Side Dishes

Suzy Pope reports on the latest news and openings as the growth in independent bakeries continues apace

Following the opening of Broken Clock on Broughton Street and The Pastry Section’s new operation on Great Junction Street in September, Edinburgh’s independent bakery scene shows no sign of settling down. In addition to their Stockbridge store, November saw the opening of a second Kilted Donut, this time in the Grassmarket: good news for fancy doughnut fans in the Old Town. Brand new micro-bakery Hobz opened on Leith Walk in October after a series of successful stints as a pop-up at the police box on Leith Walk.

A little further afield, Green Bite vegan bakery and café started hawking 100% plant-based bakes and coffees on Inverleith Row. Perhaps bucking the trend of pop-up to permanent, Morningside’s Salt Café opened A Pinch Of Salt at the police box in Tollcross, serving their house-blend espresso and bakes fresh from the café. In November, iconic sourdough slingers Twelve Triangles opened their first branch outside of Edinburgh, in the pretty Borders town of Melrose.

Glasgow isn’t immune to the bakery and coffee-shop shuffle either, with Big Bear bakery opening a second branch in the West End. Much-loved brunch spot Scran closed its doors in Dennistoun back in September, but worry not: they’re about to open a new site on London Road. Finally, in non-baked-goods-related news, upmarket gastropub The Loveable Rogue has taken up the former Beat By Nico premises in Dennistoun which closed last month; here’s hoping the lobster mac’n’cheese is on the menu.