Hidden Scotland
Sign in
The dark front of the Source Coffee Roasters at 4 Spittal Street, with a caffeine molecule drawn on the window and benches along the pavement.
Edinburgh

The Source

The coffee bar of the Source Coffee Roasters on Spittal Street near the Grassmarket, pouring single-origin filter, espresso and pour over from beans roasted in Edinburgh.

Visit website
Welcome

The Source is a small coffee bar on Spittal Street, a short walk from the Grassmarket, for anyone who loves their coffee bright and carefully made.

It belongs to the Source Coffee Roasters, who roast their beans a few streets away, and this is where they pour them: rotating single-origin filters, seasonal espresso and the occasional limited release, made as espresso, filter or pour over. It's a calm space with plenty of natural light, and the shelves carry freshly roasted bags and brewing kit, so you can take your favourite coffee home with you. On a fine day there are benches out front where you can sit with your cup. The Source is open every day, from half past eight on weekdays and half past nine at the weekend, and it makes an easy stop on the way up to the castle or down into the Grassmarket for a wander.

Round the cornerHey PaluAn Italian cocktail bar on Bread Street off Lothian Road, opened in 2019, pouring aperitivo, modern classics and its own drinks from a great collection of amaro.1 min by roadSee itThe blue front of Hey Palu on Bread Street in the sun, with its red sign, wooden slatted windows and the words Modern Italian Bar on the glass.
Before you go

Open every day, from 8.30am on weekdays and 9.30am at the weekend.

Where
4 Spittal Street, a short walk from the Grassmarket, EH3 9DX.
Open
Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5pm, Saturday 9.30am to 5pm, Sunday 9.30am to 4pm.
Coffee
Espresso, filter and pour over, from single origins that change.
Dogs
Allowed, by Google's record.
Access
Google's record gives a wheelchair-accessible entrance.

Opening hours

Their website
Monday
8.30am–5pm
Tuesday
8.30am–5pm
Wednesday
8.30am–5pm
Thursday
8.30am–5pm
Friday
8.30am–5pm
Saturday
9.30am–5pm
Sunday
9.30am–4pm

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

Add your tip
Where it is

On Spittal Street, a short walk from the Grassmarket, EH3 9DX.

Close byThe West Port, the Grassmarket and the castle.
  1. TimberyardTimberyardA family-run restaurant in an old warehouse on Lady Lawson Street, cooking from Scotland's larder, with a Michelin star since 2023.Under a mile 1 min by road
  2. The deep blue shopfront of Edinburgh Books on the West Port, books in both windows.Edinburgh BooksEdinburgh's largest second-hand bookshop, on the West Port above the Grassmarket, with four more rooms of books in the basement.Under a mile 1 min by road
  3. The navy front of Greek Artisan Pastries on Bread Street, under a striped awning, with yellow cafe tables and chairs outside on the pavement.Greek Artisan PastriesA Greek bakery and cafe on Bread Street off Lothian Road, baking spanakopita, tiropita and bougatsa, with Greek coffee, and a second shop in Portobello.Under a mile 1 min by road
  4. KanpaiKanpaiA Japanese restaurant of sushi, sake and tempura on Grindlay Street, behind a sushi bar built of stacked cedar blocks.Under a mile 1 min by road
  5. Bedrock Coffee, EdinburghBedrock CoffeeA small coffee bar on the West Port, opened in May 2026, pouring coffee from Leith roasters through a vintage lever machine.Under a mile 1 min by road
  6. Vennel StepsVennel StepsA steep stepped lane up from the Grassmarket beside the Flodden Wall, with one of the best-known views of Edinburgh Castle from the top.Under a mile 2 min by road
  7. Edinburgh CastleEdinburgh CastleA royal castle on its rock at the top of the Royal Mile, in its time a palace, garrison and prison, and home of the oldest Crown jewels in Britain.Under a mile 2 min by road
Directions
The blue front of Hey Palu on Bread Street in the sun, with its red sign, wooden slatted windows and the words Modern Italian Bar on the glass.BarsHey PaluA step away
Inside Lovecrumbs on West Port: a plywood counter with a pink coffee machine, shelves of cups and coffee, plants, and old iron pillars.CafeLovecrumbsA step away
A breakfast roll with fried egg and cheese and two scones with jam and butter on a table at Preacher's Patisserie.CafePreacher's PatisserieA step away
Woman in green jacket smiles beside a shop doorway with "History" posterShoppingArmchair BooksA step away
Dragonfly sign above wooden doors on a stone Edinburgh buildingBarsDragonflyA step away
Gelato counter with flavours including peanut chilli coconut, bitter chinotto basil sorbet and liquorice passion fruitCafeMary's Milk Bar0.2 miles
Dugald Stewart Monument on Calton Hill overlooking Edinburgh's skyline and castleAttractionsEdinburgh Guided Tour0.3 miles
Yamato restaurant frontage with panelled door and slatted wooden claddingRestaurantsYamato0.3 miles
Black metal stools beneath a small wall lamp on textured plasterCafeBeatnik0.3 miles

Recommend to a friend

The Daily for 21 October, from Scotland with love. a small wooded island reflected in a misty loch, autumn forest and hills along the far shore

The Daily

Arrives at 5am every day.

A free morning email to see what’s on this week, catch up on what’s happening in Scotland and find somewhere new to go.

Stay nearby

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

West End Muse
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Edinburgh
  • Under a mile from the Source
Check datesA round table and chairs stand before tall curtained windows looking onto stone buildings, a sofa and mounted television to the right.Moment George IV Bridge
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Edinburgh
  • Under a mile from the Source
Check datesA turreted sandstone building with conical spires catches the evening light above rooftops, a large pine tree standing beside it.The Scott Hotel
  • A hotel
  • In Edinburgh
  • A mile from the Source
Check datesClermount Cottage, EdinburghClermount Cottage
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Penicuik
  • 9 miles from the Source
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in EdinburghAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
Hidden Scotland, the magazine

Scotland, in print.

We want to show you the best that Scotland has to offer. The makers and the creatives, the enduring experiences, the evocative tales, the concealed corners. The roads less travelled that take you to places that matter. The adventures that gather you up and sweep you away. The blend of the wild and the artistic that makes Scotland what it is. We’d love for you to join us.

Get Issue 13Read it here
Read on

More in Edinburgh.

More in Edinburgh
Find out more

For further reading, before you go. The details on this page were checked on .