• Added: 19th of October 2007
• Area: Edinburgh
• Category: Cafes and Coffee Shops

Edinburgh EH1 1EJ
0131 225 4560

winterstein said
Hippie refuge
This bohemian cafe started out as a squat but has now found a permanent home. It plays host to a truly eclectic mix of gigs, exhibitions and workshops (all free). There's a good relaxed atmosphere. Sofas to lounge on, chess boards and guitars to play, books to read. A lively crowd of students, artists, travelers and other such reprobates and degenerates. A good place to kill time.

The food is nutritious and filling. All veggie of course. Good falafel, veggie-burgers, bagels, salads, and cakes - and at a bargain price. Alcohol is BYOB. There's an interesting range of soft drinks - including elderflower juice and spiced tea.

On the down side... well there's the service. You see the cafe is mostly staffed by volunteers. Don't expect them to leap at your command. And then there's the drafts - it gets cold in winter.

• Added: 19th of October 2007
• Area: Edinburgh
• Category: Restaurants

Edinburgh EH8 9EZ
0131 667 9890

winterstein said
Superb veggie food
I'm an unrepentant carnivore. It's not that I don't like vegetables, they're just no substitute for food. But there are a few vegetarian restaurants in Edinburgh that are so tasty the meals transcend the lack of meat. Kalpna is one.

At lunch time, it offers a buffet which is excellent value but not otherwise remarkable. The evening is when the food shines. Forget your typical curry with the familiar menu of chilli laden lumps swimming in a sea of ghee. Kalpna's dishes explore different spaces, and are all delicately but exquisitely flavoured.

Decor is plain but pleasant. White-washed walls with black and white photos of India.

• Added: 19th of October 2007
• Area: Edinburgh
• Category: Restaurants

Edinburgh EH8 9DB
0131 662 4493

winterstein said
Great food and so cheap
Interesting and tasty food. A lovely lamb tajine for the sweet toothed, good cous cous and other middle eastern fare, etc. The garlic pitta bread is gorgeous. The low price (E.g. we had 2 courses with wine for £15 a head) does not reflect the quality. The tapas lunch is even cheaper.

The opening hours can be a bit erratic. For example, they close down for a holiday through most of September. And lunch is limited to a couple of hours.