The Milkman — Restaurant in City of Edinburgh

We were in Edinburgh for 3 days and came here 2 days in a row because we enjoyed it so much. I saw this on so many videos as a must to come to in Edinburgh so wasn’t sure if it would be worth the hype or not but my husband and I loved it. On our third day we went to Room & Rumours to try another place and we did not think it was near as good as the Milk Man.

We ordered the mocha and cappuccino both days and tried different pastries. The coffee and pastries were both 10/10. Both locations are on the same street only a minute walk (if that) from each other. The one in photo on the corner building is the 52 Cockburn. It is a tiny shop that can only seat about 6 people total so come early when they open to grab a seat or keep an eye out while in line to try to grab a seat as soon as someone leaves. You can also sit outside on some bench seating but this fills up quick too.

Our trip was in January which would be the off season for Edinburgh and it was still busy both times when we went. We lucked out both times with being able to get a seat. The first day we grabbed a table right as someone was getting up. The second day we went right when they opened at 8 am and got the coveted bench seat 🤩 Overall, I think it’s definitely worth the hype and was the best coffee shop we went to on our trip!

In pictures - the coffee with the black line across the top is the cappuccino and the other is the mocha. My husband got the plum pastry both days and loved it. I got the chocolate pastry the first day and loved it, they were out of it the second day so I got the toffee chocolate shortbread. Shortbread was probably sweeter than what I would prefer first thing in the morning but was...

The short of it: tourist trap. Made trendy by social media. Would not recommend.

The long of it: Flow - the flow of cafe inefficient. The inefficiency is so evident, they may do so to create busywork and make the cafe look bustling. The coffee station is first, then the ordering kiosk, then the baked goods display, which doesn’t have any of the goods descriptions. You wait in line, where you can’t view the baked goods ahead of time, ask the staff about the goods, then go back in the direction of the line to pick up your drink. There’s a corner of the cafe dedicated to merch, while the rest of the cafe is unnecessarily packed. Busy work.

Quality: Cappuccino - since the cafe atmosphere was a headache, we walked to the park nearby to sit. In under a 5-min walk, I opened the lid of my cappuccino to find it completely flat. The milk was not properly frothed, just heated up.

Coconut donut - I liked this.

Brown sugar cookie - my boyfriend liked this.

Almond croissant - subpar. Dry and stale.

Paper cup - they have a long, feel-good message about how their paper cup is extra hot because it’s sustainably made of paper. And then the sleeve is too large to properly fit the cup.

A trendy spot made to look popular through modern design and busy work. Would not recommend. You’re much better off going to a chain cafe or...

We've had the pleasure of visiting The Milkman twice now, first in 2017 and most recently this summer in 2025. What strikes us most is how consistently excellent this place has stayed over the years. The staff really makes this place special - they're friendly, attentive, and genuinely seem to care about providing a positive experience for every customer. There's a warmth to the service that makes you feel like a valued guest rather than just another order. The coffee quality is outstanding and has maintained its high standards over the years. Whether you're after a perfectly pulled espresso or a smooth flat white, they deliver every time. The menu offers a wide variety of options that cater to different tastes and dietary preferences, with everything appearing fresh and thoughtfully prepared. We especially appreciate how family-friendly the atmosphere is. Our children loved the pastry selection - the quality and variety kept them happy while we adults enjoyed our coffee and conversation. It's not always easy to find a place that balances being a serious coffee spot and welcoming to families, but The Milkman pulls this off perfectly. The fact that we're writing this positive review eight years after our first visit really speaks to the consistency and quality of this...