John’s Coffee House and Tavern has returned to Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile following a £500,000 investment from CoDE Concepts. Once a renowned gathering place for Scotland’s legal minds, writers, and thinkers, the revived John’s Coffee House and Tavern honours its rich past while celebrating the best of local Scottish produce.
Following a complete refurbishment, the new space allows the original assets of the coffee house to stand out thanks to Edinburgh-based interior designers, Morgan Architects. Working to accentuate the historic details of the coffee house, the brand-new, warm and inviting space welcomes guests to enjoy everything from breakfast in the morning to drinks later at night, staying true to Edinburgh’s 17th century coffee house and taverns.
Founded in 1688 in Parliament Square, John’s Coffee House and Tavern was a lively hub of intellectual discussion and social debate. At the time, there was little distinction between coffee houses and taverns – both served coffee, ale, wine and food making them central to Edinburgh’s bustling social and political scene.
John’s Coffee House was no exception, drawing in a diverse crowd of legal minds, writers and merchants. Frequented by notable figures such as Adam Smith and David Hume, it is said that some of the most influential ideas of the Enlightenment were born here, with a coffee or ale in hand. Judges and advocates famously gathered for their midday “meridians”, a stiff drink before heading back to court.
Though the original establishment was tragically lost in the Great Fire of Edinburgh in 1824, its legacy lives on. Goods of all kinds once passed through John’s Coffee House, from coffee, fine wines, to land, ships and even stocks of the Royal Bank of Scotland. Now, two centuries later, this historic establishment has reopened offering a menu that blends tradition with contemporary Scottish flavours.
Signature drinks include the historic ‘Cauld Cock & Feather’, a glass of brandy with raisins, once a favourite of 18th Century patrons, and ‘The Enlightened Irish Coffee,’ featuring Highland Nectar Scotch Whisky Liqueur, freshly brewed coffee, maple syrup, and a topping of whipped cream.
Guests can also enjoy sharing boards featuring Scottish cheeses, charcuterie, and artisanal chutneys from Arran. Sourcing ingredients from the local suppliers, the coffee house and tavern features 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.
A spokeperson for Common Coffee said, “Supplying John’s Coffee House goes beyond coffee—it’s about community, accessibility, and celebrating Edinburgh’s heritage. At Common, we ensure every cup adds to the story, just like the space it’s served in.”
Andrew Landsburgh, Director and Founder of CoDE Concepts commented, “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.”
Located in a Category A-listed building within Edinburgh’s Old Town Conservation Area and World Heritage Site, the new John’s Coffee House and Tavern invites visitors to step into history while enjoying the best of Scotland’s culinary offerings.