The Elephant House

Brilliantly located on George IV Bridge and with some stunning views of the Castle, The Elephant House is one of the best coffee shops in Edinburgh.

Aside from the range of hot drinks on offer there's a selection of snacks and meals, with the lunch and dinner menus offering staples such as baked potatoes and paninis. There's also a selection of wine and beer on offer for when a coffee just won’t cut it.

Its vaunted status as the birthplace of Harry Potter means that the prices are higher, and there's always a proliferation of tourists here. Still, its overall quality makes it well worth a visit – even if the chances of seeing J.K. Rowling are slim.

The Elephant House 21 George IV Bridge