Black Cherry
- Food served: Mon–Fri 8am–5pm; Sat 10am–5pm. Closed Sun
- Delivery: Minimum 5 people
- Also offers: Vegetarian options (at least 25% of main courses), Gluten-free options, Children's portions, Children's high chairs, Takeaway, Outdoor tables (smokers welcome)
- Music on stereo: Various, local music students drop off their new compilation cds.
- Capacity: 12 (20 with outdoor tables)
- Largest group: No bookings
- Open since: 2000
- Average price 2 courses: £7.50 (lunch)
- BYOB: £1.50 corkage
This review appears in the The List's Eating & Drinking Guide 2008 – in the shops now or buy online.
Tucked away where the Grassmarket gives way to the more hedonistic joys of the West Port, Black Cherry, with its low tables and small front-of-shop deli shelves, is something of a little gem. It's a friendly, family-run café whose owners seem intent on putting the customer first with their accommodating 'watch as we make it' service and freshly sourced ingredients. Among the rolls, wraps and pastries there are some genuinely unusual thrills here. The west coast crab (ethically sourced and sold by a pair of Isle of Mull siblings) served with lime mayo and oatcakes is a seasonal delight. Mahas – a heart-stoppingly overloaded dish of falafels, hummus and harissa – adds some Middle Eastern spice to this relaxed café. With generous salads (roast chicken, warm goat's cheese) and mezze and charcuterie plates, Black Cherry is an easy place to enter but a difficult one to walk away from. Finally, if coffee and cake is what you seek, the former is good and the chef prepares a fresh torte every day. You may be too busy eating to notice, but the fantastic view of the castle is the cherry on the cake.
- High point: Super-friendly but not overbearing staff
- Low point: Portions are almost too generous
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