The Best Independent Coffee Shops in Edinburgh, Scotland (2024)

As a local Edinburgh tour guide these are the cafes and coffee shops in Edinburgh that I highly rate if you're after a caffeine hit!

All of these are in the Old Town and are independently owned.

The Hideout, Westbow

I adore this wee coffee shop, that is quite literally hidden just off of the Royal Mile. The cafe is on Upperbow, which is a side street off of the Castlehill area of the Mile.

The decoration inside is cool, with hundreds of vintage cassette tapes around the cafe, they also have good music playing throughout too.

The staff are friendly, service is quick and they offer a selection of sandwiches, cakes, smoothies and of course - coffee! They also have a delicious eastern European honey cake which I can highly recommend.

My go to order is usually an oat milk mocha.

Zebra Coffee Co, Bank Street

Situated a stones throw away from the Royal Mile, this understated and relaxed place offers good coffee and amazing brownies and stuffed cookies. This cafe is open from 8am and in my opinion it is the best time to explore the old town.

You'll spot the infamous cookies sitting in pride position in the window. My favourite cookie I have tried so far is the kinder bueno cookie!

They have limited seating inside, but they do have a small courtyard through the back with more seating.

Gordon Street Coffee, Market Street

Gordon St Coffee is positioned directly across from the Edinburgh Dungeons and the main train station. Gordon St are unique in that they roast their coffee beans on site and you can even see the roaster at the back of the shop.

They serve small batch coffee which they do sell in bags for you to take some home. My go to order here is a cappuccino with a freshly baked scone on the side.

They also have a sister shop in Glasgow if you are heading that way.

Dovecot Studios, Infirmary Street

Set inside a textile and design studio, Dovecot cafe is the perfect place to stop for a coffee after you’ve seen the exhibitions. Prior to becoming the studio, the building used to be the old city baths. It’s worth checking out their website to keep up to date on their events.

The cafe is flooded with beautiful natural light and they serve deli sandwiches, salads, soups and great coffee. They source their coffee blend from Machina, which is a local coffee roaster.

The Milkman, Cockburn Street

Arguably one of the most well known independent coffee places in old town Edinburgh, the Milkman has two coffee shops on Cockburn Street (pronounced “co- burn” street). The larger of the two is situated at the foot of the street and is closer to the train station.

My usual go to is the top coffee shop as it is closer to the Royal Mile. It offers such as aesthetically pleasing interior and has a great window seat to watch the hustle and bustle of the old town.

They offer breakfast pastries, cakes and have their own collection of merchandise for sale if you want to bring back a unique souvenir.

The coffee is from a local roaster, Obadiah Collective and on their shelves they have a rotating stock of coffee from the likes of Girls Who Grind, who support women in the coffee industry.

Waverly Cafe, Market Street

This takeaway coffee stand is situated at the entrance of the Princes Street Gardens and at the roundabout on Waverly Bridge. The stand is brightly painted red and and is set in a former police box. They serve great coffee with a friendly service. In the colder months, I usually grab a warming gingerbread latte but they do have hot chocolates too. If you bring a long a reusable cup they will give you a discount.

If you are visiting in the summer months and of course, weather permitting they have some outdoor seating.

Thanks for reading and if you do visit any of these places on the list, let me know down below.