
Quick info
About The Clock Cafe & Bistro
On Shore in Leith, The Clock Cafe & Bistro serves breakfast and brunch items throughout the day, from avocado toast and oatmeal to a full Scottish breakfast. Fish and chips also appears on the menu alongside these dishes. Pastries and bread are displayed on a counter, and ciabatta sandwiches and sourdough bread are available for takeaway. Coffee is served alongside the brunch menu, and seating is available for those who want to stay on after eating. The step-free entrance suits visitors with mobility needs, and dogs are welcome inside. Outdoor seating adds space for eating outside. The corner building does not look like a cafe from the outside. It opens Monday to Saturday and closes on Sundays, and reservations are recommended.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- AccessibilityWheelchair-accessible car park · Wheelchair-accessible entrance · Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Good for kidsGood for kids · Family friendly
- DietaryOrganic dishes · Vegan options · Vegetarian options
Menu & Prices
23 dishes · mains £4–17- WEE LEITH£12.95
- SOURDOUGH TOAST£3.95
- SCOTTISH£14.95
- HIGHLANDER£16.95
- SALMON BREAKFAST£12.95
- BONNIE BRIOCHE£12.95
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention avocado toast, fish & chips, oatmeal with bananas and sourdough bread.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention avocado toast, fish & chips, oatmeal with bananas and sourdough bread.
Customer Review Summary
Breakfast and brunch anchor most visits, with the avocado toast and oatmeal with sautéed bananas drawing specific praise alongside repeated mentions of the coffee as rich and smooth. Diners also single out the fish and chips, ciabatta sandwiches with tuna, and sourdough bread picked up for takeaway. Many describe the staff as friendly and welcoming, with promptly seated tables and a cosy, clean setting that regulars say has become a weekly stop. Against this, two accounts stand apart: one reviewer describes senior staff and the owner speaking to a junior team member in a disrespectful, dismissive manner, and another reports an uncomfortable visit involving an unsupervised dog jumping on them and a bad smell in the space, leading that reviewer to say they would not return after multiple attempts. Most other visits close on warmer notes, with reviewers recommending it for brunch and noting quick, friendly service even after a long journey.
Customer Review Summary
Breakfast and brunch anchor most visits, with the avocado toast and oatmeal with sautéed bananas drawing specific praise alongside repeated mentions of the coffee as rich and smooth. Diners also single out the fish and chips, ciabatta sandwiches with tuna, and sourdough bread picked up for takeaway. Many describe the staff as friendly and welcoming, with promptly seated tables and a cosy, clean setting that regulars say has become a weekly stop. Against this, two accounts stand apart: one reviewer describes senior staff and the owner speaking to a junior team member in a disrespectful, dismissive manner, and another reports an uncomfortable visit involving an unsupervised dog jumping on them and a bad smell in the space, leading that reviewer to say they would not return after multiple attempts. Most other visits close on warmer notes, with reviewers recommending it for brunch and noting quick, friendly service even after a long journey.
Featured reviews
- Laura Ruff
“Disappointing experience overall. While the food itself was nice, the atmosphere was overshadowed by the way the owner and more senior staff treated a junior team member. Throughout the visit, they spoke to him in a disrespectful and dismissive manner, despite it being clear that he was new and making a genuine effort. It created an uncomfortable environment for customers and, more importantly, suggested a toxic workplace for staff. I hope the management reflects on this and treats their team with the respect and support they deserve.”
- Carol
“Popped in for takeaway sandwiches (ciabatta) and some sourdough bread. Really tasty- lots of tuna in mine, nicely seasoned with fresh lemon. Sourdough is good- I will definitely be back, to come and sit in properly some time :)”
- Sal Consoli
“I was sat next to a couple with a very active dog. At some point the dog threw himself on me and nobody did anything about it. It was the most uncomfortable and unpleasant cafe experience ever. On top of that - the place really stinks. Feels so uncomfortable. I’ve given this place 3 chances already and here I draw the line. Never again. The city has so much more to offer.”
- Vedika
“Needed a quick bite after a long bus journey and this was the perfect place for it. The service was quick and friendly and the cafe had a cozy but busy atmosphere”
- Andrew Ferrell
“Warm, friendly, and intimate. Great brunch menu, really good coffee, and people that appear, and sound like they’re really happy to be there. We now live about ten minutes walk away, and The Clock is becoming our weekly go-to for brunch. Highly recommended.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
- Closed
Highlights
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Popular for breakfast
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for solo dining
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed
- No-contact delivery
Show more amenities
- Takeaway
- Dine-in
- Family friendly
- Vegan options
- Alcohol
- Casual
- Offerings· 8
- Beer
- Coffee
- Free water refills
- Healthy options
- Organic dishes
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Accessibility· 2
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Family-friendly· 1
- Good for kids
- Dining options· 7
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Catering
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
- Facilities· 2
- Gender-neutral toilets
- Toilet
- Pet-friendly· 2
- Dogs allowed inside
- Dogs allowed outside
- Service options· 2
- Delivery
- On-site services
- Highlights· 3
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Popular for· 2
- Solo dining
- Good for working on laptop
- Atmosphere· 2
- Cosy
- Trendy
- Crowd· 1
- Tourists
- Other· 1
- Identifies as women-owned
Location
Cafes near The Clock Cafe & Bistro
- Cafe Truva4.67400.1 mi£1–15Outdoor seatingVegetarian optionsVegan options
turkish coffee, turkish breakfast bagel, home-made scones
- Cocorico4.92340.5 miOutdoor seatingVegetarian optionsVegan options
homemade cakes selection, full scottish breakfast, banana bread
- La Cime4.91390.9 mi£10–20Reservations
cheese scone, seasonal brunch menu, coffee
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Clock Cafe & BistroOutdoor seating · Vegetarian options · Delivery | 4.4503 | — | £1–15 | avocado toast, fish & chips, oatmeal with bananas |
| Cafe TruvaOutdoor seating · Vegetarian options · Vegan options | 4.6740 | 0.1 mi | £1–15 | turkish coffee, turkish breakfast bagel, home-made scones |
| CocoricoOutdoor seating · Vegetarian options · Vegan options | 4.9234 | 0.5 mi | — | homemade cakes selection, full scottish breakfast, banana bread |
| La CimeReservations | 4.9139 | 0.9 mi | £10–20 | cheese scone, seasonal brunch menu, coffee |
The 3 nearest cafes by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
Similar Cafes nearby
More to explore in Edinburgh

57 places
Cafes in Edinburgh
Photo: Southern Cross Cafe · 4.5 · 2,458 Google reviews
See all 57 cafes in Edinburgh
4.7 · LOWDOWNCoffee shops
26 places
4.8 · Makars Mash BarRestaurants
108 places
4.5 · The World's EndBars
41 places




