Dundee Coffee Scene

Did you know that Dundee was recently voted the most affordable city in the UK for coffee*? And, despite what some people have said, it’s not because it’s no good! There are loads of great places for coffee in Dundee and the surrounding area, and as a huge fan of a flat white I’ve tried many – so I decided to blog my top five coffee shops in Dundee to share my favourites with you. Hopefully this will help visitors to the city narrow down their choice when searching for their morning coffee or afternoon treat or, if you’re local to Dundee, do you agree with my choices? Where’s your favourite coffee haunt? And what’s your coffee of choice?

Visocchi’s, Gray Street, Broughty Ferry, Dundee
Price point: average

Like many people who live in Broughty Ferry, I love Visocchi’s. It’s an Italian family who run the award-winning establishment, which has been on the go for decades. The décor is authentically Italian (terracotta walls and silk plants, with foil wrapped panettones lining the shelves alongside Italian brands of pasta and amaretto biscuits). Like the Aussies, Italians know coffee – the temperature is spot on (ask for it Italian style or ready to drink). What’s more, it’s as if they have a secret recipe – the coffee has a distinct but mellow flavour that I have yet to put my finger on. It’s divine, and with a slice of panettone or a homemade scone, you can’t go wrong. Or go all out and treat yourself properly to a bowl of pasta followed by an espresso.

Tonic, Nethergate, Dundee
Price point: low

Tonic is, quite simply, amazing. They do really great coffee at amazing prices (a single shot latte to go is just £1.60), they’re quick to serve and the staff are trained properly on preparing coffee, despite primarily being a bar. The coffee is so good and so affordable that I go most days for a take away to start my day, as do many people on their way to work – the place is often queued to the door at 8.30am. Time it right, and you get great coffee at great prices within just a few minutes. And always with a smile!

The Flame Tree Café, Exchange Street, Dundee
Price point: average

The Flame Tree is a bit of a hidden treasure; tucked away in Exchange Street, it’s not the city’s most obvious coffee shop but it is definitely one of the best. Ever since I went for breakfast with my mum (the granola yoghurt pot is heaven in a jar), it’s been a firm favourite. Owned by a husband-and-wife duo (she’s from Australia, he’s from Scotland) The Flame Tree has a really nice vibe of chilled out Aussie coolness (their recent refurb reflects the hip coffee shops in Melbourne and Sydney), but their soups and sandwiches are hearty (just as the Scots like them). They do a mean avocado toast, and I reckon The Flame Tree truly does the best flat white in Dundee.

The Parlour, Westport, Dundee
Price point: higher end

The Parlour has been one of my favourite coffee spots for a few years now. The shop is tiny in size but huge in reputation – the locals love it, particularly because of the delicious soups and salads, and the coffee is really, really good. I tend to meet friends there, or sometimes I’ll go by myself and sit in the corner with a decaf latte while I work on my iPad for the blog. Not only is the coffee great, their cakes are to die for; think lemon and poppy seed muffins, classic sponge cakes, and cherry and almond slices (my favourite). In addition, I’d go so far as to say that The Parlour’s hot chocolate is the best in town.

DCA, Nethergate, Dundee
Price point: higher end

Admittedly, I tend to visit DCA because of the location, space and atmosphere. It’s easy to get to (parking out front and out back), there’s almost always a table available, and the atmosphere is continually uplifting, even if it’s early morning and fairly quiet. (In fact, there’s something even nicer about the atmosphere at that time of day.) The coffee is good – it’s always good – and it’s served with a wee shortbread or tray bake square, a nice touch which always goes down well with my coffee of choice. And, on Sundays, you can order a coffee and bacon roll before seeing a film all for just £7.

* Dundee was named most affordable city in the UK for coffee in the 2016 Coffee Price Index.

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4 Comments

  1. sandi 22nd December 2016 / 08:49

    Tried them all apart from Tonic which I will put on my list. Love a good coffee and catch up

  2. SCJ 22nd December 2016 / 09:34

    Great picks!

  3. suni 22nd December 2016 / 12:52

    I love the hot chocolate and delicious soups at Empire State across from the Overgate great coffees to and a great view of the city centre great plus tasty

  4. T 23rd December 2016 / 15:50

    No mention of The Bach, Avery & Co or Pacamara?!

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