📍 Unit 2B, Ythan Terrace, Ellon, AB41 9LJ 📞 01358 723400
🐾 Dog-friendly · Est. Ellon

The dog-friendly café with a nose for coffee

A welcoming coffee house on the River Ythan footpath in the heart of Ellon, serving hot and cold food and drinks — for humans and their four-legged friends.

Specialty coffee & home bakes
🌿 Gluten-free & veggie options
🌤️ Screened riverside patio

Opening hours

  • Monday09:00 – 17:00
  • Tuesday09:00 – 17:00
  • Wednesday09:00 – 17:00
  • Thursday09:00 – 17:00
  • Friday09:00 – 17:00
  • Saturday09:00 – 17:00
  • Sunday10:00 – 17:00

Full menu served until 4:00 pm · Everything prepared fresh to order

Our story

How the Lab was born

From the flood-ravaged space beneath a dental practice to Ellon's favourite riverside café.

🐕‍🦺

Obi-Wan — the chocolate Labrador
who inspired the name & logo

Two owners, one shared love of great coffee

Mark and Maks jointly own The Coffee Lab. After the destructive flood of January 2016, the dental practice owned by Mark was reimagined — and the resulting extension and redesign created a large, unused space underneath.

Mark's son-in-law, Maks, had spent years working in hospitality, most recently in an Aberdeen coffee shop. The empty shell beneath the practice and Maks' experience combined to become the genesis of Coffee Lab.

Maks' chocolate Labrador, Obi-Wan, provided the inspiration for the café name and logo.

Tucked beside the river walk — a popular route for dog-walkers, joggers and leisurely strollers — the Lab is an ideal, welcoming space for dog-owners and non dog-owners alike, with relaxing views across the river.

  • Dog-friendly, always
  • Screened riverside patio
  • All-day breakfast
  • Gluten-free & veggie
  • Locally sourced bakes
  • Gift vouchers & beans
What people say

Loved by locals & their dogs

Rated on Tripadvisor and Facebook by the Ellon community.

★★★★★
"Great coffee and pancakes, lovely friendly staff, always made welcome. Best coffee in Aberdeenshire — my favourite place in Ellon."
A regular visitor
Tripadvisor
★★★★★
"The location is lovely beside the river and it serves good coffee and food. Always a must to come here when in Aberdeenshire."
Visiting couple
Tripadvisor
★★★★★
"A vibrant and friendly independent coffee shop. We love that our dog is welcome and the patio is perfect on a sunny day."
Local dog owner
Facebook

⭐ 3.8/5 on Tripadvisor · 94% recommend on Facebook — see more on Facebook.

Plan your visit

Find the Lab

Right on the River Ythan footpath in the centre of Ellon.

Getting here

📍

Address

Unit 2B, Ythan Terrace,
Ellon, Aberdeenshire, AB41 9LJ

🚶

By foot

We sit on the River Ythan footpath — a popular route for dog-walkers, joggers and riverside strolls.

🐾

Dogs welcome

Inside and on our screened external patio. Dog treats available at the counter!

🚗

Parking

Ellon town centre parking is close by, just a short walk from the riverside.

📍

The Coffee Lab
Unit 2B, Ythan Terrace, Ellon AB41 9LJ

Say hello

Contact us

Questions, bookings or just to say hi — we'd love to hear from you.

📞

Phone

01358 723400

📍

Address

Unit 2B, Ythan Terrace, Ellon, Aberdeenshire, AB41 9LJ

🕒

Opening hours

Mon–Sat: 09:00–17:00
Sunday: 10:00–17:00