Best Coffee Shops in Edinburgh

24 November 2022|Read time 3 mins

Edinburgh has no shortage of cafés & coffee shops for thirsty visitors in search of refreshment.

Full of unusual artisan roasters as well as the slightly more well-known destinations, there are plenty of places where you can get a decent cup of coffee.

Best coffee shops in Edinburgh

We’ve picked the best coffee shops in Edinburgh that not only serve a great drink selection but provide a fine place to pop into between breakfast and lunch for a bite to eat.

Dovecot Café

Head to this charming little café if you are after a well-brewed artisan espresso or a similarly fresh cup of coffee.

The establishment may be small but it offers everything that a coffee lover might need.

There is also award-winning baking and freshly prepared food on offer, so it can be a good lunchtime stopping point.

The café is part of the Dovecot Gallery and Tapestry Studio on Infirmary Street, so it is a destination in its own right.

Hendersons 

In the Bruntsfield area of Edinburgh is Henderson's Cafe.

Hendersons is an Edinburgh institution and is now over 50 years old.

It pioneered wholesome vegetarian cuisine, bringing healthy eating into the mainstream.

And it's still deservedly popular today.

Pep And Fodder

This is a superb choice for breakfast coffee because the café offers a takeaway service that means you can get on with exploring the city.

Alternatively, grab a seat for a hot breakfast which can include anything from freshly baked croissants to carefully put-together bacon sandwiches.

The Pep and Fodder cafe is located on the east side of the city centre at Waterloo Place.

Artisan Roast

Located on Broughton Street, Artisan Roast is something of a stylish coffee shop which is designed for true coffee aficionados.

It tends to serve freshly roasted ground coffee beans from a single origin.

The atmosphere is generally relaxed despite the large amounts of caffeine consumption that is going on.

The reputation it has for a hipster clientele is largely unfair and you'll usually find a wide range of customers frequenting it.

The focus here is on ethically sourced and fair-trade coffee beans.

Union Brew Lab

As the name suggests, an almost scientific approach is taken to each mug of coffee served at Union Brew Lab.

Expect fine filtered blends and exceptional espressos from the staff here who are friendly and markedly different from the chain brands with whom they compete.

On any given day, visitors can expect a mixture of clientele, from students taking a break from lectures to professionals holding an informal meeting.

During the morning rush hour, queues can form as workers pop in to grab their morning coffee before a day at the office.

Situated on College Street, it is easy to find just around the corner from the Festival Theatre.

Kilimanjaro Coffee

Situated on the ever-busy Nicholson Street, Kilimanjaro Coffee's ambience is relaxed with plenty of tea being consumed as well as coffee.

Many of the people here are students and their food is both tasty and affordable.

The selection includes soups, funkily prepared sandwiches and an all-day breakfast option.

'Square Mile' beans are served here, something that serious coffee fans will find noteworthy.

Book a self-catering trip to Edinburgh

Book a self-catering trip with Reserve Apartments and enjoy the many coffee shops Edinburgh has to offer!

For more inspiration on places to eat in the city head to our blog post on the best of Edinburgh food and drink.