Claire Sawers is a writer based in Edinburgh, Scotland. She has contributed to the Quietus, the Times, Big Issue, the Guardian and more.
Listings and reviews (1)
Urban Angel
Whatâs the vibe? This spot on Hanover Street has been around since 2004, and is still one of our faves. The room is a very zen subterranean haven of pale pine and flagstone floors, where theyâve been serving up seasonal, organic and ethical produce long before it seemed to become almost a given for any (sniff) self-respecting city centre bistro. What should I drink? Their espresso coffee is roasted by Londonâs Alchemy and loose leaf tea (choose from breakfast/ builderâs, decaf, as well as white peony, chai or peppermint amongst others) comes from Eteaket tea room, based on the nearby Frederick Street. If your yoga classes have been guilting you into a more balanced approach to eating, Urban Angelâs smoothies blend mango and orange juice with nutrient-loaded things like spinach and spirulina (thereâs also a raw chocolate version, made with oat milk, cacao, dates, banana and vanilla). What should I eat? Even the treats wear a halo (the clue was always there in the cafĂ©âs name), with organic plum and frangipane tart, a gluten-free orange and almond cake or fairtrade dark chocolate and nut brownie. The good virtues continue in the superfood salads and zaatar spiced cauliflower, or feel a little more indulgent with halloumi burgers, stuffed BLTs and French toast. If anything on the menu sounds like overly health-focused, penitent eating, youâd be dead wrong â everything slaps. This review was fact-checked and updated in 2024. đ Need to walk off that toastie? Discover the bes