Restaurant Highlight: Uplands Roast If you are anything like me you have probably been wondering for a while now where on earth everyone on Instagram (in Edinburgh) is buying these gorgeous hot chocolates from, and that is quite the statement because I the answer and we are going to share it with you: Uplands Roast! Uplands Roast is a small shack in the Meadows which is the true heart of Edinburgh on any sunny day. Uplands Roast does not only make mouthwatering hot chocolates, but they also make fantastic coffee which they buy directly from their farmer in Vietnam, then export and roast the coffee. Due to the nature of the world, I have not been fortunate enough to visit Uplands Roast yet, ‘yet’ being the crucial word opens up (which it hopefully will have by the time you are reading this!). However, one of our Edinburgh resident team members: Anna (our graphic designer) often raves about them and her go-to’s are their hot chocolate or mocha as the hot chocolates make for a killer Instagram picture, but both of these drinks are made with real chocolate melted in! Talk about authenticity! In terms of ambiance, there aren’t many spots in Edinburgh that “Uplands Roast is hit quite like the a small shack in the meadows come Meadows which is rain or shine, and I’ve heard the true heart of they also play Edinburgh on any their own vinyls at the shack!
sunny day.”
Uplands Roast was stareted when the owners were on holiday in Vietnam and fell in love with the coffee. They decided to go back and make some links with farmers so that they could bring Vietnamese coffee to Edinburgh. 58
“They pay well over market price for coffee as they are passionate about sourcing top quality products and respecting the makers”
Uplands Roast uses direct trade which they stand by as a better alternitive than Fair Trade as they can ‘openly discuss price, quality and goals with farmers and shorten the supply train which allows [them] to pay the farmers a higher price for their product’. They pay well over market price for coffee as they are passionate about sourcing top quality products and respecting the makers in the progress which results in delicious and sustainable products for all. They are exceptionally transparent about their business and their products on their website which is always something to applaud, and they ensure that there neverending queues always follow covid guidelines. As well as their coffees and hot chocolates, they also sell cakes, have a bowl of water for all dog owners out there, a very aesthetic setup (this is something I personally always value as it adds to the experience) and if you are not local to Edinburgh, they sell their coffee as well as some classic merch on their website. So, what are you waiting for? Get yourself to Uplands Roast as soon as you can, or as soon as the government will allow you to! Fingers crossed I am on my way there as you are reading this. Words by Kirsty Taylor
