The Baked Potato Shop

This review appears in the The List's Eating & Drinking Guide 2008 – in the shops now or buy online.

Tucked in at the top of Cockburn Street just off the madness of the Royal Mile, this tiny shop is something of an Edinburgh institution. This isn't just any baked potato shop: this is the baked potato shop, taking the humble spud and giving it a series of inventive vegetarian top dressings. The shop's location means it attracts locals and tourists alike, and there's limited seating inside, so most often you'll be taking away or squeezing up close with fellow diners. In this, the land of the mammoth portions (you could feed a family of three on a large tattie) toppings such as veggie chilli and haggis are hot treats in addition to the plethora of salads and chilled options. In addition, this veritable Aladdin's cave of vegetarian delights has vegan cakes and tray-bakes, inexpensive prepared rolls, samosas, trays of salad and freshly squeezed juices. It's veggie food heaven in a modest brown paper bag.