An Optician That Served Edinburgh for Generations
Long before the first espresso was pulled, this corner of Forrest Road was home to T. J. Walls — an optician that served Edinburgh for generations.
Locals had their eyes tested and their first pair of glasses fitted right here, as did their parents and grandparents before them.
"The firm's work reached well beyond the shop floor — hand-produced glass lantern slides made by T. J. Walls, some dating as far back as the 1870s, survive today in the University of Edinburgh's archives."University of Edinburgh · Special Collections
Dark Wood Panelling. Parquet Floors. Art Deco Detail.
When the café opened its doors in 2016, founder Jonathan Sharp chose to keep the name — and the soul of the place along with it. The original brass lettering still marks the frontage, the display windows remain, and inside you'll find the dark wood panelling, parquet floors and Art Deco detailing that have always defined this room.
T. J. Walls produces hand-crafted glass lantern slides that survive to this day in the University of Edinburgh's archives.
Founder Jonathan Sharp is crowned Scottish Barista Champion — the standard of craft that defines every espresso pulled at Thomas J Walls to this day.
Jonathan Sharp opens Thomas J Walls Coffee, keeping the name, the brass lettering, the windows, and the soul of the original space. Beans sourced from Square Mile Coffee Roasters, London.
In the heart of the Old Town — between the University and the National Museum of Scotland — specialty coffee, all-day brunch, and a room that carries 150 years of character.
"Even the logo nods to the building's past — where a pair of spectacles doubles as a coffee cup."Thomas J Walls · Edinburgh
The History Stays on the Walls. The Welcome Is All Our Own.
In the heart of the Old Town, between the University and the National Museum of Scotland, we serve carefully prepared coffee and all-day brunch in one of Edinburgh's most characterful spaces.
The coffee is sourced through Square Mile Coffee Roasters — the London roastery co-founded by World Barista Champion James Hoffmann. Founder Jonathan Sharp, crowned Scottish Barista Champion in 2009, chose them deliberately. When you know what exceptional coffee tastes like, you source accordingly.
The history stays on the walls. The welcome is all our own.