A small cafe on West Port
At the foot of the Castle, where the Grassmarket ends, open from 7:30am every day.
The Coffee Mill is a small cafe on West Port, the street that runs out of the west end of the Grassmarket in Edinburgh's Old Town. It opens at 7:30am every day of the week, earlier than most places nearby, and serves breakfast, coffee, tea and cake until 5pm.
From the street you could walk straight past it. Claudio Kuenzler called it “a hidden gem” that “can barely be seen when you walk by”. Inside it is small and cosy, with tables close together and, as 23 reviewers mention, Scottish music playing.
Of the 1,291 people who have reviewed it on Google, 362 mention the friendly staff and another 53 say kind. Kevin Bates came back for breakfast on all three days of his stay, and by the second morning the staff remembered his coffee order.
Open early
7:30am, seven days a week. Claudio Kuenzler found it one of the few places already open early enough for a good breakfast.
Friendly, and funny
362 reviews mention the friendly staff. Kevin Bates says they were helpful, engaging and had a great sense of humour.
Small and cosy
Cosy comes up in 13 reviews and Scottish music in 23. Tables are close together, so it is best for a few of you at a time.
Warm, cosy and full of character
“We are on vacation in Scotland and the Coffee Mill in Edinburgh was an absolute delight. The breakfast was perfect—fresh, hearty, and beautifully presented. But what really made the experience stand out was the exceptional service. Everyone was friendly, welcoming, and attentive without being overbearing. The atmosphere is another highlight. It’s warm, cozy, and full of character, making it the perfect place to relax and enjoy a leisurely breakfast. A fantastic little spot in Edinburgh, and definitely somewhere we’d happily return to. Highly recommended!”
The kettle’s on from 7:30am
54 West Port, Edinburgh, a few minutes from the Grassmarket. Every day, 7:30am to 5pm. Just walk in.