Moo Cafeteria: A Cafe/Restaurant with Soul

I first found out about Moo Cafeteria via social media – while I’m an active user on Twitter and Facebook, this is the first time a local establishment has caught my eye purely via social networks.  First impressions of Moo – at least digitally – are very impressive.  The cafe tweets out loads of interesting stuff, and there seems to be a whole cult building around the “moo playlist” – you can find out what’s playing in the cafe, and they have links to Spotify or other sites to download and listen to the music yourself.  But why not go to the cafe itself and listen there?

Ambience

Moo has a real visual aesthetic to it – one that didn’t surprise me, because if you see their social presence or their website, you’ll note an attention to detail.  It is a very modern chic, but not stuff or “chic for the sake of being chic.”  There is TONS of character (it is dripping off the walls in fact).  Consider the lightbox downstairs by the toilets – the window has been closed up, so the lightbox is the view you would have once had in the original building.  There’s also a Japanese comic book cover collection downstairs, and upstairs you’ll find a miniature farm.  Yup, a miniature farm – it’s one of those things that is quite unexpected, unexplainable, but down right cute.

Moo is pretty small and a narrow space – but with all the visual touches it comes across as cosy, not cramped.  The aforementioned moo playlist adds a real spot of ambience, as do the staff who are always smiling and actually checked in on our table throughout the meal, despite the place being quite busy when I arrived.

There’s free Wifi, and I did note several professionals enjoying a latte and the relaxed space.  It was very busy during the lunch rush so probably not the ideal working space (though I asked and mobile workers are welcome). Approaching three o’clock it was relatively quiet so I imagine one can hang out here and work uninterrupted should you time your visit right.

Food and Drink

To quote a friend, Moo’s breakfast is “legendary.”  And it’s served all day, which is a massive plus in my book.  You can get a full Scottish breakfast with all the accompaniments (£6.45) or just omelettes, porridge, or filled rolls.  Both the porridge and rolls are available for takeaway.   Since my visit was mid afternoon, I went for a lunch suggestion, but I certainly will be back to confirm this legendary breakfast treat.

You’ll have to visit the website if you want to see what the lunch specials are – they change on a daily basis.  The setup is always the same: you can choose an entree, such as the tomato/mozzarella/pesto pie (£5.45 in, £4.25 takeaway), and then you get your choice of side free (chips, rice, pear and radish salad, or potato and chive salad).

The special I selected as the fish, coconut, and lime curry (£6.50 in, £4.95 takeaway).  I was curious to see how this would turn out – often fish gets lost in a curry, but Nigel, the chef here at Moo, does a fantastic job of blending the flavours.  It was more of a hint of lime and coconut, with a hint of fish.  Really tasty and not heavy – good for lunch. The portions are healthy – definitely you won’t go hungry.  My lunch companion had the haddock and leek pie, another satisfying selection.  We both had the pear/radish salad; it sounds refreshing, and it is – I’ve never had those two things in combination, but found it was a really nice compliment, and healthy too.

Coffee from Bei & Nannini is served – tasty and fresh as one would expect – and there’s of course the usual choices of teas and soft drinks.  There’s also a number of homemade cakes and sweets, including chocolate cake and cheese cakes, scones, etc.  Prices for most are £2.50 in, £2 takeaway.

In case you didn’t catch as I mentioned prices in the notes, several items are available for takeaway at a reduced price. I also appreciate when venues do this, and given the location next to walking trails and gardens, I imagine this is a popular option with locals.

The Essentials

Moo is a true cafe with soul, and it’s the perfect place to drop in before, during, or after a walk on the Water of Leith, which is literally outside their door.

Address: 9 Brandon Terrace

Phone: 0131 557 3226

Opening Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-6pm, Weekend 9am-6pm

Website: moocafeteria.co.uk

Photos courtesy of the venue.

Disclosure:  The author was provided a complimentary meal at the establishment, but this in no way influenced the editorial material.