Dalry is well served for restaurant options, with places like First Coast, Mia, Locanda de Gusti, RiverLife and Feast offering good diversity of provision.

What this part of town has lacked, though, is good coffee. For now, Soderberg on Queensferry Street is about as far west (with the exception of Cafe Colpamia in Roseburn) as coffee excellence extends.

The arrival of Chapter One on Dalry Road didn’t immediately look like it heralded the arrival of salvation. The bigger half of what was previously an internet cafe, a quick peek through the window revealed fairly standard looking Ikea tables and chairs, and I caught sight of the dreaded Matthew Algie as their coffee. However, their second espresso was Dear Green’s Goosedubbs, so I was over the threshold like a shot when I spotted that.

This was a breakfast visit on a very sunny morning so the interior was seen to very good advantage. It’s smart and bright and will feel very welcoming once it’s a little more bedded in, I imagine.

The welcome at the counter was warm but there was still some teething trouble with the till and pricing. They’re new, it will improve and then things will be much slicker.

Their breakfast offering is pretty straightforward with bacon or bacon & sausage sandwiches on good sourdough, plus variously topped porridge for oat fans. Lunch is simple soups and sandwiches, with the sandwiches and pastries on display looking very smart.

Bacon and sausage sounded like a good way to start the day so I went with that. I added a very good Dear Green espresso. I actually tried the Algie, as well, and it was typically terrible, so a quick move to the Goosedubbs as their go-to option would be greatly appreciated.

The breakfast sandwich proved very good with delicious herby sausages and crisp bacon. Topped with brown sauce, this was a really satisfying eat that put me in mind of the excellent sandwiches at Cairngorm.

So overall, I was really pleased with Chapter One. It brings much needed coffee quality to this part of town so I can see myself being a regular visitor. You should pay it a visit next time you’re in these parts as I’m confident you’ll be impressed.

Scores
Blythe scores Chapter One
4/5 for food
4/5 for presentation
3.5/5 for setting
3.5/5 for service
giving an overall 15/20

I ate: bacon and sausage roll

I drank: espresso (2), water

I wore: lilac

Total bill: £6.10

http://www.chapterone.coffee/