On Dundas Street in Edinburgh’s central New Town, north of Princes Street, cafēn has pale olive walls, wooden tables and a few window seats. This small brew bar is a place to explore the roaster’s own light-roasted coffees, choosing a hand brew with help from the staff. Come alone or with a companion; there is little room for a group to spread out.
Coffee
cafēn roasts locally and changes the coffees on the bar. Its catalogue has included yellow-honey SL28 from Kenya’s Kahawa Endelevu and advanced-washed Ombligon from Colombia’s El Silencio: examples of the varieties and processing methods you can explore through its range. The day’s brewing list will differ, so ask what is available and how the coffees compare before choosing a pour-over.
Espresso and flat whites are available, with batch brew for a quicker filter order. The light roasting can produce a brighter, more acidic cup than drinkers of darker roasts expect; tell the barista what you enjoy. Bags are available to take home, and the staff can help with grind and brewing ratios. Some of the small lots are expensive, so check the bag size as well as the price.
Pastry & the room
The small pastry selection has included canelés and cinnamon buns. Plan for coffee and something sweet, rather than a full lunch, and take a window seat if one is free. With only a handful of tables and counter seats, a long laptop session would tie up a substantial part of the room.
Daily opening until 6pm leaves time for an afternoon hand brew after exploring the city. Choose cafēn for a hand brew and advice on which light roast to take home; the small room suits a focused coffee stop.