The Skinny Guide to Edinburgh's Coffee Shops

This article has been updated with copy from the 2026 edition of The Skinny Guide to Edinburgh – pick up a copy at venues across Edinburgh this summer, or read it online via Issuu.

Artisan Roast
72-74 Leith Walk; 100A Raeburn Pl; 57 Broughton St; 138 Bruntsfield Pl
An Edinburgh institution, there are several Artisan Roasts across town, and all serve up tasty coffee. The Leith shop is particularly good: with plenty of space, it hosts regular spoken-word and comedy events.

Beatnik
2 Brougham Pl
A fave of Edinburgh coffee heads, this community-focused cafe in Tollcross offers up expertly brewed coffee, rotating roasters and curated pastries. Not great for working, though: this is a laptop-free zone.

Bedrock
13 West Port
This West Port joint is fairly new on the scene, but its minimalist decor, friendly service and ace coffee make it a firm local fave. Expect finely brewed espresso drinks, quality beans and fresh baked goods.

Bing Tea
37 W Nicolson St
This tea shop is cute as a button. It serves up the classic milk tea flavours – Thai, Taro, Matcha – alongside fruity numbers and original concoctions like the popular Flaming Tiger and White Rabbit.

Cairngorm Coffee
1 Melville Pl
Self-described as 'Scotland's most unlucky cafe/roaster,' this bright corner cafe in Edinburgh's West End serves up sweet treats, killer toasties and knockout coffee from their top-notch roastery.

Cairngorm Coffee Company. Image: Sonnie Hiles.

Cult Espresso
104 Buccleuch St
In a converted alleyway, Cult showcases an evolving range of speciality coffee from their own roastery and beyond. Good brunch spot too – we rate the miso baked beans on sourdough toast.

Fortitude Coffee
4 Abbey Mount & 66 Hamilton Pl
Fortitude roasts some of Edinburgh's very best coffee, their venues are staffed by proper coffee heads, and their sea salt and hazelnut caramel shortbread is one of the very best things you can eat in the city.

Lovecrumbs
155 West Port
If you're looking for a place to while away an afternoon with a book or a paper, look no further than this gorgeous cafe in Edinburgh's West Port with great homemade cakes and pastries, and adorably quirky decor.

The Source
4 Spittal St
This tiny coffee bar is all about one thing: exceptional coffee. Your favourite barista’s favourite coffee spot, The Source is the place to go for unusual and exciting single-origin coffees from around the world.

Williams & Johnson
1 Customs Wharf
This coffee shop down by the Shore is all sleek concrete and streamlined furnishings, but there’s nothing simple about the rich and delicious coffee.