Feature: The Story Cafe, Edinburgh

THE STORY CAFÉ can be found at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on the Royal Mile, Edinburgh and has its own unique story to tell.  The café has been under the ownership of the Edinburgh-based charity Comas since 2016 and sees all profits go to help support, among others, adults recovering from addiction and vulnerable people who have been driven into poverty.

This branch is a slightly more ambitious venture than its sister project, the Serenity Café, which can be found nearby, just behind the Scottish Parliament building. Both offer adults the chance to volunteer and even gain paid employment - truly showing the power of what food can do.

The project offers a range of homely grub from soups and delicious cheese scones to salads, sandwiches and tasty hot options, as well as a range of veggie and gluten-free options.  The food is very favourably priced (hot options are just £6.50), aiming to encourage people in from the busy tourist-laden streets outside, as well as local punters alike.

Pic courtesy of the Story Cafe

It’s a wonderfully bright and fun space to eat in - ideal for escaping the hordes of tourists for a coffee and a bite to eat. The premises are fully licensed and offer a range of wines and craft beers. There is also a tasty children’s menu with dishes priced at just £2.50 (you can also order smaller portions of the full menu at half price) with the added bonus of there being plenty going on to keep the little nippers entertained, including the Storytelling Court and the Storywall.

I caught up with Sinead White from the café who took me through the food offerings: “The aim is to offer homemade dishes that people are familiar with, that are good value for money.  We also like to focus on healthy food and home-baking, aiming to be accessible to as many people as possible”

Pic courtesy of the Story Cafe

There is always an exhibition on at the Storytelling Centre for punters to enjoy if visiting the café, which also hosts shows and various events in the early evening.  You will find everything from music lessons to book groups in this incredibly relaxed space. It has clearly been well thought out in order to offer a broad range of goings on, as well as the actual café itself – well worth a visit.

Tasty grub at an affordable price that sees all profits go towards helping people? What’s not to love? Pop into the Story Café on the Royal Mile next time you’re in the heart of the capital.

Web: https://www.comas.org.uk/

http://www.tracscotland.org/scottish-storytelling-centre/about-the-centre/story-caf%C3%A9