Artisan Roast

The artisan roast has built a mini empire in Edinburgh, and I couldn’t be happier. This means that whenever I visit, I’m always no further than a 10 minute walk from my nearest flat white.
This branch is situated on the lovely streets of Bruntsfield, and my goodness it is lovely. Still maintain their «we will not conform to a counter» like their Broughton Street branch, you walk up to a barista tell him your poison and take a seat. On a sign above their coffee machine, they state no table service, but we were in there for over an hour, and saw just that.
Being out of the city centre, it is the perfect little place to sit and relax whilst having some of the most delicious coffees around.
My flat white was just perfect. The milk was smooth, like melted ice cream and the flavour of their house bean is citrusy and fresh whilst still being smooth. My other half opted for their guest been, which was a Guatemalan and also enjoyed his long black so much, he had two… and purchased a bag of beans to take home.
This little Bruntsfield edition of Artisan roast, is less rough and ready than older sister Broughton street, but I personally prefer it. They have somehow topped what I already thought was perfection, and I plan to visit here first on my next visit to Edinburgh.

CASH ONLY, NO WIFI
In spite of these little inconveniences, a truly great cup of coffee. Rich, full of flavour. Has to be one of Edinburgh’s best!

This place is so good. Sat outside with delicious coffee and smashed avocado, had good genuine chats with the staff. Would go again.

I really enjoy their coffee roast. Great local roast, rich and full flavoured, no need for sugar or flavourings! This location has a nice open feel and has some nice stool seating where you can people watch.

First visit to one of Edinburgh’s creative coffee houses. I was delighted with my fresh cappuccino. However my girlfriend’s Chai latte was not to perfection, more flavour of chai would have enhanced the taste. There is such a variety of coffee shops available today, this is hitting an average score.

This is a great place for coffee. This isa good place for fresh ground and brewed coffee. There is also a great selection of coffee beans to buy, all perfectly described on the packaging. The seats are functional and stool like, this isn’t the place to come for comfy sofas and long talks over coffee.
The staff are great and very knowledgeable about their products and seem truly passionate about coffee. They explained things in great detail and no question was too stupid. Great experience each time I go.

Great venue, great space and really cosy and warm but the coffee…
Two curdled soy flat whites later, which we mentioned to the staff as we were leaving. No big deal, just thought you should know.
Response, ‘well our coffee is all about the flavour, it’s not really meant for soy, and soy curdles anyway’.
Um… no. No it doesn’t. It does curdle when you don’t know what you’re doing with it though.
Won’t be going back, don’t recommend it.

I had a nice coffee here the other day… but, you know? It wasn’t the best.
It was nutty and creamy but didn’t bring the richness which I have come to enjoy with other coffee shops (including shops which use Artisan Roast beans).
I also found the temperature to be too low — actually, for both the coffee *and* the shop. We stayed fully wrapped in the baltic shop and I rather wished we had just gotten our drinks to go. But then my already sub-​temperature drink would have gotten even colder so actually scratch that. I don’t like scalded drinks and I like to be able to drink what I’ve ordered right away, but I don’t like feeling the need to gulp said drink down before it just becomes too cool to enjoy.
For me, Artisan used to have Edinburgh’s best coffee. But then we had a coffee revolution and lots of shops with excellent offerings popped up. Now Artisan is still very good but maybe not quite the king anymore.

I do like me a sit down in Artisan Roast.
Preferably on a weekday, early afternoon maybe around 1ish. Sitting in the back room smelling the delicious smells and doing a bit of work. Or sitting in the front area and having a chat with the staff. Artisan Roast is a great remedy to the glut of Costas and Starbucks.
It is fantastic, local coffee (well, as local as coffee can get) served in a quirky setting. The set up is fairly unique (y’know, not counting the other branch), and the music is nice.
The coffee is the main thing though, isn’t it? Great, great coffee. The staff can be a bit over-​protective of it, but we’re all over-​protective of things we love. I know some people won’t be pleased that they can’t milk down (kinda like water down? Dya geddit?) their coffee but the staff here truly love what they do and they want you to experience the drink the way they do — which is honestly not something I think I can do. For me coffee is a tool, to them a way of life.
But it’s refreshing to go somewhere where passion and love are trumping all else and it’s that feeling that keeps me coming back. I only wish they opened a wee bit earlier as despite my desire for a 1pm coffee 7am is my usual passing time!

Having been in Edinburgh for about 7 – 8 months now, and been a weekly visitor before that for about 3 years, I decided that I had to find out where my perfect latte was situated in this beautiful city I now call home. Artisan Roast was this days choice.
I’ve walked past AR a few times, always looking in and feeling it a little too «hipster» for me and by no means do I use that word as an insult but as a way of portraying how it looks. After entering there isn’t much of a different story to be told, but there is much more depth.
AR is a very open plan coffee shop where you could look over the very informed brewmaster’s shoulder as he prepared your beautiful cup of liquid gold if you so wished. As I entered the gent who seemed to be on his shift was sitting around with friends, chatting and laughing which was nice to see. All credit to him though, as soon as I entered this Coffee Kindom of Happiness he got straight out his seat and was very attentive to what my order was.
Today I wanted to sit in so I just plonked myself down and let the master do his magic, and magic was exactly what he produced. A sign on one of the walls that stated that they roast their beans 3 times per week made me realise that I was in very good hands, or at least my taste buds were. The latte was deliciously prepared with a very flavoursome coffee in my cup, I’m not too sure what style of bean it was but I wasn’t interested as it tasted so good. So good, in fact, I stayed for another and ended up floating back to work.

Wonderful cool and cozy spot to stop for a drink while out exploring the Bruntsfield shops.
They have a great range of unusual tea’s and some really amazing hot chocolates. Perfect for a dreich day like today. I had the lemongrass and white choc hot chocolate, which was heavenly! They also had rose and black pepper, lavender as well as the classic.
Highly recommended for something a little different, great service and warm and cosy to boot!

I’ve never been to this said top coffee establishment. so i popped in for a quick perk me and slap me about coffee (I really needed it) I opted for my old favourite — the flat white. I really enjoyed it and only needed one sugar! I don’t know why i’ve put this visit off for so long … no idea what so ever. I would give it 5 stars however this toilets were lacking hand paper and offer a ever so minging tea towel to dry hands with — hygienic, not so much.
But the coffee is good x

Con diferencia, el mejor café de todo Edimburgo. En un país bebedor de té por antonomasia, uno se alegra al encontrarse este negocio entregado en cuerpo y alma al café.
Sus variedades son bastante fuertes, así que ojo si eres de esos que no bebe mucho café a menudo, porque te pueden resultar un poco exageradas. Eso sí, el sabor (y el olor) que destila este lugar hará que se te olvide absolutamente todo.
El sitio es un poco hipster alert (está lleno de ellos) pero todo el mundo es bastante agradable. Su cartel más famoso y fotografiado debe de ser uno que dice que J.K. Rowling nunca escribió allí.

I did not have a good experience here.
Firstly, it was unclear where to order. When someone finally came to help us we asked for an espresso and a V60.
A few minutes after sitting down, my espresso appeared. I found it to be quite gritty, there were a lot of coffee grounds in it. It did not taste very strong at all, which I can’t really complain about. That’s just my preference, I understand other people prefer weaker coffee.
After waiting for at least half an hour, my fiancé asked the barista to put his coffee in a to go cup as we were getting quite fed up. It was not particularly busy, we were unsure why it had taken so long and it seemed a little odd to bring the two coffees at different times.
My fiancé found the V60 a bit on the weak side, and neither of us thought it was worth the wait. It isn’t one of the most pleasant of places to sit in, balancing awkwardly on a high stool, pretty much leaning on the woman behind me.
On the plus side, we are a fan of the coffee beans Artisan Roast sell to other establishments and have enjoyed drinking this elsewhere.

it’s sunday evening, i’m craving something sweet and still can’t eat cake, the boyfriend suggests zulu lounge but they’re closed. then a beacon of light, artisan roast was still open and the girl confirmed that they were open for another hour yet so we could happily sit in. i wanted a hot chocolate and for a speciality coffee café this place had an excellent range of hot chocolates! there was lemongrass white chocolate, chili, rose with black pepper, lavendar, and of course just normal hot chocolate. unfortunately since it was sunday they had run out of a few options but my boyfriend happily settled with the rose and black pepper while i went for the lavendar. the barista made them up fresh using warmed milk to combine with the chocolatey mix and brought them over. my hot chocolate was lovely, just the right temperature to enjoy and drink right away. it was chocolatey with a lovely hint of lavendar and reminded me of the lavender truffles i’ve had a few times. i also had a sip of the rose with black pepper that was nice but with a bit of a kick from the black pepper.
the vibe was relaxed and laid black with the barista leaving us to our drinks while she tidied things for closing. i’ll definitely be back here soon i hope, whether for a coffee or another hot chocolate. i also really liked the looks of their cakes and sandwiches so may be a nice place for a weekend lunch as well.

BEST COFFE IN TOWN!!! Look no further, just go and try and try all of them, with so much delicious choices. This place has a great vibe and the place is all about passion. Passion for coffee and passion for people. This isn’t a place to come and internet, its for socialising verbally or not.

I like it in here. It’s open plan. They serve good coffee and nice cake things. It smells amazing, is unassuming, much like this reviewer.
I have a few issues though. I think it’s a touch too small. (mainly because when I enter anywhere it becomes smaller by quantum association, I’m fairly sure this is «Alex Physics» so don’t quote me). I’ve been in a few times to get a takeaway cup and felt like I was imposing on someones sitting room. I certainly got a few odd looks as I just hovered for about 5 minutes (although it felt much longer — this is Quantum physics too). I think that I have decided to come here if I want to sit and read a book in the back, or to chat to a friend, or to learn about espresso, or at some point speak to the co-​founder about the history of coffee again. But… I’m not sure I will be heading for a takeaway coffee any time soon.
Other than that though I love their blend, and the staff are friendly.
Roses are red,
coffee is black,
well not all coffee is,
sometimes you add milk.

Artisan Roast are back! New! Improved! Still spot, right the damn on.
It all feels very familiar, walking in. Brewing area, cosy in the back where you can snuggle up on some semi-​comfortable seats with coffee and good book. Not quite comfy enough to doze off on, but for a brief duration, it’s ok.
The thing with Artisan Roast is that they are so insanely obsessed with coffee. I swear they bathe in the stuff, and fall asleep on a pillow fully of finely roasted beans. I mean, there is an art to what they do, and I feel almost that it almost ascends to a level that is unintelligible to fools like I. But I’m off to one of their tasting events, and edu-​macate myself in the ways of the bean. They have passion — and it shows in what they give you to drink. As there have been frequent times where I have walked away with an entirely vile, over brewed, stewed mess of a drink, I appreciate the crazy. Here, I know that it will be good. Do you need anything more than that?

(Arguably) the best coffee in town. Artisan Roast provides coffee for many different cafes and restaurants around the city. So, coming here, is coming directly to the big cheese.
I have come here several times, and yes, I really love the coffee. But I also always takeaway from here. There aren’t as many seats here as the original store on Broughton st, but there’s the same clientele (hippies like coffee, apparently.)
It seems quite strange to not have a proper counter to takeaway from. I am so used to standing to wait for a takeaway that I feel strange being told to have a seat while they’re preparing my drink, but maybe it’s just me?
Overall though, It’s a great spot and I’m glad I have this place as a morning coffee option! I come here quite frequently!
Oh, and p. s there’s a punch card for this place! Get your 9^th or 10^th free.

NO I DON’T WANNA. I DON’T WANNA AND I DON’T HAFTA. NO. NO. NO.
This is my temper tantrum about the «pop-​up» slash adorable status being decimated. I don’t want you to go! The unfinished, me and my hipster friends put all of the money we made fixing bikes and selling our old vinyl into this place cause we needed a place to drink coffee, play scrabble and hate people lamer than us was really doing it for me. Don’t let it go Artisan Roast, don’t let it go.
And for the man complaining about overhearing someone else’s conversation… see above. You’re lamer than me for that matter too. I liked listening, and joining and getting help spelling some pretty impressive Scrabble words («wavering» for one).
Whilst chatting away over a latte (super expensive but cannot bring myself to have you lose a star in ever) at 2pm on a Monday of yet ANOTHER week I didn’t have to do anything, playing Scrabble on a little couch looking at a shirtless photo of the manager and/​or owner this ridiculously awesome place got me thinking… «fuck everyone else’s life».

Take one Artisan Roast. Open a new branch in a lovely little location. Add in some fresh, home-​cooked food to the menu. And a ‘mooch spot’. And a few more cushions. Keep all the rest as is (cool tunes, cool staff, chilled vibe, ah-​may-​zing coffee) et voila, you’ve got a lovely new neighbourhood coffee shop closer to my own abode — win!
When I heard Artisan Roast were opening a pop-​up shop where Ooud Kitchen used to be, I got just a wee bit excited. Artisan Roast coffee is quite a treat. I’ll drink coffee other places, but it’s always just ‘a coffee’ without much passing thought. When I go to Artisan, I spend at least 5 minutes studying the menu of different beans on offer, pretending to know what I’m doing, and then asking for help from the nearest barista for something that’s ‘light, mild and fruity’. They’re always brewing up new beans so it’s always something a bit different, and leaves my tastebuds tingling regardless of the caffeine buzz to follow.
In fact, for a better description of my love for the original store, have a lookie see:
So, as you can tell, Artisan Roast do good coffee. Their orginal branch does the coffee, some cakes, teas and hot chocolates. Pure and simple. But this new branch has FOOD. And what food. I’ve yet to try it but there’s a fresh curry each day, Todd’s yet-​to-​be-​famous baked potato. A varying menu but made with love and talent, it looks delicious.
The set-​up inside is pretty sweet. High-​top counters for a quick espresso. A window seat and large table for group fun, another wee table, and a mooch spot full of cushions and throws, and don’t forget the comfy, comfy couch. The serving area and coffee machines are open to the store front, as in the original store, which again I love. Open, friendly, everyone-​loves-​coffee-​so-​we-​all-​love-​each other attitude. Yes please.
I think they’re working on the free wifi too. If they succeed, I may become a permanent fixture, wired on caffeine, fuelled on baked potatoes, and typing furiously Unilocaling non-​stop. We shall see.
It’s a pop-​up shop as a trial for August and the Festival season. I’m hoping it proves a succesful endeavour and sticks around for a while longer. The other one is just too far away to warrant a quick nip-​out for a brew.