Vegan
Mediterranean
British
European
Middle Eastern
Coffee shop which turned vegan in 2019. Serves coffee with multiple plant milks. Has a variety of vegan cakes and vegan sandwiches. Also serves a vegan sausage roll and smoothies. Cashless. Open Mon-Fri 08:00-17:00, Sat-Sun 09:00-17:00.
201 Reviews
First Review by MrTea83
eveikigai
Points +741
This café is vegan and proud! - Edit
I loved that there were plenty of novelty items on the menu, we had some iced pistachio lattes and a bounty bar and took away a toasted sandwich. All were delicious. The beautiful animal liberation artwork and the dairy is scary educational milk sign, among other details, didn't go unnoticed!
Read morePros: Close to Haymarket station , Good sized and accessible bathroom , Lots of options
Guest
avocado_jess
Points +3115
Delicious sandwiches - Edit
Gorgeous spot. We have been every day for breakfast and takeaway lunch. We loved our blueberry, raspberry and Nutella croissant / breakfast roll breakfasts and the takeaway sandwiches for lunch were great! So far we’ve tried the Reuben /pepperoni, mozzarella and tomato / sweet chilli “chicken” with cheese and tomato / almond pesto and mozzarella. All have been delicious! Good coffee too, lovely fruit smoothies and delicious salted caramel brownie. We are big fans ☺️
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-06-08
Pros: Lovely staff, Fresh sandwiches full of lots of toppings, Gorgeous houseplants
ChapterOneCoffee
Thank you for this incredibly generous review! Very much appreciated.
Read moreGuest
Simsimsims
Points +2415
Very nice wee café - Edit
Had a great time! Very chill vibes, good food and pretty art on the wall!
Read moreGuest
KellyDonaldson
Points +22
Lovely staff and such tasty food! - Edit
We live in Edinburgh so have eaten at Chapter One many times, but it's been a few months since we visited and I'd forgotten just how good it is! It's entirely vegan, so no need to worry about cross-contamination etc.
Read moreOne of us had a full breakfast (served all day) with (fake) sausages, haggis, scrambled tofu, tomatoes, beans, potato scone, toast and spinach, the other had a soup (Thai green lentil) and a baguette (they have so many lovely rolls/baguettes to choose from - we had the 'brie' and cranberry with spinach). Followed by a slice of chocolate cake and an oat latte (oat is the default milk here). Everything was delicious!
The staff are very friendly and there's a nice atmosphere. It's not huge (room for about 20 customers) but there are large windows, so it's always nice and bright, with pretty fairy lights and plants adding to the decor. It's about 5 minutes' walk from Haymarket Station, so easy to find. Highly recommended.
Pros: Great selection of filled rolls, cakes etc, Tasty all-day breakfast and smoothies, Lovely atmosphere
Cons: Limited opening hours
ChapterOneCoffee
Thank you so much for this amazing review - that made our day!:)
Read moreGuest
JacobDawson
Points +200
Good for an occasion - Edit
Fantastic to see a fully vegan coffee shop - especially with a good range of food options. However it's ever so slightly over-priced and could use a bit of maintenance.
Read morePros: Peace of mind - everything's vegan!, Good vibes & decor, Dogs allowed 🐕
Cons: Needs a bit of mould treatment!, A tad overpriced - even the great food!
ChapterOneCoffee
Thanks so much for this lovely review!
Read moreGuest
Loafbnb
Points +89
Worth the walk. - Edit
On a recommendation, I walked right across the city, & past lots of non-vegan cafes serving vegan options, to try the vegan food at Chapter One. It was worth it. The creamy soya latte was one of the best coffees I had all week. Tasty pastrami & vgn cheese seedy cob w/ spinach, sunflower seed & balsamic salad, & a wee red velvet cake.
Read moreA good, filling lunch.
Just a heads up that the cafe looked closed from outside. No 'open' sign & all the windows steamed up. Tried the door on the off-chance & it was busy & welcoming inside!
Pros: Spacious loo! Unusual for a small cafe.😄, Everything's vegan.
Cons: Seeds go everywhere biting into seedy cob., Felt bad for staff having to clear all the seeds!
ChapterOneCoffee
Thank so much for this lovely review!:)
Read moreGuest
hellohappyvegan
Points +933
Being gracious with 2 stars... - Edit
THE GOOD:
Read morePESTO PRESSED SANDWICH - mozzarella, almond pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach.
I love pesto, and this was pesto perfection! The pesto was fragrant, it packed a bold basil flavor, and they used a generous amount! The pesto was made with almonds instead of pine nuts. Honestly, I couldn't tell the difference. The multi-grain bread was a good, hearty choice. I liked that they gave me the option to have the sandwich pressed. I gladly said yes, as nothing brings a sandwich together better. ;)
The side salad was a pleasant surprise. It was a spinach salad with balsamic vinegar and sunflower seeds. It was a great way to squeeze in some extra veggies!
The only thing I would change is to add more sun-dried tomatoes. Vegan cheese doesn't always have the best melting abilities, but I was okay with that.
THE BAD:
The cupcake was dense and flavorless. The only good thing about it was the icing. The cappuccino tasted burnt. It was the worst I've had during my entire European trip.
My sandwich was good, but unfortunately my overall experience was terrible. I have never had worse customer service than I did at Chapter One Coffee Shop. The disrespect I received was flabbergasting. It truly made me feel awful. I wanted to leave, but my need for caffeine overpowered my desire to walk out. After I sat down to finish my cappuccino, I thought maybe it was just me, maybe I was overreacting. However, shortly after, an employee came to my table and apologized on the other employee's behalf. That was nice and validating. It confirmed my feelings and experience. Trust me, I get that working in the service industry is difficult. Nevertheless, there's no excuse for that type of behavior. It put a sour taste in my mouth, and everything I ate was tainted.
You can watch my visit to Chapter One and see all of the vegan food I ate in Edinburgh on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pw-0mh0q3iM&t=1s
Updated from previous review on 2023-03-31
Pros: Pesto
Cons: Dense Cupcake, Burnt Cappuccino, Worst service ever experienced
ChapterOneCoffee
Thanks so much for the review! Very glad you enjoyed the sandwich. I can only apologise for the service you received that day. That particular member of staff no longer works with us - we can only hope you're able to see this as an issue with one person, as opposed to the whole shop. Please pop in whenever you're next around - we're confident we can make a better impression this time. Have a great day!:)
Read moreGuest
scrippz
Points +129
Great Sandwiches - Edit
I had the mozzeralla pepperoni sandwich. Was great
Read moreChapterOneCoffee
So glad you enjoyed our sandwich! Thank you!
Read moreGuest
LaraLemons
Points +1715
Sooooo good!! - Edit
Firstly, lovely friendly staff and great food (although it makes it difficult to choose). I haven’t had French toast since being vegan but this was great. And the bacon was scrummy too. My partner had the full English which was exceptional - in particularly the haggis! Great sweet options too!
Read moreChapterOneCoffee
Thanks so much for appreciating our food and leaving a review!:)
Read moreGuest
LoisBoyd
Points +44
This is the daddy of vegan cafés in Edinburgh. Get a loyalty card. - Edit
Sandwiches and dogs. So yummy and the sweetest staff. We love to see it.
Read morePros: Always adding new items to the menu , Peanut butter espresso smoothie, Student discount on drinks
Cons: It’s a little place so there’s not much seating
ChapterOneCoffee
Thank you so much for this lovely review! We're very happy over it!:)
Read moreGuest
rainonseven
Points +514
Brilliant spot for brunch - Edit
Amazing sandwiches and cakes and delicious coffee
Read moreChapterOneCoffee
Thanks so much for the lovely review!
Read moreGuest
Rosie_Rootz
Points +18
Lovely little spot to eat - Edit
Friendly staff and delicious vegan food!!!! 😋
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-02-04
Pros: Friendly staff and delicious vegan food!!!! 😋
ChapterOneCoffee
So glad you enjoyed our food! Thanks so much!:)
Read moreGuest
banananna
Points +394
An absolute favourite - Edit
I probably wouldn't have noticed the cafe if it wasn't for the happy cow sticker in the window! It's now become a favourite! Highly recommend the breakfast, probably the best I've ever had! But absolutely cannot fault the sandwiches either!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-01-03
ChapterOneCoffee
Thanks for this incredible review!:)
Read moreGuest
Ascoles
Points +440
Coffee break - Edit
Doesn’t look much from the outside but has a cracking offering of sandwiches. They make a great oat flat white and this has become a regular place to pick up a coffee on the way to Haymarket station and when working in the area. Have had the sweet swirls a couple of times but prefer less heavy versions from elsewhere.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2022-12-04
Guest
hack_man
Points +27298
Chapitalise - Edit
A cosy local coffee shop away from the tartan tourist traps of central Edinburgh. The impressive array of homemade sandwiches on display was mouthwatering, but we were just after a cup’o’tea and slice of cake. A salted caramel cheesecake slice and mini red velvet cake were the perfect accompaniment to an aesthetically presented pot of English breakfast tea. A tremendously enjoyable experience in a nice part of town
Read morePros: Vegan cakes , Nice atmosphere , Vegan vibes
ChapterOneCoffee
Thanks so much for the lovely review!:)
Read moreGuest
v4tanimalsss
Points +90
maybe my favourite cafe of all time - Edit
I love the vibe. The food is amazing. The coffee is fantastic. this place just nails it!
Read morePros: Everything is delicious
ChapterOneCoffee
That's incredible! You made our day!
Read moreGuest
twotonmantaray
Points +78
Best breakfast - Edit
cosy place with filling amazing breakfast
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2022-11-15
Pros: fully vegan, great selection, nice staff, early opening hours, cosy nice looking cafe
ChapterOneCoffee
Thanks so much for this lovely review!
Read moreGuest
ValentCat
Points +93
Great Spot - Edit
Always love to pop in here for a coffee and a little treat! Love the croissants and cinnamon buns in particular ❤️ I’d recommend this cafe to everyone!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2020-11-07
Pros: All vegan, Great options , Nice atmosphere and friendly staff
ChapterOneCoffee
Thanks so much for the lovely review! Much appreciated.
Read moreGuest
lawriecorner
Points +582
My favourite Edinburgh spot - Edit
I've lost count of my Chapter one visits in Edinburgh. I holiday in the city twice a year and we visit the cafe at least 3 times a visit, mainly for breakfast (8am opening is a winner for an early bird!)
Read moreI adore the blueberry French toast and chai turmeric latte. My husband loves the vegan fry up.
The staff are so friendly, it's got a great vibe. I just love it here.
I also love the little extras, like free period products available in the toilet.
Pros: Friendly staff, So much choice
ChapterOneCoffee
Thanks so much. We very much appreciate your review!
Read moreGuest
ZaidaMontero
Points +16
Excellent - Edit
Lovely place with delicious food
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2022-10-29
Pros: Muchas opciones veganas, Delicioso , Amigable
ChapterOneCoffee
Thank you so much!
Read moreGuest
hellenae
Points +198
Vegan full scottish breakfast - Edit
Loved everything!!! And the staff is very friendly ❤️
Read moreAbsolutely loved the full scottish breakfast!
Guest
David_B
Points +32
Banging breakfast! - Edit
Awesome big breakfast to start my day. Cosy, chilled cafe. What you doing right now? Get over there!
Read moreGuest
Kittybiscuit
Points +9408
Great breakfast options and great value - Edit
23/9/2022. I did get to go back and pick up pastries. The croissants were warm and fresh. Delicious! Such a lovely team working there too
Read moreThis wasn’t too far from our hotel. It was busy when we got there but there were enough seats for us. There were so many nice things in the cabinet, I’m hoping I’ll have time to try these tomorrow. It was so difficult to choose what to have but I settled on the bacon French toast with bananas and syrup and a coffee. My partner had the porridge and a hot chocolate.
The toast was really nice and a huge serving. The “bacon” they used was a good one too. I enjoyed the coffee. Service was nice and the cafe is a nice space.
Updated from previous review on 2022-09-22
ChapterOneCoffee
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave this amazing review!
Read moreGuest
BlueberryStuart
Points +97
2021 | Chapter One - Edit
It was a bright cold day in August, and the clocks were striking eleven...
Read moreWe were visiting my family in Edinburgh. My relatives are not vegan. Nevertheless, we decided to invite them out to the nearest vegan café.
Upon entering the café, we were surprised that there weren't any overt references to everything being plant-based. If they continue to do this, it would be the ideal café to bring non-vegans that have a bias or prejudice against vegan food & drink (despite having never tried it).
Our relatives were reluctant to try anything.
We assured them that oat milk is one of the best alternatives to dairy milk for coffee.
They loved their lattes.
We loved our cappuccinos.
The sweet treats were lovely too.
The staff were pleasant and the café is cosy.
My only negative is that the place gets very busy - to the extent where you sometimes feel like you need to finish your food and leave quite quickly.
That said, it is great to see a vegan venue become so popular and frequented by so many people.
Me and my partner came straight back here the following morning. Chapter One is reason enough to get off at Haymarket Station...
It's reason enough to travel to Edinburgh!
I would love to see more 'Chapters' in the UK.
Pros: 100% Vegan, Cosy Café, Friendly Staff
Cons: Very Busy
ChapterOneCoffee
Thank you so much! Very happy you and your nonvegan relatives enjoyed it!:)
Read moreGuest
mary1039
Points +165
the perfect cafe - Edit
I love this place, everything I’ve tried so far is delicious, from the baked sweets to the coffee to the sandwiches, it’s impossible to go wrong. The interior seating area is super cute and cozy too, and when the weather is nice there’s even outdoor seating! Truly can’t recommend this place enough, its easily my favorite cafe in the city.
Read morePros: excellent food, amazing coffee, cozy interior
ChapterOneCoffee
We're so happy to hear that! Thank you so much!
Read moreGuest
saku
Points +2012
Nice little cafe with potential for improvement - Edit
Little cafe, about nine tables. They have a menu plus baked goods and sandwiches on display. Oat milk ist standard, other milk alternatives cost a little extra.
Read moreEverything is vegan and tasted good. Unfortunately my hot chocolate was only lukewarm, almost cold.
One star less in the rating because the service was nice but extremely stressed and hectic!
My cake was literally slammed on the table because the waitress had to leave quickly.
I understand that it was very busy and the staff had their hands full, but this contributed to a stressed and uncomfortable atmosphere.
A little more relaxation would do well here - for the customers as well as for the staff :)
Guest
NiamhC41
Points +1903
Tasty breakfasts - Edit
Love a visit here before the hairdresser. The tofu scramble is brilliant. Good range of drinks options too!
Read moreChapterOneCoffee
Thanks so much for this lovely review!
Read moreGuest
For Members
Why was my review removed? Guidelines for writing a review View our privacy policyFor Business Owners
Claim this business
See inaccurate information? Submit an update here Link to this page from your site See an unfair review? View full terms & conditionsThis page has been viewed 0 times.