I love cafes. I love the way they smell, redolant with coffee and tea and warm milk and spices and baked goods and sometimes delicious sandwiches and soup. I love the soft couches and the scuffed up chairs and the piles of discarded newspapers and people on their laptops working on projects or just hanging out. I love the hiss of the steam the eclectic music selection the hum of conversation and laughter, the clatter of cups and plates and spoons and the sound of people sipping their lattes. I love the sense of community of vibrancy of creativity and knowledge. Debate and deep conversation poetry and silliness all seem appropriate.

Many of my favorite moments and memories involve cafes. Something about just taking that time to sit down, breathe, sip the coffee and dream or read or enjoy lovely conversation with the man I love or a friend dear to me, as Kate Bush says - these moments given are a gift from time.

I've been wanting to blog about some favorite cafes for awhile now. I thought I'd begin with some cafes in Edinburgh.

Upon arriving in Edinburgh, jetlagged and wonky, we took a suggestion from our lovely hosts at the bed and breakfast and lunched at Embo Cafe.


This cozy cafe is run by a couple of incredibly nice folks. Original art hangs on the walls and the wood furniture was rustic and whimsical. The food is fantastic here, lots of fresh salads and ingredients go into their wraps. My favorite was the crayfish with fresh greens and a spicy dressing and Davids was the hummus and falafel wrap. His jasmine tea was incredible and my cinnamon lattes were lovely. It was our favorite lunch spot while we were there.

(heheh I think in this photo I was a smidge hung over from the Bulmers hard cider at the celtic music jam the night before)


Cafe Vivo on Canongate across from Canongate Kirk. Cafe Vivo offered the best tea and scones we had during our entire trip. Something about climbing up all those hills in the mist to reach a full pot of perfectly brewed black tea and warm homemade scones with the best butter I've ever had and homemade preserves. You just can't beat it.

Spoon Cafe. Another recommendation from our hosts, we made our way here after touring Edinburgh castle. It's tucked just off of the Royal Mile on a road that winds down the mountain.

We enjoyed delicious coffee and tea and huge paninis with roasted vegetables. The food was excellent and I only wish we had had a chance to eat there a second time.

I hope everyone is enjoying the fall.

Cheers,
Sonnett