After spending the morning on a leisurely walk along the Water of Leith and visiting the fairytale-like Dean Village, we did a half-hour drive over to the seaside — to Portobello Beach, Edinburgh’s most famous and beloved beach. Apparently it’s also an award-winning one, known for its excellent litter management, high water quality and exceptional visitor facilities. How could we not check it out while in Edinburgh, right? But before any beach walking, lunch time first. And that’s how we ended up at The Beach House Edinburgh.
The Beach House Edinburgh: A Cosy Seaside Cafe
Before heading to the beach, I did a quick Google Maps search and The Beach House popped up. So we decided to head there for lunch. It’s a seaside cafe located right on the promenade at Portobello Beach. It was a Sunday afternoon so the place was packed. We managed to grab an indoor table just as some diners were leaving — talk about good timing!
There’s also outdoor seating which is pet-friendly, so you’ll see pawrents outside enjoying their meals while their furkids hang out beside them.
Things to Note Before You Go
- No reservations — walk-ins only.
- Breakfast menu served until 12pm, but they do all-day brunch.
- Menu changes seasonally, so always check their website for the current offerings.
- Be prepared to wait. We waited about 35 minutes for our food after ordering. Definitely not the place if you’re rushing or just want a quick bite.
What We Ordered at The Beach House Edinburgh
Homemade Lemonade
Tastes just like lemon juice and sparkling water — non-sugared and so refreshing. Exactly what I needed after a morning of walking.
Cold Brew
Eh, this one looks just like a pint of Guinness with that thick, creamy, velvety head! Clean and smooth — hubby liked it a lot.
Buddha Bowl
This came with wild rice, edamame beans, pickled mushrooms, spring onion, cucumber, roasted sesame and halloumi. No dressing at all, very clean and fresh, with a lovely sesame fragrance. The halloumi gave it a nice salty kick, and surprisingly the rice was also very tasty on its own.
Honestly the healthiest thing I had on this entire trip. I’m not vegetarian but I really really enjoyed this!
Beach House Club
Made with free-range chicken, bacon, spinach, tomato, red onion and garlic mayo. The bread was very crispy, which I liked. But the filling combination was pretty ordinary — not mind-blowing.
Just a decent club sandwich if you’re craving one.
Don’t Skip the Cakes!
After mains, you just tell the staff which cake you want (choose from their dessert shelf) and they’ll grab it for you straight away. Very fuss-free system.
Guinness Cake
The staff highly recommended this one. It’s like a rich chocolatey cake — dense but not dry. The cream cheese frosting wasn’t too sweet either. Kind of reminded me of red velvet cake style.
Banana Cake with Pecans
This one tastes a bit like carrot cake. The cream cheese frosting was very sweet though, just a heads up. But the cake itself was so moist, with strong banana fragrance and lots of pecans giving it a lovely nutty crunch.
Final Thoughts on The Beach House Edinburgh
All in all, a really good meal. I absolutely loved the Buddha Bowl — it’s like one of the best things to eat right at the end of a trip when you’ve overindulged the past few days (guilty!). The cakes are pretty good too, very homemade and comforting — the best way to end the meal.
If you’re heading to Portobello Beach, definitely check The Beach House Edinburgh out. The vibes are awesome. And after your meal, you can take a walk along the beach or just sit and chill while doing some people (and pets) watching.
