With three locations spread across Edinburgh (Melville Terrace, George Street, and Leith Shore), Victor Hugo Deli has achieved that rare status of being everywhere you need it while maintaining the family-run warmth that makes regulars feel like members of a very delicious club. Their tagline—‘delicious things to eat’—is admirably honest and undersells things only slightly.

The all-day breakfast menu operates on the principle that no hour is too late (or too early) for eggs done properly, whether you’re after a full Scottish spread or something more Continental and restrained. Filled baguettes demonstrate a proper understanding of bread-to-filling ratios, with enough substance to constitute an actual meal rather than an expensive snack. The eggs Benedict brioche rolls represent a particular kind of genius: taking a brunch classic and making it portable and slightly decadent without tipping over into full-blown absurdity.

The burnt Basque cheesecake has become something of a signature—that bittersweet, caramelised top and impossibly creamy centre that makes you understand why this Basque export conquered the world. The pastry and cake selection rotates but maintains consistent quality: croissants with proper lamination, Danish pastries that aren’t afraid of butter, tarts both sweet and savoury, and layer cakes elaborate enough for celebrations but approachable enough for Tuesday.

The deli counter stocks the usual suspects done unusually well—salamis, cheeses, olives, and antipasti arranged with an eye toward both aesthetics and actual tastiness. Coffee is taken seriously, because this is Edinburgh and anything less would be mildly scandalous.

Whether you’re starting your day, taking a midday break, or just realising you need cake immediately, Victor Hugo’s multiple locations mean you’re probably within reasonable walking distance of delicious things to eat—and really, isn’t that the best kind of Edinburgh institution to have?