Black Medicine Coffee Company
Southside
- Food served: Mon–Sat 8am–6pm; Sun 10am–6pm
- Also offers: Vegetarian options (at least ¼ main courses), Children's portions
- Capacity: 35
- Largest group: N/A
- Open since: 1998
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The 2011/12 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).
The area near Edinburgh University's Southside campus is certainly not short of sandwich and coffee bars in which to grab a bite between classes. It proves a little harder, however, to find fresh, quality ingredients and a knowledge of how to combine them. But Black Medicine - with branches on Nicolson Street and Marchmont Road - manages to provide all this and more for both students and shoppers. Sandwiches, bagels and panini are crammed full of choice ingredients with no plastic cheese or limp lettuce in sight. A bagel with goat's cheese is sweetened with peppers and tomato chutney, while chicken panini are stuffed with succulent meat, peppers and two types of cheese. An exciting array of smoothies, with new recipes every month, tempts the taste buds with disguised nutrients. One area for improvement, however, is the cake selection, which consists of tray-bakes and slightly uninspired cakes. Despite the unusual décor (think natural wood and totem poles), the place has a homey feel, and regulars can often be seen congregating to chat with the staff. This can be a little intimidating at first, but the feeling quickly dispels. For a quick who's who you can always check out the quirky website, www.blackmed.co.uk. Both locations are a little different from the norm, and a welcome change from standardised chain cafés.
- High point: The berry-tastic smoothies
- Low point: The uncomfortable seats
Reviews of Black Medicine Coffee Company (2 Nicolson Street, Southside, Edinburgh)
- 4. Tall_Blonde, Edinburgh – 8 February 2012, 7:34pm
Black Medicine Coffee CompanyReport -
Excellent cafe. Really tasty food and drinks, with a decent variety of options for a small cafe. The staff are beyond friendly and happy to go out of their way for you. The music played adds to the great atmosphere of the place. All topped off by bargain prices! One of the best cafes in Edinburgh!
- 3. crewberry, edinburgh – 19 March 2010, 10:52pmBlack Medicine Coffee CompanyReport
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Never been to the Marchmont or Nicholson St branches but been to the new location beside the links. Staff couldn't be nicer, mellow music, and free wifi. Had a nice panini and smoothie. Will be back again.
- 2. amy trip, central – 29 January 2010, 7:38pm
Black Medicine Coffee CompanyReport -
God what is this place playing at, closing at 4.30pm? we keep forgetting and arriving not long after 4.15pm and being told its too late. We have never come across a cafe closing this early.
Persevered to go for the wifi and nice decor. Managed to get to the Nicholson street branch saturday mid pm. The music was so ridiculously loud you had to shout. can't we go to pubs or clubs for that? A bit of mellow music to create atmosphere is fine. Probably one of those cases of staff blasting it out for their own enjoyment.
A brief good word re the new one at barclay place - the staff were friendly and helpful. Mind you it was before noon, perhaps they all go a bit strange as the afternoon descends! anyway its great to have a location by the links.
Just open a bit later and make us not have to wear ear plugs won't ya?
- 1. Chewster, Black Medicine – 15 February 2009, 11:50pm
Black Medicine Coffee CompanyReport -
Had a mediocre coffee to go, saw a friend and stayed for 3 minutes and was rudely told by a member of staff that they don't allow take aways in the cafe. Wanted to support a non-franchised coffee shop but with an arrogant attitude like this, why bother?!
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