From morning espresso to midnight Negronis: Capetto is Edinburgh's new all day Italian escape

Capetto brings a slower, sun‑drenched Italian rhythm to Howe Street, blending exceptional coffee, thoughtful plates and effortless all‑day charm in a space that feels as inviting at 8am as it does at midnight. Rosie Higgins explores.

It didn't take long for Little Capo to become one of Edinburgh's most sought-after tables. Since opening in 2025, the intimate Italian small plates restaurant has earned a place in the Michelin Guide and welcomed visitors including Stanley Tucci and Jamie Oliver. Just last week, the team opened Capetto directly beneath it, an all-day café and bar that's already proving just as exciting.

Open from 8am until midnight, Capetto is designed to move with the rhythm of the day. It works just as well for a quick espresso before work as it does for a leisurely lunch, an afternoon coffee date, aperitivo with friends or late night cocktails. In a city where cafés and bars often occupy separate worlds, Capetto feels refreshingly versatile.

Descending the steps from Howe Street, the pace immediately softens. We make a beeline for the little window table overlooking the street, which quickly becomes my favourite seat in the room. Each table is finished with nothing more than a delicate stem of gypsophila in a simple glass bottle, a small detail that perfectly captures the understated elegance of the space. Rustic stone walls, warm lighting and a sleek central bar strike a balance between traditional Italian charm and contemporary design, while the sunken terrace outside looks destined to become one of Edinburgh's best spots for a summer drink.

Coffee sits at the heart of Capetto. Alongside specialty favourites including flat whites, cold brew and expertly pulled espresso, the menu celebrates classic Italian coffee culture with drinks such as caffè con panna, caffè shakerato and, after midday, caffè corretto. The coffee itself comes from Edinburgh roastery Spaceboy Coffee, a thoughtful local partnership that complements Capetto's blend of Italian tradition and modern café culture.

My mum and I can't resist ordering a caffè con panna, something we've searched out together on family holidays to Italy ever since I was little. A silky double espresso topped with rich whipped cream, it's wonderfully simple but full of nostalgia. Alongside it comes a beautifully executed flat white with velvety microfoam and a glossy crema that has me quietly geeking out.

The food menu is intentionally concise but carefully considered. Breakfast offers homemade granola, seasonal frittata, biscotti and cakes, while after midday the menu shifts towards the menu shifts towards generously filled, house-made focaccia sandwiches.

We order the Granola with rhubarb, macerated strawberries and cinnamon alongside the seasonal Frittata with basil, tomato, goat's cheese and crème fraîche. I'd spent the previous ten minutes insisting I wasn't hungry enough for the frittata. A few minutes later the plate is completely empty. It is light, fresh and tangy, packed with flavour without ever feeling heavy. Sometimes the simplest dishes are the ones that linger in your memory the longest.

Capetto is the latest venture from the team behind Little Capo, led by acclaimed Edinburgh restaurateur Stuart McCluskey, formerly of the Bon Vivant Group, Esther Richard is the pastry chef for the day menu while Zein Ozer is sous chef for the evening one. Rather than simply recreating the restaurant upstairs, they've created something with its own identity, somewhere that feels equally suited to a morning coffee as it does an evening Negroni.

What impresses me most isn't a single dish or coffee though. It is the feeling Capetto creates. It captures that slower rhythm so many of us chase on holiday, where one coffee turns into another, breakfast quietly becomes lunch, and nobody seems to be watching the clock. It's unpretentious but unmistakably stylish, offering something that feels genuinely distinctive within Edinburgh's café scene.

Whether you're stopping by for a perfectly poured espresso, meeting friends over focaccia or settling in for aperitivo as the evening sets in, Capetto feels like the sort of place you'll find yourself returning to at every hour of the day.

Related content: Italian Edinburgh

Capetto - 26A Howe Street, Edinburgh EH3 6TG

From 8am-midnight daily

Instagram: @capetto.edinburgh