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    Fortitude Coffee

    4.7 (44 reviews)
    InexpensiveCoffee & Tea
    Open 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

    Fortitude Coffee Photos

    FORTITUDE COFFEE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Outdoor seating
    Good for working
    Dogs allowed

    Recommended Reviews - Fortitude Coffee

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    Panna cotta, beans on toast, baked French toast, cappuccino & tea!
    Carl L.

    Wow the coffee! Wow the breakfast! So yeah, it was good. Really cool spot in a cool little part of Edinburgh. Great service. I recommend.

    Sandy B.

    This is a great cubby hole of a coffe/tea shop. They have 4 small tables to sit at with bench seating and toad stools. Artisan crafted coffees and ample selection of loose leaf teas. As well as some freshly baked sweets.

    Banana boat
    Polly R.

    This is such a cute little cafe. My sister and I came here to escape the cold, and both our food and coffees were delicious! A great cappuccino for sure. We both ordered the banana boat (8 euros) and it was the best breakfast we had on the trip. The presentation was top notch too.

    Cortado
    Jessica S.

    Five out of seven, on the Disloyal 7 Challenge. And, might I mention, this was the second of the Disloyal 7 coffee shops that we visited this morning, within the space of 30 minutes? I was fairly bouncing off the walls by the time we walked out of the shop. I'm sure this was the smallest of the 7 we visited. It was nice and toasty when we walked in, and every one of their three tables was taken. There were three barstools available, which we snaked once we placed our orders. Because we had just finished lattes at Lowdown, I went with a Cortado. My husband isn't phased by caffeine, so he ordered himself another latte. Despite the fact that we were seated next to the front door (and it was one of those bitingly cold mornings), we soon started to sweat and had to remove our jackets. Remember how I said it was toasty? Their heater was working *very well* in that small space! Still, the drinks came out quickly and were very good. The cortado was expertly made, and my husband truly enjoyed his latte. They seemed to have quite a few regulars coming through, as the guy working the counter (who was working out of the fourth barstool in the place) greeted several people by name. Friendly people and good coffee. Just a bit tight, so if you're hoping to stick around a bit and make yourself comfortable, you might want to have a backup plan in mind.

    Mckenzie H.

    I can not recommend this coffee shop enough! Absolutely brilliant. I was recommended this shop by a friend in the states-that it is a must. The best hot chocolate in the world. I'm personally only a coffee drinker, but had to see what the craze was about for this hot chocolate. So great! You need it. The customer service was fantastic as well! The two women working were so nice and friendly-I had such a lovely chat with them. If your in Edinburgh you must stop by!

    Cortado and flat white
    Arezou M.

    Really good coffee. We ordered a Cortado and a flat white, both really really good. If I ever visited Scotland again, I'll definitely make a stop here.

    Jerk chicken
    Briony C.

    One day, when I'm a real adult, I'll learn how to hold my coffee. And by that, I mean my inability to process caffeine without seeming like I'm drunk. So this review isn't about the coffee at Fortitude - I promise to try it when I return though! We needed some space for a meeting and this place was perfect. It's small but has a good amount of tables and is bright and airy. The staff are super friendly and helpful. I got a jerk chicken stromboli (we call it a panini on the west coast) which was extremely excellent and just £3.85. They also have a nice range of drinks so I had a ginger ale to wash it down. This place is super pleasant and lovely, and on my way out I must've left my scarf behind. I tweeted them later to check, and they replied quickly to confirm they had it and offered to post it out to me. How sweet is that?! I can't wait for my next trip to Edinburgh so I can pop back in to say thank you (by way of buying all their food, obviously).

    There is a marshmallow!
    Cressida F.

    It's mouse-wee and, with bare wood everywhere and a Wes Anderson coffee-table book there for the browsing, well, you could say it was hipster as hell. But who cares? Is that actually a perjorative term anyway? They are a coffee shop, and so they have coffee, good coffee, although despite my recent CoffeeEpiphany™, I am very glad that I chose the hot chocolate, because... kids, let me tell you about that hot chocolate. It was a marshmallow in a cup. Now, you know and I know and the whole world knows that hot chocolate ain't worth squat if it doesn't come with marshmallow goodness, but what the world was waiting for Fortitude to show it is that putting the marshmallow on top is DOING IT WRONG. I know this now. I have seen the light. It was a marshmallow... In. A. Cup. The hot chocolate came in a little jug beside it. And as I poured that creamy yum into the cup, the marshmallow began to gooify and disintegrate, becoming one with the liquid, until only part of its mass bobbed around on the surface. And the hot chocolate was rich, and viscose, and sweet, and... revelatory. Now then, it wasn't a big cup, and it did cost me £3. Likewise, a very slim sliver of lemon drizzle cake, dense and moist though it was, set me back £2.60. In all honesty, this is more of a 3.5 star review, because mighty fine though those things were I didn't feel they entirely justified the price... but heck, I'll go back for another, and a blueberry bundt while I'm at it, and if that doesn't qualify for a spot of enthusiasm in the starring then what does?

    Their loyalty cards have got to be one of the coolest ever?!
    Marie U.

    Fortitude have got it all right. It's everything I'd want an independent coffee shop to be, and more. Everything hits the mark, from the intimacy of the smaller venue, without being so jam packed that you can never get a seat. The coffee menu is simple, but also gives choice with a guest espresso bean and pour over choices. The staff are always helpful, with obvious knowledge, but I never feel intimidated to ask questions. And the food, again isn't extensive (their focus is certainly on the fabulous coffees) but there's enough on offer for a snack if you're peckish. I really do love it in here, and it's a great way to spend an afternoon by yourself or with friends. The only downfall that I could possibly think of, is that it's not open on Sundays.

    Stuart B.

    I make a point of trying to visit all the 'serious' coffee shops in Edinburgh (something which is becoming increasingly difficult) and Fortitude has established itself as one of my favourites. The venue itself is very small with a handful of seats so depending on what time you go it can be a a bit of luck whether you get a seat. It's a nice place though for a pre-work coffee and croissant or a generous bowl of granola and yoghurt. They use Workshop Coffee beans for their espresso which definitely rate as some of the best. The filter coffee is always to a high standard. The owners/baristas are warm and friendly in a way that can often be missing from these kinds of coffee places. For me the real reason to visit is their great selection of beans on sale, and I've yet to find anywhere else with such a selection. If you brew or make espresso at home it is definitely worth checking out as they have a wide variety of different beans from various roasters in the UK and abroad. If your bored of buying the same old blends there is always something new and interesting to try and they are happy to recommend one. They accept contactless payment (such as Apple Pay) for when you want a coffee but are short on change.

    Delicious cafe, chic space.
    Amber L.

    I loved this wee spot on Queen Street. I went on a bank holiday and it was completely empty, but the guy behind the counter was very polite and very carefully crafted my take-away flat white. The interior isn't too big, but with so many nice places to sit outside during these spring days, taking away is a great option. It is a very cool looking counter and it is basically a help yourself pastry counter, with a few options for nibbles supplied from Manna House off Easter Road. With only one person making coffee this totally makes sense. Now the coffee it self, is delicious! A very hearty, strong, but not too overpowering blend, with no fruit or citrus flavors. Very smooth and so easy to drink! They use Workshop coffee out of London and also sell these as well as other local beans. They also have a neat range of teas for those who don't drink coffee. I am so tried of everywhere serving Artisan Roast, it is great to find a unique bean and friendly service. A must if you are in the New Town area as it is one of the tastiest coffees I've had in Edinburgh!!

    Long black
    Brian S.

    Fortitude is yet another very nice independent coffee shop in Edinburgh. I don't get up to this part of town much, so I was delighted to try somewhere new when I was in the area. Fortitude is in a lovely old building on York Place, and it smells wonderfully of coffee as one enters. The place is small, but there are still about 10-15 spaces to have a seat, so sitting in shouldn't be a problem at most times. Newspapers are provided, which is also nice. The menu is simple. There are of course teas and hot chocolate, but coffee is king here, with a lovely selection of coffees from various countries. As usual, I just had a simple black coffee and sat down to enjoy the warm atmosphere in the place. The coffee was strong and tasty, the staff were friendly, and the prices were fine. Also on offer, although I didn't try any, were some wonderful looking sandwiches and pastries. All the usual coffee shop fayre. Overall, highly recommended, and I'll be back in future.

    Stacey B.

    A lovely little, hipster style coffee shop. Clean, slick design and beautiful decor. Free wifi combined with exceptional coffee... Awesome. I had a flat white & will try a loose leaf tea next time.

    Fortitude Coffee - Flat White

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    Cute tiny cafe with great cappucino. The pastries looked amazing. Staff friendly and inviting.

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    Amazing atmosphere, great coffee and desserts, unmatched vibe, whole staff is also very friendly :))

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    Page 1 of 2

    Review Highlights - Fortitude Coffee

    The coffee menu is simple, but also gives choice with a guest espresso bean and pour over choices.

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

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    The Edinburgh Larder - Scottish Breakfast

    The Edinburgh Larder

    4.5(347 reviews)
    0.5 miRoyal Mile, Old Town, Newington
    ££

    Wow... this was one of the best breakfast spots on our 2-month trip! We were there in early…read moreSeptember and had to wait only about 5-10 minutes for a table. The food was absolutely delicious! My porridge was so hearty and yummy, I wanted to lick the bowl. My spouse's eggs benedict dish was also fantastic, and you can tell they use very fresh, high quality ingredients. The way they serve the meals in little stainless steel lunch boxes is adorable. My chai tea latte with oat milk was fantastically spicy and not too sweet. The server was friendly, knowledgeable, helpful, and always nearby, so it was easy to ask for our check when we were ready. And the inside of the restaurant had a warm, cozy feel. I would gladly eat every breakfast here the next time we're in Edinburgh!

    This place seems to be very popular and know it. At first glance, it's a cute, cozy, and humble…read morecafe. Everyone there was very nice; service was good. When it came to ordering, I got an Iced Latte and a Buttery Bap. The menu is a bit difficult to decipher, as it was confusing how much or how little can be added to it and at what cost. The menu said I could only pick one filling, but when I asked I was informed that I could pick an unlimited amount. I'm glad I trusted my instinct and went with just two: Veggie Haggis and Tattie Scones. Both of these were truly delicious. However, there was an extra charge for the second filling. Prices for additions are listed at the bottom of the menu as if they were sides you could order separately. On the receipt, I also saw that I was charged 0.50 extra for ice. I don't understand why places charge extra to make an iced drink when overall you're actually getting less of the drink. Overall, everything tasted good and I'm glad I was able to try numerous Scottish classics.

    Photos
    The Edinburgh Larder - Table service

    Table service

    The Edinburgh Larder
    The Edinburgh Larder - Latte and a husband

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    Latte and a husband

    Southern Cross Cafe - Chicken ciabotta and chili

    Southern Cross Cafe

    4.3(120 reviews)
    0.4 miOld Town, Royal Mile
    ££

    This was such a cute little coffee shop just off the mile. Clearly they know how to attracts…read morecustomers in with the fresh baked cakes on full displays. Scotland's weather is basically all season daily. You never know what you'll get...lol... Of course the rain started and we happened to be right here. Just to get warm as well, this place seemed very cozy. Inside you feel the warm homey cottage feel. Fresh baked cakes, smell of coffee and tea. They also serve food as well. There's the main dining area along the entrance with the cakes on full display for everyone to see. A small room in the back as well as a loft and downstairs. Of course restrooms are downstairs. All the staff were amazing and very friendly. All so welcoming. The cakes were amazing and paired very well with a coffee or tea. I'm not sure if it's baked in house but the selections they offered, it was amazing. So many too chose from. It's not a crazy big place but the warm cozy feeling right when you walk in was amazing. Friendly smile and anything with fresh baked goods will bring people in.

    This cafe is just steps away from the Milkman and the royal mile. It has lots of seating options:…read moreoutdoor tables perfect for people watching, and 3 floors of indoor tables. The three of us chose a table outside, since the weather was nice. Service was attentive and friendly. As we were there, another party left but forgot one of their bags. An employee ran out after them and returned it. So nice of them! We ordered 2 cappuccinos and 1 latte. I wasn't able to finish my cappuccino because it was quite large and got cold a little quickly. Nevertheless, it was good while I was drinking it. We could see plenty of pastries in the window which looked like they could be tasty, but we didn't try any of them. Finally, there were several individual bathrooms that were clean downstairs and upstairs.

    Photos
    Southern Cross Cafe - Inside

    Inside

    Southern Cross Cafe
    Southern Cross Cafe

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    Clarinda's Tea Room - I liked the hanging teacups

    Clarinda's Tea Room

    4.3(67 reviews)
    0.6 miRoyal Mile, Old Town
    £

    **March 2024: Weekday Morning Visit**…read more A couple of things to note -No reservations -Hours: Tues-Fri: 10am-4:30pm; Mon: Closed; Sat/Sun: 9:30am-4:30pm I saw this tearoom featured on a youtubers channel and thought it would be a great breakfast option as Clarinda's is known for their scones and baked goods. I came pretty close to the opening and was able to select my choice for seats. I picked a table near the window for natural lighting. They have a table of a lot of tasty treats and while I didn't get a chance to try them all, I can attest to the scone being very tasty! I ordered the Cream Tea (I think I ordered the Lemon and Elderflower) which comes with a freshly baked homemade scone (I chose a fruit one), and a cup of tea €6.80. I decided to upgrade to a pot of tea (€7.75) and added a bowl of porridge (€5.50) with jam as I usually prefer savory breakfasts. This was more than enough to eat for one, but I just enjoy trying different items - does anyone else have this problem? lol I thoroughly enjoyed my experience here as the ambiance, food and tea were homey and intimate. This would be such a fun place to converse with girlfriends for tea time!

    If you make it down to the bottom of Royal Mile you MUST stop at Clarinda's Tea Room, a small…read morehole-in-the-wall place with so much personality. We had breakfast here on our first day in Edinburgh. It's cozy and the walls are covered with paintings, antique cups, and plates. To be honest the walls are quite chaotic but that's where the personality comes in. We ordered the eggs with toast and the full Scottish breakfast. Food was great, coffee hit the spot, and service was excellent. Even with the chaos they keep the place clean. Also, BEWARE they do not have hot sauce here LOL. I asked the server and she said "No, but it was worth a try to ask" Respect lol. We sat by the window and people watched and awed at the beautiful architecture of Edinburgh. It's a chill spot to rest and refuel. Would love to come back for their afternoon tea!

    Photos
    Clarinda's Tea Room - Treats!

    Treats!

    Clarinda's Tea Room - Inside

    Inside

    Clarinda's Tea Room - Vegetarian haggis toastie my love. And to think I thought I wouldn't find haggis I could eat in Edinburgh. LOLZ

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    Vegetarian haggis toastie my love. And to think I thought I wouldn't find haggis I could eat in Edinburgh. LOLZ

    Fortitude Coffee - coffee - Updated May 2026

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