Edinburgh's Best Coffee Shops
- edinburghhighlights
- Feb 5, 2020
- 5 min read
Edinburgh has a strong independent coffee shop scene, great for us caffeine lovers. With so many options to choose from we've compiled a list of our favourite independent, speciality coffee spots right here in the capital. Happy sipping!
Cairngorm occupy two premises in the city centre, but our personal favourite is their West End cafe. With bright, minimalist interiors, this space is perfect for meeting friends or spending a couple of hours relaxing, reading or working.
Enjoy some of the best coffee in Edinburgh, beautiful artisan sandwiches/brunch menu options and a selection of delicious cakes. For tea lovers there’s also a great selection of loose leaf teas to warm you up on a cold Scottish day!
Doing a spot of shopping on Princes Street? Head to Cairngorm's Frederik Street premises instead.
This cosy little spot is perfectly located at the foot of the historic Cockburn Street, just off the Royal Mile and a stone's throw from Princes Street. A super cosy atmosphere, the Milkman is the perfect place for hiding away on those chilly Edinburgh days. And, if you're lucky you'll grab yourself a spot in their adorable window seat - perfect for watching the world go by.
Thomas J Walls
Beautiful Old Town premises, top notch coffee and a roaring fire when it's cold - what more could you want? The perfect pitt stop when wandering round the Old Town or heading to the Meadows.
Hula Juice Cafe is colourful, playful and serves up delicious healthy homemade food and juices to match. Although Hula is technically a Juice cafe, they also serve up delicious, speciality coffee from Artisan Roast. What's more you'll find Hula at the foot of one of Edinburgh's most famous Streets, Victoria Street.
Looking for great coffee and food? Try the likes of avocado sourdough toast, a range of bagels, fresh fruit salad, granola, homemade and Scottish porridge. Needing a boost? Go all out with an Acai Bowl, a yummy bowl of superfood goodness! As well as soups, wraps and sandwiches, there’s always a great selection of cakes and brownies on offer! Of course, being a juice cafe, Hula’s speciality lies in mixing up delicious, healthy juices, smoothies and shakes, if you've got room!
Hula have recently opened a second cafe in Fountainbridge, so you know where to head if the Victoria Street cafe is full.
Lovecrumbs is a must for cake and coffee lovers.
As well as serving up delicious coffee by Steampunk and other guest roasters, these guys do a selection of Anteaques Teas, Coco Chocolatier Hot Chocolates and their speciality - home-made cakes.
Their selections change daily, but expect the likes of blueberry & lemon cake, cardamom & coffee cake, gooseberry, almond & spelt cake or mango, raspberry & orange! Although their roots were as a cake cafe, Lovecrumbs have recently started serving savoury food, so even if you don't have a sweet tooth, this place is worth visiting!
Their cool vintage style means that you could find yourself sat at an old piano, round a communal table, on a comfy sofa or sat in the window seat looking out onto West Bow.
They've also recently opened up a second Lovecrumbs (hooray!) in Stockbridge with a Century General Store outpost meaning you can shop beautiful homeware whilst enjoying coffee and cake- win win!
Situated on George Street, this is the perfect mid-shop coffee stop. Burr & Co serve up Caravan coffee, which was voted best coffee by the Observer Food Monthly - so you know it's going to be good. They also serve up breakfast, toasties and homemade cakes.
Find Machina Espresso in two city centre locations: Nicholson Street or Brougham Street. Serving coffee from their own Roastery as well as monthly guests, offering a daily choice of two espressos, a choice of up to three filter coffees, and tea from local business Anteaques, these guys know their coffee. If you're as passionate as them, you'll be right at home.
Somewhat of an institution amongst the Edinburgh speciality coffee scene, Brewlab is renowned for supplying amazing speciality coffee in chic, run-down surroundings just off Nicholson Street. *Attention all coffee fans* Brew Lab offer the ultimate filter coffee experience. Using top speciality coffees from roasters around the UK and Europe, coffee lovers are never short of options with a filter menu that changes frequently. Those less inclined towards black coffee can enjoy rich lattes, capuchinos, mochas, hot chocolates and a selection of loose leaf teas (all top notch.)
With a food menu that offers artisinal soups by Union of Genius, handmade sourdough baguettess, pastries by Twelve Triangles, cakes by Lovecrumbs and rich healthy salads, you’re spoilt for choice.
Fortitude may only occupy a small space, but they are big in the Edinburgh coffee scene. In the New Town? Head here for delicious coffee roasted by their sister company, Fortitude Coffee Roasters. They offer seasonal coffee and a different guest roaster each month, perfect!
Wellington
This basement coffee house never fails to deliver excellent coffee in a charming tiny space. Located just off Princes Street this is the perfect resting place for tired legs in need of a caffeine boost. Wellington's premises are small, but they do have seating outside, making it the perfect spot to flock to when the sun's shining!
A haven for all lovers of interiors and design, Century General Store not only provide top notch coffee, but are vendors of a beautiful range of homeware and gifts. Although Central General Store originally started out in Marchmont, they've recently shut the premises and moved to a delightful space in Abbeyhill in the east of the city. Be prepared to spend a while in here!
A delightful coffee spot in Edinburgh's New Town, head to Leo's for delicious coffee, scrumptious cakes and savouries.
Twelve Triangles
Twelve Triangles fulfils all your coffee and bakery needs. Baking and stocking delicious breads and pastries in their two Leith Walk and Portobello coffee shops, Twelve Triangles is the perfect place to head for coffee and a croissant. They have also recently opened up their very own 'Kitchen Table,' the perfect spot for homemade goods for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Little Fitzroy
A relative newbie to the Edinburgh coffee scene, you'll find the small but mighty Little Fitzroy on Easter Road. Serving up an ever changing selection of coffee and a gorgeous vegan menu, there's always something new to try.
Red Kite Café
Another coffee shop you'll find in Abbeyhill is Red Kite. A beautiful, peaceful spot to enjoy a quality coffee and browse some local art work.
William Johnsons
Having had their outpost at Custom Lane down in Leith for a few years now, William Johnson recently opened a second store in Edinburgh's Waverley Mall, meaning there's finally a place to get a good coffee before jumping on your train, yippee!
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