
Thomas J Walls
A coffee shop for brunch and light lunches in an old opticians on Forrest Road, which kept the name over its marble shopfront.
Look up as you walk along Forrest Road and you'll spot it: a marble shopfront still lettered Thomas J.
Walls, Opticians, with big glass windows and a bronze door. The opticians have long gone, and it's now a roomy coffee shop that kept the old name, the wall panels and the marble floor, with dark wood and brick inside. It's an easy, relaxed stop between Greyfriars Bobby, the university's Old College and the Meadows, a few minutes away at the end of the road. Come for coffee and brunch, a slice of cake or a light lunch, and grab a seat by the window to watch the street go by. There are a few tables outside, dogs are welcome and the entrance is step-free. It opens at 7.30am on weekdays and 8.30am at the weekend, closing at 7pm (6pm on Sundays), and there's no need to book, so just walk in.

Open every day from early morning until the evening, for coffee, breakfast, brunch and lunch.
There is no booking, so just walk in.
- Where
- 35 Forrest Road, Edinburgh EH1 2QN, between Greyfriars and the Meadows.
- Open
- Monday to Friday 7.30am to 7pm, Saturday 8.30am to 7pm, Sunday 8.30am to 6pm.
- Booking
- Walk in; it does not take bookings.
- Dogs
- Welcome.
- Children
- Welcome.
- Access
- A wheelchair-accessible entrance, toilet and seating.
- Phone
- 0131 261 7582
Opening hours
- Monday
- 7.30am–7pm
- Tuesday
- 7.30am–7pm
- Wednesday
- 7.30am–7pm
- Thursday
- 7.30am–7pm
- Friday
- 7.30am–7pm
- Saturday
- 8.30am–7pm
- Sunday
- 8.30am–6pm
Eaten here? Tell others what to order and when to go, and the best go on this page with your name.
Add your tipAt 35 Forrest Road, in the Old Town, between Greyfriars and the Meadows.
Greyfriars BobbyThe bronze terrier on a granite fountain at Candlemaker Row, set up in 1873 for the dog said to have watched his master's grave for fourteen years.Under a mile 1 min by road
Half-Cut CoffeeA bright green coffee shop on Candlemaker Row, opened in 2026 in the old Half-Cut barbershop, a few steps from Greyfriars Bobby.Under a mile 1 min by road
Greyfriars KirkThe first church built in Edinburgh after the Reformation, opened on Christmas Day 1620, where the National Covenant was signed in 1638.Under a mile 1 min by road
Transreal FictionA small shop for new science fiction and fantasy books at 46 Candlemaker Row in Edinburgh's Old Town, open Wednesday to Saturday since 2011 at this address.Under a mile 1 min by road
Talbot Rice GalleryThe University of Edinburgh's public gallery of contemporary art in Old College, with a white gallery and Playfair's Georgian Gallery, free to enter.Under a mile 1 min by road
George Heriot's SchoolA Renaissance palace of a school on Lauriston Place, begun in 1628 with the fortune of James VI's goldsmith and finished in 1693.Under a mile 1 min by road
Söderberg The MeadowsA Swedish bakery and cafe on Simpson Loan by the Meadows, baking buns, sourdough and pastries on site, open every day.Under a mile 3 min by road

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