Inspired by the bright, experimental coffee shops of Brooklyn, Kul Coffee was born out of a desire to bring a new experience to Edinburgh. Truly deserving of hidden gem status, it is one of my favorite untouched-by-students spots to visit whenever I’m craving a good chocolate chip cookie or a chill place to revise.
Kul is the perfect all-rounder coffee shop. On weekdays, it’s an amazing place to sit and work for a couple of hours, enjoying the carefully curated coffee and beautiful sweet treats while studying. On weekends, when they enforce a no-laptop policy, it’s ideal for a nice brunch or catch up with friends. Located at the top of Leith Walk, a trip to Kul also happens to be the best way to explore life outside the Edinburgh Uni bubble. The simple yet warm atmosphere is fit for any occasion and feels cozy in a different way to the usual Edinburgh student coffee staples.
The founder, Koray, is no less warm and welcoming. Passionate about coffee, he created Kul as a place where he could experiment with the drink, expressing the knowledge that he gathers from the multitude of coffee-based podcasts that he consumes. To Koray, coffee is an art; creating a good espresso depends on factors we tend to overlook, like the origin and roast level of the coffee bean. This passion makes a difference. As students, we often forget how it feels to enjoy an intentional, good cup of coffee, but Kul makes this a possibility, and one we should definitely enjoy.
Having opened this past summer, Kul is just beginning. With a new pastry chef in the kitchen and a new coffee roaster on the way, you can be sure that your next visit will be full of amazing food and even more amazing coffee.
Image provided by Dani Lopez.