Cafe on the Mound: Breakfast in Old Town Edinburgh

Cafe On The Mound in Edinburgh, Scotland

It was my first day in Edinburgh. Tired and hungry, I was in the mood for Scottish breakfast. That’s when I discovered Cafe on the Mound.

Founded in 2012, Cafe on the Mound is a small, local restaurant on Bank Street that offers affordable breakfast and lunch options. Another great thing about its location is its sweeping views over Prince Street below.

The cafe has become popular with students who attend the nearby New College of the University of Edinburgh.

Though located on the northern edge of Old Town, not far from Edinburgh Castle, the spot feels local and off the beaten path.

Since I was trying to avoid the tourist traps of Old Town, I decided to stop by Cafe on the Mound for breakfast on my recent trip.

Table of Contents

Interior of Cafe On The Mound

Open and bright interior, Cafe On The Mound, Edinburgh, Scotland — Open and bright interior

The interior of the restaurant was open and bright, even on a gloomy day. The tall ceilings added to the spacious feel and brightness.

The ambiance was casual, with a modern décor that retained a traditional touch. Modern lights mixed with wooden accents and classic elements, including a decorative door and mirror.

Couches made the space cozy while the many tables, including high tops, created a great place to hang out and enjoy a meal. Light music played in the background.

You will feel welcome whether you are a local, a university student, or a tourist.

The counter or coffee bar was at the far end of the dining room, opposite the entrance. It was here where I placed my order and paid with the cashier on my visit.

Cafe On The Mound Menu

The menu at Cafe On The Mound, Edinburgh, Scotland — The menu at Cafe On The Mound

The menu at Cafe On the Mound was simple but offered a variety of breakfast and lunch options and an assortment of hot beverages.

Breakfast options included a Full Breakfast, served until 11:30 AM, and all-day options, including pancakes, scrambled eggs on toast, porridge, and rolls with fillings including bacon, haggis, and sausage.

You also had homemade soups, paninis, sandwiches, toasties, tortilla wraps, and baked potatoes for lunch.

Finally, there was a wide range of beverage options, including espresso, americano, latte, cappuccino, and mocha, as well as tea, chai latte, and hot chocolate.

Full Breakfast

Due to jet lag, I fell asleep and missed dinner the night before, so I was starving by morning. I knew I wanted to order a Scottish breakfast.

I ordered the Full Breakfast (£11.95), which included pork sausages, bacon, two eggs, tomato, haggis, black pudding, baked beans, and toast. It had everything I wanted.

I will start with the haggis, a traditional Scottish dish with different sheep parts. It was my first time trying haggis.

The rich, smoky flavor reminded me of lamb kebabs while the texture was tender and moist, like stuffing. It had a nice, soft texture without being soggy.

The blood sausage was firm and had a spongier, bouncier bite than the haggis, reminding me of a rich, meaty meatloaf.

The sausages, though shriveled, were moist with a dense yet tender texture. They had a fragrant herb flavor, possibly from rosemary.

The final meat component, the bacon, was the richest and fattiest, almost like a big piece of ham mixed with traditional bacon.

The sunny side up eggs were perfect, with bright orange yolks. The beans were tender and smaller than I’m used to, and they had a sweet, salty, and rich taste.

The final components were a tender, grilled tomato and bread, which was crispy on the outside, with seeds that added a kick of flavor.

Service

At Cafe on the Mound, I placed my order with the cashier at the front of the restaurant, resulting in limited interaction with the staff.

That said, the worker I interacted with, who took my order, made my drink, and brought me my food, was friendly and welcoming.

He also gave recommendations on the menu and briefly chatted with me about my visit to Edinburgh.

Finally, my food and drink arrived quickly and correctly.

Conclusion

Though located in the Old Town of Edinburgh, the Cafe on the Mound feels like a spot visited by locals and missed by tourists.

While the menu was small, it had a great selection of breakfast and lunch items at affordable prices.

If you are hungry, go for the Full Breakfast like I did. With sausage, bacon, eggs, haggis, black pudding, baked beans, and bread, it offers a hearty and satisfying meal to start your day.

With its delicious food, unique décor, casual ambiance, friendly service, and great location, I recommend visiting Cafe on the Mound on your next visit to Edinburgh.