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Cafe Calton's terrace on top of Calton Hill on a sunny day, people at tables looking out over the city to the Firth of Forth.
Edinburgh

Cafe Calton

An all-day cafe on top of Calton Hill, with a terrace and views over the city, open every day for breakfast, lunch and cocktails at sunset.

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Welcome

Cafe Calton sits right on top of Calton Hill, and the view is every bit as good as the food.

From its tables you look out over the city's skyline, from Arthur's Seat to the Castle, and on a clear day from the terrace you can see across Leith to the Firth of Forth. It's open every day from 8.30am, so come up for breakfast, with avocado on sourdough and poached eggs, a full Scottish breakfast or a Benedict. Lunch brings its signature haggis toastie, salads, steak frites and a lemon tart, and in the evening there are sharing plates and cocktails as the sun sets over the city. The ingredients are local and seasonal, and there are vegan and gluten-free options. The terrace is first come, first served, and dogs are welcome out there, with Puppuccinos for them too. For a table inside, it's best to book through its own website. It comes from the same family as the Broughton, down on Broughton Street.

Close byLucky YuAn Asian-inspired restaurant of gyoza, bao and small plates for sharing on Broughton Street, in the Michelin Guide for 2026.1 min by roadSee itLucky Yu's blue shopfront on Broughton Street at dusk, its windows lit pink by neon around an old wooden door.
Before you go

Open every day from 8.30am, with the last booking at 8.30pm.

The terrace is walk-in only, so for a table inside it is best to book.

Where
5 Calton Hill, on the top of the hill, Edinburgh EH7 5AA.
Open
Every day from 8.30am. The last booking is at 8.30pm, and it closes by 10pm.
Menus
Breakfast until 12pm, lunch from 12pm to 4pm, and sharing plates from 5pm to 8.30pm.
Booking
Through its own site; walk-ins welcome when there is room. Groups of more than six by email.
The terrace
Walk-in only, on the day, as the weather allows.
Dogs
Welcome on the terrace, with Puppuccinos; not inside.
Dietary needs
Vegan and gluten-free options.
Phone
0131 322 1247

Opening hours

Their website
Monday
8.30am–8.30pm
Tuesday
8.30am–8.30pm
Wednesday
8.30am–8.30pm
Thursday
8.30am–8.30pm
Friday
8.30am–8.30pm
Saturday
8.30am–8.30pm
Sunday
8.30am–8.30pm

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Where it is

On the top of Calton Hill, at the east end of Princes Street, beside the City Observatory.

Close byCalton Hill and the east end of the New Town.
  1. The Broughton's deep blue pub front on Broughton Street, its name in gold above the windows and Welcome over the door.The BroughtonA smart dining pub on Broughton Street, in the Michelin Guide for 2026, with a Sunday roast that The Times named among the best in the UK.Under a mile 2 min by road
  2. The Cottage at Royal Terrace, a low stone cottage with two chimneys among trees, a gravel path between lavender to its open door.The Cottage at Royal TerraceA restaurant in William Playfair's gardener's cottage of 1836 in Royal Terrace Gardens, with seasonal tasting menus and a communal table.Under a mile 2 min by road
  3. Edinburgh PlayhouseEdinburgh PlayhouseA giant picture palace of 1929 at the top of Leith Walk, modelled on New York's Roxy, saved from demolition and a theatre since 1980.Under a mile 2 min by road
  4. Room & RumoursRoom & RumoursA coffee shop and doughnut bakery in one of the railway arches of East Market Street, by Waverley, with fresh doughnuts every day.Under a mile 2 min by road
  5. Rows of stone columns on Calton Hill under a grey skyCity ObservatoryWilliam Henry Playfair's observatory of 1818 on Calton Hill, restored in 2018 as the home of the Collective gallery.Under a mile 3 min by road
  6. Calton HillCalton HillA volcanic hill beyond the east end of Princes Street, crowned with monuments and with panoramic views over Edinburgh to the Firth of Forth.Under a mile 3 min by road
  7. Balmoral clock tower and Princes Street seen through a window frameNelson MonumentA tower shaped like an upturned telescope on Calton Hill, built from 1807 for Trafalgar, whose time ball drops as the one o'clock gun fires.Under a mile 3 min by road
Directions
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Lucky Yu's blue shopfront on Broughton Street at dusk, its windows lit pink by neon around an old wooden door.RestaurantsLucky Yu0.3 miles

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