:::::::TOP THREE:::::
My absolute favorite is a shop across from Old College on South Bridge called Black Medicine. In order to create the atmosphere of a mountain lodge with Native American influences, this shop has wooden seats, table tops, and even it's own totem pole! The coffee and sandwiches are just as good as the atmosphere with friendly staff. As a former coffee girl, I must say I'd love to pick up a few shifts there! I always get a mocha or a latte here and if I'm particularly hungrey I will splurge for a filled bagel with tex-mex or some other unusual concotion.
I would approach this shop with caution. It's one of the closest to my flat, but is always overun with tourists. Why? Becuase it's a shop called The White Elephant.... known as the birthplace of Harry Potter. It's not hard to imagine why J.K. Rowling would've chosen this place to work on the adventures of the boy wizard. There is a stunning view of the castle and Greyfriars churchyard and cememtery from huge bay window at the back of the cafe. They take their elephants seriously here with huge wooden chairs carved as elephants and large flower pots with trees in the shape of elephants. It's a wonderful place when it's not crowded and the elephant shaped sugar cookies shouldn't be ignored!
A little nest spot for me when I have too much time between meetings on campus is the Harlequin Cafe. This little shop is on the corner of campus underneath a used book shop. (The buildings sometimes have basement entry ways, it's really cool like descending into a secret hide away). When I say little I mean one room with wrap around seating and about eight tables. Meat eaters will not find delight here. The Harlequin only has vegetarian and organic selections on their menu. Also only fair trade coffee is served here. Prices are great and the customers are always discussing the world. I always get a sandwich with mature cheddar, sun dried tomatoes, and hummus.
:::: Top Coffee Chains:::::
Okay so you can't avoid the man when you are in desperate need of coffe. I can always get a good coffee at a Costas which are scattered throughout the city at my favorite bookstore, the airport, and any where else. If you want some food with your coffee the Beanscene has some great combo deals with paninis and pizzas. The one in New Town off Princes Street is particularly classy hidden in the vesade of a Georgian mansion.
:::::: Not so great:::::::
Although I loved Starbucks in Biloxi because simply there was no where else to go for coffee, it's not such a good idea here. WIth the UK/US exchange rate it is excrutiatingly expensive for mediocre coffee. Plus that's where all the tourist stop anyway. Then there are these little booths around the city called "Police Box Coffee"... got one latte from there booth and never made that mistake again. Just not good stuff.
So that was a brief coffee shop tour of Edinburgh, however I'm always on the look out for a good cup of coffee!
4 comments:
The Harlequin Cafe looks really cute! Love this post! It totally made me smile! :)
I never knew that about the "birthplace" of Harry Potter! How interesting...it looks like a cute, quaint little place.
You're top three sound like really awesome places that I could see myself nestling into for a quick break from the outside world! I think I'd really enjoy the The White Elephant, not so much because of Rowling, but because of of the great view you spoke of. The Harlequin also sounds like a great venture as well! I like little hide-away places like that too!
It's actually called Elephant House, on George the IV Bridge Street. Down the hill in the Grassmarket, there's a great vintage clothing store.
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