While the medieval Old Town is the touristic center of Edinburgh, anyone who visits the city without exploring New Town is sorely missing out. New Town has even more to offer in terms of delicious restaurants, bars, shopping, and coffee. The atmosphere is more residential and laidback than Old Town, offering a more local experience. This unique Edinburgh neighborhood is blessed with many artisan coffee shops that feature quirky interior design and talented baristas.
View from New Town (Photo: Audrey Herrin)
Edinburgh’s international population loves good-quality coffee. Skillfully poured, simple
espresso drinks, made with high-quality ingredients reign over commercial chains. It is common for locals to enjoy a coffee in the morning or midday, along with a pastry, slice of cake, or a sandwich.
Several of Edinburgh’s best coffee shops can be found in New Town. They are all small and
cosy, and some of them are hidden below street-level; making them easy to miss unless you know where to look. These coffee shops are ideal locations to take a break from the hustle and bustle of sightseeing, and escape from the cold with a hot espresso drink. Here are five of the very best coffee shops that Edinburgh’s New Town has to offer.
Bastard Barista
Photo: Courtesy of Facebook
This coffee shop has garnered a lot of attention since it opened last year, thanks to its unique and exclusive atmosphere. It is already cementing itself as a New Town staple. Bastard Barista is a speakeasy coffee shop, located below street-level, and hidden behind an inconspicuous door. Inside, is a cozy, vintage-style space with quirky art. The baristas use a nutty, fruity blend with beans from Nicaragua, Ethiopia, and Columbia. Bastard Barista is owned by coffee afficianado Stephen Leach, and has the warmth and personal touch of a passion project. Customers leave rave reviews praising Bastard Barista’s smooth espresso drinks, tasty cakes, and warm atmosphere. For something totally unique, give their earl grey hot chocolate a taste.
15 Queen Street, Edinburgh, EH2 1JE
Mayvn (Eden Locke)
Mayvn facade (Photo: Audrey Herrin)
Here is another hidden gem with shockingly delicious coffee and brunch. This cafe is located on the bottom floor of the Eden Locke aparthotel with a grand, Georgian facade. Don’t be intimidated by its impressive exterior though, because the inside of the cafe is a friendly, laid-back, coworking space. The space is freshened up by an abundance of indoor plants. It’s the perfect location to enjoy brunch, or catch up on some work over a high-quality, reasonably priced espresso drink. They also have delicious pastries, and serve cocktails in the evening. Mayvn has a chic, modern, minimalist vibe. It perfectly suits the metropolitan atmosphere of New Town. Customers praise its high-quality, artisan brews, and sleek design.
127 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4JN
Wellington Coffee
Wellington Cof ee entrance (Photo: Audrey Herrin)
The two best adjectives to describe Wellington Coffee are: simple, and elegant. This small,
boutique coffee shop is an Edinburgh staple. They make do with a short, simple menu and serve high-quality espresso drinks using a London-based roast. The coffee is deliciously smooth, with a mild taste. They also serve a few traditional pastry and scone options. On a nice day, Wellington’s outdoor seating area offers a lovely view of New Town. Customers love Wellington for its quirky atmosphere, expertly poured coffee, and retro soundtrack. If you’re looking for a simple, excellent latte, this is the place to be.
33A George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2HN
LOWDOWN
LOWDOWN’s toasted banana bread (Photo: Audrey Herrin)
Here is another basement level coffee shop, just across the street from Wellington. Both coffee shops are excellent and you can’t go wrong, but LOWDOWN offers a more utilitarian, modern atmosphere. The main element that sets this place apart from Edinburgh’s other coffee shops is its table service. No waiting at the counter here! The baristas are very friendly and knowledgeable, and are happy to offer information about the variety of top-quality roasts that LOWDOWN serves. The service makes this an ideal experience for coffee aficionados. They also offer delicious avocado toast until 3pm, and a toasted banana bread topped with tahini, honey, and mascarpone, which is definitely worth a taste.
40 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2LE
Cairngorm Coffee
Cairngorm Cof ee entrance (Photo: Audrey Herrin)
Cairngorm Coffee is located near Dean Village, a popular tourist attraction. This makes it an
ideal stop while sightseeing. The space is bright and cheerful, located on a lively street corner. Unlike the other entries on this list, Cairngorm uses its own, locally roasted blend. It is the ideal spot to taste a truly local coffee flavor, making it a favorite among coffee aficionados. Their espresso has a strong, acidic flavor, which may not be preferable for those who like a mild coffee. However, it is perfect for coffee-lovers looking for something unique. They also offer a fairly wide selection of pastries, sandwiches, and lunch options. Their grilled cheese sandwich in particular, is notoriously excellent.
1 Melville Pl, Edinburgh, EH3 7PR