It can be so frustrating when you arrive in a brand new city and all you want is to relax in an adorable cafe, but it’s completely overrun by crowds of tourists. There is barely a seat to sit in, loud conversations are inescapable, and the constant chime of the door sounds like your morning alarm clock. Here are my 3 personal favourite cafes in Edinburgh to avoid most, if not all, of those unpleasant tourism moments and enjoy great coffee!
The Lounge
(Edinburgh Coffee Lounge)
If you’re looking for a coffee shop just off the Royal Mile with a fun atmosphere and beautiful aesthetic, then The Lounge on St. Patrick Street is definitely worth a visit.
At a Glance
- Sit in / takeaway options
- Vegan / vegetarian options for food and drink
- All-day brunch menu
- Dog-friendly
- Great playlist for everyone from Michael Jackson to Taylor Swift fans
- My Recommendations:
- mocha
- iced caramel latte
- oatmeal
- pistachio croissant
Formally known as The Edinburgh Coffee Lounge, this small cafe is found just a few minutes’ walk from the city centre. It features adorable window seats that make you feel like you’re in a movie scene, one of the best cups of coffee in town, and a near-constant supply of various pastries or sweets.
The Lounge is run by incredibly friendly locals who focus on creating a comfortable and welcoming space for all, especially students. They have several milk alternatives and are vegetarian/vegan friendly. While the cafe can get fairly busy at times, it is definitely a testament to their quality food, delicious coffee, and amazing personalities that keep people returning.
Fun fact: if you are visiting during the winter holidays, they have an annual competition where the baristas create their own unique drink and compete to see which is more popular!
Love, Peace & Coffee
At a Glance
- Sit in / takeaway options
- Lots of vegan / vegetarian-friendly food and drinks
- All-day breakfast
- Great pastries
- Just in for a coffee is okay
- Always great tunes!
- My Recommendations:
- caramel latte
- pancakes
- NY Rolls!!
Love, Peace & Coffee is an adorable cafe only a 10 minute walk from the Royal Mile on Clerk Street. They specialize in providing an array of vegetarian/vegan options for both drinks and sweet treats. The viral NY Rolls are easily their most sought-after product as they are provided in 4 different flavours, but recently they started offering vegan Nutella, which has been consistently selling out!
I absolutely loved studying here as a university student. I cannot stress enough how much they prioritise having a comfortable, safe, and inclusive environment for everyone. The staff is always so friendly and kind, and they make the best caramel lattes 🙂 A trip to Love, Peace & Coffee is an absolute must!
DetourEspresso
At a Glance
- Sit in / takeaway options
- Vegan and Gluten-free options
- Dog-friendly
- Calm, quiet, great for reading
- Very local – little to no tourists
- My Recommendations:
- caramel latte
- earl grey tea
- cheese toasties
- toastie + soup deal
If you want to completely avoid tourists and explore a more residential part of central Edinburgh, Marchmont is a great choice. Generally home to university students, it tends to be slower and quieter while remaining within walking distance of the city centre. Here, I absolutely recommend DetourEspresso.
Located on Argyle Place, it can be easy to miss but definitely pop in for a quick coffee or treat. The customer base is incredibly local, so if you’re looking for a quiet corner to hideaway in with a book, this is where you want to be.
DetourEspresso also focuses on supporting other locals businesses or artists by showcasing art from local artists, offering vouchers to those who purchase books, or featuring other companies on their social media. This, as well as their great coffee, makes them a fan favourite for the local population.
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