Spoon
- Telephone 0131 623 1752
- Food served Mon–Sat 10am–10pm; Sun noon–5pm
- Pre-theatre times 5pm–7pm
- Average price £14 (lunch); £22 (evening meal)
- Pre-theatre price £11.95
- Website www.spoonedinburgh.co.uk
Jump to articles or comments (12)
The 2013 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).
This review is taken from the current (2013) edition.
Rocking the boho bedsit chic, with elegantly mismatched retro furniture, lampshades and crockery, this is one Spoon that’s unquestionably more loving than greasy. The menu’s packed with wholesome, healthy options, a decent proportion of which are gluten-free (not that you'd know in a blind taste test) or veggie-friendly. The food is the sort you wish you were cooking at home: unpretentious plates composed of honest flavours, vibrant colours and quality produce, prepared with enough sense of poise to suggest some real skill resides in the kitchen. Smoked salmon mousse is somehow both rustic and refined, rough around the edges but delicately flavoured. Venison loin with savoy cabbage, parsnip crisps and a blissful carrot puree is simple, straightforward and delightful. Two charitable slabs of Valhrona chocolate mousse arrive dense and thick, more like a semifreddo, although taste supersedes any troubles over terminology. Open continuously from 10am, it’s tempting to spend the whole day here, for coffee, cake and the papers, a spot of lunch and then a scrumptious dinner. All that's required is an afternoon nap in one of the wing armchairs and you'd never have to leave.
- High point: Ideal for pre-theatre dining
- Low point: Having to choose between making the show or lingering that bit longer
- Number of wines sold by the glass: 10
- Provides: Vegetarian options (at least ¼ main courses), Children's portions, Children's high chairs, Wheelchair access, Pre-theatre menu, Live music, Free wi-fi
- Music on stereo: Eclectic, low key.
- Capacity: 92
- Largest group: 92
- Open since: 2009 (2002)
- House wine: £13.95 per bottle
Reviews & features
The best breakfasts in Edinburgh
29 Mar 2012
The finest cafes, bistros and restaurants in the capital for a morning meal
Broughton Delicatessen 7 Barony Street, 558 7111, broughton-deli.co.uk Breakfast served: Mon–Sat 8am–3pm; Sun 11am–3pm. What does this place not do well? A great deli, healthy lunches and superb, made-from-scratch breakfasts from morning until 3pm…
Neighbourhood watch: Newington, Edinburgh
27 May 2011
A guide to the ares of the Scottish capital dominated by Edinburgh University
What’s it like? Okay, we’ll get the inevitable out of the way first. There are a lot of students living in Newington. And while we know some of our readers aren’t that keen on students, their presence does imbue the area with a certain bounce and life…
Comments & ratings
Post a comment-
12.
Foodforthought – 29 Mar 2013, 12:09pm
Spoon
Report
-
I completely agree with Foodie Review. The food is overpriced, which could be understandable as it is in the centre of Old Town and it is a lovely looking cafe, but the food doesn't quite add up.
I have also not encountered a service as bad as this in a very long time. I have been there twice, and have been badly treated as a customer both times. The staff seemed generally annoyed by the fact that they had to work, and didn't even try to hide it, which makes me seriously wonder why they work in hospitality.
I do not consider myself fussy, and having worked as a waitress, I understand how hard the work can be, but nevertheless I will never spend a penny in Spoon again.
-
11.
Foodie Review – 17 Sep 2012, 8:19am
Spoon
Report
-
If you like overpriced food and rude service, this is the place for you.
-
10.
CSB – 15 Jan 2012, 11:48am
Spoon
Report
-
Our first experience of Spoon - didn't know of it and no-one had mentioned it to us so we took a chance.
The food? Couldn't fault it - wide choice, decent portions for the money, very well presented, and competently cooked. They also have gluten free and veggie options - the flour-free chocolate desert was lovely.
Spoon is very handy for the Festival theatre - and they do a pre-theatre menu. My wife had two courses and I had three, with soft drinks and coffee. £34.60 in total, so very good value - which is actually hard to find in the over-priced Edinburgh restaurant market. Service was friendly, attentive, and paced just right.
The place itself is quirky but comfortable and much more spacious than many more expensive places - so you don't end up with the staff's elbows in your ears.
The measure of a good bistro is one you would recommend to friends and go back to without hesitation - Spoon fits the bill.
-
9.
September – 26 Sep 2011, 4:27pm
Spoon
Report
-
On the occasions I've been there the skill of the chef did not reflect the prices charged. On my last visit I had grey/green ham on my Ploughman's, for £9.
The service is great and so as the atmosphere. It's great for a drink but if you want quality food, maybe have a look elsewhere.
-
8.
Other Reviews – 26 Aug 2011, 11:01pm
Spoon
Report
-
First visited one week ago. Great evening. Attentive service. Shame nice sounding pasta - spag with crap - was off, but had macaroni dish instead. Unexceptional, but nice. Good service and charmed by decor. Went back a week later with friends and their kids. Different story. Crab pasta dish still off (why on there if they can't do it?), so again went for the macaroni. Bored with it now, and a bit sore that this time I had to ask for Parmesan and black pepper rather than being offered it - faint whiff of grudge when they were brought. No spoon brought either, and I had to ask. Seemed to expect me to eat macaroni with knife and fork. Friends had crabcakes and were unimpressed by gluey texture. No-one came to ask how our food was or replenish water jug. When I asked for more water, no ice or lemon was on offer this time, just a surly plain jug of tepid water straight out of the tap. What a shame. Left without ordering pud, etc, and wont be going back.
-
7.
M – 25 Apr 2011, 10:51am
Spoon
Report
-
Having visited Spoon a couple of times, I've been impressed by the venue and the relaxed atmosphere. It's a large cafe bistro with plenty of space so there's never any sense that your'e crammed in.
Service is friendly, efficient and relaxed.
It's good to see a menu that suggests everything is prepared on the premises. It's varied and offers plenty of options for those not fortunate enough to want to eat meat. There are even homemade teas although for some reason the Lemon and Ginger is sweetened.
The food itself is generally very good, but can sometimes be let down by a flat dish. It they could up the consistency then this would be a really great place instead of just a good one.
- 6. The List team – 7 Apr 2011, 2:55pm
-
It's been announced that Spoon will be adding squirrel to their menu - see the BBC story (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-12989019) for more details.
We've been informed that the meat will be in stock at the bistro from tomorrow, and replenished as demand dictates. We want to know what you think - please post comments below.
-
3.
Jakus – 11 Oct 2010, 5:08pm
Spoon
Report
-
I worship at the alter of Spoons. No praise can be high enough....Oh, and there is wireless - you just need to ask for the password.
- 2. sensiboy – 19 Apr 2010, 4:21pm Report
-
I was a fan of the original intimate Spoon but am an even bigger fan of the new bigger Spoon! Love the light and the ad hoc retro decor. And it does have wifi - I am on it now :) - although connection varies depending on where you sit. The food is still great altho the veggie selection could better. Better facilities and more space for young children (including table, chairs, games and puzzles) although the stairs up are not buggy friendly unless you use the stair lift.
Average rating /5 from 10 reviews of Spoon.
RSS feed of these comments

To post a comment you'll first need to sign in:
Not registered?
Sign up – it only takes a minute.
Forgotten your password?