9 great cafes near Waverley Station
Whether you need a drink for the train, are just passing through or meeting with friends, these places will sort you out
Cappuccino Edinburgh
25 Jeffrey Street
Open daily from 8am, this capacious coffee shop has lots of nooks and corners for reading and working (although they’ve recently introduced a no laptop policy at the weekend). They’re genuinely friendly, guest roasts keep it interesting and the cakes and pastries very much hit the spot.
Fruitmarket Café
45 Market Street
This stylish gallery café couldn’t be closer to the train station. It has excellently large windows for people-watching yet still feels like a calm and composed space. Breakfast handily runs until noon and lunches go beyond the run of the mill, with interesting toasties, good veggie and vegan choices, and creative soups.
The Milkman
7 & 52 Cockburn Street
Milkman have perhaps become a victim of their online success: don’t even try to get a table in peak tourist months. But they know their beans and prioritise independent roasters, so absolutely remain a strong choice for a takeaway train caffeine fix. Their bean selection changes frequently and they’re open from 8am.
Room & Rumours Coffee
25 East Market Street
This pocket-sized spot in Market Street’s arches does a mean cinnamon roll and always has some interesting beans in the grinder. Staff are nearly as lovely as the doughnuts: fluffy pillows that come loaded with not-too-sweet flavours like birthday cake and Boston crème. Open from 8am.
Snax Café
15 West Register Street (also 118 Buccleuch Street)
If you’re approaching the station from the Princes Street side, a quick detour will bring you to the delights of Snax, a true Edinburgh institution where hangovers go to die. It’s all good but the breakfasts are the bomb: get them in a wrap if you want to grab and go for your train.
Tempting Tattie
18 Jeffrey Street
Baked tatties are having a bit of a moment: yet another thing for Edinburgh’s great and good to feel smug about, because we’ve been all over that for decades. Tempting Tattie is the last old-style jacket shop in town. They specialise in interesting and innovative fillings, but every true tattie-head knows cheesy beans is king.
Also try… Mimi’s Bakehouse at the City Art Gallery for all-day brunch or Loudons for sit-down breakfast and lunch options. If you just want to grab a coffee, Artisan Roast has a wee shed at Little King Street outside St James Quarter.