Topiary - Edinburgh, City of

Since last review, and after a couple of recent visits, I'd say this place has definitely improved food quality. A simple thing like replacing inappropriate brioche buns for things like a bacon roll etc, with a morning roll is a sign of commonsense. And attempts at varying items available at breakfast are to be applauded. Good stuff.

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.

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.

We decided to take a day trip to recover from the Christmas celebrations and visited the garden center where we found the charming Topiary Restaurant. The restaurant was quite spacious and not very crowded, so we received quick service. We enjoyed a variety of dishes including soup, fish finger sandwiches, and a children's meal, all of which were well-prepared and reasonably priced. We definitely plan to return to this restaurant next time we are in Edinburgh.