cafe hunting in edinburgh

Since I have arrived in Edinburgh I have been on a bit of a mission. This mission doesn't really have an end goal however. The aim is just to find decent cafes around Edinburgh. Someone give me a good flat white!

Scones baked fresh daily and a flat white at Wellington Coffee

At first glance I was put off by the abundance of Costas and Neros and I thought I was going to have to put up with crap coffee and no decent atmosphere for 2 years. Having just spent the last year in Australia discovering awesome alternative independent cafes with my Mum, and living in Wellington before that, this was not a happy prospect. Even Palmerston North and Feilding don't disappoint on that front.

Having lived in Wellington for 5 years seems to have spoiled me. I was used to being able to walk out my front door and into a quirky unique cafe or bar in less than 10 minutes. The Gold Coast was surprisingly able to continue to deliver a number of independent places delivering decent coffee and food, my most favourite with a hippy or retro vibe, although usually it meant a small drive to get there.

Luckily, once I started looking, I was able to find some gems in Edinburgh. Unfortunately I haven't tried too many yet as I've been a bit short of money, and tend to frequent favourites when I know I won't be disappointed, but I have managed a fair few, with more to come!

Here's a few favourites...

Tea and a brownie at The Leaf & Bean, Morningside. 

The Treehouse Cafe, Leven Street. Boasts "The best flat whites this side of Sydney" outside...and they might be right!

Excellent Flat White, and a decent size! Something hard to find here for some reason.

Hummus, sundried tomato and olive sandwich with salads of the day...delicious!

Wellington Coffee, George Street. An obvious favourite! They also do a special order of a flat white in a large cup for me, which isn't on the menu. 

Kind of addicted to a flat white and scone....

Blackwood Coffee, Morningside. Just around the corner from my house so my closest decent coffee! I want to try their food sometime soon as it looks really good.

Growing scone addiction...

Artisan Roast, Bruntsfield. A number of cafes around Edinburgh seem to use Artisan Roast Coffee. This place takes the name as well, and serves a range of coffees in a number of different ways. 

Plunger Coffee at Artisan Roast

Eteaket, Frederick Street. I went here on recommendation from a friend, and will have to go back with someone to try the Afternoon Tea. I has delicious Assam Tea and a lemon and poppyseed cake. 

Will post more favourites as I come across them!

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