Edinburgh is currently living the cliche of the Scottish summer- grey, rainy, and not particularly cheerful. Not conducive to frivolous little entries about fun things to do, unless you get really excited about hot chocolate, places that don't mind you staggering in slightly damp and refusing to leave until the weather improves, or cocktails. It is always a good day for a cocktail somewhere with a good view.
Today was for running errands in the rain and dodging umbrellas on Princes Street, and after a couple of hours, I was forced (honest) to duck into Hotel Chocolat for a hot chocolate and a bit of a sit down. For somewhere on Frederick Street, it's surprisingly quiet- every time I've been in there, there's been space to sit down, spread my bags out and give a heartfelt groan before going facedown into a drink and a hot chocolate cake. I had the hot chocolate this time, which perked me right up, though the tea selection also looked good (especially the cocoa infusion), and just about resisted buying anything for later- there seem to be about a million flavours of chocolates to take away, plus boxes and gift selections and cute little things to bring back for the deserving.
Vegetarian friendly, by virtue of only doing tea, coffee and chocolate, but very good for ducking in and perking yourself up before going back out to the shops.
Hotel Chocolat, 7A Frederick Street, Edinburgh. Open Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm (8pm on Thursdays!), Sunday 11am to 6pm.
Is it open on Sundays? Though I could have done with going there today - I was absolutely soaked in town, running from bank to bank to supermarket, and would have loved to have gone somewhere to sit down and dry out. Only problem with today is that I left a long wet trail of Edinburgh rain drops everywhere I went: two sets of clothes sodden: I'll be in for the rest of the day!
ReplyDeleteYes, have just edited to add opening hours. Today was not a good day to be out!
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