Edinburgh St James Quarter restaurants: Haute Dolci opens serving luxury desserts and chocolate from tap

We take a first look inside Haute Dolci in Edinburgh’s St James Quarter.

Haute Dolci is the latest brand to open in St James Quarter, Edinburgh’s billion pound shopping centre.

After the grand opening was delayed due to the Queen’s death, Haute Dolci will officially open its doors this weekend.

The Evening News went along for a preview of what’s on offer at the company’s first Scottish store.

Haute Dolci has opened in Edinburgh's St James Quarter

There is a distinct Instagram aesthetic to everything here – from the food to the furnishings, to the chocolate taps. The idea is to provide escapism, and, in increasingly difficult times for businesses, entice people to spread the buzz on social media.

Inside, there is baby pink crushed velvet seating, pink marble-style walls, and an eye-catching golden light feature hanging above the curved counter.

You can order a number of decadent treats here which serve as a main meal, from chocolate drizzled waffles, to pancakes, or chocolate fondue to share. The menu’s theatrical set piece is the ‘egg-splosion’ (£10.50) which is basically a chocolate egg filled with brownies which you open by pouring over melted chocolate. The drama!

For the not-so-sweet tooths, there are savoury options available, from croissants stuffed with scrambled eggs, to spicy hash and open sandwiches. Vegan and gluten free options are available too.

Haute Dolci in Edinburgh's St James Quarter

And for drinks, there are luxurious milkshakes, hot chocolates and mocktails – but no alcohol.

With a name inspired by French and Italian words for luxury sweetness, Haute Dolci has a mission of creating “edible art”.

We have no doubt it will be popular, not only with the Instagram generation but also for those who simply want to feel treated.