Snax Café is a real find. In an increasingly gentrified Leith, it’s brilliant to find such an unpretentious cafe serving simple, fresh and well-prepared food at attractive prices. My (all-day) veggie breakfast - fried egg, hash browns, tattie scone, beans, fried tomato and a buttered roll, all for £2.70 – was delicious. For lunch recently, I had a tasty granary roll generously over-stuffed with lettuce, tomato, onion, cucumber, sun-dried tomatoes, jalapeno peppers and grated cheddar. Everything was crisp and fresh, and it cost £1.70, which included a free can of soda or bottle of water. You can sit in (there are around 24 seats) or take your food away, and they’re open really early. The food is fresh and not greasy, and everyone working there is bright and friendly.

8 Portland Place, Edinburgh, EH6 6LA
Tel: 01315 542000
Three other branches in Edinburgh and Leith.
Google map: tinyurl.com/387c9wj

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L’Artichaut is a warm and welcoming place, simply but charmingly furnished with gorgeous Tim Stead chairs. Their food is seriously sensual, imaginative, beautifully presented, and as seasonal and local as possible.
Service is knowledgeable, with many wines available by the glass, and Cattriona’s wine advice is excellent: on one occasion, my dining companion said he normally drank only white wine, but tonight he wanted a red "which won’t make me feel all shivery." Catriona’s choice was perfect.
I normally find puddings overly sweet and cloying, but L’Artichaut’s pink peppercorn and lime meringues with lemon curd and bitter chocolate sauce is one of the most delicious things I’ve ever eaten. So was their polenta and shiitake mushroom terrine with sauce soubise. And their tomato fritters with olive salad and basil and caper pesto. And their chicory and walnut terrine. And their twice-baked wild garlic and gruyere soufflé with chargrilled artichoke and herb cream sauce. (Incidentally, it’s vegetarian, but if you’re not, you won’t even notice because the food is so fabulous - and half the price you’d pay in London).

L’Artichaut, 14 Eyre Place
Edinburgh EH3 5EP
+44 (0)131 – 558 1608
www.lartichaut.co.uk
Nearest rail station: Edinburgh Waverley
Google map: bit.ly/cwxLl2

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