The Pastures

The 2012 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).

This review is taken from the current (2012) edition.

Sequestered among the tenements of Marchmont, this new small-scale venture is a local gem, serving homely comfort food in a bright and cheery setting at a tariff well suited to threadbare student pockets. They don’t back off on quality, though: poached eggs on toast are delicious and the generous full Scottish breakfast is a perfect antidote to morning-after malaise. Be sure to save a corner of space for a chunk of the award-winning ginger cake. On Friday nights, the café hosts a come-dine-with-us evening, where customers can join genial owners Jane and Stan for dinner continental style and enjoy two courses plus coffee and party games for £7.80 (BYOB is encouraged). The interior space has a light and pleasant feel with tasteful duck-egg blue décor and chunky wooden furniture. Prints, crafts and an assortment of attractive artefacts made by regional artists are on display and available to buy. A great place for a cup of tea and cake and a flick through the Sunday supplements – like breakfast at your favourite auntie’s, but better.

• High point: Shooting the breeze with the lovely Jane
• Low point: Get here early as seating is at a premium