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Photograph: Michael Franke / Time Out

The 10 best coffee shops and cafés in Edinburgh

The Scottish capital is in no short supply of excellent places to grab a flat white

Arusa Qureshi
Amy Houghton
Written by
Arusa Qureshi
&
Amy Houghton
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Trawling Edinburgh’s cobbled streets is a magical experience, but it’s also pretty thirsty work. Between lunch at one of the city’s best restaurants and a night of boozing in one of its unbeatable bars, a wee mug of coffee no doubt helps keep the cogs turning. 

And you should know that the Scottish capital takes its coffee seriously. Very seriously. Over the years Edinburgh has become home to a glorious collection of speciality cafés serving up heavenly cups of caffiene and delish assortments of baked goods. Yes, an espresso can essentially be a means of refueling, but it should be enjoyable and indulgent, too.  

So, before you venture to a museum or gallery, get lost in a bookshop or scale Arthur’s Seat, why not consider a pitstop at one of Edinburgh's very best coffee shops? Here are our pick of the city’s best brews. 

RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in Edinburgh

Top coffee shops and cafes in Edinburgh

  • Restaurants

Brew Lab was a mighty four years in the making. Keen to get their vision just right, co-owners Dave Law and Tom Hyde took the time to explore the potential of the kind of café they might create – as well as how best to brew. Two filter coffees are brewed every day, as well as popular espresso blends using speciality-grade coffee, roasted by Union Hand-Roasted Coffee.

Head down a few stairs to a basement on George Street and you’ll encounter some of the best coffee in Edinburgh. This stylish little café has rightly accrued a merry gang of loyal followers thanks to its tasty, speciality coffees and delicious baked goods. Its design is minimal and its menu small, but everything is thoughtfully prepared and served with care.

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  • Restaurants

A small-scale café with a big heart and bigger ideas, this friendly little space offers up six homemade soups every day – all presented with a large wedge of suitably dunkable artisan bread (from local bakery, Dough Re Mi). Keen to source from nearby independent businesses and cafés, they source their tea from Eteaket and coffee from the ubiquitous Artisan Roast. 

Söderberg has a number of locations around Edinburgh, which is helpful considering their cardamom buns are hard to resist. As well as coffee, cakes and pastries, different branches of the café serve everything from Swedish-style open sandwiches and sourdough pizza to ice cream and classic cocktails with a Scandi twist.

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  • Restaurants

Café Portrait has quickly become one of Edinburgh’s best art venue cafés. And with its striking gothic windows, consistently good food and creative buzz, it’s easy to see why. The menu is seasonal and changes daily, but the likes of Moroccan spiced salmon on a bed of chickpea and spinach, or goat’s cheese roulade won’t disappoint.

Based in Leith, Williams & Johnson Coffee Co. are known for their seasonally curated coffees and regularly changing selection of beans. All of their coffees are single origin and roasted in small batches in their café and if you decide to grab a takeaway drink, you can enjoy it while having a gentle wander along the Shore.

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  • Restaurants

Aside from the great name, there’s plenty to like about Lovecrumbs. This delightful café embraces not only the sweet stuff, but savoury options like sausage rolls and hearty sandwiches too. The ever-changing cake options are the real highlight though, with flavours like chocolate and lavender and raspberry and rose, plus plenty of teas, coffees and rather tasty hot chocolate.

Cult is the place to go if you’re looking for a chilled-out space to enjoy an expertly brewed cup of coffee. The staff are friendly and knowledgable about the various single-origin coffees they have in stock, as well as the speciality equipment, if you fancy brewing your own at home. There’s also food on offer like avocado toast, hefty filled baguettes and delicious baked goods.

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  • Restaurants

If there’s one thing the well-to-do area of Stockbridge isn’t short of, it’s decent spots for a sup and a nosh. Opened in 2012, The Pantry has found its place among the pack. The menu is seasonal and the owners and staff notably friendly. Wooden tables, quirky tiles and assorted wall art complete the look and feel of the place. In short, this is a relaxed neighbourhood hangout.

  • Restaurants

A slick little café/takeaway venture from the smart folks behind Edinburgh’s excellent Bon Vivant and The Devil’s Advocate, P&F is a great little addition to the east end of the city centre. The breakfast offerings merrily meander from well-stacked bacon butties and thick honey-laden porridge to flaky croissants and sweet pastries.

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