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John's Coffee House & Tavern
A hidden gem on the Royal Mile serving award-winning pies, artisanal coffee, and cozy British fare.
4.6
Restaurant
$$
A hidden gem on the Royal Mile serving award-winning pies, artisanal coffee, and cozy British fare.
John's Coffee House & Tavern is a charming, multi-faceted establishment nestled behind St Giles' Cathedral on Edinburgh's Royal Mile. This cozy spot blends the warmth of a traditional coffee house with the convivial atmosphere of a British tavern, offering everything from hearty breakfasts and award-winning Jarvis Pickle pies to artisanal lattes and fine whiskies. Known for its friendly staff, including the welcoming Poojan, and its festive offerings like Christmas pies and gingerbread lattes, it's a perfect retreat for tourists and locals seeking comfort food, a quick coffee, or a relaxing drink. With a 4.6-star rating, it's a beloved destination for delicious paninis, waffles, and memorable hospitality in the heart of Edinburgh.
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Hearty, savory pies like Christmas and Venison, packed with flavor and served with traditional sides.
Freshly brewed coffee, lattes (e.g., Gingerbread), hot chocolate, and other crafted beverages.
Morning favorites including waffles, frittatas, paninis, and avocado toast to start your day right.
A curated list of Scottish whiskies and other drinks for evening relaxation or pairing with meals.
Sweet treats like cookies and baked goods, perfect for a quick snack or dessert.
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Overall rating
Gabor Lorincz
Hi Guys, We had a fantastic weekend in Edinburgh. We discovered lots of amazing places. Castle, statues, famous buildings etc etc… It was a great and long day. When We were so exhausted and extremely hungry then We popped in the John’s Coffee House & Tavern. It was the best choice ever! ✅ We met with Poojan. He is very friendly and welcoming. We discussed for a long time… I asked him what’s his favorite whisky - He told me and We got it…. I loved it and I love it ❤️ , because I bought it 😉 The place, the staff and the atmosphere are amazing! If You are in Edinburgh there is no doubt Guys just pop in! 5 ⭐️ You will love 🃏
v
We love to eat here! The waiter was absolutely lovely, they gave us two Scott cookies. We order two paninis and they were delicious. Hope to see you soon 🩷
Patrick N.
Breakfast was underwhelming for me and my Green Highland Roll. The frittata puck was a bit overcooked for my liking, the dry bread roll disintegrated in my mouth with hardly any chew and the dollop of mashed avocado was paltry. My husband’s waffle was better and he quite enjoyed it, though. Service slipped a little, as they initially charged us for our drink separately, which you can get cheaper as a combo with some breakfast items. They also forgot the whipped cream on the waffles and I had to ask for water twice before I received it. However, they were apologetic and quick to fix things, and the man serving us had a friendly attitude.
Tartan Spoon
John’s Coffee House is a wee hidden gem tucked behind St Giles’ on the Royal Mile, linked to CODE Hostels and easy to miss if you’re not looking for it. It’s a cute little coffee spot/bar/café hybrid, and we popped in specifically to try their new pies. These aren’t just any pies—they’re multi‑award‑winning Jarvis Pickle pies, which basically guarantees they’re going to be outrageously tasty. Since it’s Christmas, we went festive with the Christmas Pie (think full Christmas dinner wrapped in pastry) and the Venison Pie. Both arrived absolutely packed to the brim and served with peas, mash, and gravy. The peas and the gravy, weren't the best but the pie made up for it! They hit the spot beautifully, proper comfort food and the perfect excuse to warm up for a wee while. Defo be back, as its a superb spot for a catch up over a coffee.
Maureen Nicole Reyes
We were lucky enough that this place was where our hotel was. I’d definitely come back! ❤️ The food was amazing — especially the waffles, perfectly chewy and crispy. We loved the Gingerbread Latte and Peppermint Hot Chocolate too. The staff were warm and hospitable, especially Poojan, who took great care of us. They even surprised my best friend with a birthday treat and greeted her. These may be little gestures but to me it already made my day. Thank you so much!
