Spoon Café Bistro, Edinburgh

Most tourists head straight to the Royal Mile when visiting Edinburgh for a bite to eat, but a local advised me to visit Spoon Café Bistro, hidden away on South Bridge Road.

Not only was I told to expect quirky interior design and fantastic wholesome food – but word on the grapevine is that this is where J. K. Rowling really spent most of her time writing Harry Potter.

The small entrance is deceiving. Upstairs the dining area is quite extensive and the wall of windows is ideal for people-watching. I could imagine J. K. Rowling spending hours in the corner of the café, staring out onto the busy road below, watching the world go by…

Mismatched lampshades, board games and tables tops with atlases on them were very quirky and the tiers of cakes on show as I walked in looked scrumptious.

I chose to have the special for lunch – pea and feta fritters with pea shoots and potatoes. It was fresh and very moreish. I made sure to sample my companion’s spoon smoked salmon kedgeree, served with a free range egg and chilli oil which was also delicious.

If only I hadn’t had eyes bigger than my stomach; choosing to have a side of chunky, cheesy chips meant I had no room for the sticky toffee pudding with caramel sauce that I had eyed up on the menu!