What are the chances of finding three delightful treats within one square mile in the streets of Aberdeen? Quite high, actually.
And what are these treats? The first is Aberdeen's finest coffee-shop: Rock, Salt and Snails, (dubbed the "little Chelsea of Aberdeen"!) Just opposite is The Gift Room Too: an exquisite gift shop, bursting at the seams with beautiful trinkets and treats. Just round the corner is The Blackbird Bakery: an "oasis of wall-to-wall scrumptiousness"; i.e., the most amazing sugary-sweet cupcake shop in the city.
Rock, Salt and Snails
Rock, Salt and Snails is a must for anyone in need of good coffee, home-made food and a relaxed atmosphere. Amidst the bright interior, smooth wooden tables and cushioned window seats, you can find food and drink of the highest quality, suiting every taste. Morning coffee is easily accounted for with excellent Ipanema espresso, Suki tea and home-made croissants and scones. Try the chocolate filled croissants for melt-in-the-mouth deliciousness. For lunch, choose from soup, paninis, sandwiches (I'd recommend the pear and smoked ham) or deli platters. And for something sweet afterwards (because, lets face it, everyone craves something sweet after lunch), RS&S boasts a delight of of bakes and cakes which are either home-made or locally sourced. Choose to relax at one of the long tables, breakfast at the breakfast bar, linger over a coffee in a window seat or - when it's super sunny - soak in some rays with the outside seating. Who goes here? Everyone who has good taste. And why? Because it's wonderful. And that's that.
Rock, Salt and Snails
40 St Swithin Street
Aberdeen
AB10 6XJ
The Gift Room Too
Right opposite RS&S (it's visible from the HUGE windows) is The Gift Room Too (which suggests there's a Gift Room One out there...). This is the ultimate gift shop - a grown-up Santa's Grotto. Beautiful cards for every occasion, unique hand-crafted jewellery, Yankee Candles galore and ornate ornaments adorn the shelves in this fantastically stocked shop. The staff are friendly and the prices are reasonable. At Christmas and Valentines Day, this shop is bursting with wrapping paper, unique cards, HUGE red roses (guys, get down here now), and gifts that will make your dreams come true. So if you're bored of high-street shops and are looking for something different and extra special, head down to The Gift Room Too to find something truly exceptional.
The Gift Room Too
39 St Swithin Street
Aberdeen
AB10 6XL
The Blackbird Bakery
If you need a sugar rush, go here. If you need something pretty and sweet, go here. If you have spare time on your hands, go here. The Blackbird Bakery has thrived on Britain's recent cupcake craze and prides itself in being, quite frankly, the best cupcake shop this side of the borders. All of the cupcakes are handmade and are in every flavour and colour you could ever imagine. They don't just stop at vanilla, chocolate and red velvet. Oh no. There's blueberry swirl (my all time favourite), After Eight (complete with bright green icing), marshmallow (super sweet and sticky), Turkish Delight (for those who have that odd acquired taste), Mars Bar, Malteser, Strawberry Shortcake (with real strawberries) and Banoffee Pie. And yes, I've tried all of these. Each of these cupcakes has a surprise filling (a good surprise, that is), and taste as good as they look. For those of you with smaller stomachs, the Blackbird Bakery do mini cupcakes, and for those of you with bottomless stomachs (like my own), you can buy GIANT cupcakes, which suffice perfectly for a birthday cake or a really bad day. There's nowhere to sit in at the Blackbird Bakery so you have to take them away with you - but one for home, and one for the road, right?! Orders can be placed in advance for special occasions and the staff are really friendly and helpful. Go in and feast your eyes on the delights of the Blackbird Bakery. Calories do not count when they taste so good.
The Blackbird Bakery
246 Union Grove (right round the corner from The Gift Room Too)
Aberdeen
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