Edinburgh’s annual Fringe Festival promises a month of wild entertainment and vibrant culture, punctuated with incredible food and drink experiences.
Heading to the capital for your fill of comedy and arts this August? Make sure you’re expertly caffeinated between shows with our Edinburgh Fringe coffee guide …
Assembly George Square
Assembly George Square is a lively hub throughout the festival, buzzing with parties and hosting an array of shows. Follow the waft of freshly baked pastries across George Square Gardens and you’ll find Söderberg, a contemporary-cool cafe crafting some of the best fika this side of the North Sea.
Open early, Söderberg is the perfect spot to pick up a coffee ahead of a busy day of shows and festivities. Swedish roastery Johan & Nyström fills the hopper with top-notch beans, which the friendly rabble of baristas fashion into a range of espresso based drinks. Hungry? Take your pick from Kladdkaka (mudcake), seven varieties of kakor (cookies) and sourdough pizza.
Assembly Rooms
Planning a visit to the prestigious Assembly Rooms? Hold out on brekkie and schedule a stop at Urban Angel.
Brunch is big business at this below-ground cafe, and the menu features a mix of tried-and-tested classics and innovative inventions. Equal care and creativity is paid to the coffee: choose between the house roast and the line-up of guest filters on the board.
Gilded Balloon Teviot
This characterful venue is a must-do on any Fringe Festival schedule and is, happily, just down the road from the bright ‘n’ beautiful Hula Juice Bar.
As well as featuring Edinburgh-roasted coffee, Hula’s menu provides a taste of the tropics with exotic juice blends, colourful superfood salads and Hawaiian poke bowls. Grab a seat under the gorgeous tiger mural and refuel for another day of festival laughs.
The Pleasance
A five minute walk along Drummond Street will lead you to Edinburgh caffeine institution, Brew Lab (pictured top). Open until late, the slick coffee shop hosts an impressive line-up of speciality-grade beans. Plump for a Union house roasts or ask the barista about the roster of guests which changes regularly.
Making an evening expedition? After hours fun includes local craft beers and natural wines.
