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The glass pavilion of Common Sense Coffee House and Bar on the terrace above Union Terrace Gardens, with tables outside.
Aberdeen

Common Sense Coffee House

A coffee house and bar in a glass pavilion above Union Terrace Gardens in Aberdeen, beside His Majesty's Theatre, with a terrace of tables outside.

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Welcome

Common Sense sits in a glass pavilion at the top of the grand staircase into Union Terrace Gardens, beside His Majesty's Theatre and the statue of William Wallace, and on a sunny day its terrace is one of the nicest places in Aberdeen for a coffee.

It opened in 2022, the first business in the restored gardens, and takes its name from the Scottish School of Common Sense, founded by the Aberdeen-born philosopher Thomas Reid. The day begins with coffee, tea and matcha, fresh bakes and breakfast, and moves on to brunch, soup and its own build-your-own croissants and toasties. Later on there's draught IPA and lager from local breweries, wine and cocktails, and food before a show at the theatre next door. Families and dogs are welcome, and the bar and terrace can be hired for a party. It's open every day, and stays open into the evening from Tuesday to Saturday.

Round the cornerBioCafeA vegan and vegetarian café on Rosemount Viaduct in Aberdeen, for breakfast and lunch from the kitchens of the world, with desserts free of refined sugar.Under a mileSee itA bowl of avocado, roasted tomatoes, red cabbage, artichoke and mange tout at BioCafe, seen from above.
Before you go

Open every day, into the evening from Tuesday to Saturday.

Where
At the top of the steps into Union Terrace Gardens, beside His Majesty's Theatre, AB10 1DF.
Open
Monday 8.45am to 5pm, Tuesday to Friday 8.45am to 7.30pm (6pm on Tuesday and Wednesday when there is no show at the theatre), Saturday 9.30am to 9pm, Sunday 11am to 6pm.
Hire
The bar and terrace can be hired for parties, with its own catering.
Dogs and children
Both welcome.
Access
A wheelchair-accessible entrance, toilet and seating.
Phone
01224 035058

Opening hours

Their website
Monday
8.45am–5pm
Tuesday
8.45am–7.30pm
Wednesday
8.45am–7.30pm
Thursday
8.45am–7.30pm
Friday
8.45am–7.30pm
Saturday
9.30am–9pm
Sunday
11am–6pm

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Where it is

On the terrace at the top of Union Terrace Gardens, beside His Majesty's Theatre, in the centre of Aberdeen, AB10 1DF.

Close byUnion Terrace Gardens and Rosemount Viaduct.
  1. Granite façade of Aberdeen's Central Library, with "Public Library" carved above its arched entranceAberdeen Central LibraryAberdeen's granite public library on Rosemount Viaduct, opened by Andrew Carnegie in 1892, one of the three buildings the city calls Education, Salvation and Damnation.Under a mile as the crow flies
  2. Granite steps lead up to a statue and His Majesty's Theatre in AberdeenUnion Terrace GardensA Victorian garden in a green valley in the centre of Aberdeen, opened in 1878 and reopened after its restoration, with lawns, a footbridge and pavilions.Under a mile as the crow flies
  3. Aberdeen Art GalleryAberdeen Art GalleryAberdeen's great art gallery on Schoolhill, free to visit, with 700 years of art from Monet and the Scottish Colourists to Joan Eardley and Barbara Hepworth.Under a mile as the crow flies
  4. Three cocktails on a bar, garnished with blackberry, lemon and starfruitUnder the HammerA cellar wine bar on North Silver Street in Aberdeen, a city institution for more than 40 years, with over 30 wines, cocktails, cask ale and sharing platters.Under a mile as the crow flies
  5. Juniper shop front beside a stone church with a rose windowBelmont StreetA cobbled street of granite buildings in the centre of Aberdeen, between Union Street and the Art Gallery, lined with independent cafés, bars and restaurants.Under a mile as the crow flies
  6. The granite front of Cup on Little Belmont Street, with hanging baskets and window boxes of flowers.Cup Tea SalonA tea room on cobbled Little Belmont Street in Aberdeen, for loose teas, brunch and afternoon tea.Under a mile as the crow flies
  7. Grilled salmon sushi roll topped with chives on a rectangular white plateYorokobi by CJA Korean and Japanese restaurant on Huntly Street in Aberdeen, the city's first, open since 2005 and recommended by the Michelin Guide, for sushi and Korean dishes.Under a mile as the crow flies
Directions
The dining room of Tarragon on the Terrace, with velvet chairs, marble-topped tables and a leather banquette, and tall windows looking out to the trees of Union Terrace Gardens.RestaurantsTarragon on the TerraceA step away
Aberdeen Art Gallery's granite facade topped with a bronze-slatted extension at duskCafeArt Gallery CaféA step away
A bowl of avocado, roasted tomatoes, red cabbage, artichoke and mange tout at BioCafe, seen from above.CafeBioCafeA step away
Kultura's front on Belmont Street, its wooden sign reading Filipino Restaurant & Bar above open doors in a granite wall, with potted bay trees by the step.RestaurantsKulturaA step away
The Bread Maker's coffee house on Rosemount Viaduct on a sunny day, with a dark awning, tables on the pavement and a chalkboard by the door.CafeThe Bread MakerA step away
The long bar at Casa del Fuego under a red wall and a neon sign reading Viva la Fiesta, with high stools and tables on a patterned tiled floor.BarsCasa del FuegoA step away
The upstairs room at Wild Goose, all pale wood, with globe lights and trailing plants hanging from the ceiling, wooden tables and a counter at the far end.RestaurantsWild GooseA step away
Books & Beans coffee cups on a windowsill, spilling roasted beansCafeBooks & Beans0.2 miles
Latte with tulip art sits on a periodic table table, element eight labelled "GrubCafeGrub Schoolhill0.2 miles

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