After 200 years, John’s Coffee House and Tavern is returning to Edinburgh’s Royal Mile following a £500,000 investment from CoDE Concepts.
Founded in 1688 in Parliament Square, when there was little distinction between coffee houses and taverns – both served coffee, ale, wine and food making them central to Edinburgh’s social and political scene – it was once a hub of intellectual discussion and social debate where some of the most influential ideas of the Enlightenment were born.
Although the original building was lost in the Great Fire of Edinburgh in 1824, the new John’s Coffee House and Tavern wants to stay true to its heritage.
Andrew Landsburgh, Director and Founder of CoDE Concepts said, “This is one of Edinburgh’s most fascinating and storied buildings. Walking through the old cells and courtrooms back in 2019, when opening the CoDE The Court, was eerie, yet inspiring. Our vision was to modernise the space while paying homage to its extraordinary history.
“Coffee was at the heart of John’s Coffee House and Tavern for over a century, fuelling debates, shaping ideas and bringing people together. Now 200 years later, we’re proud to continue this tradition, serving exceptional coffee and drinks in a space where history is written on the walls.”
Sourcing ingredients from the local suppliers, the coffee house and tavern will feature tea and coffee from Edinburgh Tea Company and Common Coffee, haggis from Hall’s of Scotland, and baked goods from Le Petit Français and The Edinburgh Scone Company. Drinks include craft beers from Bellfield Brewery and cider from Edinburgh Cider Co.