The ultimate foodie guide to Edinburgh's Easter Road
/To coincide with the Colony of Artists and Out of the Blue Abbeymount open studios weekend, I’ve pulled together a guide to some of the lovely places to eat and drink around Easter Road. Some of them are Edinburgh institutions, others, new faces drawn to the area’s burgeoning foodie reputation. There are more than 50 artists exhibiting at this year’s events, so you will definitely need to take time for a lunch, cake or coffee break at a few of these spots
Cafés
Wonderful coffee, food, plus a whole shop full of quality homeware, stationery, magazines and more. Did I mention cake? Check out their website for upcoming events as they also host fun workshops and have a light filled studio space for yoga and other classes.
Century General Store & Cafe 1-7 Montrose Terrace, Edinburgh, EH7 5DJ
Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm, Saturday – 9am – 5pm, Sunday – 10am – 5pm
A super friendly café, deceptively spacious with more rooms at the back with comfy sofas. Stop in for a game of chess, a bite to eat or to pet the resident dog.
57 Easter Road, EH7 5PL, Edinburgh Monday - Friday 7:30-17:00, Saturd 08:30-17:00, Sunday Closed
Opened this summer, Little Fitzroy take coffee seriously, serving Fortitude and Williams and Johnston coffees. They also sell beans and equipment so you can make a perfect brew at home. Their staff are passionate and knowledgable, always happy to chat about all things coffee. Also serving cake and brunchy food.
46 Easter Road, Edinburgh. 8 - 5 weekends, 7 - 5 weekdays, but not Tuesday... never Tuesday.
This looks like a super promising Italian bakery and kitchen, and is always buzzing. I’ve popped in for really excellent bread but need to make time for lunch. Meanwhile, here’s the menu. Watch this space for a review and more photos soon.
38 Easter Road, Edinburgh, EH7 5RG. Monday – Saturday 8.30am – 5.00pm
Manna House Bakery
An Easter Road stalwart, very serious patisserie and breads. You can eat in or take away. Try the rosemary sourdough.
22-24 Easter Road, Edinburgh, EH7 5RG. Monday - Saturday, 8:00am - 6.00pm Sunday, 9.00am - 5.00pm
There’s a lot to love about this sunny café, a great spot for a daydream and bit of people watching. They serve Artizan Roast coffee and Anteaques teas plus mouthwatering bakes. It’s a great spot for breakfast or lunch prepared using local and seasonal ingredients.
7-8 Cadzow Place, Edinburgh, EH7 5SN. Monday – Friday 8.00 – 18.00 Saturday – Sunday 9.00 – 18.00
While this is nearer Leith Walk than Easter Rd, I find it impossible to go past without stopping in for a loaf or their legendary doughnuts.
90 Brunswick Street, Edinburgh EH7 5HU. Mon–Fri 8am – 5pm, Sat & Sun 9am – 5pm
It’s All Good
This looks like it’s ready to open soon with the promise of “great food for active people” Watch this space, at 119ish Easter Rd
Giovanni’s
Last but not least, if you need a late night or pre-football feast, this is a great chippie. Go for the good value fish supper at £7. They also do off-sales. Cash only.
122 Easter Rd, Edinburgh, EH7 5RJ. Open daily 11:15am - 1:15pm and 4:30pm - midnight
Bars and Pubs
Middletons
A traditional ‘old man’ pub. Shows lots of live sport, busy on match days. Cash only. Pop in for conversation, beer or a game of dominos. Gets very busy on match days. Not a hipster in sight.
69 Easter Road, Edinburgh EH7 5PW. Sunday- Thursday 11.00am - midnight, Friday, Saturday 11.00am - 1.00am
A very traditional pub with a beautiful interior and an island bar.
35-36 London Road, Abbeyhill, Edinburgh, EH7 5BQ. Mon - Thu 09:00am - midnight, Fri - Sat 09:00 - 01:00am, Sunday, 12:00 - 11:00pm
Safari Lounge
Popular with the younger crown and also welcoming children (but not on their own of course). Great food and beer. Even gluten free options. Live music.
21 Cadzow Place, Abbeyhill, Edinburgh,EH7 5SN. Mon–Thu & Sun noon–midnight; Fri & Sat noon–1am.
Shops
While you’re here, you might as well pop into some of these places too:
This lovely intimate bookshop is run by author and poet Alan Spence, the Edinburgh Makar. Stop by for his curated selection of new and used books and regular readings by other authors.
41 Montrose Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 5DJ. Open mostly afternoons.
Small studio selling the work of the four resident potters, there’s something for every style and budget from £5- £300. You can also take a class from beginner to advanced.
16 Montrose Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 5DL. Monday-Thursday and Saturdays.
A haven for fans of mid-century furniture and Scandinavian design. Reasonable prices, the owner goes on regular buying trips to Sweden, so best to check ahead if they’re open. New stock is posted on facebook https://www.facebook.com/Bra-Bohag-151458831554564/
150 Easter Road, Edinburgh, EH7 5RL. Thursday - Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 12pm - 5pm
This fantastic florist based on Broughton St also has a flower school where you can learn the skills of modern floristry, by appointment only. If you want to buy a bunch of blooms, pop into Broughton St.
15 East Norton Place, Edinburgh, EH7 5DR. Open by appointment.
While traditional cobblers and locksmiths all over Edinburgh have been closing down, Easter Road boasts three. My favourite is Huttons, a family business since 1923, now on their sixth generation. You’ll find them tucked away on the corner of Edina Street, they are skilled, friendly and helpful, so you might as well bring all your shoes for repair while you are visiting. You can always pop in to Middletons for a pint while you wait.
11 Elgin Terrace, Edinburgh, EH7 5NN. Mon - Fri 8:00 am - 5:30 pm, Saturday 8:00 am - 1:00 pm
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