Unorthodox Roasters — Restaurant in Scotland

I've been a regular patron of this place for a number of years but won't be returning after today.

To give credit where it’s due, the café has a relaxed, bohemian feel and a wide selection of food and beverages. I haven’t tried their lunch offering, so can’t comment personally, but other reviews suggest it’s quite good. Unfortunately, there has been a noticeable drop in quality during recent visits. The place often feels overstaffed, with more chitchat and gossip than attention to customers, and the coffee tastes weak and under-extracted – unacceptable given that it’s priced 10–20% higher than other cafés in the vicinity, who also serve a more generous portion.

Having previously given the benefit of the doubt, today was the final straw. Upon sitting down, a staff member pointed out a small card on the table stating a 'no laptops policy downstairs during busy times.' As a regular, I already knew this, but since there were only four other people in the café – and an adjacent customer was typing away – I took it as a polite heads-up rather than a demand to stop.

A short while later, a different staff member came over and loudly admonished me for having my laptop lid open: "Just so you know, if it gets busier I’ll have to make you move.” When I attempted to point out that another customer was using her laptop – and that mine wasn't even unlocked – I was brusquely told, "It doesn't matter. It's the premise; it's a laptop-free zone," before she promptly turned on her heel and returned to gossiping with her colleagues at the far end of the counter.

I have no objection in principle to a laptop-free policy – they're at liberty to set their own rules – but doing so inconsistently, and in an almost-empty café, feels utterly arbitrary. If five customers indoors is considered 'busy' for three employees, I’m honestly surprised the doors stay open.

Out of curiosity, I checked my banking app and realised I’ve spent upwards of £60 here in the past couple of months. I’m happy to support local businesses and luckily Stirling is a saturated market with no shortage of choice. Indeed, a new café has opened just a few doors down Friar Street within the past year, and reviews suggest it offers better value for money. My advice? Skip this café and head to Vera, The Burgh, Chesters, or Mato’s instead – I...

Superb coffee and brunch spot.

A real breath of fresh air, this coffee shop could feel well at home in the middle of Edinburgh, good quality, nice comfy interiors and friendly staff. Good quality all around.

I had a long black coffee and reuben. Coffee was nice, rich flavour. Sandwich was excellent, nice bit of chew in the sourdough, flavourful meat cheese and sauerkraut and the pickle in sauce was beautifully intense. Only minor gripe was the fillings were cold and I would have preferred melted cheese, but I thoroughly enjoyed it even so.

Wife had tea (and half a gallon of milk too apparently...) and the 'bombay bicycle club' open sandwich. Good spicy tikka flavour, creamy chicken and the scattered pomegranate gave it a lovely balance. Again, it would have been nicer served hot, but that's personal preference.

Price-wise it was a little expensive at £12 for a sandwich, but they were a very decent size and filled us up. Plus the quality was definitely there, so it was worth it.

What I liked about this place as well was the seating was all padded and comfortable. Not exactly comfy armchairs, but you didn't get the impression they were trying to get you in and out of the door as quickly as possible.

The selection of cakes looked really nice too, will definitely be...

Review: Unorthodox Coffee – Stirling vs. Kinross

I’ve visited both Unorthodox Coffee shops — Stirling and Kinross — and the Stirling branch stands out by far.

From the moment you walk into the Stirling location, you’re greeted with a warm, welcoming atmosphere. The staff here strike the perfect balance between friendly and professional — they’re engaging without being intrusive, creating a space where you feel comfortable to relax or work. The vibe is chilled but efficient, and there’s a clear sense of pride and care in what they do.

In contrast, my experience at the Kinross branch was quite different. The staff there felt much more in your personal space — not in a helpful or attentive way, but in a manner that felt slightly disconnected and awkward. It lacked the same warmth and ease I felt in Stirling. While the coffee quality itself is consistent, the customer experience isn’t.

If you’re choosing between the two, Stirling is easily the better option — not just for the coffee, but for the overall environment and genuinely...