The Edinburgh Larder, Blackfriars Street

www.edinburghlarder.co.uk

Score: 5/5

Perfect for:  Catching up with a friend whilst eating and drinking well.

Prices: Cappuccino £2.05; Tea £2.00; Cake £2.50; Afternoon Tea £4.50;

I’m going to share with you one of my favorite places which seems to be a bit of an Edinburgh secret.  This little establishment just off the Royal Mile only seats 20, but for reasons I can’t fathom isn’t often full.  It is a delightful little place which is comfortable, relaxed and bright, these photographs really don’t do it justice.  Their tea is from Eteaket, their coffee from Artisan Roast and their deli sells the most delicious things either made in Edinburgh itself, or elsewhere in Scotland.  It’s hard to go wrong when you stock top ingredients, and not only are their teas and coffees good, but the cakes are also brilliant.  This time I went and had afternoon tea.  The scone was HUGE, but fresh and delicious and served with clotted cream and jam.  Perfect.  Service is also top notch.  There is really nothing to complain about here.

If you find yourself in the centre of town, do stop in here and give this place a try.  I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Earthy’s Yum Café, Ratcliffe Terrace

http://www.earthy.co.uk/index.php

Score: 3/5

Good for: Yummy Mummies / Working in the day

Prices: Cappuccino £2.25, Tea £1.95, Cake £2.95

Earthy is tucked off Ratcliff Terrace behind their car park and is a treasure trove of locally grown produce.  Pop though their beautifully decorated front door and climb the stairs to enter their shop and café.  If you feel like really treating yourself and splashing out on some delicious vegetables, then this is the palace to come.  As for the café, I’m not entirely convinced.

Here, the service is friendly and you order at the counter before finding your seat where you are served.  They have a large selection of loose tea (my favourite) which comes in a beautiful pot but doesn’t taste fantastic.  Their coffee is not good.  As far as the cappuccino is concerned it was unnecessarily large, the milk was too stiff and it was ever so bitter.  On the upside, their cakes are very tasty.

There are two seating areas, one upstairs by the counter with nice and bustling atmosphere, and the other downstairs in a cosy and quiet room.  Downstairs, their tables are nice and large and there is no wifi connection and no music, making it a great place to get some work done without the perilous distraction of the internet.  However, from about 4.30 weekdays, and at weekends the downstairs café practically turns into a crèche.  This is great if you have kids as it is a very child friendly place, but not so great if you don’t.

It seems to me that Yum café is more about the food than the drinks.  Come here for lunch, to get some work done (midweek daytime) or to pick up some amazing local produce.