Café£new-townMon-Sat 07:00-19:00, Sun 08:00-19:00Work-friendlyWifi
Cairngorm Coffee on Melville Place in Edinburgh New Town, opened 2014, a basement third-wave coffee bar pouring rotating UK and European roasters.
Signature drink: Flat white
Tip: Their Frederick Street branch is brighter and busier; the Melville Place original is the quiet workspace.
Café£leithMon-Fri 08:00-17:00, Sat 09:00-17:00, Sun 09:00-16:00
Williams and Johnson roastery cafe on Customs Wharf in Leith Edinburgh, opened 2017 by two former Square Mile baristas, an in-house roaster and cafe.
Signature drink: Filter coffee
Tip: Tour the roaster on the public Saturday morning slot; check the website calendar two weeks ahead.
Café£leithDaily 07:00-14:00
Twelve Triangles bakery-cafe on Brunswick Street in Edinburgh, opened 2014, a third-wave coffee counter making the city's most popular doughnuts.
Signature drink: Filter coffee and a doughnut
Tip: Open from 08:00; the day's doughnuts sell out by 11:00 on Saturdays. Order on Square Online for collection.
Café£tollcross-west-endMon-Fri 08:30-18:00, Sat-Sun 09:00-18:00Work-friendlyWifi
Lovecrumbs cake shop on West Port in Edinburgh, opened 2010, a tea-and-cake counter in a Grassmarket-adjacent townhouse with a sun-filled bay window.
Signature drink: Filter coffee and a slice of cake
Tip: Their daily-changing cake counter is a one-glass-each affair; the upstairs nook seats four for quiet sessions.
Café£leithMon-Thu 08:00-16:00, Fri-Sat 08:00-20:00, Sun 08:00-16:00
The Company Bakery on Easter Road in Edinburgh, opened 2018, a coffee bar and sourdough bakery serving filter coffee, fresh pastries and a small lunchtime.
Signature drink: Flat white and a sourdough sandwich
Tip: The cinnamon morning bun sells out before 11:00. Order ahead via their website for collection most days.
Café£new-townDaily 08:30-15:30Work-friendlyWifi
Urban Angel on Hanover Street in Edinburgh New Town, opened 2003, a basement organic-leaning all-day cafe serving breakfast, brunch and light lunches.
Signature drink: Flat white
Tip: Brunch is the volume play; their Forth Street branch is smaller and easier to walk into on a Saturday.