5 top coffee stops to boost your energy and refresh your mind

A working day without coffee is like Burns Night without haggis and a wee dram. Here we'll share the best coffee shops in Edinburgh, to keep you caffeinated in style

From the natural beauty of Arthur's Seat and history of Holyrood Palace to the spine-tingling horror of an evening ghost walk and plentiful whisky at the Deacon Brodie, we all know what Edinburgh has to offer those with time on their hands. But what about daily life in the Scottish capital?

To get through the daily grind millions of us rely on getting our morning caffeine fix. And in Edinburgh there’s no shortage of establishments that will offer you a more personal (and perhaps superior) service than the multi-national coffee houses.

Here are a few of the best hidden coffee shops in the city.

Fortitude Coffee

A couple of minutes walk from the Scottish National Portrait Gallery lies a small specialty coffee bar, with baristas who really care about the mighty bean going into your cup. There are only a few seats available, but this enables the staff to carefully craft every coffee with the time and dedication it deserves.

Every cup is ground fresh to order on their la Marzocco Linea PB using fresh filtered water and pure origin beans. All their coffee is seasonal, and bursting with complex flavour, and every month they invite a guest roaster to showcase the best small coffee brands. If you're feeling peckish, there is also a wide selection of sandwiches and cakes on offer, all from local bakeries. If you love coffee, Fortitude Coffee will feel like home.

Cult Espresso

Found just down the road from the Meadows, Cult Espresso is a bit like the wardrobe that leads to Narnia; tiny from the outside, full of hidden space and treasures on the inside. Who wouldn't like to sip on a delicious brew surrounded by Lego Star Wars characters? Someone with no sense of fun, that's who. Cult also offers some trendy, locally sourced food options to delight your taste buds. Avocado on toast anyone?

The Caffeine Drip

Scotland's lovely, but every now and then we crave something a bit more exotic. That's exactly what The Caffeine Drip offers. Recently voted one of the UK's best African Eateries, this rustically decorated basement hideaway provides locals and tourists alike with the tastes and vibrancy of South Africa, from flavoursome soups and decadent cakes, to authentic boerewors (South African sausage rolls) and, of course, rich, aromatic coffee.

Century General Store and Café

A relatively new addition to Edinburgh's coffee scene (opened January 2016), Century General Store and Café allows you to combine your daily coffee run with a shopping trip. Surrounded by artisan crafts, gorgeous stationary, potted plants and tasteful homeware, your freshly brewed coffee will taste all the better. Also, Century hosts regular events, including pop up wine evenings, so keep an eye open for listings.

Artisan Roast

The Artisan Roast is swiftly taking over the local coffee scene, with stores in Broughton Street, Brunstfield and Stockbridge, as well as Gibson Street in Glasgow. The Artisan Roast is passionate about the coffee they sell, sourcing their beans seasonally from fair trade plantations across the world, and testing them in their lab before roasting them. This ensures their coffee is fresh, tasty, and ethical, and has won them a multitude of fans across Scotland. If, after visiting one of their establishments, you count yourself an artisan enthusiast (which you will), they ship their coffee worldwide twice a week, so you need never do without.

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