The affluent residential area of Marchmont is ideally located for anyone visiting Edinburgh. Roughly a mile’s walk away from the Old City, right by the Meadows and Bruntsfield parks and a walking distance away from Morningside, the area is ideally located for all the best of Edinburgh.
Almost exclusively four storey Victorian and Edwardian era houses create an impressive walk ways around the streets, giving the area that familiar feel of Edinburgh being lost in era long gone. Especially when you discover the B-listed mosaic Warrender Swimming Baths, originally opened in 1887 that was restored back in 2005. For the literature buffs, if not already familiar, the area is also home to Ian Rankins’ famed character John Rebus, and was also the area where Muriel Spark grew up, went to school and based many of her stories upon.
The best of the city being available is not all that Marchmont has to offer, as the area itself boasts loads of wonderful little gems. The amiable Looking Glass Books, which is just a walking distance away, on Simpson Loan by Quartermile. This ‘booktique’ café boasts its own lively literary scene with regular events and author talks, together with enabling caffeine addiction. Perfect for bookworms and coffee enthusiasts. Another wonderful place to have your afternoon pick-me-up or your day-after remedy is the Pastures, on Marchmont Crescent. Considered the focal point for the local community definitely encouraged are the Friday nights, where the owners Jane and Stan stage a range of fun events such as ‘come-dine-with-us’ and ‘grub ‘n’ games’, featuring a continental-style dinner and plenty of laughs (BYOB is encouraged, which is another rare perk).
For a bit of a wander about, the Morningside area is not too far and is yet another great location for some alternative shopping and some lovely cafes, lunch nooks and ice cream crannies. The city centre is not far away either, and Grassmarket and Princes Street are both a bus ride away only, and both offer a wide array of entertainment, living history and caters for some of the best in arts and culinary scene.
On top of all the best at the area, The Edinburgh Address is proud to have not one but two wonderful apartments just around the corner from Marchmont. The Classic Marchmont Charm and the Marchmont Main Door apartments are both ideally located in a calm residential area, with lovely cafes and shops just around the corner. For ideal breakfast why not try the Empire café, on Strathearn Road, and bask in its pleasant and reliable, a small, sunny café atmosphere, which also provides all the usual café items cheaply and well, such as fresh croissants and orange juice in the morning, strong coffee, milkshakes and a good range of sandwiches and paninis.
For a hearty brunch, Freemans is just down the road from the apartments, on Spottiswoode Road, from the chic rustic, vintage interior to the perfectly brewed coffees, this is a most welcome addition to the Marchmont neighbourhood. Although, many have claimed Toast to be the best place to have brunch in Edinburgh, so there you have it, more than plenty of wonderful choices! Another lovely one that is good to note is the new-comer to the lovely Marchmont village, The Insitute on Roseneath Street, but definitely go for the waffles!
Marchmont is definitely a place to keep your keen eyes on as we are excitedly browsing through all the old and new well-kept secrets of the area – join us, won’t you?For a good lunch, with proper unpretentious Italian food with no fuss and the best pizza in Scotland, give café Artista, on Marchmont Crescent, a try - it really feels more like being in Continental Europe than Edinburgh, and is a hidden treat in Marchmont! For special afternoon delight, do drop by The Chocolate Tree on Bruntsfield Place – who proudly, and without unnecessary boast, house a world of organic chocolate delight in their café and shop both, a place where people can meet, take time out and indulge the individuality of chocolate delights in a welcoming surrounding.