IN ASSOCIATION WITH
Whether you can’t live without your morning double shot or prefer to savour a simple pour-over mid-afternoon, Edinburgh and Glasgow’s independent coffee shops are thriving. What’s more, most will reward you for your loyalty (or disloyalty).
Jo Laidlaw and David Kirkwood size up the best coffee shops around
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FILAMENT COFFEE
FORTITUDE COFFEE MACHINA ESPRESSO
38 Clerk Street A big sunny window, a menu helpfully divided into ‘coffee’ and ‘not coffee’, local cakes and coffee from Has Bean, Williams & Johnson and Square Miles all mean Filament consistently shines. See Disloyal 7 scheme, right. 3c York Place Handy for the bus, tram and train, Fortitude is a stylish wee place with an impressive attention to detail. Try a pour-over to appreciate the subtle aromas of beans roasted in their own roastery. Buy 6 get 1 free.
80 Nicolson Street & 2 Brougham Place Cool, casual spot for grabbing a coffee plus everything you need to recreate the barista experience at home. If you’re after a late fix, they’re open into the evening in summer. Buy 9 get 1 free.
THE DISLOYAL 7 There’s a real sense of togetherness between Edinburgh’s indie coffee shops, perfectly illustrated by the Disloyal 7 card. Buy a coffee from Cult Espresso, Filament Coffee, Baba Budan, Lowdown Coffee, Fortitude Coffee, Cairngorm Coffee or Brew Lab, and get a stamp. Once filled, use your card to claim a free drink from any of the seven venues.
OFFSHORE PAPERCUP
PIECE
3 Gibson Street A bright and airy spot between Kelvingrove Park and Glasgow University that really comes into its own in the winter months when many a student snuggles into a window seat with a cushion and a laptop. Swipii loyalty points.
603 Great Western Road One of the heavyweights of Glasgow’s coffee scene. The vibe is laid-back and artsy, with more than a bit of Antipodean influence. The original site is typically pretty busy but there’s now a second spot (where they do the roasting) in the lane nearby. Buy 6 get 1 free. 1056 Argyle Street, 100 Miller Street, 126 West Regent Street, 200 Albion Street & Dawson Road Their reputation is built on the fantastic artisan sandwiches, but Piece also roast their own coffee, and have refined the blend over the last seven years. It’s damned good. Buy 6 get 1 free.
SOUTHSIDE ROASTERS 742 Pollokshaws Road A minimalist little space in the most up- and-coming stretch of the Southside, with all gourmet coffee needs catered for. Swift takeaway service and homemade baked goods seal the deal. Plus, it’s on a main bus route, and near two train stations. Buy 6 get 1 free.
1 Sep–31 Oct 2017 THE LIST 105