The Haven Edinburgh
Delicious cakes
Tamsin from Edinburgh
The joy of The Haven café is its friendliness. It’s not a beautiful part of the city, but nearby Newhaven Harbour is worth visiting. The staff are welcoming, the decor homely, and the fare great.
Although it serves a range of breakfasts (Scottish, Vege), my favourite savoury dish is scrambled egg with mushrooms and tomatoes, and the sweet offering I choose is the raspberry scone served with home-made jam and cream. I wash it all down with green tea (made from real leaves), and they know me so well that they start to make it when they see me coming!
I enjoy meeting friends and family for brunch or writing on my laptop if it’s not too busy. There is something about the ambience: the eclectic mix of arm- and dining chairs, the old sewing machines and many-shaped looking glasses, the comfy cushions and vintage crockery which makes me feel at home ... except that I don’t have to cook my own sweet potato and coconut soup, berry pancakes, delicious smoothies, or bake my own Victoria Sponge!
Open Tuesdays to Sundays, The Haven attracts local people plus those in-the-know. You can take-away or sit in. The playlists mean there’s always jaunty music and the frequent laughter from behind the counter makes for a lovely relaxed atmosphere. The toilets are clean, there is WiFi, and in winter it’s warm enough to coorie in (Scots for snuggling up) out of the sea wind. What more do you want from a café?
Edinburgh Spotter Tamsin
About this spot
Our Edinburgh City Guide
Find your way with 138 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Loved it? Join us!
Loved this Spot?Join your international community. Share your favs and become part of our international community!
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in Edinburgh
Piershill Cemetery
Magical mystery
"Piershill Cemetery" in Edinburgh has a large Jewish section (quite uncommon), but the main thing that caught my eye was the tomb of the Great Lafayette...
by
Fiona
Diack
Kukina
The borek place
"Kukina" in Edinburgh is known among my circle of friends as 'the borek place.' But I have to admit: once I had one their gozleme, I could never go back...
by
Fiona
Diack
Pilrig Park
UK's only siege works site
This park holds a hidden treasure from the 16th century! These siege works are believed to be the only ones from the 16th century found in Britain.
by
Sarah
Mackenzie
Dean Cemetery
Hidden stories
"Dean Cemetery" in Edinburgh keeps some fascinating stories hidden in the gravestones. My favorite is that of the man behind the phrase 'botched job...'
by
Fiona
Diack
Campervan Brewery
COVID-friendly beer spot
"Campervan Brewery" and their amazing taproom in Edinburgh is the perfect place for a post-lockdown pint. You should try their Trainspotting beer!
by
Fiona
Diack
Considerat Chocolate
Incredible vegan donuts
Plant based or not, if you love donuts, you HAVE to take a trip to "Considerat Chocolate" in Edinburgh! You won't even notice they're vegan...
by
Sarah
Mackenzie
J.K. Rowling’s Golden Handprints
Hidden finds!
"J.K. Rowling’s Golden Handprints" is one of the tons of Harry Potter-related sights in Edinburgh that most fans miss. Tourists wander right past it!
by
Sarah
Mackenzie
Nott Wine Bar
Charcuterie boards & artisan coffee
Edinburgh's Leith Walk is filling up fast with trendy new coffee shops, bakeries, and local maker stores - "Nott Wine Bar" is one of my favourites!
by
Sarah
Mackenzie
Lochend Park
Birdwatching bounty
"Lochend Park" in Edinburgh is for you if you want a peaceful stroll around a loch (small lake), a gander at a doocot, a dander under mature trees...
by
Tamsin
Grainger
Newhaven Harbour
Fish and chips by the sea
Cute, quaint "Newhaven Harbour" is a hidden gem in Edinburg. Try walking around the area - it will take you about an hour...
by
Tamsin
Grainger
Starbank Park
Gardens with a view
"Starbank Park" in Edinburgh offers cracking views over the Firth of Forth - it's such a peaceful, beautiful place to sit and sun yourself in the sea air!
by
Tamsin
Grainger
Water of Leith
River through the city
The "Water of Leith" is a river that runs from one side of Edinburgh to the other, and it runs through some of the city's most scenic & interesting sites...
by
Tamsin
Grainger
Heading to Edinburgh?
138 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
... for just €9.99
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 138 Insider Tips
✓ Escape the Crowds
✓ Find Spots nearby
✓ Authentic Stories
... for just €9.99
City guides by those who know the city in and out!
Our Locals' Favorite Coffee & tea
Our team loves Edinburgh
Get to know our other Spotters from Edinburgh
As featured on:
