Dovecot Studios Ltd

Editor's Review

Edinburgh's Dovecot Gallery, at the bottom of Infirmary Street in the Old Town, is one of the city's most underappreciated cultural spots. A contemporary tapestry studio that provides a workspace for modern practitioners, craftsmen and women, whom you can watch at work from the top floor gallery, it's also home to a great cafe, run by Leo's Beanery. 

Museum cafes have a different feel to your regular branches — they have to seamlessly blend into the rest of the building, and as a result can sometimes fail to establish an identity of their own. It helps that Leo's is a recognised name in the city, and the cafe has its own entrance, but also it's clear that they care just as much about what's on offer as they do the exhibits. Cornish ethical micro roastery Hands On Coffee provide the beans here — their espressos tend towards the darker, stronger roasts, with oaty, biscuity notes, perfect if you prefer a flat white to a long black. The baked treats are local too, coming from Ted's Bakehouse in Tolcross, while Leo's have a great brunch and lunch menu for anyone looking to divert from the beaten track and rest a wee while. That's the thing about the Old Town, you can sometimes get blinkered and keep on the main drag, North Bridge all the way down to South Clerk Street. Turn off and you'll find excellent spots that you'll want to keep coming back to. 

Review: Harry Harris

Image courtesy of the venue

Cafe Features

Pets Allowed

Wifi

Brunch/Lunch

Loose Leaf Tea

Toilets

Table Seating

Baby Change

Licensed

Buy Beans

Outdoor Seats

Temporarily Closed

Coffee + Drinks

Decaf

Non Dairy