FOOD & DRINK SUPPORTED BY
AMONG THE ANIMALS
The opening of Edinburgh’s first cat café is a reminder that when we go out to eat and drink we don’t just eat animals but can also get convivial with them. Here’s our Tiplist of suggested venues for dog (or cat) friendliness and other animal magic
EDINBURGH THE BLUE BEAR 9 Brandon Terrace, Canonmills, 629 0229, cafebluebear.co.uk Owners Ben and Jemma Gillespie front a relaxed and upbeat space, the kind of café that’s home to those with work to do, friends to meet, hangovers to cure, and those with dogs who do walks. There’s even the whiff-whaff of competitive juices in the air with a downstairs room featuring a table-tennis table and iPod dock. The café’s eco- credentials are impressive: everything that is not edible is recyclable or compostable, and the food, focusing largely on breakfast / brunch options, is low on mileage as well as being fresh and seasonal.
GORGIE CITY FARM CAFÉ 51 Gorgie Road, Gorgie, 337 4202, gorgiecityfarm.org.uk Set on a working farm, it makes sense that this café isn’t a pastel- coloured cupcake grotto. With an eye on the youthful clientele, the menu is geared towards simple meals and snacks that won’t take up too much of mum’s attention – baked potatoes, sandwiches, toasties and soups. The latter is made onsite, as is a daily quiche, and you might find soup made from veg harvested 20 metres away. Before noon the morning rolls feature farm-reared sausage and scrambled eggs that sometimes come from Gorgie chickens. Kids welcome but not dogs.
MAISON DE MOGGY 26 Hamilton Place, Stockbridge, maisondemoggy.com The first local sighting of a phenomenon that has its roots in Taiwan and Japan, the Maison de Moggy is a temporary pop-up – a separate venture, Cattitude, is looking to set up a permanent venue in Marchmont – where you can order what they describe as a ‘purrfect’ cuppa while petting, stroking or playing with various resident cats. A resident cat nanny pays particular attention to the sensitivities of the feline residents while all food and drink is prepared in a cat-free environment. No children under ten allowed and no, no dugs either. THE OX 49–51 London Street, Broughton, 556 9808, theoxedinburgh.com The love affair of the Edinburgh hospitality trade with animal names shows no sign of weakening, with this relatively new pub at the bottom of Broughton Street replacing The Bellevue. Run by the former head chef and general manager of Leith favourite The Shore, the aim is to create a cheerful, welcoming local and they’re on the right course with good value grub, some decent bottled beers and an appealing wine list. Dogs are welcomed with water bowls and biscuits.
GLASGOW AN CLACHAN Kelvingrove Park, West End, kelvingroveparkcafe.co.uk Still a little bit of a secret located in the corner of Kelvingrove Park, this café has much to recommend it: scenic setting, local and seasonal ingredients, solid cooking, imaginative recipes and great veggie and gluten-free choices. With a name meaning ‘the village’ in Gaelic, it’s appropriately full of families, dog-walkers and park strollers. . An Clachan also plays host to creative writing workshops and craft activities during the summer months.
MULBERRY STREET BAR BISTRO 778 Pollokshaws Road, Southside, 424 0858, mulberrystbarbistro.com With its wide windows looking out towards Queen’s Park and seating spilling out over the leafy street corner it occupies, this dog-friendly, family-run bar-bistro is surely a contender for most relaxed bar in Glasgow. There’s always a couple of interesting guest ales on draught alongside the continental beers, and a handful of fine malts behind the bar. Swapping the cosy leather chairs for the tables of the separate dining room, an eclectic menu, channelling a vaguely New York- Italian vibe, offers a quick nibble or a three-course meal where most is homemade. THE 78 10–14 Kelvinhaugh Street, Finnieston, 576 5018, the78cafebar.com As part of the vegan / vegetarian empire which includes Stereo and Mono, the 78 brings a laid-back West End vibe to meat-free proceedings. Known locally for its commitment to quality reggae and dancehall, this bar offers a range of attractive choices for the discerning veggie. They’re happy to have dogs in the bar, and the pricing structure is similarly welcoming, with a malt of the month for just £2.25 and a set two-course meal for under a tenner on Meat Free Mondays.
WEST BREWERY Building 4 Templeton Building, Glasgow Green, 550 0135, westbeer.com Who would have thought you could set up a Bavarian brewery in the East End of Glasgow and establish yourself as one of the most talked about places in the city? Set in the old Templeton building on Glasgow Green, the beautiful architecture outside is continued inside, where a grand piano, sturdy wooden furniture, a huge bar and views of the on- site brewery offer great comfort to a vast space. Great German beer is matched with great German food using the best of Scottish produce. Dogs and kids are as welcome as the oompah band.
YOU MIGHT ALSO CONSIDER . . . Falko Konditormeister in Bruntsi eld, Nobles in Leith, the Old Chain Pier on the seafront at Newhaven, The Southern in Newington or Woodland Creatures on Leith Walk. YOU MIGHT ALSO CONSIDER . . . The new Dug Café at Loch Lomond Shores, Den Bar & Restaurant in Bearsden, McCune Smith Café in the East End, The Two Figs at the foot of Byres Road or the Ubiquitous Chip in the West End.
46 THE LIST 5 Feb–2 Apr 2015