Fruitmarket Cafe

45 Market St, Edinburgh EH1 1DF, United Kingdom
+44 131 226 8195
$$$ Cafe
(40 Reviews)
Price Range £10–20

Welcome to Fruitmarket Cafe, a delightful gem nestled in the heart of Edinburgh at 45 Market St, EH1 1DF. This charming cafe is not just a place to grab a bite; it's an experience that highlights fresh, quality ingredients and a warm atmosphere perfect for travelers and locals alike.

As you step inside, you are greeted with the inviting aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the sound of friendly chatter, creating a comforting ambiance that encourages you to unwind. The cafe opens early, making it an ideal stop for those venturing out to explore the city, especially due to its convenient location near Edinburgh Waverley Station. With ample seating, it can get bustling after 10 AM, so arriving early ensures a more serene breakfast experience.

The menu at Fruitmarket Cafe features a tempting selection of grilled sandwiches including the savory Salt Beef, classic Ham and Cheese, and the crispy Fish Finger Brioche, perfect for a satisfying lunch. For our plant-based visitors, the Vegan Veg option shines bright, ensuring everyone finds something delicious. Pair your meal with a refreshing craft beer from their impressive selection, such as Leith Lager or Peach Melba Sour. And don't forget to complement your meal with delightful sides like Wee Crispy Potatoes or Sourdough with Houmous and Gordal Olives.

Customer feedback paints a colorful picture of what to expect. Reviews highlight the cafe's friendly and attentive staff, like the memorable service experience from Lucy M who praised Craig for turning a potentially stressful day into a seamless one. Meanwhile, Rebecca Calderbank raved about the cafe’s exceptional soup and warm atmosphere, claiming it as her favorite during her visit. Others like Stavros Karagiannakidis appreciate the diverse menu and the unique experience of enjoying delicious cheese scones amid free art exhibitions.

While some guests have mentioned inconsistencies in food preparation, the overall sentiment leans towards a satisfied clientele who appreciate the quality of the offerings and the cozy environment. Tim Leighton-Boyce, a regular, stands by the cafe’s commitment to good food at reasonable prices and emphasizes how the cafe successfully captures the vibrant community spirit.

Whether you’re looking for a quick breakfast, a casual lunch with friends, or a cozy spot to reflect while enjoying a book, Fruitmarket Cafe stands out as a must-visit. The combination of hearty meals, a friendly atmosphere, and convenient location ensures that this cafe is not just about food, but about forging connections and making memories. Stop by for a taste of their magic — your taste buds will thank you!

Service options
On-site services
Takeaway
Dine-in
Delivery
Highlights
Great coffee
Great dessert
Great tea selection
Live performances
Popular for
Breakfast
Lunch
Solo dining
Accessibility
Assistive hearing loop
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Coffee
Free water refills
Healthy options
Organic dishes
Quick bite
Vegan options
Vegetarian options
Wine
Dining options
Breakfast
Brunch
Lunch
Catering
Dessert
Seating
Table service
Amenities
Gender-neutral toilets
Toilet
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Crowd
Family friendly
Groups
LGBTQ+ friendly
Tourists
Transgender safe space
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs
Kids' menu
Openings Hours

Monday

09:00 AM - 06:00 PM

Tuesday

09:00 AM - 06:00 PM

Wednesday

09:00 AM - 06:00 PM

Thursday

09:00 AM - 06:00 PM

Friday

09:00 AM - 06:00 PM

Saturday

09:00 AM - 06:00 PM

Sunday

09:00 AM - 06:00 PM

40 Reviews
Lady B

25 Aug 2025

Not bad food here, but not great either. Unfortunately my Sourdough Tomato Toast was overly toasted and quite cold by the time it got to me and this makes sourdough very tough to eat, as to hard on your teeth. The tomato was nice though. My husbands scrambled eggs again, not as he would of liked. They came full of coriander & chives and he would of preferred just scrambled egg. The menu did not state the addition of either, which I think maybe it should. The staff were lovely, very friendly and attentive. The atmosphere, was quiet and slightly flat though, so unfortunately I don’t think we would return here again.

Rebecca Calderbank

23 Aug 2025

This place is incredible, I had the best soup ever. Staff were absolutely lovely. I felt very welcome. This has been my favourite cafe I have visited during my trip. Well worth a visit, the food is divine, excellent quality and a fair price.

Niko Goodfellow

20 Aug 2025

Strategically located near the Edinburgh Waverley station, this cafe opens quite early and offers drinks and cakes to refresh your morning time. Plenty of seats but can be very busy after 10am. Come early if you want a more quiet atmosphere. Drinks are okay, bakery is nice. Prices are okay considerin its location, maybe targeted to travellers as well. But seems quite popular for the city dwellers to come in group or individually.

Lucy M

14 Aug 2025

Thank you so much to Craig for the exceptional service. You went above and beyond to help me whilst I was travelling with my little one and many pieces of luggage. You made a potentially stressful situation seamless and calm. Thank you!

Stavros Karagiannakidis

21 Jul 2025

Nice place, with free exhibitions, really interesting. The cafe is nice, the cheese scones are delicious. A bit noisy but it was between 12 and 1pm so lunch time for many people.

Tim Leighton-Boyce

02 Jul 2025

Good food, friendly staff, reasonable prices (and you’re helping keep the gallery free). Also not too noisy for conversation. I go there several times each year and don’t recognise the complaints about service or food. As gallery cafes go I think it’s great. As a train station cafe (which technically it isn’t) it’s brilliant.

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