Peter's Yard

Set just back from the busy thoroughfare of Edinburgh’s lovely, green Meadows space, Peter’s Yard has become a firm favourite with caffeine-craving students and hip lunch seekers. Nestled at the end of a block that hosts your ubiquitous Starbucks and Sainsbury’s chains, this is an altogether more stylish affair.

Peter’s Yard began when the eponymous Peter – Swedish businessman, Peter Ljungquest – joined forces with master baker Jan Hedh. Keen to celebrate traditional recipes for crispbreads, sourdough loaves and Swedish pastries, the idea for this slick, Scandi-inspired artisan bakery-slash-café outfit began. The smell of fresh coffee and cardamom buns hits as soon as you walk in. Tiny savoury rolls sit in tempting jars and trays, alongside sweet tartlets, open sandwiches, flaky pastries, flavourful muffins and dark Swedish rye. This is a popular drop-in for breakfast en route to work, or a more relaxed read of the paper in airy, relaxed surrounds. By lunch, the queues are picking up pace as the fresh salads, stonebaked pizzas and bright coloured soups quickly disappear from the counter.

The Yard comes into its own in the warmer months, when eaters and drinkers can fan out to the outside seating area. Though in the colder months (and we are talking Scotland, so really the majority of the time), it’s a nice lofty and light spot to sit in with a book, laptop, or friend and while away an hour or two. With its industrial-style look, rustic charms, and commitment to fresh ingredients and flavour, the only downside is how busy it gets during peak hours. So arrive early for a seat, or prepare to make do with takeaway.

Just around the corner, bookworms should definitely take the time to pop in to brilliant indie bookshop Looking Glass Books. Look out for too for Peter’s Yard sister outfit down in Stockbridge, which stays open slightly later, until 9pm.