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5 Best Breakfast Spots in Aberdeen
How We Picked
Menu
Everyone deserves to start the day with a delicious breakfast. So, we rated the quality and selection of breakfast options in each place.
Restaurant Staff
Service can highly improve one’s dining experience, so we also looked at the responsiveness and demeanour of each restaurant’s staff.
Prices
Next, we assessed the prices in each breakfast spot to let you know which ones have tasty yet competitively-priced breakfast meals.
Ambiance
We also measured the decor and vibe in each place to let customers choose which environment they’d like to spend their mornings in.
1. Union Cafe & Bistro

Breakfast Options: Granola and Greek Yoghurt, Scott Porridge Oat, Croissant, Scones, Full Scottish Breakfast, Vegetarian Breakfast, French Toast, Eggs Benedict, Baker’s Roll, Salads, Baked Potatoes, Union Handmade Burgers, Ciabattas and Wraps
Website: https://ucbistro.com/
Address: 21 Union St, Aberdeen AB11 5BU, United Kingdom
Contact Details: +44 7588 713307
Operating Hours: Mon-Sun: 9 AM–8 PM
Google reviews score | 4.4/5 |
Trip Advisor reviews score | 4/5 |
Score consistency | 4.8/5 |
Total Reviews | 4.4/5 |
Menu | 4.25/5 |
-Quality | 4/5 |
-Selection | 4.5/5 |
Restaurant Staff | 3.5/5 |
-Responsiveness | 3/5 |
-Demeanour | 4/5 |
Prices(A higher score means better value) | 3.5/5 |
Ambiance | 4/5 |
Pros
- Has a light breakfast selection
- Offers a Full Scottish Breakfast and a Vegetarian Breakfast
- Known for their breakfast burgers
- Offers Burger Deals
- Also known for their breakfast milkshakes
- Extensive selection of Suki Tea
Cons
- A bit pricey
- Long wait times
Union Cafe & Bistro is a great place to have a filling breakfast if you are in Aberdeen.
They are known for their light breakfast selection where one can choose from granola and greek yoghurt, Scott porridge oats, or a simple croissant. This is perfect for healthy eaters.
Unlike other diners, they also offer a full Scottish breakfast of toast, beans, two fried eggs, bacon, sausage, black pudding, tomato, mushrooms, hash brown, and a potato scone. A vegetarian version of this meal is also available, which is a thoughtful touch.
They are also known for their breakfast milkshakes which other restaurants do not offer. Those with a sweet tooth can choose from vanilla, fresh banana, strawberry, and chocolate.
For avid tea drinkers, you’d be happy with their extensive Suki tea selection. Aside from traditional flavours such as English Breakfast and Earl Grey, they also offer unique variants such as Blue Flowers, Apple Loves Mint, and Dark Cocoa Tea.
A downside is that they are slightly pricier than their competitors. For instance, their Full Scottish Breakfast is priced at £9.50, which is more expensive compared to similar dishes in other cafes.
They also have long wait times. Some customers have reported waiting for 45 minutes just for a baked potato and two sandwiches, which we agree is a bit unreasonable.
2. Cafe Cognito

Breakfast Options: Warm Croissant, Toasties, Paninis, Bagels, Focaccia, Freshly Made sandwiches, Salad Boxes
Website: http://www.cafecognito.co.uk/
Address: 39 St Swithin St, Aberdeen AB10 6XL, United Kingdom
Contact Details: +44 1224 209727
Operating Hours:
- Mon-Fri: 8 AM–4:30 PM
- Saturday: 9 AM–4 PM
Google reviews score | 4.4/5 |
Trip Advisor reviews score | 4.5/5 |
Score consistency | 5/5 |
Total Reviews | 4.63/5 |
Menu | 3.75/5 |
-Quality | 4.5/5 |
-Selection | 3/5 |
Restaurant Staff | 3.75/5 |
-Responsiveness | 4/5 |
-Demeanour | 3.5/5 |
Prices(A higher score means better value) | 4/5 |
Ambiance | 3.5/5 |
Pros
- Opens earlier than other shops
- Food is prepared fresh daily
- Sources from local suppliers and producers
- Known for their croissant selection
- Also known for their freshly baked pastries
- Delivers platters and party food
Cons
- Closed on Sundays
- Does not serve full breakfasts
- Cramped and noisy
For those craving warm croissants and freshly-baked pastries in the morning, then we think Cafe Cognito is the place for you.
First off, while other breakfast places open at 9 AM, this cafe opens at 8 AM. This is perfect for early birds and those who want something to-go before heading off to work.
Also, they pride themselves on serving freshly-prepared food daily, which we appreciate.
We also admire how they support local suppliers and producers in the community. For instance, they use the Bread Maker for all their rolls and bread and Turriff for their fruits & vegetables.
They are actually known for their croissant selection. One can order it plain, with deli ham & cheese, with gluten-free toast with butter & jam, with granola with fruit compote, and even with yoghurt bircher pots with fruit!
For those who like to keep their options open, they also offer other freshly baked-pastries. Customers can choose from their homemade scones and tray bakes, as well as their selection of muffins and luxury sliced cakes.
If you are planning to hire a caterer, do note that Cafe Cognito delivers platters and party food within Aberdeen. However, this needs to be arranged at least 24 hours before the event.
Unfortunately, they are closed on Sundays, so do plan your visit accordingly. Also, unlike other breakfast places, they do not serve full, savoury breakfasts.
Lastly, their place is quite tiny, and customers mentioned how noisy it is.
3. Foodstory

Breakfast Options: Special Breakfast Porridge, Vegan Porridge, Cinnamon Bun Pancakes, Gluten-Free Pancakes, Local Poached Eggs on In-House Made Sourdough, Sourdough Mushroom Toast, Sourdough Focaccia, Everything Toast
Website: https://foodstorycafe.co.uk/holding.php
Address: 11-15 Thistle St, Aberdeen AB10 1XZ, United Kingdom
Contact Details: https://www.facebook.com/TheFoodstoryCafe
Operating Hours:
- Monday: 8:30 AM–3 PM
- Tue-Thurs: 8:30 AM–8 PM
- Fri-Sat: 8:30 AM–6 PM
- Sunday: 10 AM–3 PM
Google reviews score | 4.5/5 |
Trip Advisor reviews score | 4.5/5 |
Score consistency | 5/5 |
Total Reviews | 4.66/5 |
Menu | 4/5 |
-Quality | 5/5 |
-Selection | 3/5 |
Restaurant Staff | 3.25/5 |
-Responsiveness | 3.5/5 |
-Demeanour | 3/5 |
Prices(A higher score means better value) | 5/5 |
Ambiance | 4.5/5 |
Pros
- Open all week
- Has gluten-free and vegan options
- Famous for their cinnamon bun pancakes
- Also known for their sourdough menu
- Has a Brunch Deal
- Offers a customisable gift voucher
Cons
- Limited breakfast selection
- Reports of unfriendly and rude staff
If you are looking for a breakfast place that is open all week, then we think Foodstory would be your best bet.
They also have delicious gluten-free and vegan breakfast options. For instance, one can have vegan porridge, gluten-free pancakes, and vegan French toast.
Of course, what they are really known for is their cinnamon bun pancakes. This clever cinnamon roll pancake recipe is rarely served elsewhere, and their customers can’t stop raving about it.
Another thing that sets them apart is their wide selection of sourdough bread options. Sourdough aficionadios can choose from sourdough mushroom toast, sourdough focaccia, and sourdough French toast.
For those who love brunch, you’d be happy to hear about their Brunch Deal. For only £10, customers can have a BLT, Bun, and Brew, and this promo is available from 8:30 AM to 12 PM.
If you want to share this hidden gem with someone you love, then you can purchase a customisable gift voucher. You just need to enter the email of the recipient and the amount you wish to purchase.
One downside is that this place has a comparatively limited breakfast selection. Aside from their cinnamon bun pancake, most of their breakfast meals focus on porridge and sourdough recipes.
Also, we were disappointed to hear about their rude and unfriendly staff from various customers. Apparently, some repeat customers found staff to be consistently impolite.
4. So…NYC Bagels & Brew

Breakfast Options: Breakfast Bagels, So…NYC breakfast, Pancake Stacks, Hot Bagels, Cold Bagels, Vegan “Friends” Bagels, Sweet Bagels, So…NYC Donuts
Website: http://www.soaberdeen.co.uk/
Address: 269 Union St, Aberdeen AB11 6BR, United Kingdom
Contact Details: +44 1224 596817
Operating Hours:
- Mon-Fri: 8:30 AM–3 PM
- Saturday: 9 AM–3 PM
Google reviews score | 4.1/5 |
Trip Advisor reviews score | 4/5 |
Score consistency | 5/5 |
Total Reviews | 4.36/5 |
Menu | 3.75/5 |
-Quality | 3/5 |
-Selection | 4.5/5 |
Restaurant Staff | 3.5/5 |
-Responsiveness | 4/5 |
-Demeanour | 3/5 |
Prices(A higher score means better value) | 5/5 |
Ambiance | 5/5 |
Pros
- Specialises in freshly baked New York-style bagels
- Has a Friends-inspired vegan bagel selection
- Known for their full NYC breakfast
- Also offers NYC-inspired pancake stacks
- Offers unique NYC donuts
- Well-lit and spacious place
Cons
- Closed on Sundays
- Rude staff
- Food quality issues
So…NYC Bagels & Brew is a unique breakfast spot in Aberdeen since they specialise in freshly-baked New York-style bagels. For fans of this delicacy, visiting this restaurant is a no brainer.
We like their whimsical, Friends-inspired vegan bagel selection. One can order a “Hey, How You Doin” bagel, which comes with a vegan meatball doused in marinara sauce; or a “We Were On a Break” bagel, with vegan haggis and NYC-spiced tomato catsup.
If you are craving a full NYC breakfast, then this place is for you. This incredibly filling breakfast is made up of bacon, fried egg, sausage, haggis, black pudding, a maple syrup-soaked buttermilk pancake, baked beans, and a toasted bagel.
For pancake lovers, feel free to choose from their scrumptious, NYC-inspired buttermilk pancake stacks. You can have them in 3 or 5 stacks, with maple syrup, crispy bacon, or butter and jam on the side.
Meanwhile, their unique donut selection includes indulgent flavours such as Salted Caramel and Pretzels, Lemon Meringue Pie, and Oreo Cheesecake.
We also love their well-lit, spacious place with long, comfy booths, gleaming tiled floors, and neutral-coloured seating.
Sadly, this space cannot be enjoyed on Sundays because they are closed.
We also heard reports of some staff members being rude to customers. Some even laughed at customers, which we agree is quite off-putting.
Lastly, customers have reported some food quality issues such as food being cold, raw, or just plain awful, which we find quite troubling.
5. Corner Tree Cafe

Breakfast Options: Smoothie Bowls, Pancake Stack, French Toast, Breakfast Waffle, Eggs, Breadmaker Breakfast Rolls, Toasted Open Croissants
Website: https://www.cornertreecafe.co.uk/
Address: 3 Whitehall Rd, Aberdeen AB25 2PP, United Kingdom
Contact Details: +44 1224 642442
Operating Hours: Mon-Sun: 8:30 AM–4:30 PM
Google reviews score | 4.5/5 |
Trip Advisor reviews score | 4/5 |
Score consistency | 4.7/5 |
Total Reviews | 4.4/5 |
Food | 3.5/5 |
-Quality | 3/5 |
-Selection | 4/5 |
Restaurant Staff | 4/5 |
-Responsiveness | 4/5 |
-Demeanour | 4/5 |
Prices(A higher score means better value) | 3/5 |
Ambiance | 5/5 |
Pros
- Food prepared fresh daily
- Famous for their Smoothie Bowls
- Extensive pancake stack selection
- Dog friendly and has outdoor seating
- Has a gift shop
- Offers gift vouchers for special occasions
Cons
- Pricey selections
- Some issues with food quality
- Time limit for reservations
For yummy breakfast food that is prepared fresh daily, then we think Corner Tree Cafe is a great option for you.
What sets this cafe apart is that they serve breakfast smoothie bowls, which is a hit amongst the health-conscious crowd.
Apparently, their bestseller is their pineapple, mango, passion fruit and coconut smoothie bowl topped with banana and sunflower seeds.
They also have an extensive gluten-free pancake stack selection made fresh-to-order. Choices include bacon and maple syrup, fresh fruit and maple syrup, Nutella and fresh berries, and Lotus Biscoff crumb and Biscoff spread.
We appreciate the fact that customers can enjoy their smoothie bowls and pancakes inside or outside, since this place has al fresco seating. They can even bring their dogs, which is great for fur parents.
For last-minute gift ideas, you can browse in their cafe gift shop or you can purchase one of their gift vouchers for special occasions. Their most popular vouchers are for Mother’s Day.
Sadly, their prices are a bit steep compared to other breakfast spots in the area. For instance their pancake stacks are priced at £8.95 while others offer this breakfast staple at lower price points.
We were also dismayed to hear about some food issues that customers have encountered. Some of these include food being a tad too dry, too hard, or stale.
Additionally, for those who are planning to book a reservation, do note that each booking is limited to 1 hour and 15 minutes, which can be quite a downer.