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Step One: Coffee
★ 4.0(1 review)Café
quirkylocal-crowdtakeaway
About the Vibe
Step One: Coffee is a charmingly quirky spot in Morningside, housed in a converted red police box that's impossible to miss on Morningside Road. While the takeaway-focused setup means you won't be lingering with a laptop for hours, the specialty coffee is seriously good—think well-extracted espresso and carefully brewed Chemex filters. It's become a local favourite for a quick, quality caffeine fix in a setting that's pure Edinburgh eccentricity.
Known For
- •converted police box exterior
- •Chemex filter coffee
- •espresso-based drinks
- •specialty takeaway
Best For
quick coffee stopspecialty coffeemorning pick-me-up
1 review
City InsidersEditorialApril 10, 2026
Quirky Police Box Coffee with Serious Quality
Step One: Coffee is one of those Edinburgh spots that makes you smile just walking past it. Housed in a converted red police box on Morningside Road, it's as much a piece of local character as it is a coffee shop. The interior is compact but efficiently designed, with a focus on specialty coffee rather than sprawling seating.
The coffee itself is the real draw here. They're pulling good espresso shots and their Chemex pour-overs are some of the best you'll find in the neighbourhood. It's clearly a place run by people who care about their craft, even if the space is more takeaway-focused than a sit-down café experience. You won't find extensive food options or a place to camp out for hours, but that's not the point.
For a quick, quality coffee fix in Morningside, Step One delivers. The police box exterior makes it a local landmark, and the coffee quality backs up the charm. It's become a favourite among locals who know what they're after—great coffee in a genuinely unique setting.