Eating out at lunchtime in West End Edinburgh

Edited March 2013

It’s great when you move jobs and you start to get to know a different part of town. I’m a firm believer in having a break at lunchtime (it really does make you that bit more productive). So where do you eat? I try to find several places where the food is affordable, available quickly, there’s something more than just sandwiches and most importantly where I can sit in.

Goats Cheese at Brass & Copper

Edinburgh’s West End

I have quite a soft spot for Pret a Manger, not least for the friendly staff in the Shandwick Place branch, but let’s look at the independents.

Brass and Copper is in William Street. This street is easy to pass by, but it’s well worth turning left and walking round the corner after visiting Studio One. The atmosphere makes you instantly feel relaxed. There are some good home made soups, a limited (but very tasty) list of sandwiches and a myriad of teas (Tea Pigs) and coffees. My sandwich was large and featured Goat’s cheese, sundried tomato, chilli jam and wild rocket – mmm!

If I said that the first thing I always think about KGs coffee shop is the music, it isn’t because the food is ordinary, it certainly isn’t, but they always seem to have such good selections playing. This isn’t really a sit in cafe, but there are 3 seats you can perch on in the window. There are always some interesting hot specials with a strong Aussie influence and their stovies are second to none. It’s clear that there are very many regulars who pop into this tiny place.

I’m particularly fond of the Filmhouse Cafe and their soups -are always vegan and full of goodness. I’m also very partial to the falafel, one of a wide range of hot dishes. There’s a good range of fruit juices in addition to the usual teas and coffees and bar drinks. It’s perhaps a little dearer than the other two, but well worth it and you do get a discount if you are a member! Free WiFi too.