Starbucks

I don’t completely hate this place.
So because the Starbucks near campus is so ridiculously busy every time I try to stop in (it looks like a queue to enter a nightclub), I ended up at this location just further up the street. I come at a time when they are just getting busy, but there are still seats available.
However, if you plan to come in the early afternoon?
Forget about it. Not if you plan on sitting in at least.
Anyway, the service at this location is on par with every other Starbucks in Edinburgh. That is to say, pretty average. They are friendly enough, but you can tell they are used to being in «busy mode» all day, which makes the employees less personable.
The menu items are fine. Same as any other Starbucks in my view. The place can get a little dirty at times, remember that there is a large seating area in back and so that can get messy at certain times of the day as it gets neglected when they are busy.
The place is larger than most Starbucks in the area and so the noise level reflects that. Lots of undergraduate students talking in groups, so getting any work done would be possible with headphones only. Other than that, this is a decent place to grab a drink or a bite in the mid-​morning.
I only tend to stay for an hour at the most. Once it gets crowded, it gets messy, and the noise level is a bit too high for the «coffeeshop atmosphere» that I prefer. I will for sure be back because I can actually get in and order a drink and sit down (unlike the other Starbucks nearby).

I know my level of appreciation for Starbucks easily classifies me with a dreaded affliction: being totally basic. :(But I’ll embrace my status wholeheartedly as this wee store deserves it.
My bus route to work is an uncertain thing on the best of days, and absurdly early to boot. That’s why when I discovered this Starbucks right around the corner I was chuffed. It’s pretty standard on the inside with all wooden panels and walls, although surprisingly roomy with extra seating in the back. In the mornings it’s full of adorably uniform-​clad children killing some time before school sipping hot cocoa or whatever, which my American heart finds charming. Uniforms! Tiny people! D’awww!
The staff has always been friendly and welcoming, sometimes surprisingly so, like when they gifted me with two gigantic cookies out of nowhere one morning «just because.» (Day: made!) Today they also gifted me with some coupons to take off 50p on my next orders, which I’m also so okay with!
All in all, this is your typical Starbucks fare made better with friendly morning faces. And this basic girl digs it!

2 star go to this Starbucks for service alone, seeing as the majority of Starbucks are consistent in their quality of coffee.
I nicked in here for a quick caramel latte to kill some time before an event I was attending and didn’t receive the best of service from a gent who didn’t seem to care whether I was a customer or not.
By no means am I saying I should be treated like royalty but being asked «What do you want?» instead of «What can I get for you?» make huge differences to an experience in a branch, especially in a city that seems to survive on coffee and tea lovers.
Lovely in its layout and relaxed in its vibe, this would have been a nice place to sit and relax for 10 but I decided it best to take my latte for a walk instead.

I have been a regular at this Starbucks more or less since it opened. Monday to Friday at around 9 I will sleepily wander in for a venti 4 shot latte or as the staff call it a usual. Starbucks is a chain, the coffee isn’t the best or the worst, but what raises this one in my estimation is the staff.
The shop itself has a small frontage that widens into a more cavernous seating area, as others have said this means there isn’t that much natural light, however as somewhere to go and pickup a takeaway coffee I rate this Starbucks above all others.

This Starbucks has been refurb’d, and in doing so has earned an extra star from me! Taking it’s 2 star rating up to 3…
Read my previous review to understand my stance on Starbucks. I usually try my very best to get to an independent café with wifi from where to work, drink coffee or just catch up with friends. And when I come to Starbucks, I don’t drink coffee (unless I want a skinny, caramel latte or something. But that’s not really ‘coffee’ is it. Just caffeinated sugar drink of YEY!) I usually get their tea, and occasionally a bag of their nuts.
But Starbucks has reliable wifi, and usually always has seats. They also don’t mind if you rock up for half a day and bug one mug of tea.
Anyway, this Starbucks (as I said) has had a refurb. And it’s nicer. The back area which has NO NATURAL LIGHT (which I hate) still has no natural light, but the artificial light is at once brighter and softer. The serving area has been decked out in terracota tiles which makes it feel warmer and the front area has lots more small tables with a comfy bench. The staff are the same friendly staff.
So, now I don’t mind coming here so much. Starbucks is as Starbucks does. And before people start ranting or tutting, I recently spoke with an independent coffee shop entrepreneur who told me that it’s thanks to Starbucks that coffee became popular and in vogue again, so all independents owe a lot to Starbucks.

Great staff, are friendly
Lots of room to study, third
place consistently

As i sit here in this Starbucks writing this review, it saddens me to see its low rating.
I understand the comments of others, and yes, this Starbucks is not perfect. I’m sitting by the door (only comfy seat free) and although the sun is making its rare appearance and shining over Edinburgh, every time someone walks in or out i slowly freeze.
So what is it i love about this Starbucks? Well I’m a complete sucker for a genuinely friendly person who is happy to have a chat. I also appreciate the free WIFI, the view to people watch on middle meadow walk, and how close it is to my flat and the centre of Edinburgh.
I don’t think Starbucks make the best coffee in town, i think they are over priced and often look in need of a refurbishment. However, many will disagree with me, but i do like the friendly American culture they adopt. If someone is going to ask for my name, make my coffee and hand it to me saying «There’s your skinny cappuccino Jennie, have a nice day» then that puts a smile on my face for the day :)

Me and Starbucks have a love/​hate relationship.
I love that they can have such a wide variety of flavours to add to your coffee to spice it up a little…
But I hate that these yummy sweet syrupy things, that must be mega addictive, are being added to mediocre coffee.
I love that they have a good selection of sandwiches, and they now have little salad boxes which look good too…
But I hate how awful the cakes are. I cannot express this in any other way, I have NEVER had a good one.
I love that they have christmassy cups and drinks in November, any excuse for me to get the festive spirit…
But I hate that every time Christmas drinks magically appear the place seems to just be chockablock– ALL the time!
So basically, pass me another Toffee Nut Latte, and that will be all.

Does anyone know what Starbucks put in their frappuccinos?
I know there’s milk, ice, flavoured syrup and espresso but I’m pretty sure there must be another mystery ingredient. After all, the people that drink them can’t seem to go a single day without drinking one. I know a handful of folk that always seem to have just finished a cup or are on their way to get their next. Of course, it could just be that their Mocha, Caramel, Lemon or Mango and Passion Fruit Frappuccinos taste heavenly but I suspect they’re sprinkling something special in there.
Since 9 of the 10 people in this branch were sipping one when I visited I know something’s up. The question is, what? Iced crack? Crystallised sugar? Pure caramel and Columbian espresso? Who knows, my friends?

If you like your coffee strong and served in a cosy atmosphere, then Starbucks is not for you. This coffee chain seems to be on a mission to take over from McDonalds as the most ubiquitous retailer on the planet but it still has some way to go. The Forrest Road branch is not too big to completely remove any atmosphere and the staff are friendly but you can’t help but feel a little cheated in here, given the massive range of independent coffee shops nearby, serving better coffee at much more reasonable prices. It’s likely to be around for a long time and this is probably one of the better branches but if you are particular about your beans, this is not the place for you.