Bruntsfield

This is one of my favourite spots in Edinburgh. There are loads of boutique shops and cafes. Be sure to check out Cuckoo’s Bakery, Artisan Cheesecake or Choclate Tree for something sweet. If you’re on the hunt for caffeine, stop by Artisan Roast or Rosevear Tea. Or if you’re looking for both, then how about Falko or La Barantine? If you’re in the mood for drinks, then Montpeliers might be your place. There is also Bruntsfield Links, the nearby park. This is a perfect stop if you have kids or want to walk the dog or just want to enjoy your coffee and cupcake.

I think any neighbourhood where you can find an artisan cupcake spot and a store dedicated to cheesecake within three doors of each other deserves a nod.
I’ll be honest — I haven’t spent a lot of time in Bruntsfield being that I call Stockbridge home and it’s a 45 minute walk uphill. But I have found myself poking along Bruntsfield Road as of late and it’s pretty darn cute. As many have said before me, it’s a mecca for little cafes and artsy knickknacks.
If Bruntsfield was a person, it would be your quirky neighbour who turns vintage watering cans and spray painted old boots into flower pots, is particular about their coffee and hand makes decorative bunting for parties — parties where the glasses offered are mason jars and you find yourself nibbling on mid priced cheese and gluten free crackers. I more or less like this person… just as I more or less like Bruntsfield.
Look, any neighbourhood that is within striking distance of the Meadows, where you can pick up a great coffee and a cupcake on your way to stretching out on the grass is a fine neighbourhood indeed.

Brunstfield is a lovely neighbourhood on the edge of the city centre. With the Links Park next door, a pletora of coffeehouses and independent shops, Brunstfield has much to offer. You will enjoy a French breakfast at la Barantine, hot chocolate and cakes at the Chocolate Tree, lovely coffee at Artisan Roast and Project, German patisseries from the Kondi Meister, or a healthy smoothie from Juice up. There are also plenty of small fashion shops (not cheap) and others. Oh and of course, winemongers if you happen to be barbecuing on the Links, on one of the few summer days Scotland has!

When I think of Bruntsfield, I think The Chocolate Tree, Le Mouton Noir, Artisan Roast, Rose Brown. I think of very high quality, unique hand-​made delicious goodies like hot chocolate with churros, of French fine dining, of the best latte in town.
Sadly, Le Mouton Noir has shut down. But in its place The Two Birds, I am told, serves very lovely food.
And there’s a lot more of that in Bruntsfield. The neighbourhood of cafés, with a few restaurants dotted around, and one bar (only one?) for good measure.
To be honest, I only know Bruntsfield as Bruntsfield road. Stretching from the top of the Meadows, to Holy Corner (does it become Morningside around then I think?) I’ve been told there are around 52 cafés stretching out in Bruntsfield. 52. So you’ll never be short of a cup of a place to get a cup of coffee.
There are also some lovely little boutique shops great for buying gifts: Clementine, amongst others. There is also one of my favourite independent jewellery stores: Rosie Brown. I bought myself a bracelet from here as a ‘well done’ gift and I haven’t taken it off since. It’s like Edinburgh’s own, and nicer, Links of London (if I may be so bold).
I wander up to Bruntsfield when I want a nice café to read a book, meet a friend or take a leisurely, but fairly short stroll. It also rarely attracts tourists, as it’s on the other side of the Meadows from the University and Royal Mile, on the far right corner up a wee hill. I’d encourage tourists to head up this way to find some very unique wee cafés like The Chocolate Tree and Artisan Roast. It’s an idyllic wee neighbourhood and whilst anyone who lives there does often bemoan the lack of bars and nightlife, that could perhaps be why it’s so idyllic?

Every time I go here, I can’t help but love it.

Ah, the start of the road to one of the most affluent bits of Edinburgh, well apparently, because once you get to Morningside, which is just up from Bruntsfield, you’ve apparently got the highest number of hidden millionaires in the UK on your radar.
Perhaps hanging around Bruntsfield in all the varied and attractive shops, restaurants, and bars, will up your chances of locating a millionaire, to do with what you will. But I suppose if they’re hidden… how will you know? I find it’s usually something subtle like a top hat or a monocle that gives the game away.
Anyway, I don’t generally come here millionaire hunting, I’m more partial to a bit of the greenery, cute and unique boutiques, delis (Peckhams, to be precise) and good quality cafes in the area. Well worth venturing out of the city centre for a browse here.

If any where in this city was to encapsulate the cool, artsy and academic café culture of Edinburgh’s students and young professionals, it’s Bruntsfield.
At the far west end of the Meadows and surrounding areas, this little slice of culture houses more café’s, shops, pubs and even a Waitrose’s than you could shake a stick at. I walk around this area of town and envy those who can stay here.
Inncidently, I’m looking for a new flat for next year, and Bruntsfield is one of the area’s I’m looking at. I will update my review with any further reviews etc later on.

Bruntsfield gives you a tantalising taste of the high life when you visit. With old, airy buildings with turrets on top, acres of green grass and miles of suburbia, it takes you one step out of the city even though it’s only half an hour away from the centre!
As the ladies have pointed out, there are some gorgeous shops out here. From the lovely Peckhams to fancy chocolatiers, there is enough for you to pamper yourself in style. Speaking of style, they also have a number of lovely indepenent boutiques and toy shops catering to all ages. If you dig deep enough, you can also find a couple of vintage and curiosity shops.
After a hard day’s shopping you will be hungry, and there are no shortage of delightful restuarants and bars up this end of town. Trendy without being too ostentatious, you can hope to find anything from traditional fayre to culinery delights and critic’s choices.
It’s a very family friendly area and if I had the money, the kind of place I would want to bring up my kids. It is an absolute treat!

I definitely want to live here when I graduate. It’s like a prettier, more stylish and grown-​up version of it’s next door neighbour, Marchmont.
Think beautiful old buildings, more cafés/​boutiques/​gift shops/​jewellers than you could ever get bored of, and your halfway there. Throw in some basic essentials like the mini Waitrose and Tesco Metro, a handful of pubs, good bus links to the city centre (which is 10 minutes away) and you’ve got it all.
Most of the shops etc are on Brunstfield Place, the main road running through the area. There’s the biggest branch in the Peckhams chain, the original member of the Montpeliers family, and my personal favourites… The Chocolate Tree and Luca, both of which will sort you right out when you need your next chocolate and caffeine fix.
The big, grassy Brunstfield Links are great too, ideal for lounging on in the summer which a picnic, or when you’re too full from working your way through the various pizzerias’ and cafés’ menus.
Because it’s such a gorgeous and trendy area, prices in Brunstfield are slightly higher than the neighbouring Tollcross or Marchmont, but it’s such a gorgeous place that you really don’t mind.

Whenever I walk up to Bruntsfield I always leave feeling jealous of all my friends who live up here. I feel I made a mistake living in the dingy, dull Dalry.
Bruntsfield is brimming with beautiful little shops selling gorgeous little gifts for you to spend all your pennies on. There is also a wonderful selection of cafes and high quality food stores to cater for every taste. They have not one, but two chocolate shops! Not fair– share with the rest of Edinburgh! There is clothes shops, sporting shops and card shops. Really every shop you could possibly need for just about anything. The Meadows are on the doorstep so you grab some food at Peckhams and have a picnic. Bruntsfield is great for an afternoon of just milling around and having all your needs satisfied by awesome quality, small businesses.
I so wish I lived here!