Lovecrumbs is a cake shop and café located in the West Port close to Edinburgh city center. Unlike many cafes with a few uninspiring limp sponges and unappealing chocolate brownies and flapjacks imprisoned in little plastic straitjackets, at Lovecrumbs, it truly is all about the cake. They do not sell soups, sandwiches or wraps . . . just the most mouth-watering, waistline-expanding, awe-inspiring cakes and home baking.
The interior of the café is both quirky and charming. Reclaimed and upcycled furniture nestles alongside piano tables and tea chests and shabby chic sofas, and the crockery is vintage and miss-matched. The counter is graced by a four-tier cake stand flanked by little silver buckets that are filled with crumbly and delicious scones.
Lovecrumbs' cake wardrobe — Photo courtesy of Lovecrumbs
However, the star attraction is the wardrobe of cakes. The inside of each door is clad with a chalkboard on which the daily treats are listed, and the most beautiful and seductive morsels peep at you from the shelves.
The menu of cakes changes every day, as freshly baked cakes, tarts and brownies are delivered from their kitchen in Leith. The usual favorites are generally present (including a carrot cake so good you would be happy to dine on it for eternity), but you will also find some delightful and sometimes surprising taste sensations if you're willing to take a chance.
Courgette and buckwheat may not be at the top of your list of must-eat cakes, but fortune favors the brave, as it tastes a lot better than you could have imagined. Other combinations (We're looking at you, blueberry and violet, and you, passion fruit meringue pie.) are so perfect and obviously delectable that you will be spoiled forever.
To seal the deal, these lovely cakes and sweets are ably supported by an all-star cast of loose-leaf teas and artisan roast coffees. Tea arrives in large, open bags with genuine bone china cups and a thermos of hot water, so that you may refill your cup as often as you desire. The coffee is strong and aromatic, with a powerful bitter kick, which perfectly complements the sweet treats on offer.
Portion sizes are very generous at Lovecrumbs, so choose carefully. To order more than one cake would certainly be to fall foul of the sin of gluttony. However, if you simply cannot decide, never fear. You can also order cakes to take away or order an entire cake of your chosen variety to be made to order – and then scoff it all at home on your own or share it with friends. That is, if you can bear to give any away.
