Fortitude Coffee

I came back in early March 2023 and I could not be happier. The staff was very kind, professional and helpful. I asked a few questions about coffee (types and ways of making it) and I learned a few interesting things. Fortitude Coffee is a great place to enjoy a delicious cup of coffee with a yummy piece of cake. I would return to read, work, and meet some friends. Shortly, highly recommended!

One of the best coffee shops in Edinburgh. Small and perfectly formed! The staff are very knowledgeable of their coffee and very friendly. It’s a serene place to watch the world go by or indulge in a book while drinking delightfully good coffee. Beautiful building with lots of natural light — making the absolute best of classic Edinburgh townhouse architecture.

Excellent coffee, relaxed ambiance, small tables but perfect for the amount of seats, wall outlets on all, toilets. Food is super good and fresh and made almost in front of you. Selection of coffee and accessories to sell too. Close to central. This coffee is one of the best I have been to :)

Amazing coffee and super lovely staff. A welcoming little cafe with a nice chilled atmosphere. They have great selections of beans from roasters throughout Europe as well as their own Fortitude brand. Always my regular hub for a good coffee ❤️

Great place for coffee. The quality is good and it's not more expensive than other places. They sell a lot of coffee and relates items. It's small and the chairs aren't the most comfortable, but it's very welcoming. The people working there were really friendly. The pastries weren't anything exceptional, but ok!

Petite and perfect unless steps are a challenge for you as there's no other way up. The centre of town feels dominated by huge franchise coffee shops but look around and you'll find indie darlings like Fortitude. I know there are now several Fortitude cafes but it feels and acts indie to me. I ventured up those stairs because Fortitude was taking part in the charity 358 rally of local eateries and I wanted to support. I also wanted power for my tech and was pleased to see some small one and two people tables inside and some power outlets. A friendly greeting welcomed me inside, my order swiftly taken, table wiped clear and I was comfortable. The coffee arrived slightly later and was delicious. I didn't try and food and I think there's light baking and lunch on offer but, gosh, that coffee. Friendly staff make a difference but Tell Friends About It coffee is a delight. The presentation was delightful too. A petite mug, no handle, of near perfect brew. The lack of a coffee mug handle may be a safety and accessibility challenge to some, so please take note, but for my arthritis it's a blessing. It means I can wrap my hands comfortably around the cup. You can buy bags of beans here, and I wish I had. I thought I was at carrying capacity at the time but regret being so timid. Oh well, that's an excuse to go back even though this York Place corner is a little off my usual beaten path.

This coffee shop is quite small, seats 12 inside. The coffee is to die for, so yummy. I had a morning bun, and it was so indulgent, crispy and flaky. Will try some more pastry next time for sure. The staff was also very friendly.

We were in Edinburgh for a long weekend and we stayed across the road from Fortitude which worked out perfect. We went here every morning. The staff are really friendly and the coffee amazing! I would also recommend the avocado on sourdough toast 👌. When I'm next back in Edinburgh I will definitely be making sure I come back here!

This place was recommended by a few bloggers. I'll say the coffee is not bad, the croissant as well but not to be walking 3/4 mile for it.

I wish I took a photo of the yummy Morning Bun too. It was a cross between a croissant and a donut. This is a great place for a light breakfast.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

This place was right around the corner from our Airbnb. Loved it! Excellent brews, love the support of a small business potter, friendly barista, and even a little library. 10/10 recommend. Keep an eye out on times! As a visitor, it was surprising to learn coffee shops open around 8 am, this one included.

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

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!

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.

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.

I've been there recently for a snack and I loved it. It's is a perfect place just to come and enjoy your time, to read some pages of your favorite book or to have a pleasant conversation with your friend. I've had a flat white an it was marvelous. The stuff was very fast and friendly! I Definitely recommend this cafe to everyone reading it. Will come again soon for sure. Thank you for such a great service.

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.

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.

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).

Unreal coffee at Fortitude. Probably the best flat white you can get in Edinburgh. It's a really small and intimate cafe, so don't bank on getting a seat. Although, you can get your coffee to go and sit on the front steps on a sunny day.

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?

Well isn't this a little charmer?! To prove how smitten I found myself with my first visit to Fortitude, that the very next day, I trekked there once again... and then once on the weekend... and again for a business meeting... all in a span of a week. When I like something, I like something. As many a Yelper has eloquently put it before me, this place is pretty minimalistic but in a cozy way. For one, it's wee - and therefore automatically 10x more cozy. This also means it may be a hard spot to find a seat if it happens to be surainowing (sun-rain-snowing... at the same time. Only in Edinburgh.). But if you do find a place to pop yourself, they serve up great coffee and it would be a darn fine place to read a book and snoop at all the stylist people under your lashes that pop in and out of here every few minutes. The chairs aren't the slink-down-into-it coffee shop variety but they get the job done. If I had a choice, i'd pass on the stools though... I get it, they looks really neat in the space but show me a person who actually enjoys sitting on a stool. The wifi is patchy but that seems to be the norm at most spots in town and I still tip the hat to them for offering it. When it comes down to brass tacks: they have wifi, cake and the folks that work here are super pleasant. If that's not enough for you - you're complicating coffee shops too much and probably need a hug.

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!!

This place quite simply does really great coffee. So if you're looking for an espresso or latte to takeaway I would definitely recommend this place. Sitting in the shop is totally fine too. I don't know how I would feel about spending an extended period of time in the shop though. The chairs are like the old school chairs you got in assembly (y'know the ones the big kids sat on. It was like a coming of age when you were allowed to sit on these chairs). They're fine for a bit of nostalgia but anymore than 30 minutes and you realise they're not the most comfortable things in the world. It is nice to sink into a big armchair and sip a cup of coffee. In summary it's a good place but I just couldn't see myself staying for anymore than one cup. Other than the not so comfy chairs because the place is so small I felt an obligation to to drink up and get moving to let the next person into my table.

Really nice coffee stop while walking around Edinburgh- the coffee was incredibly good! We did have soup and a vegan cake which was really nice. There are only a few tables so be prepared to take your coffee to go or wait a little bit. I really regretted not taking a bag of coffee home with me. Next time!

really not sure why it's taken so long for me to post a review of this wonderful coffee shop. Cool, friendly, high-end/serious coffee (all sorts - aeropress, pour over, espresso etc). Delicious cakes (inc doughnuts), excellents soup and wonderful bagels. Also sell exotic beans and coffee paraphernalia. I find the service friendlier than some of the high end coffee competitors. Good place to sit (free wifi). A wonderful business that should be supported.

Botique coffee shop offering a delightful fresh look on York Place. Not only that, they supply cakes from Manna House and have excellent coffee. A great flat white and a morish almond crossiant later and I want more. Yeap it's that place, that you could get hooked on! The staff were friendly and knowledgable too. It's ashame i don't live nearer as this is a highlight for being in town for!

Sweet little coffee shop with kind staff and delicious hot chocolate available in milk and dark. It comes in a little black creamer to pour over a homemade marshmallow waiting in your cup. Magical.

Great coffee, cake and service! Found this place by accident during our first day in Edinburgh. Will definitely be back!!!

Seriously yummy soya latte option, and lovely friendly staff. Must try some of those delicious looking rolls next time.

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 is an excellent wee spot for coffee and cake whilst in town (preferably after visiting the Portrait Gallery, I think that would form my perfect afternoon. My mum commented, upon seating, how nice it is that Edinburgh city centre has so many independent coffee shops, whereas Glasgow has to make do with the big tax-avoiding chains. It must be something to do with the rents. Anyway, she's correct and Fortitude is a gem. As well as caffeine to sit in, they sell lots of beans from interesting roasters. I popped by just before Christmas to buy some for my brother (as I had also got him a grinder), and the woman who served me was very helpful - explaining what went best with milk etc. In the end I settled on something by Drop Coffee. She told me it's the one she'd buy as a gift. Quite possibly everyone gets that spiel but as a customer it made me feel confident in my choice. I salute you Fortitude, I salute your excellent coffee and your excellent staff.

Another rainy day in Edinburgh. I was sitting in my new favourite spot, just next to the foggy window. My flat white was made with house expresso from Workshop, with a silky layer of froth. If you feel like having a sweet treat, try their pistachio and pear polenta from Lovercrumbs!

The Fortitude Coffee would be ideally describet in German "klein aber fein" (small but fine) and everything would have been said about it. Situated on York Place between the National Portrait Gallery and the famous The Stand Comedy Club, this café is bound to be a sophisticated little Island of caffeine and sugar. Normally I am not a fan of chain merchants but Fortitute takes the effort to make you feel like in a unique space. There is actually only very little space. Three tables, one round one and two smaller ones attached to the wall may sit 8 people comfortably, so it feels more intimate and offers some breathing space for you to sit and calm down from whatever you have been doing before you came here. The coffee is REALLY good, they also sell several blends to take home. They also offer a little cake selection, again, a small amount yet big in quality. Definitely my a new top café for me :-)

Its g(O_o)d beans and the staff werkZ em well. So0 far the best cappuccino I had in Edinburgh. Paired it with pistachio polenta that was topped with a thinly sliced 'melty' pair. I don't really like fruit on my swEetz, but my fork cut through that sliver of pair into a light crumbly buttery grit-like pistachio cloud. Turns out the sweets is from Lovers Crumbs, another place I gotta check out in EDi. OVerall the place was cozy with a minimal industrial feel and the staff were chill. It seemed that they get a lot of foot travel from regulars in the neighborhood after w3rk. I'm sure lunch time is similar for those with offices close by.

I love having a 'boutique' coffee shop on the East side. It's so nice not having to trek across town for a good cup of coffee. It's true that if they pared this place back any further you'd be sitting on upturned crates but I like the minimalistic 'no fuss, no muss' look which is 'oh so trendy right now'. It's a coffee shop, they sell fantastic coffee. What else do you need?

Fortitude is a welcome addition to the buzzing coffee scene in Edinburgh. It's location is ideal for those who want exceptional coffee in the city centre and who want to avoid big and bad chain coffee places. It's chilled vibe is welcoming as is its friendly staff. These guys are serious about ensuring your coffee is as it should be, I ordered a flat white which was deliciously creamy and served at the perfect drinking temperature and a slice of carrot cake which was moist and fruity. With the addition of free newspapers, wifi and sweet and savoury food selections I could quite happily spend a while here watching the world go by. Trendy, terrific and local this will be a firm favourite.

I had a fantastic pour-over here. I prefer my coffee not to be espresso, which seems to be a rare thing here (I'm visiting from America), so this place really hit the spot. The staff were friendly and the price was good, too.

Small coffee shop but service is nice. The flat white was quite good. Ambience is warm, jazzy and peaceful.

Had a really great macchiato here. The espresso was bright and citrusy and the foam done just right. Simple decor with a few small tables and one wall with bar seats.

Very nice cozy cafe. The pastries, especially the almond croissant was amazing, probably best I've ever had. The place was a bit squashy and not a good idea to spend too much time enjoying the coffee. But it's great for a quick drop by to get the lovely pastries and a cup of really nice coffee!

One of the best in Edinburgh for great coffee - fact. Workshop beans and regular guests. Espresso and pour over plus some kit and beans to take home. Highly recommended.

From the outside this wee place looks like a hidden gem, but stepping through the doors you soon realise that it's not so hidden, greeted with the hustle and bustle of what's clearly a very busy speciality coffee shop. Flat white to go it was as we couldn't get a seat, service was great, coffee was decent but a wee bit too hot for me, however that's a personal preference. The interior is really nice to and the place has a really good atmosphere. Hopefully get to sit in next time, have a coffee and try some of their delicious menu.

I was charmed by this place while out a-wandering at the weekend! There's so many cute places to be found just a few steps up or down from street level around Edinburgh (up in this case). I was lured in by the simple statement décor and greeted warmly by the baristas. It's only a small place with a handful of tables around the edge, so I felt slightly awkward standing in the middle of the room while waiting for my coffee (oh the perils of feeling super tall sometimes). I spotted a free high stool so nabbed it and started flicking through a newspaper which soon depressed me, so I put it down to have a proper look around until my latte appeared. I really liked the way they displayed the menu items on clip-boards hanging on the wall - such an effective too-cool-for-school idea! That and the bass-y music playing had already put a smile on my face even before I tasted the coffee - which was a dreamy, hazelnutty flavour that reminded me to stop going to chain coffee places and was just the icing on the cake :)

Amazing coffee, soup, and sweets! I had a flat white, the soup of the day, and an apple and honey cake and it was all exceptional. The staff were friendly and real, no fake smiles in sight. The interior is small but has the feelings of a small Japanese coffee house (not sure if that was intentional or not). Would highly recommend!

I didn't find the coffee here quite as good as at Artisan Roast (though it was still good). But I like this better as a place to do a bit of work. Same pastries at both places, I think--very good ones. This place has wi-fi; Artisan Roast does not.