Pep & Fodder — Restaurant in City of Edinburgh

Honestly wish I could have had the chance to rate this place properly because it looked well clean and stocked. However unfortunately the complete lack of customer service and attention was shocking. After travelling 8 hours by coach me and my friend was looking for a coffee to re-energise and start our day exploring the city. We often love to go to local coffee shops and cafes because we get the opportunity to support small businesses and discover hidden authentic gems but sadly this one was a complete disappointment. First we walked up and they greeted us normally, nothing wrong at this point, and then asked if we were eating in or taking away. We asked to sit in and grab a coffee to which the lady said this was fine. After putting our bags on the table and going up to order I overheard one of the women say “can they sit there?” to which again the other woman said it was fine. Bit confused why we couldn’t sit there when there was about 4 other spare tables but whatever. Anyway back at the counter just as we were about to order the woman asked my friend is we are getting breakfast. My friend said she was just getting coffee and then turned to me to which I was going to reply I was. Before I could answer however the woman rudely said “we are only serving breakfast” my friend then asked “so we can’t just a get a coffee then?” to which the woman replied “no”. In shock on why a cafe selling coffee doesn’t allow customers to sit in and drink coffee is a little strange but hey ho each to their own. Certainly don’t recommend this place and I hope the staff sort of their behaviour for...

Sunshine, Pep & Fodder and Calton Hill

It was a hazy, still, warm day as I strolled around Calton Hill marvelling at the views of Edinburgh and reflecting on why I don't frequent this UNESCO world heritage site more often. I have attended the odd Beltane fire festival that takes place annually around the monuments but having grown up in Edinburgh I also have vague memories of it being a rather bleak, unloved, cold place. On the day I visited it was buzzing with tourists, artists attending workshops at Collective Gallery and journalists in anticipation of 18th Sept but still had a calm, quiet air which is so treasured in the middle of a buzzing city. As I left and headed to Waverley Gate on Waterloo Place I came across Pep & Fodder and stopped for a drink. What a great all day breakfast menu they have. I'm still quite excited at the thought of it! Oh such excellent flat white coffee too and such friendly staff. I sat outside in the sun and felt welcome to linger. After my wander around I came to think that this part of town has evolved without me noticing. The East end of Princes St seems a livelier patch with a small variety of cafes, restaurants and exhibitions spaces It is always fun to find, not just new places, but new atmospheres, vibes... whatever you want to call them, in...

Have just returned from Pep and Fodder and so disappointed with the service. We came in and I genuinely did not see the sign to wait to be seated as I was concentrating on getting my husband who suffers from Parkinson's a seat. The cafe was only half full. I was told abruptly that we had to wait to be seated. I helped my husband up and we stood waiting to be seated. We were the only ones waiting to be seated as a couple of other people were waiting for takeaway. When she asked what we wanted I said just coffees she was obviously not happy that we were not wanting anything to eat looked to find a seat as far away from the front as possible up beside the toilet. My husband by this time had sat down at a table near the front to which the server said we could only have it for half an hour untill 12md as obviously we were in a table that they wanted people to order food at. We quickly had our coffees and left. We felt humiliated at the way we were treated. Obviously they want the oversees tourist for profit while us born and bred Scottish citizens who just want a seat and a coffee are made to feel unwelcome. I see that other reviews echo our sentiments and maybe the staff should have training in customer service. We will never be back. The cafe was half empty when we left...