Broughton Delicatessen and Café

Really loved it here — an unassuming deli with a café at the back, but serving some delicious things!
It really says something when you can’t decide what to eat. Many amazing restaurants leaving you choosing between 2 or 3 really lovely-​sounding things. But this café had a good 4 or 5 things I wanted to try! We were only here for a quick lunch with a friend because another favourite nearby was closed. But wow, thank you to the Unilocal rating for pointing me here! There were so many good breakfast options (benedict-​type affairs), sandwiches (behind the counter with the salads) and some more unusual options…
Whilst not claiming to serve traditional world cuisine, they had their own «deli» take on it. I had «deli tacos» — with fresh, seared steak and deli-​made guac and salsa… served with a selection of the delicious salads of the day (the potato salad was a highlight). My wife had «deli ramen» — a delicious broth full of fresh veg of the day and topped with grilled deli chicken. It was a really good idea; use what you have in the deli to provide your take on some favourites! They were so delicious!
Even the coffee and tea was tasty, the staff friendly and helpful, and the service efficient. On the walls were some cool examples of local craft and art, purchasable in the deli along with other trinkets; badges and such. It was just a nice little place with really tasty food full of happy patrons! I’m going back!

Just gorgeous food and a lovely atmosphere. Another one to add on the list of eateries to frequent while in Edinburgh.
I had the ramen, which was not terribly authentic, but it was terribly good! The mister had the «deli tacos» which he devoured. We were accompanied by a friend who genuinely can’t eat gluten (and was struggling with that long before gluten free became a diet fad) & he was loving the bread on his sandwich. Accompanying salads were delish, the décor was fun, and the staff were really friendly! The menu is pretty wide-​ranging for such a small spot, but everything seemed to look so so good. I definitely recommend a visit.

This made for a pleasant brunch spot. The Broughton deli has character with quirky art for sale and a suitably varied menu. If eggs on bread is available, then I’m sold. Add smoked salmon to the equation and you’ll literally have me giddy. And so, I ordered the poached eggs on toast with salmon.
I have to say; the eggs were poached to perfection with a gloriously plump bursting yolk. They were the real star of this brunch show but, other than that, it was just fine: two slices of buttered toast with two poached eggs and some salmon on the side. There was no garnish or dressing, and the portion was not the most generous. Of course, there were some mighty fine eggs, but nothing to turn this brunch into a five star wonder. And service was a-​okay too. — No serious complaints here, but nothing pushing me to that fourth star.
The Broughton deli did the job this Sunday afternoon, but I’m positively sure that there’s a better brunch in town.

After scouring Unilocal for a good place for brunch, and seeing this place was super close to Artisan Roast, it was a done deal. So after a brisk walk from the city centre we were greeted by some lovely smiles behind the counter and a cosy back room where we sat down to look at the menu.
It was easy for us to choose, I opted for poached eggs on toast with Scottish smoked salmon, and my boyfriend went for «the meaty one». We also ordered a flat white and a black coffee. Neither were great, but with artisan roast around the corner, it really didn’t matter as we knew that good coffee was just a stones throw away.
Our food arrived after a short while, and by this time and the short walk… I was starving!
Now, it’s possibly because I’d read such rave-​reviews from my fellow Unilocalers… But my god, I was so disappointed! It was all very beige. Absolutely nothing was mind blowing tasty, and everything was just quite «meh». I am such a believer in supporting local businesses (which is why the generous 3 stars), but it was all a bit average. Again I wouldn’t have minded as much if our brunch was good value, but when 2 drinks and 2 breakfasts come in at £22, I’d expect the quality to be a lot higher.

Came in around 11 on a Saturday for our first (slightly hungover) meal of the day. This is the kind of place I love — a relaxed, cozy café with lots of homey touches. The menu was unique and inspired, with a range of fun breakfast and lunch options. Everything seems to be homemade. You order up front and then the food is brought out to you.
I got some loose mint tea, served in an abundantly big pot, and my husband got a decaf latte. We could barely decide what to get, but decided on the steak tacos served with a variety of salads alongside for my husband, and the flatbread plate for me — grilled chicken, chickpea and tomato stew, hummus, baba ganoush, olives, and bread.
The food was as fresh and lovely as I could have hoped. Steak tacos were great, cooked beautifully medium-​rare and filled with a luscious avocado spread. Loved the fun salads alongside. Tacos don’t seem like a healthy meal, but here it really did! Loaded with veggies. My plate was also great, with juicy chicken, simmering hot chickpea stew, creamy hummus, great marinated olives, and more. I wasn’t mad keen on the baba ganoush, but really enjoyed dipping the flatbread in the hummus and taking big bites, mixing all the different components together.
Prices were very reasonable, our portions filled us up, and the food quality was very high. This is a great place for a break from the usual fare– good amount of vegetarian options too. Would absolutely stop in again next time we’re in Edinburgh! Free wifi too, if you want to linger over coffee.

Lovely place for a brunch stop! Though I’m not sure if the woman behind the deli counter was trying to get rid of us initially by saying they didn’t have any tables free in the back. Having been turned away from the too-​full Blue Bear though I was undeterred (and starving), so I gestured towards the dining room at the back saying ‘what about that empty table for two I can see right there?!’ She clearly hadn’t spotted it so smiled apologetically and gestured us in — it seemed that we’d struck it very lucky with our timing though!
They don’t have many staff around so after waiting a little while my brunch date just got up and helped himself to a menu and cutlery set for us (I think the hunger was getting too much!). You then get up and order at the deli counter at the front, and though it seemed to take a while for our coffees to arrive, the food followed very quickly after. My cappuccino was worth the little wait, though I think I got too excited about its arrival and managed to pour half our bottle of tap water onto my lap as I was trying to open it. Cue trying to retain a neutral expression in front of both the waiter and my date to make it seem like not too much had spilled, when in reality a cold wetness was seeping down my thigh. Ahem, anyway!
I really enjoyed my food, which was lucky given how spoiled for choice I was with the menu. My smashed avocado and poached egg on sourdough was well flavoured with some chilli and spring onion and always a solid choice for me. My date ordered my second choice which I wouldn’t have been able to finish once I saw the size of it — two fat fluffy pancakes with bacon and maple syrup. And unlike the experiences I’ve had elsewhere of people being stingy with the syrup, these boys were positively swimming in it. Yum. Yep, I stole a bit.
Two clean plates, full tummies and one slightly damp lap later, and we tottered up to the counter to pay. It’s pricier than eating in what is essentially someone’s converted living room should be, but the location is great and the cuteness factor works in their favour, especially with some of the pics on the wall in the dining room. The portion sizes were also decent so we headed back out into the Scottish sunshine for a brisk walk home!

What a lovely, lovely spot. Being a stranger to this city (in town for Fringe, like so many others), finding a decent place to eat can be daunting. The endless sea of Unilocal reviews and Google search results. Amidst all of that, I feel lucky to have found this place! Delicious food, wonderful coffee, and lovely service. Shout out to Theodore J. And Linsay D. For the tip!

Came here to help stave off jetlag and did not regret it at all. The toast and eggs with avocado, and the version with mushrooms, and the veggie breakfast, are all great. Good side salads as well. Coffee is nothing special but the food and ambiance more than makes up for it.

Lovely, healthy salads and scrummy cakes. Nice seating area where you can sit for ages, no hassle. Friendly staff

Randomly chose here for late lunch a couple of Mondays ago.
Whilst the menu is possibly a bit slim there appears to be scope to have a wide range of dishes made up ad hoc. I opted for the Ploughman’s as couldn’t be bothered coming up with something off my own back though. The chutney was a blend of figs & onions it seemed, which made for an interesting change. Plenty of bread, a good amount of both ham & the two types of cheese all made for a decent feed at a reasonable price.
There’s far more seating than you’d expect upon first sighting the place and they currently have some very keenly priced framed art on the walls, assuming you like cats & owls. The conter service was pleasant and I’d happily visit again.

Had the broughton deli breakfast, which was exactly what I was looking for. I had been dying to try a scottish breakfast (especially black pudding) and Broughton seemed to fit the bill. Everything was really good, not to mention that it’s a really cute place to just sit and chat or read.

On our recent short break in Edinburgh, we went to Broughton Deli twice for breakfast. At the front of the store is the deli, offering all kinds of tempting treats, as well as fresh pastries and bread for breakfast. To the rear is the café, which an eclectic range of tables and chairs, impressive art on the walls and the ceiling adorned with large paper lanterns. The menu is an impressive mix of classic breakfast dishes, and a good smattering of more unusual ones. Of course the obligatory americano, was strong and flavoursome, a good way to start the day, and my wife’s cappuccino equally good. A point to note you have to order your food from the deli area at the front, and this place is always busy, so expect a small wait.
Of the breakfast dishes we had over the two days we visited the scrambled eggs and wild mushrooms on toasted sourdough bread, with a side of Carluke Bacon, was one of the best breakfast dishes I’ve has in a long time (You could have had the eggs with chipotle chillies and spring onion!). The pancakes with maple syrup and the Carluke Bacon was also delightful; I expected it to be too sweet, but the whole flavour of the dish was mellow and smoky. Of the other dishes we had, the pastries were fantastically fresh, the bacon sandwich big enough to save half for later on the train home, and the porridge stacked with fresh fruit and nuts, and a hearty enough portion to begin any day with.
Sadly although I studied the extensive lunch menu at length, we never were near enough at the time, there were a fantastic range of grilled sandwiches and a very tempting looking burger on offer. There will always be a next time!

I was a bit dubious when told I was coming here for lunch but you know what it was really very nice.
With a full and very varied deli menu I opted for the tart of the day with salad. A very nice pastry with a healthy filling… tasty. Quinoa salad along side it — all in all a treat.
Coffee was ok but could have been better and the servoce was not greati

So on a Monday morning on Broughton Street, where to go since our first choice was shut :(Oh well, save that one for a cheeky mid week cake session!
First impression it was bright red on the outside but quite neutral on the inside.
The lady said she would be with us shortly to take our order, a wee bit of a wait as I was going to go and check out the cakes showing themselves off at the window! Loads to choose from and the slice is a good potion, thank goodness I was sharing! I choose for both of us: The «white chocolate and pear» cake. I could taste the white chocolate but not really much pear. But it had a nice crumb.
Coffee was a Cappuccino but I like mine stronger and less milky, but it was drinkable and managed with no sugar, which in it’s self is a winner.
For 2 small cappuccinos and a big piece of cake it was reasonable and would come back to grab one of the takeaway sandwiches as they sounded really nice!

Food was ok but personally I’d say it’s over hyped. Extremely unorganised business and critically understaffed, we were waiting for over a half hour for a simple coffee. Only two people working on a very busy Saturday morning, they had their work cut out for them!

Excellent cheese scones, pleasant atmosphere and friendly staff. What more could a girl want at 9am on a cold, rainy May morning? The café is a bit tucked away as it’s off the main stretch on Broughton Street and I’ve walked past it dozens of times without paying it any heed. Won’t be making that mistake in the future… Also, excellent deli options! Salads looked amazing.

Fantastic wee find nestled in amongst the fabulous Broughton Street area (full of funky wee shops that you can easily lose a few hours browsing in!). I love Broughton Deli & Café equally for a quick grab & run lunch, or a leisurely weekend brunch — until now I have kept it a secret, however, I’m in a «sharing» kind of mood! ;-)
They do a mean salad selection & daily specials board, and for a weekend treat the crepes are a MUST! Then there is the cake stand…
If you are even slightly intrigued by this homely wee café pick up your book, the paper or a mag and head along… best experienced when you are not in a hurry! Enjoy!

I enjoyed my little trip to the stylish confines of the Broughton Deli. It strikes a really good balance between chic and homely.
Overall, we said: «I thought the Broughton Deli had a lot of charm, and you can’t fault it in terms of seeking to blending heartiness with elegance. It’s more the sort of place I’d prefer to sit-​in for lunch, rather than regularly visit for takeaway, but I’d recommend you pay it a visit and soak in its undoubted delights.»

Broughton Delicatessen and Café has managed to create a unique business which not only allows you to look around at their large array quality produce, but also to sit down and enjoy a hot or cold drink and a tasty cake. On the menu for the café they have a tempting selection of muffins, sandwiches and crepes to choose from. They also serve an impressive platter of smoked ham which looked filling and delicious. I ordered a pastrami and salad baguette with mayonnaise which made for a tasty and adequate lunch for only about £3.
I didn’t sit in and eat, but the café has a cool, bohemian feel to it with DIY artwork all over the walls and jumbled up furniture. This is a great place to come for a delicious lunch with great service and ambiance.

Do you ever come across places that are so good you want to tell the whole world about them, but equally want to keep secret in case everyone starts going? That’s my dilemma with the Broughton Delicatessen!
It’s located about ten minutes from my flat and has become part of my Sunday ritual. It is not only a deli selling a wide range of meats, cheeses, breads and cakes etc, it’s also a lovely little café (which always has tables available — hence my reluctance to tell everyone about it!).
This place should be held up as a shining example to all other purveyors of sandwiches and deli items: they roast their own meats, make their own chutneys, bake their own cakes and bread, they even make granola!
The atmosphere is wonderfully unpretentious and the staff are always friendly and welcoming, it’s like sitting in your own living room but with nice cakes and better coffee.
My only complaint would be that it’s not open in the evening — they held a supper club a few weeks ago (i.e. you pay a set price and they give you dinner), so I hope they continue to do more in the future.