For the grandeur of the city, the chocolaterie was rather underwhelming; I was expecting Willy Wonka excitement, but got an average-sized speciality shop. The cafe at the back was even more surprising – it looked like a recent afterthought, with just a few simple tables and little warmth to the decor.
Category: Cafes
Grind Royal Exchange Bar and Cafe
I was still rather hopeful the coffee would save the brand – after all, it has been going strong for over a decade, so my expectations were reasonably high. When I received my cup (again, on the small side, despite the price – but, oh, hello London!) I was not impressed.
Boxcar Coffee & Yard
Once my mocha was finally called, I took an edge seat at one of the large campsite-style tables, occupied by two other couples, to conduct a proper assessment of my drink. It felt light as I picked it up and the froth under the lid seemed to confirm the concoction would be underwhelming. And so it was.
Common Sense Coffee House & Bar
Finally, I had my coffee… Now, while I appreciated the whole feel around the pavilions and what they bring to Aberdeen, I did not have huge expectations on the quality of the brews.
The Monocle Café
The coffee was served not long after, and beautifully presented. I loved the attention to detail: from the wooden serving tray to the little branded chocolate served on the side. But of course, it was all about the mocha, which I could tell just by looking at it that it would be a joy to sip on.
Attendant
The wrought-iron caging and narrow staircase decorated in tiles resemble a cross between a tube station and – well, there’s no escaping it – an old-fashioned public toilet; thankfully, the at the end of it the air is full of pleasant aromas of brewed coffee and cheese toasties.
A Black Spot 