Patina

warnesdj

14 Jan 2025

Go west for great coffee and pastries

4.5

4.5

Date of visit: January 2025

I am a carer or friend of a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: moving around

Overall Rating

Excellent

Helpful staff, great pastries baked on the premises and a lakeside walk and sculpture park to enjoy nearby. The cafe is very popular with people working in the nearby offices. Sandwiches are also available as are take-outs.

Disabled Access In and Around

Good

If approaching from the tram stop, the best route is along the east side of the building parallel to the tram lines and then along its south front. We have known the approach along the west side of the building to be tricky because of badly parked cars. The entrance to the cafe from the terrace is completely level and there is an automatic door, though this wasn't working on this visit. The staff and fellow customers were very helpful. There are plenty of tables on the terrace if it isn't too chilly. The interior of the cafe is quite narrow and it is very popular, so finding an accessible table might not be easy, particularly in a power chair. When full, the cafe is quite noisy which could be an issue for people with hearing difficulties.

Parking & Transport

Good

Can't comment on the parking from experience, though there is a multi-storey car park nearby. The cafe is a short and level wheel/walk from Edinburgh Park Central tram stop. The nearest bus stop if you are travelling from the city centre is in Lochside Crescent and is served by buses 12,21,22,22A, 32, 36 & 400.

Accessible Toilets

Excellent

See the attached photo. The approach is through a door which isn't automated, but this is right next to the service counter so staff are on hand to help. The toilet itself is very spacious, with room for side transfer, well-placed grab rails and an alarm cord which stretches right to the floor. No need for a Euan's Guide card here!

Staff

Excellent

They couldn't have been more helpful, both in enabling us to access the cafe and in bringing our order to the table.

Additional Information

We recommend a wheel/walk round the lakeside park, taking in busts of famous Scottish poets and novelists and a gigantic statue by Leith-born sculptor Eduardo Paolozzi. Close to the far (northern) end of the lakeside park is the Gyle Shopping centre.