Small place with excellent service. I ordered the full breakfast and it was pretty good, but after I deboed some of my sons pancakes I realized this is where it’s at! Trust me, go with the pancakes.
Great bacon rolls to start the day. The porridge is so satisfying with a touch of honey. Service is always great. They are very welcoming and friendly.
Some of the best pancakes I ever had. They're huge, fluffy, moist, perfectly doused with syrup, crowned with generous slabs of bacon. Did I mention huge? They're delicious and extremely filling. Not the most photogenic brunch plate in Zomato, but trust me, looks aren't everything.
Which applies to the place itself. Unless you really miss the 90's and Brit Pop nostalgia, this café is hardly a Instagram hotspot. It's more of a neighborhood joint that dotes on its regulars and stays true to what it is.
I wish I had one in my street, and so will you when you've tasted the fare.
A few reasons why Fountain Cafe is somewhere everyone in the area seeking big-portion, big-value breakfasts should try:
1) the scrambled egg is so generous you think he may have used ostrich egg(s) by mistake
2) the club sandwich (plus Cajun spice for an extra 50p) is a double-decker masterpiece
3) there's more BritPop going on in this place than there was in all the Glastonburys 94 through 97
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It was the chaps from Zomato that put me on to the Fountain Cafe, on Grove Street, as they’d stayed nearby on their recent trip and availed themselves of the place’s services on a number of occasions. Indeed they’d gone all misty eyed at the mention of the colossally good smoked salmon and scrambled eggs they were served on a couple of occasions. I felt compelled to investigate.
The glass fronted place, which has a few optimistic seats out front, is bright, clean and airy. It has a simple elegance to it.
On my visit, I was lured in by talk black pudding and potato scones so ordered up a roll that featured them. I tried their espresso, which was well-made although Carraro isn’t a huge favourite of mine.
Service was friendly throughout with mulitple sit-in and takeout orders balanced and delivered in quick time.
My roll looked good (so good I forget to snap a photo before eating it!) with a generously thick slice of black pudding that had been nicely crisped on the outside and a tasty looking tattie scone. It proved an enjoyable eat with the black pudding particularly good. Good care and attention had been put in to the preparation and that was reflected in the really good balance of flavours and textures.
So overall, the Fountain Cafe was an impressive little place. I look forward to returning to sample the much vaunted eggs, perhaps as a brunch treat. I’d be happy to recommend a visit next time you’re looking for a well-prepared and tasty breakfast.
Scores
Blythe scores the Fountain Cafe
4/5 for food
3/5 for presentation
3.5/5 for setting
4/5 for service
giving an overall 14.5/20
I ate: black pudding and potato scone roll
I drank: espresso, water
I wore: www.tieclub.co.uk tie
Total bill: £3.50
When I was working in Edinburgh for a week I frequented this cafe for breakfast. I first chose to eat here because it was extremely close to my place of work. I quickly discovered that the meals were incredible value and the portion sizes were extremely generous.
I chose to have smoked salmon and scrambled eggs. The food was tasty and the servings were generous enough to keep me more than satisfied. If you're out and about in near grove street I recommend giving this cafe a try.
As a side note, the owner informed us that the cafe is no longer associated with Fountain court apartments.
I was bored of the regular Tesco sandwich I was having for breakfast every morning and ended up going to the little café in Grove Road. Little is actually quite an understatement, because the café barely has 3 tables in it and the owner, manager, waiter, chef and the cashier happen to be one and the same person.
I committed a grave faux de pas by asking for a full ‘English’ breakfast in the heart of Scotland. Fortunately for me the all rounder did not seem to mind. The food was filling and tasty, though if you are in a hurry (I was), picking up a sandwich might be a better option.
A lovely little cafe with a 90s indie rock themed interior and music choice. I ordered the bacon and maple syrup pancakes which were monstrous and defeated me (in a good way!) . My partner had the salmon and scrambled eggs which were equally delicious. Both staff members were lovely and had a warmth and kindness that clearly came naturally. It's worth noting lots of builders went in which suggests it's good food!
Wholeheartedly recommend.
Such a great experience for two American travelers! The hospitality was exceptional and the food was delicious! Probably one of the best vanilla lattes I’ve had in a while. Thank you, Fountain Cafe, for giving us a great start to the day.
Such a lovely small café! We were met with the utmost hospitality and had several great breakfasts there our following days in Edinburgh. Food was great and coffees were large and tasty☕️ Felt very local as well
Great owner, was here for 1 day and it started with Brit Pop, Indy and rock.
Love it!
Food was awesome and well priced.
Great start to my flying visit.
Sorry for asking for an English Breakfast when the Scottish Breakfast is what you do, and it is way way better!!!
Lovely local cafe. Staff was very friendly and the food was amazing. Highly recommend! Thanks for having us :)
It is the unique and outstanding talent of the owners to accompany every customer so casually and friendly that you have the feeling of visiting your best pal from first year! Just super! When you come here the atmosphere is so cosy and ambient that after 15 mins you don’t want to leave anymore. The breakfast varieties are very authentic and super delicious! Great place - and living proof that you don’t need corporate polishing to achieve outstanding haspitality!
I can recommend the traditional Scottish breakfast, which propels you throughout the entire day on a blast of energy 💥!
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Saw the reviews and as the cafe was only a few minutes from where we were staying we decided to check it out for breakfast. It’s a small cafe but there is a real buzz. On our first visit they were super busy but quickly cleared a table for us that had the remains of a large party of builders breakfast on it, and while we were there lots of regulars came in which we took as a good sign. The large window table looked to be the local men’s meeting place on a Friday morning and there were some already tucking into their food who were soon joined by others who were greeted as old friends by the staff. Our order was quickly taken and individual needs accommodated with my friend asking for oat milk in her hot chocolate. Food was delicious with generous portions, I had scrambled egg on toast, and my friend the porridge which came with a dish of sliced bananas, a jug of honey, and extra warm milk if needed. Both were well cooked and presented ( I got to sample the porridge as my friend couldn’t eat it all). Lovely place to eat. We decided to stop again before our train home and while it was quieter on the Sunday morning it was still full, and again service was swift and friendly, they remembered my friend wanted oat milk without needing to be asked. Everyone who worked there took the time to speak to us and I would definitely visit again, if I lived in Edinburgh I’d be there every day! Prices are good and reflect the quality of the food as well as the excellent service. Treated like we were friends not just anonymous tourists. Thank you! 😊
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This was a very nice experience for breakfast.
To sart off, the place is small, and it might not be the best if you show up with 10 people, but for a couple or group of 4-5, it is perfect. It has a nice in-house feeling, making it feel like you're a kid again, and mom is in the kitchen cooking for you.
Service was very fun, the 1st person to meet you is a very iconic Australian lady who gives off warm family vibes when you show up. She does have a way of teasing that may be misunderstood if you're having a bad day, again, just like family. But I can say I felt like she loves what she does, and some of the regulars have se amazing rapport with her and the owner.
The food doesn't have many choices, but as a tourist, having too much to choose from can turn into a nightmare of should have, would have, could have. The "Full Scottish" is a dish they have that covers the basics of traditional Scottish food, so it is a must when you are curious about what traditional Scottish food is like. The portions are big and very tasty.
Drinks are very good as well. I would definitely recommend the mocha and the Latte (do yourself a favor and add vanilla flavor if you like vanilla).
Overall, small joint. Cozy home away from home vibes. Great portions, nice drinks. Would eat again.
Great place. Superb morning roll with a perfect slice of juicy, steak lorne and a crispy and bubbled tattie scone with a dash of red sauce. Really perfect. The faultless flat white was just a bonus. Highly recommended when down in this part of town.
Nice little place with a warm welcome. Ordered the pancakes and bacon...wow sugar overload I couldn't eat all of it...shame as was good food The scrambled eggs on toast looked lovely. Would eat here again if in the area
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