Guajira Café & Coffee — Restaurant in City of Edinburgh

Guajira Café & Coffee is one of those places that immediately makes you feel at home the moment you walk in. Tucked away yet full of charm, this café offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere that perfectly matches the passion they clearly have for coffee. The décor is modern with touches of personality that make it feel inviting, and the overall vibe is relaxed—perfect for both a quick stop or a longer, leisurely visit.

The highlight, of course, is the coffee itself. Guajira Café & Coffee takes pride in serving specialty coffee, and it shows in every sip. I ordered a flat white on my first visit, and it was outstanding: smooth, rich, and beautifully balanced. The espresso was bold without being bitter, and the milk was perfectly textured, giving it that velvety finish that’s so hard to get right. On another visit, I tried their filter coffee, and it truly showcased the depth and complexity of their beans—floral, aromatic, and packed with flavour. It’s the kind of coffee that makes you slow down and appreciate the craft behind it.

Their food and pastry offerings also deserve mention. Freshly baked, light, and delicious, the pastries pair wonderfully with the coffee. I had a croissant alongside my cappuccino, and it was flaky, buttery, and a perfect match. The menu has a good balance of sweet and savoury options, making it easy to find something to enjoy at any time of the day.

The service at Guajira Café & Coffee is another reason to return. The staff are friendly, approachable, and clearly knowledgeable about coffee. They take the time to explain the flavour notes of different blends and are always ready with a recommendation. It feels less like a transaction and more like being welcomed into a community of coffee lovers.

Another thing I appreciate is how well-kept and organised the café is. Even during busy times, the staff handle everything with ease, and the space always feels clean and comfortable. The ambience is calm but vibrant, with soft background music that enhances the experience without being distracting.

In short, Guajira Café & Coffee is a hidden gem. With its excellent coffee, tasty food, friendly service, and cozy atmosphere, it’s a place that invites you to stay a little longer than planned. Whether you’re a coffee enthusiast or just someone looking for a great café to relax in, Guajira Café & Coffee is a spot I would...

The owner Indira’s food was extremely comforting to me as someone who moved to the UK from a more diverse country, when I was struggling to find flavor in the food of other restaurants in Edinburgh. I became drawn to Guajira Cafe as soon as I ate there and realized that the food had enough salt, spice, even tanginess and sweetness. It feels very much like home comfort food that nourishes you during a day of hard work. I was also struggling to find restaurants serving vegetables in the UK other than potatoes — Guajira is my go to cafe when I need something with nutrients without needing to cook. As you can see from my photos, my favorite thing to order is the soup of the day, which is always changing and always delicious and filling. I’ve had carrot, pea, leek and potato, lentil, and many other vegetable soups in the times I’ve come to Guajira. She also has amazing sandwiches, toasts, and salads packed with flavor.

Indira also makes one of the best coffees in town. The size of the drink is pretty large and the quality of coffee beans is high. You can tell Indira cares about the quality of her coffee and ingredients.

The atmosphere including Indira’s charming personality is the best part of the cafe. Even if you only get a coffee or slice of cake, you can enjoy the charming space filled with local art, listen to amazing lively music, study or work using the free Wi-Fi or just chat and share stories with the owner, or even with other customers. It seems like being in this cafe makes everyone happy and relaxed. Indira has even helped me with travel suggestions when I want nice places to visit outside of Edinburgh which led to a charming trip to South Queensferry. Guajira is a treasure of the community and you shouldn’t...

“A genuine gem of a find” 26 Jan 2025 Wow what such a little gem in the heart of the Royal Mile. A genuine diamond in nestled among so many overpriced cafes/bistros & restaurants. Founder, owner,chef and waitress sources fresh Caribbean ingredients which she then uses to single handedly produce simple yet delicious dishes. Made to order these range from porridge loaded with carribean flavours to plantain (healthily air-fried rather than oily), salsa verde, picco tomato salads, avacado and amazingly tasty scambled egg. While the majority of choices are vegan or vegetarian, there are also a selection of sandwiches containing ham/pulled pork etc served with fresh crusty sourdough. All plant milks offered too serve with the best blend of coffee I have ever tasted( there is a choice of Brazilian, Columbian, Peruvian and surprisingly, Kenyan). And, while noone in my party partook, there is a selection of Caribbean baking to choose from. Buzzing with the sound of this vibrant part of the world (soft drums mustering up those of the coastal waves which wash over the shores there) we really felt we had escaped into a different country completely for the 3 hours we spent there. It was even hot in the cafe in spite of the freezing cold late Jan weather outside!!!!!. Will definitely return. but be warned, though somewhat hidden and very tiny, it is amazingly popular. Suggest you book...