The Milkman

Tiny wee pitstop coffee shop with excellent coffee and charming service.

The 2019/20 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).

There are plenty of coffee shops along Cockburn Street, but few can compete with the Milkman. Located towards the bottom of the street’s slope, this stylish café is a perfect stop for a delicious (and ethically packaged) coffee to go, or lingering catch-ups in its snug, exposed brick alcoves, while on sunny days you can join fellow coffee-lovers on the wooden sharing tables outside. The baristas are passionate about what they serve and everything feels carefully and lovingly selected. The house espresso is sourced from the Edinburgh-based Obadiah Collective, while a range of rotating guest coffees bring some of the world’s best roasteries to central Edinburgh. Previous guests include the Berlin-based Bonanza Coffee as well as Girls Who Grind, an ethical roaster that supports female coffee producers (this one was so popular that they now stock packets). Very much a coffee shop, there is also a small range of pastries, cakes and tray bakes from local bakeries, with vegan and gluten free options available.