The James Martin Kitchen

£7 breakfast baps and barista coffee before security

The James Martin Kitchen sits landside at Edinburgh Airport, on the public side before security, so it works for early drop-offs and meetings. Rating hovers around 3.5, which tracks with “fine, not special” in airport terms. Expect a mix of hot breakfast rolls, sandwiches, salads, pastries, and proper espresso-based coffee instead of push-button machines.

Food pricing runs typical UK-airport: breakfast baps and paninis often land in the £6–£8 range, with cakes and pastries closer to £3–£4 each. Coffee sits around the £3 mark for a latte or flat white, creeping higher for large sizes or extra shots. Portions are reasonable for the price, not huge, not skimpy. You pay at the counter, grab a seat, and they move orders fairly quickly outside peak 06:30–09:00 and 16:00–18:00 waves.

Menu highlights lean on the James Martin branding: think sausage or bacon rolls on decent bread, filled croissants, and a rotating line-up of sandwiches rather than anything cheffy or experimental. If you want something light before a short hop to London or Amsterdam, a sandwich and coffee combo will usually come in under £12. Vegetarian options appear, but not in big numbers, so plant-based travelers might end up with a cheese sandwich and crisps as the realistic option.

Seating is standard hard chairs and small tables, aimed at 20–30 minute stops, not laptop marathons. Power outlets are limited, so don’t bank on charging a dead phone here. Being landside, queues spike when several flights check in at once; a 10–15 minute wait for coffee around 08:00 is normal. Staff service reviews are mixed but acceptable, matching that 3.5 rating: not hospitality school, not rude.

Tip: if you want coffee from here and lounge food airside, grab your drink at the James Martin Kitchen about 45–60 minutes before departure, then head through security and eat later so you’re not queuing twice for full meals.