Before the full review
We like to visit a coffee shop a few times in order to complete a full write-up, so for Artisan Roast this is an early shortlist note on why it is definitely worth a visit.
Why it is shortlisted
Artisan Roast makes the Edinburgh shortlist because the original Broughton Street cafe is still one of the city's key specialty coffee reference points. Official site copy frames it as the heart of the brand, and the outside coverage lines up with that: a pioneering Edinburgh roaster, a room that still feels lived-in rather than over-designed, and a menu broad enough to cover espresso, batch brew, V60, and cold drinks without losing focus.
Best for
What to order first
Start with whichever seasonal single origin is on batch or V60, then compare it with the house Janszoon espresso if you have time. The official Broughton Street page confirms both are core parts of the setup. Cold brew, espresso tonic, pastries, cakes, and sandwiches also show up often enough to make this more than a one-drink stop.
Room notes
The room sounds snug, a little scruffy in a good way, and unmistakably rooted in the early specialty-coffee era rather than a polished 2020s template. Repeated descriptions point to warm wood, conversation, and a back room that rewards staying longer than you meant to. This is the original cafe of a multi-site Edinburgh roaster, but it still reads like the shop with the deepest memory.