The Elephant House - Gourmet Tea & Coffee Shop

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Elephants and Bagels is a long-standing institution near the central University of Edinburgh campus. In my first year of university it was half-way between my flat and the lecture theatre, so I often stopped in on my way to or from studying. I have fond memories of its art-covered walls and its generously loaded bagels, smothered in cream cheese.



I was pleased to find that it hadn't really changed at all.

The walls are still decorated with drawings of elephants.



They've been made by staff, customers, and some professional artists over the years. One might even have been drawn by me! There doesn't seem to be an inch of room left, although there must be some kind of recycling going on.



I had an old favourite: an onion bagel with cream cheese and bacon. I asked, on a whim, whether they had any iced tea. It's not my normal beverage for a chill, December day, but I was pleasantly surprised to be a offer a choice of flavours from a brand which doesn't contain added sugar, Daymer Bay Iced Tea . It's sweetened with a natural sweetener, and the lemon one was quite lovely.



Elephants and Bagels has always had its little quirks, but these just add to the character and make me feel like I am a student again. The food is served on paper plates, and it's a counter service rather than a waiter service.



I think Elephants and Bagels found a winning formula years ago - tasty bagels, oodles of good quality locally sourced ingredients, reasonable prices - and they've stuck with it quite rightly, because it works.

#coffee
#cafes
#brunch
#near_edinburgh
%wnedinburgh