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A scone topped with cream and a pink sweet on a plate with a doily at the Mill Cafe in Balerno.
Balerno

The Mill Cafe at St Joseph’s Centre

A not-for-profit community cafe run by Balerno Parish Church, with coffee, fresh baking, soups and toasties.

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Welcome

In the middle of Balerno, the Mill Cafe is a friendly community cafe run by Balerno Parish Church in the St Joseph's Centre.

It is not for profit, and it is a welcoming place for anyone to stop for good coffee or tea and something to eat.

The counter is full of fresh baking, from scones to tray bakes, and there are teas, coffees and juices through the morning. At lunchtime the kitchen serves two soups, toasties and baked potatoes, simple, good food at fair prices.

The cafe opens from Tuesday to Friday, from nine until two, and on the second Saturday of each month, when Balerno's farmers' market is on. It closes for a fortnight at the start of July. It makes a good stop before or after a walk up to the Harlaw and Threipmuir reservoirs above the village.

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Arrives at 5am every day.

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Before you go

Tuesday to Friday, 9am to 2pm, and the second Saturday of the month for the farmers' market.

Where
2 Main Street, Balerno, EH14 7EH.
Run by
Balerno Parish Church.
Lunch
Soups, toasties, baked potatoes.

Opening hours

Monday
Closed
Tuesday
9am–2pm
Wednesday
9am–2pm
Thursday
9am–2pm
Friday
9am–2pm
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed

Eaten here? Tell others what to order and when to go, and the best go on this page with your name.

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Where it is

At the St Joseph's Centre, 2 Main Street, Balerno, EH14 7EH.

Close byBalerno.
  1. The Grey Horse pub front with hanging fuchsia basket and open signThe Grey HorseA village pub on Balerno's Main Street with a traditional public bar of real ales, a lounge for wine and gin, and a back room for events.Under a mile 1 min by road
  2. The Grey Horse pub sign hangs above a quiet Scottish street with buntingBalernoUnder a mile 1 min by road
  3. Restaurant seating with green banquette booth, wooden tables and herringbone flooring by bay windowsThe Balerno InnUnder a mile 1 min by road
  4. Reed-fringed loch with autumn trees below a rounded hillHarlaw and Threipmuir ReservoirsReservoir walks above the village.2 miles 8 min by road
  5. Stone-clad bar with metal stools, beer taps and chandeliers overheadThe TorfinA bar and grill in Corstorphine.8 miles 16 min by road
  6. Kailzie GardensKailzie GardensGardens near Peebles.28 miles 53 min by road
Directions
Sandstone cottages and shopfronts line a quiet curving street with bunting overheadAttractionsBalerno Main Street0.4 miles
Red telephone box beside a postbox set into a mossy stone wallAttractionsRed Phone Box - Balerno Village Trust0.4 miles
Timber-clad courtyard buildings with corrugated roofs and a gravelled seating areaRestaurantsThe Free Company1.5 miles
Stone wall curves along a reservoir edge with hills beyondAttractionsHarlaw Reservoir2.2 miles
Angler wading in a reservoir, green footbridge crossing the water beyondAttractionsThreipmuir Reservoir2.2 miles
Stone tunnel entrance with "Colinton" lettering above graffiti-covered walls and lit pathwayAttractionsColinton Tunnel3.9 miles
Grass-covered spiral mounds curve around still ponds at Jupiter ArtlandAttractionsJupiter Artland4.6 miles
Clermount Cottage, EdinburghPenicuikClermount CottageSleeps 2 · 5.2 miles
Wooden sign reading "Easter Craiglockhart Hill Local Nature Reserve" fixed to iron railingsAttractionsCraiglockhart Hill5.3 miles

Recommend to a friend

Stay nearby

Places to stay near the cafe, and when each is next free.

White cow parsley blooms in front of a stone cottage with skylightsSteading
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Penicuik
  • 4 miles from the Mill Cafe
Check datesStone cottage courtyard with slate roof, chimney and rolling green hills behindThe Byre
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Penicuik
  • 4 miles from the Mill Cafe
Check datesA black kitchen counter with flowers on the worktop stands before a curved timber slatted screen opening onto a bedroom.Cartshed
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Penicuik
  • 4 miles from the Mill Cafe
Free 9–11 NovWoodshed
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Penicuik
  • 4 miles from the Mill Cafe
Free 2–5 NovPlaces to stayEvery stay in BalernoAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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