Based on 256 opinions finded in 1 websites
Based on 256 opinions finded in 1 websites
Nº 258 in 393 in Scottish Borders
Nº 63 of 83 Other cuisines in Scottish Borders
Opinions
Lovely proper bookshop with a cafe and deli. We were just after a quick coffee but couldn't resist trying the delicious cakes. The flat white was good, strong and hot but rather a small cup. Cakes were as good as they looked. Bought a few books for the Grandchildren and had a browse around the well stocked deli. Loved spotting authors we knew from the pictures on the wall. Will visit again when in the area.
castlesintheair . 2024-09-14
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Uitstekende plek als je van boeken en/of lekker eten houdt. Reserveren is aangeraden omdat de plek erg populair is en dat is met een goede reden
Jelle V . 2024-07-27
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Stopped for a bit lunch had coffee cake shared a sandwich not the best sandwich in the world chorizo and chutney extremely messy to eat cheap bread not good at all for the price charged. Coffee cup a tad small. Was expecting a lot better
Phiney60 . 2024-02-20
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Tried for a lunch. Ordered the “dish of the day” baked sweet potato with chickpeas etc. Arrived with a small side salad, but unfortunately the potato was barely warm. I asked if they could be warmed up, but the waitress returned them saying that the chef said that was the way it was served. I said that I would prefer my baked potato hot or at least warmer. The waitress then managed to insult my intelligence by saying that you can’t microwave a salad. I had to suggest she could remove the salad leaves microwave the potato and then add the salad back. It was returned still hardly warm, my husband ate his as he was hungry and I ate the small side salad. When the waitress collected the plates she did apologies, however the experience was very disappointing.
SG . 2023-11-15
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Very poor lunch and poor service. It is a pretentious cafe which is overpriced and the choice and quality of the food is not to be recommended
S G . 2023-11-15
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Have been for breakfast the last two mornings, we had the Granola with fruit compote and natural yoghurt. It was delicious 😋. Would highly recommend others to try the Granola. Staff are very warm and welcoming. Cakes , scones, and traybakes are available to buy. Will be back very soon.
jill t . 2023-09-02
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Well run and comfortable cafe within a fine bookshop. Fresh food, and home baking. Friendly, hard working staff. Very busy over lunch periods, but you can book, and the atmospher is lively
michael s . 2023-08-31
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Great food, venue and pleasant staff. Well worth a visit! Always a pleasure to walk around the bookshop and deli too.
RussandMatt . 2023-03-06
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Lovely find, great food after a beautiful walk. Great with the little one supplying some cutlery and a bowl as he was sharing my soup. Very popular spot
688lydiah . 2023-02-26
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Very welcoming, very interesting book shop, very delicious food. My husband has a restricted diet and the friendly staff were only too happy to make up a delicious salad for him to eat which wasn't on the menu. I had the pickled carrot, onion and hummus open sandwich, absolutely gorgeous. Our little old dachshund was made to feel so welcome. We bought a couple of books, the cheerful staff were very friendly.
Z9489SYlindah . 2023-01-27
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Bookshop is wonderful and the young lady (blonde) that served me when purchasing my books was lovely, openly chatty and a credit to the team. However, the cafe and staff serving let this place down massively. We sat down and the waitress did not make us feel welcomed at all, we ordered 2 coffees and then she asked us ‘do you not want any food?’ To which we replied no only for us to say ‘hold on let me just check this table wasn’t reserved’. To me that screams that people buying food should be prioritised over people only wanting to purchase a hot drink. Coffees arrived and were ok however we were not offered any sugars etc or shown where these were. Paying was difficult and when trying to pay at the desk someone stated that the person would be over to take payment however nobody arrived? With two obviously empty mugs sat on the table the waitress then returned and told us ‘not to rush’. I have previously enjoyed a trip here however doubt I will be returning and will look to supporting another local bookshop.
Jane050620 . 2023-01-12
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I have visited this cafe several times, the service is terrible meaning food comes cold. How hard can it be to get a slice of toast to your table while it’s slightly warm. Very expensive particularly when you’re food is cold. The scones are nice
Lynsey M . 2022-10-27
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We use the MSTC regularly, visiting the deli and sometimes the cafe. The deli has nice things, no complaints about that. Have come to their book events occasionally as well. I appreciate that staffing may be an issue these day. We rang ahead, booked a table for lunch, and when we got there were told that only serving cake and drinks now. Part of the party got in 1445 tail enders 1505. IF we had been told on arrival that there was a 1500 cut off - it's been a couple of months since we visited the cafe and i know the menu has changed since our last visit - the first arrivals could have ordered for the missing ones. Didn't know this when we booked as we were a distance away and made a special trip to get there. In the end they did serve us what we wanted but we didn't feel welcome. Food is ok, but nothing like what it was previously. Service unfriendly. We got off to a bad start and wish we had just got up and gone.
tabith t . 2022-08-27
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Very polite staff with a very warm welcome. Coffee and Brownie were delicious. Very busy coffee shop advisable to book a table.
jilltV6017GP . 2022-08-09
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We found this unexpected complex quite a revelation. I saw cafe on the sign as I cycled by and thought I'd pop in for a quick look and was surprised to find a very busy cafe and great bookshop, with a deli and homeware store around a central courtyard where I sat outside and had a coffee and excellent salad. Over the next couple of days all our group, including my wife and I and 3 other couples, visited the cafe and the bookshop and were equally impressed. Cheese ploughmans sandwich and hummus outstanding.
gia1950 . 2022-07-12
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Didn’t eat this time but spent money in the deli! They have a creative range of household items and gifts as well as the expected delights of a good deli.
Footsy2 . 2022-06-25
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Visited today as part of weekend away. Often visit when in the area. Waited for table but a local customer edged himself in and despite pointing out that others were first he took the only available table supported by the young manat the counter.Returned the books Iintend to buy for my 7 grandchildren and will not be back. Disappointed but on reflection I have always felt slightly judged by some of the staff as some are quite unfriendly. Need to invest in some customer service for some of the staff. The lady at bookshop was as always friendly
546dave . 2022-03-13
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Made a slight detour enroute to Edinburgh to visit and although hadn’t booked we managed to get a table for lunch. Delicious Quiche and salad, cheese scone and a lovely generous sized piece of cake to share plus a tea and a coffee all for...
annf600 . 2022-03-11
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We have been regular ,happy visitors over the years since this place opened. Today was disappointing. My thai red curry soup was "good" but not exceptional. My wife's Mediterranean tart was, however, not up to standard and presentation was simply awful. A slab on a...
Geoffrey R . 2021-12-21
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We’d heard that this was a great place to visit, an amazing bookshop, a Deli / Shop and a restaurant / cafe. We booked a table for lunch having discovered that you couldn’t guarantee a table unless you had an booking.OK, we arrived in time...
217peterm . 2021-12-09
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A very busy little cafe and bookshop. We had a delicious quiche and a banana and peanut cake with coffee. Staff very friendly and efficient.
ElsieC247 . 2021-11-04
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Having visited this place often and wildly extolled its virtues, I’m sorry to report disappointing experiences lately. The book selection remains varied and interesting. However, the previously lovely cafe now seems to have a bizarre reservation policy. It would seem that all tables must now...
X4706FTdarrenm . 2021-10-29
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I totally understand the current hospitality staff shortage. However, communication from the staff who are there would dramatically improve the service. We did not feel taken care off at all, when we were shown to seats no one told us to check the blackboard for...
943JaniceP . 2021-10-26
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Having had lunch at this cafe in the past and had excellent food we were very disappointed two weeks ago to be served a piece of cold quiche and cold pizza with nothing to accompany them. I asked the waitress if there had been a...
Malcolm G . 2021-09-29
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Fantastic place to eat and relax alone or with friends. Great food choices and very fresh selections. The staff have a pride in working here. Clean and sanitised. Great value for money. We loved it here
sharbyt19 . 2021-09-28
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We went today late in the afternoon, waited at the counter to get a table then told we would be served at the table. Waited 15 minutes without anyone coming over so went back up to the counter, waited again. Eventually order was taken, cake...
Glentress2011 . 2021-09-12
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I understand the current pressures on hospitality and staffing, deliveries etc., it must be a nightmare. But what was once a must stop lunch destination was massively disappointing today. A dry, small savoury muffin served completely on its own, my friend had a cold stodgy...
KeSl_09 . 2021-09-09
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When there's a sign saying table service and you sit down and don't get served that's a shame. When you return, optimistic, and try and sit down, to be told there are people already allocated to the table that's annoying. When you check the signs...
cafeCate . 2021-08-31
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Made reservations for lunch on Sunday. It’s certainly a very niche menu which caters more for what appears to be vegetarians and/or vegans. If you were hoping for a simple ham or roast beef sandwich or a humble grilled cheese this is not the place...
K3660XUjamesm . 2021-08-30
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I stopped in here amid a sweaty hike for a slice of Chocolate & Guinness Cake and a coffee. The latter was excellently made and with top-notch beans, but the cake was better still: not dry, not sickly, not too rich... absolute perfection. I don't...
ripamel . 2021-07-12
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This is a regular stop for lunch and a browse on any Borders daytrip from Edinburgh, and it never disappoints. The staff know their stuff and are always happy to help, the food is well-priced, fresh and tasty, and both the bookshop and the deli...
623annaf . 2021-06-28
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This venue has been on my bucket list for ages due to rave reviews. With some restrictions eased a friend and I, both book worms, made the trip from Edinburgh. Don’t understand the rave reviews. Food, menu lacking. Wild boar sausage was served cold, swamped...
JAT569 . 2021-06-25
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A great and very well stocked book shop and cafe serving quality food in a lovely little Borders village. Well worth a visit
philmX2743VR . 2021-06-20
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Loved it here: we spent today meandering around the Borders enjoying the beautiful countryside and towns - stopped at the Trading Co for lunch and weren’t disappointed. We were initially worried it was fully booked, but we were happy to sit outside so we ordered in the cafe and our food was brought to us in the sunny courtyard. We both opted for the sausage roll, followed by a shared (& huge) portion of carrot cake, with coffees. All homemade, delicious and served by cheerful staff. It’s truly dog-friendly which our spaniel appreciated, although he didn’t get any sausage roll! The deli / home shop is delightful, but “dangerous” - lots of tempting goodies from local gin, charcuterie and cheeses to home wares and gifts, stationery - and of course, lovely books. Great place - thank you
avonside . 2021-05-17
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I visited this establishment on crutches with my leg in plaster, l received no assistance from the staff, quite frankly I was ignored. No one offered a chair or even opened a door one member of staff in the deli was far more interested in chatting on her phone, rather than stepping aside so I could pass.
johnhS8632DC . 2020-12-02
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Lovely cafe with delicious home bakes and staff that went the extra mile. We didn't book but despite all the Covid measures (and they were very thorough!) they accommodated us and were able to give tourist advice about the local area. Great bookshop too. Would definitely recommend.
Mrs_MournesRambler . 2020-10-24
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Great book shop, really excellent selection of books. Friendly staff. Covid measures in place. They have cafe but take out only at moment. Looked nice choice.
a_suthers . 2020-09-03
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I have to say I’m a little deflated after my visit to MST today. It was one of the reasons I booked our weekend break through to the Borders to visit it after I’d seen it so many times on my Instagram feed. It always looked so vivid and engaging and when we drove up today it kind of didn’t match its on screen presence. Maybe I’m being harsh, maybe it’s been really tough through Covid and like a lot of places ( more off-the-beaten-track) it’s been a struggle to adapt.The book shop part certainly ticked the engaging box and offers a great assortment of must-reads and more unusual literary treasures - but sadly the tired spartan feel of their absent cafe and depleted homewares? left me down a bit of an empty rabbit hole. Even the price of a very small bespoke mug left me a bit hare raised.Surely Covid adapted take-away has to have some kind of allure - yet there was nothing enticing us to stay - it all looked a bit like a jumble sale coffee stall with a confusing service system in place. I think I had it in my head this would be more of a real foodie place. A place brimmed full of deli treats and home-style inspirations. I think I probably imagined it wrong. They do say trading is somewhat restricted in their literature on any social media outlets. So perhaps what you see is what you get. There is a community centre feel to it - child friendly and family orientated day - perhaps as outsiders we didn’t get that vibe enough to rate it higher. I’m sure it’s a popular weekend destination and very probably mobbed round book festival times. The one thing that did stand out was the wall of literary fame that decks one end of the place. Trendy snaps of world class authors and speakers of note from all walks of life who have obviously come at some point to share their stories there - pretty amazing to see - and seeing that kind of made the visit for me -in the end. The rest is a bit of an MST blur.It’s always difficult living up to your media brand. Harder still with so many restrictions on the way you want to run things. Maybe I’ll give it another go when things get back to some kind of different normal. Maybe I’ll just do what they say in the window and keep shopping-on line. At any rate I hope they weather this CV storm and get back fully trading again in the future. With so many books to inspire them I’m sure they’ll find the answer to this conundrum in there somewhere.
mahoniamoon2018 . 2020-08-01
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After hearing rave reviews from friends I was sorely disappointed with my first (& only visit) to Main Street Trading. Okay, yes, I get it....the cafe proper wasn't open because of Covid-19 but to charge full price for one slice of quiche with no trimming not even a plastic fork to eat it & a cheese scone with no spread is just a step too far. Also the young "lady" who served me has no concept of how insulting it is to a customer for her to near enough through the receipt on the table used as a barrier and pull back her hand as if it was going to be bitten. It would have been so much nicer if she had simply held one end of it so that I could take the other.
Barbara T . 2020-07-30
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Delightful find, with helpful staff, great coffee and cakes plus an enviable selection of books, especially Scottish ones and Scottish ones for children. Parking at rear.
Victoria B . 2020-03-20
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My last review of this place wasn't positive but it now deserves a 5 star. The coffee was excellent, the cakes lovely in flavour and fair in quantity, lunch very enjoyable, service super friendly and efficient, atmosphere very relaxing. Interesting selection of books too.
LoveyouScotland . 2020-02-02
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A little gem we found whilst visiting Dryburgh Abbey. Food was excellent. The winter salad was really good and not just the typical vegetarian ‘shove some stuff together’ fare. The chorizo soup was also really good. Finished with some really tasty cakes. All in all, well worth coming. Plus there’s a bookshop so double win!
davea540 . 2020-01-04
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Personally I wanted to give this cafe 5 stars, however my husband's meal was not deserving of such a rating. He ordered the sandwich which was rather ordinary. However check out the specials board for a much better deal. I got the harissa chickpea soup with wilted spinach. This was delicious.
Ibby . 2019-12-20
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Lovely cafe and bookshop! Would highly recommend stopping in for lunch and a browse. We had the soup that was so excellent and the home baking all looks so tempting! Will definitely be back!
TessaB189 . 2019-11-23
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Booked a table(confirmed by e-mail) which no one knew anything about when we arrived to a madhouse of customers circling to grab seat with no obvious management at all. Finally spoke to a waitress who said she would have to wait to ask the owner about our booking when that person arrived. At last they moved a couple who had sat at our table(no reserved sign on it at all) and we were able to sit down. Food was very good and not too delayed except for the 2 slices of cake which we had to ask for 3 times.Cake was excellent though the pleasure was diminished by the earlier frustration. Advice...get a management system in place,change the size of the tables to mainly two's which can be moved together easily for bigger numbers and during busy lunchtimes put someone on the door to advise re seating. When we arrived it was utter chaos and horrendous for both customers and staff!
oldprior . 2019-10-22
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Modern ambience and menu choices. Very clean and service efficient. Good quality coffee and great choice of soft drinks. Excellent bookshop to browse after morning coffee.
Sue B . 2019-10-08
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Having spent too long browsing the books, the soups on the board were finished but they were making a new one which would be 15mins...happy to wait and not disappointed. Helpful, friendly service too! We were told about this by friends in Gullane and called in on our way south....made us forget the driech and high winds of the drive. Many thanks.
CheltenhamTraveller8 . 2019-09-29
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We called in here for coffee and cakes and enjoyed what we had. The coffee was very good. The atmosphere is very pleasant as you are in a good bookshop with plenty to browse around. So, generally we leave a positive review. The only negative is that we had to wait ages after ordering for the coffee and cakes to be brought to the table. When it did appear they said they were busy!
profjoypc . 2019-09-13
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Winning combination books coffee and cake. Visited looking for a guide book and stayed for a coffee and slice of sponge cake. Staff were great and looked after us well even though it was busy we got everthing quickly. Delli to the rear of the bookshop offers some wonderful cheeses olives and gifts. Fantastic spot parking to the rear and on the road outside.
william H . 2019-08-31
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Absolutely delightful cafe, bookshop and deli. In The Borders for a week's holiday and contrived to come here four times in seven days. Lovely coffee, hot chocolate and cakes more than made up for thebad weathet! Staff helpful, pleasant, polite, chatty and efficient. Dog friendly in cafe. So impressed thinking of moving closer!
Nastame . 2019-08-18
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The Main Street cafe is usually a nice place to visit but avoid on a Sunday.. We arrived at 11am and tried to order coffee. We were told to take a seat. 20mins later we still hadn’t ordered with what we could see if we had have ordered it would have taken another 20mins.
craigmT4588ZT . 2019-08-04
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Best tart tasted in a long time. Pastry to die for. Excellent service and Lawrence who made the tart extremely polite and a great cook. Well worth a visit for food alone.
maggie1966 . 2019-07-28
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Go to Main Street Trading for the treats and luxuries in life such as their seasonal offering of Gorgonzola! Delicious. Baron Bigod is just as tasty and there's usually plenty of olives to chose from too. Pasta in many shapes and sizes along with the odd paella dish or two. Lots of gins and other alcoholic beverages as well and all served up with help, information, and cheerful advice, plus the odd tasting of a cheese if needed. Great place to shop! Dare not try the book shop as no room left.
Alison S . 2019-07-05
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We have visited this place a number of times in the last 3 years as we live locally. The deli has some fantastic products both food and home accessories, books selection is great too. Coffee and cakes have gone downhill in the last 18 months. Coffee (espresso, cappuccino,latte etc) is both weak and a cheap blend is used, often burnt buy the staff. Cakes have become increasingly small in portion and taste cheap. I understand this place caters for the well off people living around here but for the prices charged they could offer much better quality and still make a hefty profit.
LoveyouScotland . 2019-06-30
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Menu was restricted and limited No gluten free bread for sandwiches for example What was available was disappointing
9ray9 . 2019-06-30
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I'm really surprised by reviews of this place today. I was there too today, and I found it to be an excellent experience. The staff were attentive and helpful. The coffee, criticised elsewhere, was great - strong and tasty. The range of food looked good, though we just had some shortbread. The bookshop has a great range, going way beyond the usual bestsellers, and the deli and home store have all sorts of unusual and enticing items. Very much worth a visit if you are in the area.
Rob S . 2019-06-30
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Unsure how they have achieved an excellence award as we certainly won't be going back. So where to start, it has ample parking, sadly that will be the only positive point in this review (I like to keep things balanced), now we have a toddler that is fairly adventurous when it comes to eating but there were no child options, we wouldn't normally see this as a problem but the thought of buying an adults meal for him when the combinations were such that I wasn't even sure I would eat it myself was, to say the least, challenging, and that was the ones we could see as the menu was positioned on the wall such that to read it you needed to ask the people sat on the table in front of it to keep shifting left and right to see what the full offering. Fortunately the service was that poor that we had been sat there for about 10 minutes and had not yet been approached by any of the staff so we were able to leave without ordering (and for anyone worrying that we missed our opportunity as we were supposed to go up to order there was a large sign above the counter stating they operate table service.), for anyone looking to eat though we subsequently found ourselves at the Buccleuch Arms at the end of the road which served fantastic food and was very child friendly in the menu offerings
Getyourtotsout . 2019-06-26
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Coffee,/tea, food and book store Great place with a good staff. If you are in the St.Boswell area you should go. I will...
Paal Erik J . 2019-06-09
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Enjoyed an excellent coffee accompanied by a slice of very tasty chocolate and banana cake. Lovely wee cafe, bookshop and deli with a really friendly atmosphere.
EasyPathfinder . 2019-06-08
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Visited for lunch and after perusing the great book selection had lunch. I ordered the smoked salmon sandwich and my husband the goats cheese one and shared. The standard of sandwiches was good but a tad expensive at £6.00 each. The coffee was good but served in very small cups.
MilaTMiddleton . 2019-06-04
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The Main Street Trading Company has most of the elements likely to ensure success. Lovely, well stocked deli, charming bookshop and good cafe with delicious home baking and a small but locally sourced menu with quality products.
katharineksw . 2019-05-25
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we stopped in here after a walk on a Sunday afternoon. we don’t know the area and were pleasantly surprised to find this place open on what seemed a quiet afternoon. but the cafe was packed! we managed to find couple of seats and just ordered some coffees and cakes. nice warm place (it was a cold day) service was good and most importantly the cakes were gorgeous, particularly the chocolate cake!
TJandPJ . 2019-04-25
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The Main Street Trading Company is a very good project and provides bookshop, cafe, delicatessen and homeware in one excellent location. Although this is clearly a commercial operation, I like the fact that it feels more like a community facility than just a shop and cafe.
johnhouston2 . 2019-04-15
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Beautiful bookshop and cafe. Homemade scones are lovely. Great place to come and relax and read your book
GC280965 . 2019-04-15
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Sunday afternoon visit so we expected it to be busy. However, managed to get a table that had just been vacated.
jjn2089 . 2019-04-14
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This beautiful bookshop, cafe, homeshop and deli is a really lovely place to visit browse, have lunch and make purchases. Children will be thrilled by the little under stairs reading rooms in which to look over some of the wonderful books on sale. Anytime we are in the area we head straight here and those we have introduced it to have loved it.
Brook955 . 2019-03-28
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We go out of our way to visit here whenever we can. The coffee and cakes are great, the service always friendly and the book selection always fascinating. A great place to visit!
. 2019-01-17
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Told to share a table even though 50% of tables were empty. True, they had reserved signs, but for 1 hour hence! Then waited 10 minutes to be served looking at the looking at dirty dishes and being ignored by inattentive staff . Understaffed? perhaps, but if they knew they were going to be busy? Eventually walked out without being served. Won't be back.
. 2019-01-10
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We are so lucky to have such a lovely bookshop and cafe in the Borders. However I and my friends have stopped going at this time of year, because it is too cold to sit and have a coffee or lunch there. Front door opens and closes constantly, mainly with deliveries. The radiators are only tepid, so even sitting beside them, makes no difference. Please turn the heating up, and give more consideration to keeping your customers warm.
. 2019-01-06
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The Main Street Trading company is a cumbersome name for a brilliant cafe/bookshop/deli and events space in St Boswell’s Scottish Borders more of a destination in its own right.
cantiumrex . 2018-12-17
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In the middle of nowhere we find a bookstore with a cafe attached.
TroelsJ61 . 2018-11-11
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Loved this gorgeous bookshop! Definitely the coolest bookshop/cafe to be found in the Scottish Boarders (in my opinion).
Lisarti . 2018-11-10
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We return to my home village once a year and visit The Main Street Trading Co several times. The coffee is to our taste...the cheese scones to die for and all the cakes etc are homemade. It is always busy so has a great atmosphere .....this time we went on Book Club morning and were lucky to get a table before they had all arrived.
Yvonne T . 2018-10-15
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I was really looking forward to visiting, but left underwhelmed by all the departments except the cheese counter. The bookshop is a bright, cheery space with quite an interesting selection, but a bit disappointing on local material, and very disappointing on poetry - not good for a serious indie bookshop. And I was looking for a wide choice of stationery and was disappointed. Had a reasonable sandwich and good cake in the cafe, but most of the food was overpriced for what it was. As were the deli and home items, and local produce is under-represented. I did however buy some lovely ewe’s milk cheese, and the assistant made me a carry out tea when only coffee is on the official deli menu, and that was very good.
gretchenground2 . 2018-10-10
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We dropped in here during a long day's walk for some tea and cake. The service was great, the choice of products was great and (if you weren't carrying a huge pack) there are fabulous books to explore. The place has a couple of book dens for children to sit and read and they appear to have regular author visits. This was a great find for a much-needed pitt stop.
Corinne D . 2018-10-07
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We had a delightful lunch in this excellent cafe. The two of us plus our cockapoo were made to feel very welcome. A tasty quiche, deli board and some very nice wine followed by irresistible cake. All this followed by a visit to the Deli and shop. All made for an excellent stop after a visit to nearby Dryburgh Abbey and a walk along the Tweed.
Michael H . 2018-10-02
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Great place in the village. An oasis of calm, great bookstore (remember them?). A deli, a gift shop like an old hardware store - and amazing coffee ... and cake. Highly recommended.
NativeNewYorker62 . 2018-09-16
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Delicious cake, cold coffee and slow service. Been a couple of times now and always feel the same. Deli has a lot of interesting stock but on the expensive side
EJEJB . 2018-09-12
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just called for tea and coffee, but stayed a bit longer to browse the books. Staff were very welcoming and pleasant.
john e . 2018-09-07
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I don’t give 5 stars often but this cafe had it all. Firstly barista specialist coffee, superb range of cakes and first class service. Then you can browse in the bookshop.
BigHChester_UK . 2018-08-23
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Wonderful bookshop with a very nice place for excellent coffee attached. If you are in the area well worth going to.
GaryJodiF . 2018-08-05
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A great book shop with a lovely cafe plus a delicatessen just over the courtyard. The book shop is a delight and hosts many an author. Particularly liked the mystery books, each wrapped in brown paper, which you could purchase. Each having a very short synopsis to help you decide. The adjoining cafe boasts a decent menu including daily specials. Friendly knowledgeable staff too. A thoroughly decent place.
emmagE6500PX . 2018-07-23
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Whatever direction I am coming from I always like to pop in here. It's a brilliant place. Books, books & more books. Delicious food to eat, from the cafe & then more to take home, from the deli. Oh & the little homeware shop at the back that I always manage to find something in that I had no idea I wanted!.
Jacqueline T . 2018-07-13
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We've visited and eaten here several times and are never disappointed by the food or service. Food is always interesting and very tasty and the service is polite, timely and pleasant. We love looking around the book shop and deli too. A great place to stop off when exploring the borders.
Quirky-Bird-Gardener . 2018-06-28
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This is hands down my favourite spot to go for a treat in the Borders. I love the whole feel of the place, browsing the deli is always a highlight and my 4 year old just loves the cute little book burrows where you can listen to audio books. The food is always delicious, and they always have gluten free options which my gluten free husband appreciates! One of the only places this side of Australia where I have found hummingbird cake! and their Oreo layer cake is especially epic too! I also had a delciious caramel apple tart there just last Friday too - in fact I've never been disappointed here, hits the spot every time! and it's a must for taking any visitors we have come up.
gemby25 . 2018-04-30
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Popped in whilst visiting St Boswells. It was really lovely. The lady in the bookshop was very friendly and was happy recommended a book to me. I then took a seat by the window and enjoyed tea and cake. The cafe staff were welcoming and efficient. The cake was delicious! It was the perfect way to spend an hour!
NicMur10 . 2018-04-13
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It's a nice place, no doubt about that. The bookshop has a good selection. The Deli is interesting as is the crafts section. The cafe is potentially good too....if you don't follow a vegan diet.
james_edey . 2018-04-12
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I visited the bookshop and café twice whilst I was visiting Scotland, true there is not a great deal to do in Scotland when the weather is not at its best (which is 99% of the time!) but you can get lost in the bookshop and then have a nice lunch and scone.
JustaSmalllTownGirl . 2018-04-10
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Delicious food and a great selection of books. A must for people who love books . Well worth a visit and good value for money.
Scottie_traveller71 . 2018-03-18
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My husband and I spent a couple of hours here having a sandwich, some cake and drinks. We also had the chance to browse the interesting books and the home section. It was a real Valentine's treat. Would highly recommend the smoked cheese and cucumber relish sandwich.
Caroline W . 2018-02-18
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Lovely hot soup for lunch (tomato, cumin & fig) it was delicious and came with crusty bread. Lovely staff. Felt very welcome.
Helen K . 2018-02-15
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My family stayed in St Boswells on a walking holiday and visited the Trading Company a number of times. The soup selections are tremendous and are accompanied by a mouth watering variety of sandwiches including local ham and smoked salmon with vegetarian options.The selection of hot and cold drinks is also varied and service is at your table by the friendly staff.
Kirky99 . 2018-02-15
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Lovely to find another venue where dogs are welcome as we are sometimes really hungry and don't want to sit outside freezing just cause we have two well behaved dogs.
tabith t . 2018-02-12
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Looking for a place for coffee while on a weekend break. This is the very dab. Lovely interesting bookshop with cafe attached. Just had coffee and cake... Twice over two visits. Relaxed stop with nice staff. The other food looked great too but we had dinner date later on so could not indulge. The books on sale are pretty eclectic. The other gem is the deli. Great selection of provisions and beers, wines and spirits. Just great to browse and then indulge. Give it a go.
elrahd . 2018-01-17
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Hats off! We were recommended this place and it was good. Limited menu, a bit dear but very yummy. Great...
417allanm . 2018-01-06
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We quite often pop into the cafe at the Main Street for a coffee or a light lunch. Lovely food,...
KarenMoyle . 2017-12-29
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I think this shop has the best coffee in the Borders, so often divert there if in the area. I...
fergus133 . 2017-11-26
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Popped in for morning coffee and cake and wasn't disappointed. You walk through the book shop to the café and...
Eileen98 . 2017-11-15
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Were going to be in this area, and having read about this location and being highly rated bookshop and cafe, thought we would stop along.
Senninhasenninha . 2017-11-11
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Called in here when passing through St Boswells on a very pleasant walk along the River Tweed. Excellent coffee and scones which were very fresh. The staff were very friendly. Visited the deli as well which was very well-stocked. Had to return next day with car! Only downside was difficulty parking.
Janeda58 . 2017-11-09
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194 Opinions
Very disappointed, arrived for lunch bringing my brother and wife as they are on holiday, had to wait 10 minutes to be seated although there was an empty table where we were standing, we were given menu's then totally ignored for the next quarter of an hour, a young waitress saw us and I asked could we place an order (we were going to have a 3 course lunch) she said yes and then went over and chatted with another waiter, after a further 5 minutes we decided to leave and go into kelso, we went to a place in kelso and were treated correctly and served immediately.
40 Opinions
I'm afraid I won't be back. Went to use the facilities and I went into toilets and heard giggling didn't hang around but imagine my dismay when 2 of your cleaners came out of said toilets doing up trousers and straightening themselves up!. Absoloutley disgusting. I've the names of both. To say I'm appalled is an understatement. I came in to shop not witness sex acts. In uniform at the workplace! I'll be informing my friends and family. If this is how you allow your staff to behave! Disgusting if my daughter had been with me and saw that I'd have rang the polis straight away!
26 Opinions
This was our second visit to Loulabelle's, the other being in 2023. Lots of delicious food plus friendly staff. We had lunch before visiting a nearby attraction, then nipped back for tea and a cake afterwards. Not cheap, but everything is delicious. The decorations include some great pictures.
1658 Opinions
Fantastic visit , food was great and the staff excellent, thank you for a nice experience, will definitely come back or recommend to others