Decided on a day out to reciver from the festivities of Christmas so visited the garden centre and the lovely Topiary Restaurant. A huge area but it wasn't very busy so service was quick. We had a range of items including Soup, fish Finger sandwiches, children's plate - all well prepared and value for money. Certainly on our list for a return when we are next in Edinburgh.
GandL1011
Excellent fish and chips served here; definitely one of the best in the region. Very fresh, very crisp battered fish, excellent chips and very tasty mashed peas. Tartare sauce, crispy bits and bread and butter also part of the dish. This is very good indeed. Other lunch items are also very good and well worth trying.
charlotteg681
Stopped in late afternoon on a Saturday and happy to see the place open, quiet and plenty of seats available with someone clearing and wiping tables too. Floor was quite messy with crushed in crisps etc but assuming this is hoovered at the end of shift and was due to be done. Just had a trifle, caramel shortcake and two coffees between us. The sweet treats were delicious and the coffee very good! Flavours available on display so I didn’t have to ask which flavours they could do for my latte. We paid and were given our stuff at the counter then we went to sit down. The man said goodbye to us on our departure. Would definitely return and maybe try a main meal. Free parking is a bonus too.
phroggs
There was a time when going to a garden centre and having a coffee was a favourite way to spend a morning or afternoon. Sadly no longer the case - and that is not only at Mortonhall! I was meeting someone I had not seen since before lockdown - more than half our time was spent with me queuing and no sign that the staff were in any hurry! The current restaurant is bigger and more sophisticated than the old but is dark and miserable on a pleasant day and most of it has no view of the outside, let alone the garden centre. The coffee was passable, but eatables limited to the usual fatty and sugary cakes and scones. We had little or no time left to view of even think of buying anything. The craft materials I had told my friend about have gone to be replaced by furniture and frankly the whole inside of the shop would have little now to interest gardeners.,
Ania Sh
What a shame, such a lovely location but food is well below average and overpriced. Sandwich = cheap bread, tasteless spreads (not fresh) they call hummus and avocado, and then they charge you 8 pounds. Weak coffee and mediocre scone. Go for the plants, nothing else.
jacquipeerless
Staff were lovely on counter, however lunch was cold and bread with double was stale. Shane as it used to be a good place to eat
K54C
We both have visited the garden centre on numerous occasions and whilst not the cheapest, has a good range of plants. But today we were passing and decided to call in for a coffee and a cake. We were shown to a table (strange for a cafe environment) and told to scan the Q code to order. We said we just wanted a coffee and a cake each of the paper menu also given to us. The “usher” couldn’t take this simple order as it had to be an order taker, which he said would send down. After a twenty min wait, we asked a waitress cleaning a table near by if we could order. Only to be told she doesnt take orders and will get some one else!! Eventually a order taker person took our order. After another fifteen mins an “ adviser” said they didn’t have walnut cake and could I pick something else! As I was looking at the cakes on offer menu the coffee and tea along with my wifes scone was delivered. I said whoa I haven’t even picked what I want yet. Then at that point another server dropped off my Walnut cake lol! I said I thought you had non? She replied we found one on the bakery shelf. What a total disjointed chaotic place for a quick coffee break. While we were there we saw others going to the till area to get their money back - as you have to pay up front! They really need to look at the model of good service by Dobbies. You collect your food then coffee then pay for it, finding your table at that point. If they don’t have your chosen food item, they then give you a vibrator alarm gizmo that lights up when its ready to uplift. Half the staff and works seamlessly. Klondyke you need to sort out this shambles of a restaurant experience quickly or you will lose clients fast.
H7300RTsheilaf
Disappointing visit to Topiary Restaurant.Queue stretched into shop .Only one person making coffees; other counter was not opened. Mortonhall need to appreciate customers a bit more and improve customer service. They obviously do not pay any attention to reviews as same complaints were made in 2019 .
Gill W
We queued for 25 mins for a coffee and a cake and the system was really bizarre and unclear. Do you help yourself to cakes or not (it seems in some cases you do but the plates were way up by the tills so we had to go and fetch a couple and bring them back to choose a cake). No apology for the wait when we finally got to the till but a chap who was barking orders re the coffee/milk etc at a female colleague. The crockery and cutlery was grubby. Our table hadn’t been cleared or wiped and the tea wasn’t hot enough. The cakes were OK. We would have liked another coffee each but weren’t prepared to queue again. I suspect they are short staffed but think they could really improve their service just with a few small changes to their self service/till process, an apology and maybe a smile or two so that customers might actually feel welcome rather than an inconvenience. It could be a great cafe.
R1534ZCchristinas
Visited to see the Christmas village and singing reindeer which were great. Stood for ages in the queue for food waiting to be served. Ordered tea and juice which you get when ordered. Then sat for ages waiting for food so tea was cold by the time food came. Child’s fish and chips was awful, fish was rubbery and batter hard, chips greasy so she wouldn’t eat it. Very disappointed and overpriced for what we got. Definitely wouldn’t rush back.
Was very disappointed in both the food, prices and cleanliness of it. Not been for a few years and sad to say its went downhill. Queue right back through to the shop when there seemed not to be enough staff. We got sandwiches which were dry and the coleslaw on the side looked like it had sat out all day waiting on us. We had to clear our own table as seemed staff were too busy with all the tables. Not enough staff for the size of place and when we asked lady whom I presumed was management foe cutlery as there was none she thumped it down like it was an effort.
marka3346
20 minute stand in a small queue. No emphasis by staff or any appearance of a manager controlling. One staff member standing cutting small corners of very small bags pouring in to a jar whilst a single person slowly served. Two staff bring out hot food but as orders not going in fast enough they looked bored. No buzz about staff. Can't say if friendly or not. Food fresh and plates hot it is front of house that's the issue.
Kseniia Bondarenko
Expensive. Dry burger with salad that consisted only of bitter rocket and little else. Small cake portions, slow service.
Rianna Mcculloch
Lovely place to stop off to have a look around the garden centre and for a bite to eat and a coffee!
Paul Skett
Nice restaurant and coffee shop inside a garden centre. comfortable seating. Good coffee and cake.
Decided on a day out to reciver from the festivities of Christmas so visited the garden centre and the lovely Topiary Restaurant. A huge area but it wasn't very busy so service was quick. We had a range of items including Soup, fish Finger sandwiches, children's plate - all well prepared and value for money. Certainly on our list for a return when we are next in Edinburgh.
Excellent fish and chips served here; definitely one of the best in the region. Very fresh, very crisp battered fish, excellent chips and very tasty mashed peas. Tartare sauce, crispy bits and bread and butter also part of the dish. This is very good indeed. Other lunch items are also very good and well worth trying.
Stopped in late afternoon on a Saturday and happy to see the place open, quiet and plenty of seats available with someone clearing and wiping tables too. Floor was quite messy with crushed in crisps etc but assuming this is hoovered at the end of shift and was due to be done. Just had a trifle, caramel shortcake and two coffees between us. The sweet treats were delicious and the coffee very good! Flavours available on display so I didn’t have to ask which flavours they could do for my latte. We paid and were given our stuff at the counter then we went to sit down. The man said goodbye to us on our departure. Would definitely return and maybe try a main meal. Free parking is a bonus too.
There was a time when going to a garden centre and having a coffee was a favourite way to spend a morning or afternoon. Sadly no longer the case - and that is not only at Mortonhall! I was meeting someone I had not seen since before lockdown - more than half our time was spent with me queuing and no sign that the staff were in any hurry! The current restaurant is bigger and more sophisticated than the old but is dark and miserable on a pleasant day and most of it has no view of the outside, let alone the garden centre. The coffee was passable, but eatables limited to the usual fatty and sugary cakes and scones. We had little or no time left to view of even think of buying anything. The craft materials I had told my friend about have gone to be replaced by furniture and frankly the whole inside of the shop would have little now to interest gardeners.,
What a shame, such a lovely location but food is well below average and overpriced. Sandwich = cheap bread, tasteless spreads (not fresh) they call hummus and avocado, and then they charge you 8 pounds. Weak coffee and mediocre scone. Go for the plants, nothing else.
Staff were lovely on counter, however lunch was cold and bread with double was stale. Shane as it used to be a good place to eat
We both have visited the garden centre on numerous occasions and whilst not the cheapest, has a good range of plants. But today we were passing and decided to call in for a coffee and a cake. We were shown to a table (strange for a cafe environment) and told to scan the Q code to order. We said we just wanted a coffee and a cake each of the paper menu also given to us. The “usher” couldn’t take this simple order as it had to be an order taker, which he said would send down. After a twenty min wait, we asked a waitress cleaning a table near by if we could order. Only to be told she doesnt take orders and will get some one else!! Eventually a order taker person took our order. After another fifteen mins an “ adviser” said they didn’t have walnut cake and could I pick something else! As I was looking at the cakes on offer menu the coffee and tea along with my wifes scone was delivered. I said whoa I haven’t even picked what I want yet. Then at that point another server dropped off my Walnut cake lol! I said I thought you had non? She replied we found one on the bakery shelf. What a total disjointed chaotic place for a quick coffee break. While we were there we saw others going to the till area to get their money back - as you have to pay up front! They really need to look at the model of good service by Dobbies. You collect your food then coffee then pay for it, finding your table at that point. If they don’t have your chosen food item, they then give you a vibrator alarm gizmo that lights up when its ready to uplift. Half the staff and works seamlessly. Klondyke you need to sort out this shambles of a restaurant experience quickly or you will lose clients fast.
Disappointing visit to Topiary Restaurant.Queue stretched into shop .Only one person making coffees; other counter was not opened. Mortonhall need to appreciate customers a bit more and improve customer service. They obviously do not pay any attention to reviews as same complaints were made in 2019 .
We queued for 25 mins for a coffee and a cake and the system was really bizarre and unclear. Do you help yourself to cakes or not (it seems in some cases you do but the plates were way up by the tills so we had to go and fetch a couple and bring them back to choose a cake). No apology for the wait when we finally got to the till but a chap who was barking orders re the coffee/milk etc at a female colleague. The crockery and cutlery was grubby. Our table hadn’t been cleared or wiped and the tea wasn’t hot enough. The cakes were OK. We would have liked another coffee each but weren’t prepared to queue again. I suspect they are short staffed but think they could really improve their service just with a few small changes to their self service/till process, an apology and maybe a smile or two so that customers might actually feel welcome rather than an inconvenience. It could be a great cafe.
Visited to see the Christmas village and singing reindeer which were great. Stood for ages in the queue for food waiting to be served. Ordered tea and juice which you get when ordered. Then sat for ages waiting for food so tea was cold by the time food came. Child’s fish and chips was awful, fish was rubbery and batter hard, chips greasy so she wouldn’t eat it. Very disappointed and overpriced for what we got. Definitely wouldn’t rush back.
Restaurantji Recommends
Was very disappointed in both the food, prices and cleanliness of it. Not been for a few years and sad to say its went downhill. Queue right back through to the shop when there seemed not to be enough staff. We got sandwiches which were dry and the coleslaw on the side looked like it had sat out all day waiting on us. We had to clear our own table as seemed staff were too busy with all the tables. Not enough staff for the size of place and when we asked lady whom I presumed was management foe cutlery as there was none she thumped it down like it was an effort.
20 minute stand in a small queue. No emphasis by staff or any appearance of a manager controlling. One staff member standing cutting small corners of very small bags pouring in to a jar whilst a single person slowly served. Two staff bring out hot food but as orders not going in fast enough they looked bored. No buzz about staff. Can't say if friendly or not. Food fresh and plates hot it is front of house that's the issue.
Expensive. Dry burger with salad that consisted only of bitter rocket and little else. Small cake portions, slow service.
Lovely place to stop off to have a look around the garden centre and for a bite to eat and a coffee!
Nice restaurant and coffee shop inside a garden centre. comfortable seating. Good coffee and cake.