The Black Medicine Coffee Co.

This is perhaps my favourite coffee shop in Edinburgh, and Iike the Barclay Terrace branch in particular. There are lots of comfy corners where you can quietly do some work with a good cup of coffee or tasty soup/snack, all reasonably priced. I like that you get a wee biscuit with your coffee here! The staff are always friendly, and the atmosphere laid back and casual. The wooden design, and magnetic poetry upstairs is a nice touch too. Definitely a place I'll keep coming back to, even though I've moved from the immediate area.

This is the good one. The third of (now) two Black Medicines, this branch stood ouf from its brethren from the off due to it being set up by a member of staff buying into the business. As such it has always enjoyed more autonomy and been better able to adapt itself to local demands. Aesthetically familiar to anyone who has been to the other branch, deliberately ramshackle wooden seating blends well with the wood panels etc. The shop was extensively remodelled to add a mezzanine, and later expanded next door which gives you an idea of how well it does. My continued grip with BM is their coffee: they used to use illy, and people would come from miles around because they made damn fine coffee. Now they use something more locally sourced that I just cannot drink. However, I know many people who swear by the stuff so this is a personal taste. Bunch of tea available, all from teabags but it's cheap to who's complaining? They also offer a familiar selection of fruit smooties and milkshakes to top up the drinks menu. There is the usual selection of BM type foods - an ever changing variety of filled bread products, soup, cakes, pastries, tray bakes, etc. - but what this branch did to change things was add filled rolls so it you need your morning egg and bacon butty you're sorted. Not a spectacular eaterie if there are any foods you have to avoid - other than meat. At most times of day you can at least find somewhere to sit and if not you could always go and sit on Bruntsfield Links which is just outside, although you might not then get the benefit of their free Wifi...

Great place! Plenty of seating, cheap (but tasty) coffee, and a good selection of toasties, panninis and bakery treats. The atmosphere is really laid back - lots of people studying, working or cramming for exams. It seems to stay quiet, and with free wifi and power sockets, it's a really great choice to settle down and get some work done.