Williams & Johnson serves coffee inside Custom Lane at the Shore in Leith, in the same space as its Probat 12kg roaster. Roasting, packing, retail beans and café service share the building, so this is a useful stop for anyone interested in how the coffee reaches the counter.
Coffee style
The coffee selection changes with the harvests. Single-origin beans are roasted in small batches for espresso and filter, and bags are available to take home. Ask what is on the bar when you visit; specific origins and flavour notes change as lots sell through.
What people go for
The feel
The feel is relaxed, slightly tucked away, and more local than central Edinburgh's higher-footfall coffee circuit. Custom Lane gives it a creative-hub backdrop, while the covered cobbled seating and the Water of Leith just outside make it easy to turn a coffee stop into a longer pause. It works well as a place to settle briefly, look around, and maybe leave with beans rather than just sprinting in for caffeine.
Combine a seasonal single-origin coffee with a look around Custom Lane's gallery, then take a seat on the covered cobbles outside or walk along the Water of Leith. The café and roaster share one space, with beans available to buy after your drink.
Why Williams & Johnson is shortlisted by Filter Notes
Head to the Shore for single-origin espresso and filter beside the roasting equipment, fresh baking and covered courtyard seating. It fits a Leith walking route particularly well, with the Water of Leith just outside.