The Edinburgh Press Club is a cozy place to grab a coffee and a snack on one of the most picturesque streets of Scotland's capital.
By: Alisha Trenalone
When people ask me what my favorite moments were from my 2024 trip to England and Scotland, a lot of things spring to mind. Places I'd wanted to see for years, memorable meals and walks — but there's one low-key memory that I really cherish.
It was a day where I had no particular plans, but instead got to wander Edinburgh however I liked. I ended up spending part of the morning with a coffee and scone watching the world go by on a street that's at the heart of the Old Town. Relaxed. Entertained. Happy.
This was at the Edinburgh Press Club, a coffee shop that hit the happy medium of being in a prime location but without overcrowding. Here's what else to know!
Finding the Coffee Shop
The Royal Mile is a somewhat steep street with Holyrood Palace at the bottom and Edinburgh Castle at the top.
About halfway between the two, you'll see a street curving downhill in the direction of the Princes Street Gardens. This is Cockburn Street (pronounced "Co-burn"), and it's a beautiful Victorian setting for a number of shops and cafes.
While I was at first interested in checking out The Milkman (one of the most Instagram-famous coffee shops in town, and also found on this street), it looked a bit too crowded for comfort.
A few more steps downhill brought me to the Edinburgh Press Club, and a perfectly situated table next to one of the long windows.
Why is it called the Press Club? Because the building started life as a newspaper office, and the coffee shop now takes its name from a journalists' social club. If you pay attention to the décor, you'll notice lots of nods to this history.
The Menu at Edinburgh Press Club
Croissants, scones, and cakes are on display when you first walk in. Visit the shop's Instagram page for an idea of what kind of pastries to expect and a look at some of the fancier drinks.
On this trip my typical coffee order was a flat white, and that's what I had here too, along with a scone.
Both were perfect, and the scone came with a generous amount of clotted cream (there's nothing else like it, and yes, I used all of it!).
If you want something more substantial, they do have a small menu of brunch and lunch bites, along with daily specials you can check out when you get there.
I was in absolutely no hurry, so it was a real pleasure to linger here at the table in the window, doing a little reading, a little people-watching, and a little coffee sipping.
Although there are endless possibilities for things to see and do in Edinburgh, I hope you get to make a little time for a morning like this.
Later on, I stopped for lunch at the Cafe at the Palace next to Holyroodhouse at the bottom of the Royal Mile.
Looking for traditional Scottish fare nearby? Try Bertie's Proper Fish & Chips or the Beehive Inn. For something perhaps less Scottish but also delicious, try Made in Italy Pizzeria or L'Etoile Salon de Tea.
About Alisha Trenalone
I’m Alisha and I live in eastern Kentucky. Discovering good food is one of my joys in life, but you will also find me doing lots of reading and dreaming of travel. Having worked at a local newspaper for several years, I’m avidly interested in the written word and the art of sharing stories. Now I help Sarah out in various ways here at Champagne Tastes!
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