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?
Find your way with 138 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
"Scottish Design Exchange" is in Edinburgh's Leith, hidden in a shopping mall called Ocean Terminal. It's not high concept, it's things you'd actually buy.
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"Sabzi" in Edinburgh used to be a Blockbuster video store, then it became a pop-up restaurant. Now it serves wonderful heart-warming Punjabi street food!
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"Green. Leith" is a refreshing and colourful addition to the well-known street in Edinburgh. They really take green plants & accessories to a new level!
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"S. Luca" has been one of my favorite places in Edinburgh since I was a kid. What they're famous for is their own brand of ice cream - and I love it!
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I have to confess I've walked past the spot thousands of times before I actually realised it was anything to pay attention to!
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The "Leith Victoria Swim Centre" in Edinburgh is a beautiful pool surrounded by an ornade, Baroque, cast-iron colonnade. Well worth a visit!
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"Manna House Bakery" in South Queensferry in Edinburgh has great views over the Forth Rail Bridge. Come here for the super value-for-money homemade food!
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Craiglockhart Hill is one of Edinburgh's 7 hills. In contrast to Calton Hill, Castle Hill and Arthur's Seat, even many locals can't name this one!
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The zoo is one of Edinburgh's most popular tourist attractions. Next to it is "Corstorphine Hill" that's in my opinion much more interesting to explore!
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"The Hanging Bat" is craft beer lover's idea of heaven in Edinburgh. If it's quiet enough, I like to take a seat at the bar and chat with the staff...
"The Jazz Bar" Edinburgh: a lively subterranean music club that really comes alive after midnight. I really like the crowd on weekends & their caipirinha!
138 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
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