Cafe culture returns to Leith – Hayley Matthews

Hayley Matthews is delighted to see cafes re-opening on Leith Walk – especially the Edinburgh institution that is Valvona & Crolla.

Valvona & Crolla on Leith Walk (Picture: Greg Macvean)

I took a long walk through Leith during the week and took a jaunt up Leith Walk.

It’s lovely to see small cafes opening up again even if it is just for take-away. I decided I’d treat us to some coffee from Valvona & Crolla as the smell of a fresh strong brew has nice memories for me.

I’d often go with mum to pick up some fresh coffee for my dad. There’s nothing quite like getting the incredible smell that comes from a bag of freshly ground coffee straight from a deli and when the world is upside down, back to front and covered in masks, a little treat in the shape of a morning coffee is very welcome.

I decided to pick up some sausages, the same kind we’d eaten at Mary Contini’s daughter’s house a few years back when we filmed a cooking VT with her grandson Alfie and my son Harris.

Mary is very passionate about children cooking and getting them involved so I decided I’d get some of her famous sausages. As I put them in my basket she walked up and said hello.

We chatted fondly about the boys cooking and eating spaghetti and discussed how the kids are coping in these strange times.

She also told me they are opening up their café this weekend so I’m hoping business is good for them because if there ever was a famous Edinburgh institution that most are fond of, it’s Valvona & Crolla!

Lots of cafes and restaurants on Leith Walk have suffered so badly the last year – and not to mention Tram-gate. So remember folks, if you’re out this weekend – support the local #ILOVELEITH campaign and all that. And here’s hoping the current roadworks don’t push the locals away – AGAIN!

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this article on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism.

Subscribe to the Edinburgh Evening News online and enjoy unlimited access to trusted, fact-checked news and sport from Edinburgh and the Lothians. Visit www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/subscriptions now to sign up.

By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Joy Yates

Editorial Director