There are coffee shops that try to convince you they're great, and then there are coffee shops that just hand you a great cup. Lowdown falls into the second category. As someone who's spent years in coffee, I ended up ordering both an espresso and a filter because I wanted to see how they approached each. Both were excellent. The espresso was clean, sweet, and beautifully extracted. The filter showcased the coffee without overcomplicating it. Just thoughtful roasting and careful brewing. I also appreciated that nothing about the experience felt performative. No lecture, no coffee jargon, no making you feel like you needed a certification to order. Just knowledgeable baristas making genuinely great coffee. The space is small and understated, letting the coffee do the talking. Edinburgh has no shortage of excellent cafés, but Lowdown absolutely deserves to be part of that conversation. It's the kind of place I'd happily return to every time I'm in the city. read more