Profil von williak

One of my favourites. Its the sort of place everyone needs just round the corner. Busy but relaxed, good simple Mediteranean food without pretention, at great prices. The menu and the customers are both more interesting than average too .. Recommended as a place for meeting with friends for a relaxed meal, a bottle of wine (House wine was only £5.99 at the last visit) and lots of conversation. If you don’t like competing for a seat, try a late lunch, outside the normally busy lunch period.

I’ve been to just about every cafe in Edinburgh and surrounds .. going to cafes is an addiction of mine. Forget the coffee chains (Starbucks et al), their coffee is lousy and they have all the atmosphere of an airport departure lounge. Artisan Roast on the other hand is cool in the truest sense. The place is relaxed, friendly and staffed with knowledgeable enthusiasts. The music is spot on, the price is right and so is the (albeit limited) range of cakes. But coffee is the hero and this is a temple. Simply the best coffee on offer in Edinburgh, anywhere … to drink there, to take away or to buy as beans or ground for preparing at home later.
Space is a bit limited, but they have recently opened up a back room, so there is no reason not to drop in if your in the Broughton Street area or make a special trip from afar if you are a real coffee lover.
Its a little jewel of excellence .. how I wish their were lots of other places as good as this specialising on the rest of life’s little pleasures. Go there … now! Only one at a time though because I found it, OK, and I don’t want it to get too crowded.

Wonderful traditional cinema house recently saved by its fans from a fate worse than death - conversion to leisure club or some such. With three cinemas showing a great selection of ‘Art House’ and classic cinema, and great member’s deals, as well as a comfortable bar / cafe, it (and the Filmhouse) are the top places for anyone genuinely interested in cinema.

This used to be a 5 star garden without a doubt - a wonderful rock garden, superb rhododendrons, beautiful garden celebrating China’s plant contribution and splendid Victorian glasshouses. Overall an atmosphere of peace and tranquility combined with splendid views to the centre of Edinburgh. Recently though funding changes have altered the ambience. The addition of a completely inappropriate ‘Queen Mother’s Memorial Garden’, laxer rules on user behaviour and a massive new building threaten to change this wonderful place forever. A pity but it must lose a star!