Small-Group Historic Coffee Tour in Edinburgh | 90min
Overview
Available languages
1 hour 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
There's no tour like it in Edinburgh! A walking tour specifically around the history of the coffee trade in Scotland.
Begin your journey at John’s Coffee House & Tavern, originally opened in 1688 and once frequented by Enlightenment thinkers like Adam Smith and David Hume. Sip a freshly brewed cup from Edinburgh roaster Common Coffee as you explore the role of coffee houses in Scotland’s intellectual and social history.
From there, your guide will lead you on a walking tour of key historic sites tied to Edinburgh’s early coffee culture, revealing how coffee arrived in Scotland and how it helped shape conversation, commerce, and community in the capital.
Your tour ends with a second coffee at The Lost Close, an atmospheric underground vault hidden beneath the city and sealed for nearly 200 years after the Great Fire of 1824
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Access to The Lost Close, unique underground venue
Experienced Local Guide
Coffee and/or Tea
What To Expect
The Lost Close
We have exclusive access to a hidden, underground space, which was once a coffee house dating back to the 18th century, used by prosecutors and pirates alike. For the second half of our tour, we'll be exploring a series of underground rooms, where we'll drink coffee and finish our tour. There are also toilets and water available here.
Old Town
The Old Town of Edinburgh has a rich history of coffee houses, we'll visit a few of the locations on a walk. For the first half of the tour, we will be outside exploring the closes and wynds, the narrow alleys of Edinbuurgh's Historic Old Town. Most of the ancient coffee houses have long since perished, through fire or changing business, and we'll be hunting these down on our adventure.
Options
Small-Group Historic Coffee Tour in Edinburgh | 90min
Reviews
78 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Secrets beyond coffee
sstignielsen,
Oct 24, 2025
- Tripadvisor
5.00I was an excellent and very educational tour led by a great tour guide. Highly recommended if you’re looking for some secrets about Edinburg!
Coffee served fresh.
alexherbe,
Sep 7, 2025
- Tripadvisor
5.00Very nice tour with a really dedicated guide, Sarah. Entertaining and informative. We learned a lot about the story that we didn't know before.
How coffee came to Edinburgh
Zzabba,
Sep 7, 2025
- Tripadvisor
5.00Informative and a lot of fun. Very worthwhile for coffee lovers and anyone interested in the history of coffee in Edinburgh.
I loved this tour!! It...
Danielle P,
Aug 29, 2025
- Viator
5.00I loved this tour!! It was very fun and the guide was sooo funny!! I learned so much about the history of coffee while laughing all along the way!! I would definitely recommend this tour! Great job and thanks for all the laughs!
Incredible Coffee and History
A2361QMemilyt,
Aug 23, 2025
- Tripadvisor
5.00This was by far one of the best things we did in Edinburgh! Our guide was funny, friendly, and incredibly knowledgeable. He told stories with genuinely funny jokes and a perfect amount of enthusiasm. It’s a short walk around the royal mile and a brief tour underground, learning history about both Edinburgh and coffee. Plus, you get two orders of coffee per person. The coffee is absolutely incredible, smooth and rich! Come for the coffee, stay for the stories!
Absolutely a Must!
GlobeTrotting598842,
Aug 6, 2025
- Tripadvisor
5.00Not only were the stories intriguing and entertaining, the coffee was the BEST in the entire city! Very friendly friendly!
An historical epic tour
emmib605,
Jul 31, 2025
- Tripadvisor
5.00The historical facts and anecdotes were very interesting. The tour guide made it very attractive. The lost close is an amazing place to see. And the coffee tastes delicious!
Coffee in history, what could be better?
Liv H,
Jul 24, 2025
- Viator
5.00The tour guide was knowledgeable and engaging. The tour itself just helped to open my eyes to the beauty and history of Edinburgh.
Great tour with Nicky
K7037LCab,
Jul 22, 2025
- Tripadvisor
5.00Great and very interesting tour with Nicky, she knew so much, took questions and made a wonderful coffee. I had a lovely time.
The best guide at the Real Mary Kings Close.
jamesgM2564YC,
Jul 18, 2025
- Tripadvisor
5.00My wife and I did the early morning coffee and The real Mary Kings Close tour. Sarah was professional, energetic and knowledgeable and Annabel at the real Mary Kings Close tour was one of the best guides I've ever seen and heard She was in character the whole time, spoke clearly and well, was humorous and professional. A true asset to the tour. Thankyou! James and Charissa. South Australia
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