.
Open Tuesday-Saturday 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM, Sunday 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM, closed Mondays
