The pictures really aren't too good to be true. I admit it - I Yelp-stalked the shiz out of this place before I came. I find it hard to make a snap decision when there is too much deliciousness in front of me, and I could tell from their photos on Yelp that there was going to be a lot of deliciousness.\n\nThe only reason I'm holding off on 5 stars is I never give 5 stars until at least two visits, but I was too impatient to wait for a second visit. I'm pretty sure, though, after trying some of their savoury food that it'll be bumped up to 5 in no time.\n\nThe space itself is beautiful. So serene, and calm, and open and airy. I'd be so bold to say that there isn't anywhere else like it in Edinburgh, that I know of, to have that certain ambiance. Coffee shops are usually loud (coffee grinders) and clinky (tea spoons on cups) and full of different smells (baked cakes, soup). This is all ok. \n\nBut Dovecot is just...quite blissful. Big open windows, white interior that is calm rather than bland. And the tables and space around the tables is really big. In fact, that's what it is -there was a lot of spaces between each table so you never felt squished in. I really liked this. A lot.\n\nThe reason I'm harping on about seemingly bizarre things in the face of the coffee and cake is that all the other reviewers have said it before me. The coffee (Artisan Roast coffee) was just right. The guys at Artisan can be confident Dovecot are serving up the perfect coffees with their beans. It was so good I ordered another as soon as my first was finished. Although, lovers of the S'Bucks generation of coffee be warned. The cups aren't 'MUGS' and therefore a bit smaller than a generic, spin-off imitation. If you go to Artisan Roast, or any other independent, you'll be used to the more moderate portion size. Trust me, there is no less caffeine, and far more flavour.\n\nI also tried the banana and chocolate gluten-free cake. I'm attempting gluten-free. It didn't help that I then tried a taste of Louise C's apple muffin (not gluten free) but the fact they have gluten-free cakes and can do all their sandwiches with gluten-free bread was awesome.\n\nI'm going back to try the salmon sandwich, on gluten-free, and one of their soups.\n\nBut I'm already a little bit in love with this place, the super friendly staff, the calm atmosphere, and the genuine, coffee-loving, cake-baking, good-food-loving tone to the place.\n\nThey also have post-it notes stuck up behind the counter with regular's names written on. Rather than a card you get stamped and carry around with you, your name is actually pinned up into the caf\u00e9 and they stamp that. So they may not write your name on the cup (i'm looking at you, coffeechainwhoshalnotbenamed) they'll actually remember your name, and face, in order to stamp your own wee post-it note. Love it.\n\n#IndependentEdinburgh
places reviews