The Milkman

Out of all the places in Edinburgh where my husband got coffee, he said that The Milkman was the best, albeit they serve quite a small volume. Quality over quantity at this place. The chocolate babka cruffin that we ordered was alright—light and flaky, though a bit too crunchy and dry. There was a fruity syrup glaze to balance out the dryness, at least. I was a little dismayed by the insubstantial chocolate flavour, though, which didn’t satisfy the chocoholic in me. As far as pastries go, yes, they are good, they are crafted with finesse. Regardless, I wouldn’t necessarily join a long queue. Maybe I didn’t order appropriately with the not-so-chocolaty babka cruffin, but if you can find the best version of your favourite pastry, then a long queue might be worth it. Luckily, when we were there in early January around 09:30-10:00, it wasn’t that busy. While seating inside and outside were taken up, there was no queue and we managed to snag a couple of counter seats inside, since we caught some people leaving. I noticed there were convenient bag hooks under the table. I appreciate it when places add thoughtful touches like that to make the dining experience more comfortable for customers.

Excellent location and the staff were very friendly. The main downside is that the place is very small and only has a few chairs, so it’s usually crowded. They don’t have a huge variety of food products, but what they do have is very good, and they offer a wide range of coffees and teas. The prices are standard for the city and the place is very well-kept and clean—even though it’s small, they have plenty of staff. It's important to note that they do not have a restroom. We will definitely be back!

This was on my daughters ‘To Do’ while in Edinburgh. It is very quaint. Sits about 8-10 people at a squeeze. We were welcomed in, happy polite staff. Wide variety of choices for pastries. They are very big and plentiful. Oh and tasty!! 🤤 prices are consistent with what you’d expect to pay.

We had seen tons of Instagram posts about this coffee shop so it was a must visit for us. You know it’s a tasty place when there’s a line outside of the establishment. Thankfully the staff was efficient and it was a relatively short wait. Once inside, you’ll be greeted with a drink menu and many delicious desserts. I opted for the hot chocolate and the banana loaf. Both were fantastic! I found the prices to be very similar to coffee shops in the US. We sat outside to enjoy our snack and to take in the beautiful view of the city.

A great cafe in one of the most beautiful roads in town! The coffee was amazing and the snacks too (especially the chocolate walnut brownie 😋). We came twice in our trip and would love to come again someday!

The Milkman is a very popular bakery with two locations on Cockburn Street, and it’s easy to see why, both spots are always busy and have a great atmosphere. We queued for a little bit before we were able to order. There is very limited seating inside, so you have to get lucky to secure a table. We tried the millionaire’s shortbread and the chocolate banana bread, along with a cappuccino. While the pastries looked very promising and beautifully presented, I personally enjoyed the coffee more. The cappuccino was well-balanced and nicely made. The pastries were good, but they didn’t quite live up to the high expectations their appearance set. That said, I would definitely come back to try some of the other pastries or whenever I’m in need of a good coffee in Edinburgh.

Lots of vegan options to choose from. Pastries were delicious, coffee just ok in my opinion. Always seemed to be a bit of a queue but moved very quickly and staff were so friendly both times we went.

It's a small nice cafe at the Cockburn street and it's really famous. We waited a short time in a queue , approximately 5', and, lucky us, we found a seat inside. The cappuccino was bad and the chocolate cherry croissant not for my tastes. The staff is really friendly and smiley and really well organised ! They let 3-4 people at the time inside so it will not be crowded. The prices were normal.

It's somewhat strange that there are two Milkman's on the same street, but both are popular and busy throughout the day! They make a good coffee and always have a load of fresh baked pastries to choose from! The current exchange rate from dollar to pound is rough making for an expensive morning cup, but you gotta do what you gotta do! I love that they also serve matcha, which can be harder to find!

Came in for a coffee and a pastry. The pastry was delicious. It was a round croissant that was flaky yet fluffy. The coffee was good as well! I wish I had gotten something else but I went with my go-to iced latte. It was solid, but I've certainly had better iced lattes. I had a sip of my girlfriend's cappuccino and it was better. The staff was super nice and the whole the shop is cozy, we were able to sit for a quick minute and have our pastry. Wish I had come back to try another coffee.

The Milkman in Edinburgh is a cozy café that truly knows how to impress. I recently stopped by and tried their caramel brownie and cappuccino, and both were absolutely amazing. The caramel brownie was rich, decadent, and perfectly balanced between sweet and gooey. Paired with a smooth, expertly brewed cappuccino, it made for a delightful treat. The café has a charming, rustic vibe that adds to the overall experience, though be prepared--it's a very popular spot and can get quite busy. Despite the crowds, the staff remain friendly and efficient, making sure you get your coffee fix without much of a wait. If you're in Edinburgh, The Milkman is definitely worth a visit, especially if you're a fan of top-notch coffee and indulgent desserts.

My favorite cafe! The coffee was great as was the selection of pastries. I loved the banana bread and the traditional Scottish oat thing (I forgot the name). It was tiny and packed, but the line moved quickly. There's hardly anywhere to sit so plan to takeaway.

This is a great place to stop in for a pastry and a drink on a cold and rainy Edinburgh morning. I'm allergic to milk in the U. S. but I ordered the hot chocolate here with regular milk and had absolutely no reaction. It was amazing! I went back a second time just to indulge. Their pastries are also really good. I recommend the apple danish if they have it available.

Cozy little coffee shop. Love their white-chocolate drinks that are soo unique. Don't love that their floors are dirty and cushions are disgusting especially during the endless Scottish rains. They need to figure out a way to make folks' shoes dry off and wipe their mud before they come inside. Also don't love that food is out in the open UNCOVERED and very close to the register where people would talking and so more chances of spit getting on.

Came for coffee after a nice lunch on the royal Mile. Fabulous cappuccino with a strong bold flavor. I was not impressed by the walnut cake. Icing was too sweet and coarse. Tasted of raw sugar and butter.

They have the best coffee I've ever had. The staff is friendly and the location is great.

Super cute cozy cafe. Stopped by here on the way to the Edinburgh Castle and got a latte and cruffin. There was a wait due to the place being quite popular. There were a couple of seats outside but you'll most likely have to share with other parties. They do have matcha lattes. Credit cards accepted.

I was on the hunt for good coffee near the W hotel (the Starbucks next to the hotel just didn't taste like it did back home). I saw rave reviews for The Milkman so made the 8 min walk over there. Once I got there I saw there was a pretty nice sized line. I dislike lines, but this gave me hope I found coffee worth waiting for. I noticed many were eating some delicious looking croissant muffins while waiting for their coffee so decided to indulge as well. It was so delicious and I meant to take my daughter back to try one, but sadly ran out of time. My coffee was also among the best I found in Edinburgh. Mission accomplished!

Best coffee we had in Scotland. We also love the peach tart. We would have gone back multiple times, except it was very popular and the lines can be long.

I stumbled across this coffee shop while wandering around old town. It has a nice view to the Warriston's Close Stairs. The shop was tiny with modern and aesthetic. We got the chai latte with oatmilk and iced matcha latte to go since there were no seatings available. Service was fast and friendly. Chai latte was amazing. The matcha was so good and not sweet at all. They have another location at 52 Cockburn Street that is very charming.

Before we arrived in Edinburgh, we saw this coffee shop as a must visit. We were a quick less then ten minute walk from our hotel from a Milkman. We came right when they opened with books to do a bit of reading while we enjoyed our cup of chai (me) and a latte (the hubs). We both got oat milk and the chai was sweet but not overtly sweet and had a hint of cardamom that made it a bit spicy too. It was absolutely delicious and I will be thinking about this chai for a long time. Service was friendly and fast and we enjoyed sitting and reading before we got going on the day.

What a quaint location! We enjoyed everything from the fresh sweet treats, the hot cappuccino, and the ambiance of this little cafe.

We enjoyed the Milkman so much we ended up going to both locations within a day. We started at the location further away from the castle, where we got breakfast (almond croissant and some sort of danish), coffee and a chai latte. We sat ourself on the picnic table and had a good view to people watch. My only disappointment was I really wanted one of the ceramic mugs they had on display but they weren't for sale (we have a friend nicknamed the Milkman so would have been fun to get it for him). I really enjoyed the interior feel of the space.

The Milkman is a haven for espresso enthusiasts, delivering an exceptional experience with their expertly crafted drinks. From the moment you take your first sip, you're transported to coffee nirvana, as each espresso creation is meticulously prepared to perfection. The baristas' skill and passion shine through in every cup, ensuring a consistently delightful experience with each visit. Whether you're a seasoned coffee aficionado or simply seeking a superb cup of joe, The Milkman is guaranteed to exceed your expectations with its unparalleled espresso mastery.

WONDERFUL COFFEE! So glad reviews led us to this cute shop. Super friendly staff. A great place to take a break between city hikes!

What a cute cafe in Edinburgh! I had a latte and americano which were lovely. I could have easily sat here all day drinking coffee and enjoying a book. They have a wide selection of baked goods. I had the croissant which was deliciously flaky. I would definitely recommend starting your day here or stopping by for an afternoon pick me up.

Fantastic coffee. They are good at getting you caffeinated. The employees are super friendly. Clean establishment. Yet, beware that it is overrun with tourists like myself

The ideal coffee spot! Many of us search high and low for a local cafe that allows us to take our coat off and relax with a warm beverage, right? Well, in Edinburgh that spot is The Milkman. Just far enough off of the beaten path, yet still within a short walk of everything, this cozy spot has a large drink menu and is situated an old candy store from the 1930's. The friendly baristas helped me choose the perfect drink to get me nice and caffeinated before my tour of the castle. Loved it!

Small, cozy coffee shop located in Old Town that is conveniently located just up the street from Waverley Station and a 'block' over from the Royal Mile. We headed straight here right before our walking tour of Edinburgh. They have a small menu of coffee, tea, and drinks, and a light selection of pastries available in their display case. The prices are reasonable and staff are friendly. We ordered the mocha, latte, hot chocolate, and some pastries to fill our bellies before our two hour tour. To prevent crowding, we were asked to wait outside and they would bring our orders out. Not a problem as outside seating is available and it's a lovely spot to people watch and admire the surrounding buildings. Our orders took a bit longer than expected and so we had to quickly head over to our next stop. Just allow yourself ample amount of time if you have somewhere to be. Our coffees were pretty standard. My mocha was light on the chocolate flavor, but this seemed to be the theme throughout our time in the UK. My pastry on the other hand was outstanding! I don't remember what it was called, but it had raspberries and it was so delicious. My only regret was only getting one. I would have liked to sit and enjoy a sip or two at the shop as every nook of the shop was quaint and Instagramable. I loved the stone interior, wooden accents, and worn and weathered look. Totally my jam! Highly recommend a stop here and would love to come back again one day.

I am obsessed with their lattes. Highly recommend the iced honey latte with oat milk. Friendly service in a fabulous little storefront-- quintessential Edinburgh! A must go-to in the city.

Tiny place. Great pastries. In the winter even smaller. Takeaway is your best bet, unless you're early or lucky

Milkman was my very first stop when I arrived in Edinburgh, the most perfect little coffee shop to escape the rainy day for a little bit. I ordered an oat latte and a tasty oats pastry. I stopped back in a couple other times during my stay for to go drinks. I highly recommend this location and can't wait to return!

Need a break from walking around Edinburgh? Especially through the Royal Mile? This cute little cafe is an excellent pitstop to refuel. They offer pastries, coffee, and tea. And they have adorable accessories to shop on the corner wall while you wait for your order. Seats are limited. Chai Latte- Powder. I almost couldn't tell. It was mixed well with steamed milk. Delightful. Macchiato- Espresso with steamed milk was deliciously bold and creamy. Overall Service: They can multitask so well handling their coffee while conversing with customers. It's a fun vibe.

Got a lot of recommendations for this place so I went on a Sunday morning. It was super crowded... it's a very small cafe with very little seating areas so you're almost bumping into people next to you unintentionally. Was really hoping for larger bakery selection-- that day they didn't have the millionaires shortbread that I was really hoping to try, so I opted for the croissant muffin.. it took me by surprise! it was super delish and fresh tasting. Latte was pretty solid, wish there was a stronger chai/cinnamon flavor. The wait for this was a good 10 minutes when it was busy. Prices were pretty reasonable for what you are getting... you could tell the baristas individually took extra time on each one of them and hand delivered them to you. Their delivering system kinda confused me however since they didn't give you a number of anything to track for the barista... so when the drink was done, they basically would walk it around and even outside to those waiting calling out the drink order. I would come back to try their matcha and other bakery items- hoping for some unique twists for bakery offerings. I would also recommend seasonal limited addition latte offering besides their menus to help give customers more options and make them want to come back each month !

The milkman has some great white hot chocolate! Usually when I try stuff like this it's a little on the sweeter side, not this place. The taste is a perfect combination of sweet and chocolate mixed together. The pastry I go was a little Twix bar looking thing, that was delicious! The place is cute and perfect to just hang out. The service from the workers were very friendly and upbeat. If I lived here I would definitely make this place a regular go to.

Friendly service. Small space but was able to find a seat to eat my pastry. Great location. Would recommend! Had a cappuccino and chocolate croissant.

Absolutely delicious lattes. Love the cinnamon roll (best we had in Edinburgh) and the pastries. You need to go- you won't be disappointed!

This was fantastic! Excellent coffee and treats! Not a huge space so we did takeaway but cute seating if you can get a spot.

Selection of pastries is great, we tried 6 different ones over the course of our stay and all were delicious! Service was friendly. The spot is tiny so seating is hard to find, but the park is just steps away.

Their oat milk latte hits the spot on a cold windy morning. Stopped in here a couple times on my vacation. The pastries are delicious too.

I had been reading about this coffee shop for years. I was so excited to finally be able to visit. It did not disappoint. The staff are super friendly. The shop is small but cute. I was able to catch the window seat for a rest from all of the walking. Oh, and one of the best lattes I've ever had. Pure coffee bliss

A tiny hole in the wall, this coffee shop is quaint and cozy. With friendly staff and delicious coffee, what more could you ask for?!

Came here on a weekend morning around 10:15AM, place is tiny so don't expect a seat, conveniently located in the city center close to Royal Mile. Waited about ten minutes for matcha latte, had a cinnamon roll too. Matcha latte was delicious, as it was made with real matcha, none of that fake sugary stuff. Cup was small though. Cinnamon roll was soft and chewy, not too sweet; I enjoyed it!

Super cute little spot serving coffee and coffee only. Love it! The coffee was tasty and you had the option to sit in (if seating was available). Barista was kind. Doesn't get any better than that.

Our first stop in Edinburgh was The Milkman. I had a delicious herbal tea, and my friend got a latte. Service was quick despite how busy it was. We got some chairs to sit, but it is a very small place. They said it's rare that they have open seating. I also got a vegan brownie but ate it too fast to take a picture. So delicious! I would visit The Milkman again.

Delicious pastry and cappuccino! Highly recommend and service was nice, too!! My husband loved his cinnamon roll and iced latte.

It can be a bit hard to find, as it is tucked away (we learned there's another location nearby that's more along the road). My mom & dad had a cafe latte & I had a white hot chocolate. We also enjoyed some apple & almond pastries, though I can't remember the exact names! Lovely location and wonderful ambience / music choice. The barista was so friendly she gave us vegetarian recommendations for dinner, which was super helpful. Would love to visit again someday. Also, the entire neighborhood seemed to have inspired many of your favorite media! I heard this cafe was in the back of a Marvel movie scene :0

Small on space, big on taste. Really great little shop at the end of Cockburn. The cappuccino was top, didn't require any extra addings on my part. Excited that I was (finally) able to source some gluten free pastries: the salted caramel brownie. The texture was more than favorable for gluten free and the flavour excellent. Prices fair for quality as 2 coffees and 3 pastries ran £14. Small space surrounding inside. provides about 6-8, maybe 10 seats. Two tables are outside when the weather is fair. Milkman came highly recommended and didn't disappoint.

Great little place! Delicious almond croissant, flaky and crispy with nice almond flavor. And what an amazing latte. I got oat milk, so happy they had non-dairy options! Smooth and silky, I didn't even need sugar the espresso was so good. Would totally return here.

Epic coffee shop with great ambiance - so perfect for a cozy cold day! Try it - I loved my Americano and kids loved hot chocolate

Cute little cafe! Very cozy vibes. Has nice drinks and desserts. Friendly and fast staff. Nice little place to meet up with friends or start your day with a nice coffee. I personally went for the dessert though!

Very little room to enjoy your beverage. Ordered a slice of the lemon loaf. Dry and lacked flavor. Would not come back before I try many of the other options in the area.

Drink was fabulous! Saw this on YouTube! It's on a cute lil street close to my hotel ! Service was wonderful as well

A wonderful, local, quaint tea and coffee and pastry shop. The staff was welcoming, the music peaceful and the presentation of the tea amazing.

Great coffee shop vibe. I got a gluten free, dairy free oat and raspberry bar that I meant to take back to the hotel. It didn't survive that long. Delicious! I'll be back in the am for coffee and another oat bar!

Very reasonable prices, great music, perfect decor. Hidden gem in the city of Edinburgh. They have great outdoor seating and lots of live plants inside. The staff is very kind and they have water as any good coffee shop should ;) Highly recommend if you're in the market for a great place to work, read, chat or just sip some caffeine and relax

I saw all the reviews about this place and was really excited to try it. I got the white hot chocolate with oat milk and an apple almond bar. (I think that's what it was called) and oh wow! 10/10. So good! There was a bit of a line but it's not hard to see why. The staff was so friendly, the place was warm and cozy and the drink was amazing.