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Cowgate Coffee House — Cafes in Edinburgh

Cowgate Coffee House

CafeEdinburgh

4.5 out of 5 stars4.5(199 reviews)

Quick info

317 Cowgate, Edinburgh EH1 1NA, United Kingdom

About Cowgate Coffee House

Cowgate Coffee House is a cafe on Cowgate in Edinburgh, near a church and by a hotel. The menu runs to a full Scottish breakfast alongside a haggis roll and haggis breakfast items, with an egg sandwich also on offer. Coffee options include a vanilla latte and a flat white, and milkshakes and breakfast sandwiches are available to take away. Seating by the window gives a spot to look out onto Cowgate while eating. Table service runs through the day, with the owner serving customers directly. High chairs are on hand for families with young children. It opens daily and takes walk-ins rather than bookings, so customers can arrive without reserving ahead.

Good to know

  • Good for kids
    Good for kids · High chairs · Family friendly

Menu & Prices

57 dishes · mains £4–18
  • British Breakfast£16.99
  • Full Scottish Breakfast£16.99
  • Classic Breakfast£15.99
  • Cowgate Special£17.99
  • American Breakfast£15.99
  • Vegetarian Breakfast£15.99
See full menu & prices →

Reviews

4.5/5
199 reviews

What reviewers say

Reviewers most often mention full Scottish breakfast, vanilla latte, haggis and breakfast sandwiches.

5★
153
4★
22
3★
8
2★
5
1★
11

Customer Review Summary

Reviewers come most for the coffee, with one calling the vanilla latte the best they have had overseas and another pairing a flat white with a haggis roll. Close behind is breakfast, where the full Scottish earns praise for its beautiful haggis, and an egg sandwich, breakfast sandwiches and milkshakes for the kids also get mentions. Food is described as tasty, fresh and generous in portion, and several say the prices are right, though one finds it a little pricey. Service is repeatedly called friendly and welcoming, with several noting they were served by the owner, who takes pride in what he provides. Reviewers also mention a relaxed atmosphere, a bright, spacious room and window seats facing the church. The caveats are small but specific: one diner found the mushrooms on the full Scottish rather small, and another notes few gluten free options. Several say they stumbled in while wandering past, and one closes by saying they will be recommending it to family and friends.

Featured reviews

  • Beata Brzezianska
    “Absolutely wonderful place. We were lucky to discovered that magical place with fantastic atmosphere ✨️ exceptional service. Great food and the best coffee we have ever drank 😋 Highly recommended 👌”
  • Holly Thomas
    “Nice breakfast. Not too many gluten free options available. A little pricey but understandable for a Capital city. My full Scottish was very yummy. Haggis was beautiful. Decor was beautiful, served by owner and he was very friendly.”
  • alessia ercoli
    “The place and staff are very welcoming, friendly and really really lovely. The food quality is excellent and the prices are right. It offers many options of food at a really great price. Everything was absolutely delicious!”
  • Aidan Wright
    “Ran by a foreign older humble man. Such a nice guy. Simple but with the freshest ingredients, almost unreal quality. Best vanilla latte I’ve ever had overseas. In Hawai’i we are known for having some of the best coffee in the world. Most places in the UK it tastes like cardboard! I’m sure he’s using some sort of Brazilian bean, regardless I was so impressed.”
  • djenco gaming
    “Walking around the streets of edingburgh we saw this cute looking cafe. We enjoyed having breakfast here. The food was great , the service was very nice and there was a relaxing atmosfere all around 5/5 would recommend”

Hours

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

Highlights

  • Great coffee
  • Great dessert
  • Great tea selection
  • Popular for breakfast
  • Popular for lunch
  • Popular for solo dining

Amenities

  • Takeaway
  • Dine-in
  • Family friendly
  • Casual
  • On-site services
  • Coffee
Show more amenities
  • Quick bite
  • Dessert
  • Table service
  • Solo dining
  • Toilet
  • Cosy
Dining options· 4
  • Breakfast
  • Brunch
  • Lunch
  • Seating
Family-friendly· 2
  • Good for kids
  • High chairs
Highlights· 1
  • Great tea selection
Crowd· 1
  • Tourists

Location

Cafes near Cowgate Coffee House

Cowgate Coffee House
4.5199
  • 0.1 mi

    biscoff pancakes, nutella hot chocolate, sweet and savoury breakfast

  • 0.1 mi£10–20

    cappuccino with latte art, eggs benedict on sourdough, scrambled eggs with toast

  • 0.2 mi£10–20Outdoor seatingVegetarian optionsVegan options

    milkshakes, retro diner decor, caprese baguette

The 3 nearest cafes by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.

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