Cafe
A drill hall, right enough, turned into a vibrant and vital arts centre and neighbourhood social hub by Out of the Blue (an arts and education trust). Flea market (last Saturday of the month and many other events), studios and this eco/fair trade/creative food kitchen. Soups, sandwiches and big for brunch. Mon-Sat daytime only. The beating heart of Leith.
Scotland the Best 2019 & The Times ‘Five of the best cafes in Edinburgh’ 2021
Social enterprise cafés don’t come much more professional or enticing than the Drill Hall Café
The List Eating and Drinking Guide 2018/19
…a gem of a cafe…
The List Eating and Drinking Guide 2017/18
Covid 19 Update
The size of the Drill Hall allows us to operate on a 2 metre-distancing basis which – alongside other precautionary measures – should make for a comfortable and reassuringly distant experience.
Our Food
We strive to use fresh, organic, free-range, fair trade and local ingredients wherever possible, and to support neighboring businesses with a similar ethos. We believe food that is in-season and has enjoyed an uncompromised journey to your plate simply tastes better.
All our hot main dishes are prepared on the premises using fresh ingredients. Cakes and bakes are oven-fresh: kneaded into life and whisked together by our inspired team. We offer a great range of vegetarian and meat options.
Catering and Delivery Service
The café is available for catering your event, whether it be boardroom lunches, wine and cheese for exhibition openings or specialty dishes to suit your event. Contact Chris in the café to discuss your needs. Find out more and see our Drill Hall catering menu.
A LA KART is a Cargo Bike delivery social enterprise from the Out of the Blue Drill Hall Arts Café. Outside catering, hearty and wholesome and freshly made to your meeting or event. Find out more and see the A LA KART menu.
Training Scheme
A key part of the café ethos is an ongoing initiative to train and employ young people in this working hospitality environment. Each trainee will join us for a six month period, during which time they’ll gain the knowledge and experience as well as the skills and confidence to step out into the industry… and beyond. Find out more about our Training Scheme.
Special events
The café set up popular events such as Bruncheon! combining a yummy brunch menu with live music performed by local artists and the monthly Freeze Frame Film Club. We contribute to The Out of the Blue Drill Hall’s regular Arts Markets and Flea Markets with our creative menus and we cater for meetings, parties, exhibition launches and for other occasions that take place at the Drill Hall. expo, wiff waff, makers marque
Suppliers
Cheese from I.J. Mellis our local ‘monger.
Meat from Fraser the Butcher in McDonald Place.
We buy fish from Welch’s at Newhaven Harbour.
Fresh fruit and veg come the earth, dude – via Phantassie Organic Farm in East Lothian.
Eggs from Edinburgh Community Food.
Morning rolls come from The Sicilian Bakery on Albert Street.
Organic drinks and dry goods come from Greencity Wholefoods, a Glasgow Workers’ Co-operative.
Organic milk comes from Graham’s Family Dairy, near Stirling.
