Falko Konditormeister

They have THE BEST hot chocolate in edinburgh! enough said.

I’ve been pretty devoted to the original F&K based in Gullane, but as I now study close to the Bruntsfield I have been looking for an excuse to visit. Except, my inspiration usually descends on a Monday, or a Tuesday, when this branch is stubbornly closed.
How, very, very, annoying.
However, as I travelled in to Edinburgh, there was a rumbling in my belly, and I knew today would be the day. F&K would furnish me with delicious breakfastings and I would journey onwards content. And I wasn’t disappointed — a raisin and nut brioche, so light, and with a surprising fragrant flavour of lemon that I wasn’t expecting. It filled my tummy with joy.
I wanted to order cake too, but you know, it was still breakfast… but it’s almost lunchtime as I write…

What a wonderful and authentic German bakery and café in Bruntsfield. We were lucky to walk in from the cold and wet conditions outside to find a table for two free. The cabinet with cakes and tarts looked amazing, and I knew I was going to enjoy whatever I ordered!
We each had a coffee, I had a Swabian apple tart, and Mary had a chocolate truffle cake. Both tasted fresh and satisfying. They weren’t too sweet, so the flavour of the fruit (in my case) came through perfectly. Very nice. The coffee was also good, though I would like a slightly bigger cup. :)
Décor very nice, and I really like the look of the fresh bread that’s on sale, though I didn’t buy any on this occasion.
Will be back.

Ive only had the Swedish pastries here, but boy are they amazing. Just delicious treats! Lovely to stop in for a pot of tea and some yummy baked goods! Or take some home for later, as I have also done before ;). I did get a latte there once and Im not a fan of the soya milk they used, and the coffee wasn’t very strong, so thats why they aren’t 5 stars for me. Very friendly service and great setting indoors and outdoors (if the weather is nice).

I came here with my flatmate on my 22^nd birthday and it was absolutely delicious! We both had coffee and a slice of cake. I tried the chocolate and raspberry cake and it was heavenly! Very generous portions and incredibly yummy!

It’s like having Europe in your backyard! We are so lucky to have such a diverse range of independent business including this one!
I wanted to take my friend somewhere she hadn’t been before, and I knew she had lived on the border between Austria and France when she was doing her university placement. So this was one of my cafes on my list for her!
I think I got brownie points as she enjoyed her soup — Butternut squash, and it was a huge bowl (in fact she could not finish it). I had the sliced pork on a roll with asparagus coleslaw and cucumber. My friend was in love with the hot chocolate that she had the soup — that why she was so full! Also, the bread that she had with the soup ticked the yummy boxes too!
We took cakes away as we were both stuffed! I think she will be back –I’m «Jumping with joy» as she is quite fussy about food!

Walking in, the atmosphere of this place is null. The seeming owner did not help, with her quizzical eyebrow arched over its expression void gaze. Yet, while sipping my coffee I sensed what you would from a train station back in the day. Its low hum and ombré light with small round tables accommodating the occasional table for one; perfect for those perusing their periodicals. A good number of her guests are pairs looking for a warm drink and streudel. Sometimes the random big group. It has its own characteristic, albeit a solemnly peaceful one.
Falko blend coffee was good, surprisingly better than expected of a regular house blend.
Mixed Platter: Chutney, Meats (salami, bologna, smoked ham), pickles, cheeses (smoked gouda, blue cheese, cheddar)
Good deli cut meats and generous cheese slices, but highlight for me were the in-​house pickles which were delightfully crunchy with a perfect balance of tang and hint of sweet.
We took home a pretzel and apple streudel. Both were good in their own right. Pretzel had a dough base to be appreciated but it would have been better if the batch was fresher. Streudel was layered nicely and spiced just right with crisp apples & raisins.
The chill from Miss Minchin’s presence and quiet scolding to staff did give me slight indigestion. But I had a young friendly lad as my server, who was quick on his feet. They make clean quality food here, done with German efficiency. Nothing is particularly missing.
But I could surely have done without the earful of whine from the older female staff from behind the counter. And the feeling of reverting to a time way back when timid pupils were under the watchful eye of the frightful headmistress. isn’t exactly what I’m looking for in a lunch session.

Not what it once was. There are some delicious baked goods. However, the weird schedule of different breads on different days means I never turn up bright and early, as I used to, to ensure I get a special loaf-​I just know I’ll be told it’s the wrong day.
The café seems to be a victim of its success, with staffing since Falko himself was to be seen behind the counter veering from ineffectual to efficient-​but-​curt. Woe betide you if you enter and don’t see the ‘wait to be seated’ sign, you’ll be scolded like a naughty child. There’s some decent competition nearby, and no need to put up with that.

Falko! How I love thee! Or at least the cakes and coffee anyway. Your cakes are so good that I feel bad for eating them, some of them I even feel bad for looking.
You have to take your hat off to the team that run this place. Freshly baked bread and cakes every day are part of the reason why Falko is an excellent addition to the many (between 45 – 50 at my last count) coffee shops between the start of Tollcross and the end of Morningside
If you are planning a visit here I would suggest you make a dash for one of the window seats as you can watch the day go by, plus if you are taller than average, the further back you go the narrower it seems to get.
The one thing that could possibly bring this down a peg is the staff. The staff can sometimes seem a bit lost and appear to not know what they’re doing.
All in all Falko is a good place to visit if you are in the area. Just don’t go looking for a Monday morning coffee, they are closed Monday’s and quite possibly Tuesday’s too.

There is no doubt I love this place with its amazing cakes like Sachertorte, Schwartzwelder Kirschtorte, Plaumenkuchen, Bayrischer Kaesekuchen, just to name a few. I also adore their rye bread St Ludwig.
Recently, a large group of us went to Falko for our monthly chocolate quest. We were able to grab a table and some chairs, which would have been enough for 6 people. But our group was larger, so we thought to move another table closer. This was a no go and we were told not to move the table. Sadly some of us were sitting without one.
The hot chocolate was delicious, but my enthusiasm was spoilt by literally being thrown out and whilst in the middle of various conversations. Some of the staff were not very accommodating and I felt a cold chill running down my spine.
It is still a lovely place to go and enjoy a nice cake and cuppa. But avoid big groups and don’t linger!

A visit here as part of the Hot Choc gang. Had wanted to try it for awhile so this was the perfect opportunity.
I had already brunched at Cuckoo’s and purchased emergency cake in case they didn’t do gluten free cake. They do = they had a chocolate torte (almond based so not suitable for nut free/​GF) which was nice enough but probably needed a tad more cherry jam to give it a bit more omph.
It is pretty busy and I wouldn’t say the most welcoming place. The woman who served me was lovely, chatting about being GF but the other staff seemed a bit disorganised, not knowning who was doing what and despite ordering at the counter as the whole table service/​counter order thing was going on, I must have waited about 20mins for hot choc and cake. We were a huge group and they were getting their moneys worth from us but shesh, talk about the stares of ‘hurry up and get out’. Definitely not a place for lingering — cake, coffee, go it appears, despite the wait you have before receiving cake and hot choc.
So, the hot chocolate was ok. Just ok — proliferation of cream on the hot choc and the cakes so it was all a bit cream overload rather than subtle flavours. The cakes/​breads do look divine and they clearly have a reputation for them going by the amount of take away being bought but Falko just left me a bit cold and that was before the bracing walk home in the cold.

Falko, Falko, Falko, whaever will I do with you?
I came here with a truckload (I believe is the term) of Unilocalers as part of the Hot Chocolate Quest organised by the lovely Caz H. I arrived a wee bit early… well an hour… so I set myself up to get some work done. There’s a chalkboard on the counter as you enter saying that there is table service and you should take a seat. So I sat, got out my bits and bobs and waited, and waited, and waited.
People were in and out the door buying cakes (we’ll get to that in a minute) and bread and all manner of lovely things. People were sat and their orders taken. Meanwhile I waited. Eventually, I went up to the counter and ordered a tea. The tea was delicious, though oddly, I received enough water for several people and the loose leaves came in a teabag, but with a strainer…
So I was confused. I heard so many ah.may.zing. things about this place. It’s clearly packed to the rafters every weekend. I didn’t try the food but I heard it’s fantastic, so maybe they can afford to let the service slip a little?
Part 2 of my visit went much better. The sudden influx of Unilocalers definitely had the staff a bit stunned but despite the confusion they held up alright. Water that was ordered never arrived but that’s a minor thing. The afternoon passed quite pleasantly as we all had some lovely hot chocolate and enjoyed a natter.
On my way out I grabbed some cake for the OH and it met his standards of ‘being alot of food’.
I’ve gone with 3 stars and feel a bit unjustified doing so, but the service received when I was alone was very different to the service i received as part of the group. For now it’s 3 stars but maybe the food can change my mind in future!

The cake was very good (I was high after two bites), as was the latte (very strong, thank you). The savories looked amazing, though I did not have anything but cake on this birthday outing. My star dock is for the atmosphere/​staff. It was a rainy, busy Sunday, and they hate to turn away customers, I get it, but feeling pressure to move on is something I despise.
Instead of lingering to enjoy the slow melting of sugar on my tongue, and laugh when it hits my brain in shocks and I have to make an effort to slow myself down, I must either abandon the jutting creation of pastry and icing, or eat it quickly so that I feel sick. Well, I did neither. We sat there and enjoyed our dessert, though I had to make an effort to ignore the staff.

Another place that I would really like to give 5 stars, but I’ll go with 4 for now.
On the cakes and breads, wow… 5+ stars, no doubt… a friend and I have made the pilgrimage here more than once and only managed to get the end of day scraps and still loved them. (By scraps I still mean glorious pieces of cake, not actual scraps to be fair!) The coffee is also a good compliment, and given I’ve tended to come later in the day on the weekend there normally isn’t a problem finding a few seats despite the place being quite small.
This leads me to my only complaint and the reason I’m going with 4 stars for now… I would love to pop in here after a stressful day for a coffee and one of their heavenly creations, but it shuts painfully early if you don’t live in the area. if they just gave me until 7:30 all would be well, but alas… it isn’t meant to be. In their defence one of their staff members did say that they piloted such a thing however long ago, but that no one really came in… a crime, but perhaps good for my waist.
I’m eager to get out and try their brunch one weekend… despite being small they assured me you normally don’t have to wait longer than fifteen minutes, so I’ll hopefully test that theory sooner rather than later.
Essentially if you like the idea of wonderful cakes and coffees, or want to get some really good breads that shame everywhere else I’ve been lately, try and drop by this place… I don’t think you’ll regret it.
Falko Konditormeister may not be big, or flashy, but what they do, they do best, and I suppose that’s what matters in the end

When suffering from a massive hangover on a Sunday morning (okay .afternoon) and when someone suggest to go for a coffee and a cake, you jump at the chance to do so!
However if this is to be consumed at a ‘top rated German Bakery’ which is at least 3 postcodes away and (as they do not take reservations) without any guarantee for a place to sit. You might politely tell them were to go.
I went anyway.
And good thing I did.
After a horrendous bus ride we finally arrived (honestly who in their right mind suggested this place. och my head. why is that yellow thing in the sky?!!)
My friends, whom had secured a sunny spot outside, were already enjoying their coffees and cake.
Even when not in the best moods, I was able to appreciate the cakes and breads on offer. They all looked and smelled delicious and I wanted most of them. Now. My stomach agreed.
The cake I went for was one of the apple creations ones on offer — the «ApfelStrudel mit Sahne» and a white coffee.
I really liked it. It was big, flaky, not too sweet and the rum soaked raisins had some punch. The whipped cream wasn’t very sweet and I did prefer warm vanilla custard. but that wasn’t on the menu. Coffee was as coffee does.
So based on the cake I had and the look and smell of the multiple other cakes consumed by my friends (two for some!) I have to give this place 4 stars. I was not impressed by the service and also the state of the furniture left something to be desired, but I may have to put that down as my headspace being used as a continuous gorilla drum solo. 2 stars.
So in total a not unbeatable 3 stars, which possibly will be improved upon on other visits.

My better half is German. That is not to say I wouldn’t come here if she wasn’t but we do make a special effort to head over to this place, as in her words — ‘the bread in the UK is so bad’. Each to their own but we can both agree that Falko is particularly good.
Brunch is keenly priced and they even allow dogs to come in and sit with you in the café section. Very friendly staff and I haven’t had a bad thing to eat here in several visits.
Sacher torte is delicious (I know, I know that is Austrian…) Pretty much every cake is delicious as well as the savoury items. The ‘German’ as I call her wants me to remark that the fruit tarts are also very delikat.
It loses one star as like Jenny L said ‘The café is always very busy’, for me this means I can always sort of smell spilt milk due to the high volume of people in here. I’m sensitive like that but it is a minor annoyance. Oh also the lemon tart is very, very good and they use a layered custard in the cake which is exceptional. Get that, get some bread to takeaway and go and eat in a nice park!

You have to go here now! Bread and cake — what more do you need really? Well I suppose wine but that is beside the point!
This delightful German café/​bakery is definitely worth a visit for brunch, lunch or a cup of coffee and a cake if you’re visiting Bruntsfield. It can be very difficult to get a seat at the weekend though and if you’re lucky enough to get one, you may be sat closer to someone than you would necessarily like to be but the Black Forest Gâteau will help you forget that. There is a huge selection of cakes and fab German artisan bread too.
Poached eggs, salmon and hollandaise from the lunch menu also very good.
They have just started doing 2 or 3 course brunches which sound great as I hate it when you have to chose between muesli and fruit and the egss benedict that is calling you from the menu!
Seating outside on warmer days so the puppy can come too.

This place is pretty spot on.
The selection of fresh baked breads, pretzels, cakes, streudels, etc. is mind blowing. They also have a very good selection of hot breakfast menu items. Extra points for fresh pressed coffee in a pot. The atmosphere is cozy and the service is very good.
The only thing I could fault is the small, cramped space which means that not very many people can sit at a time, leaving awkward moments when people are just standing at the door staring at you, watching you eat, and waiting for you to leave. Probably best to just take something to go. Also, if you have a dairy allergy like me this place is a nightmare and doesnt have much for you. Not their fault, just a heads up. Otherwise, a really cute, lovely little café.

When my daddy comes to town, we go for breakfast. We often come here for the cinnamon swirls and coffee. This is a German bakery, offering some of the finest baked goods in Edinburgh: think pretzels, sacher torte, rye bread, apple strudel, black forest gateaux, brioche, and a vast array of other exciting delicacies. Also on offer are hot breakfasts, using fresh ingredients such as salmon, local cheeses, poached eggs and freshly made bread.
The coffee always come served with a glass of water, the cinnamon swirl is the best of its type in town. I often take home a pretzel to eat for lunch. The pretzels are soft on the inside, crunchy on the exterior and made perfect by the touch of sea salt. Do you remember how good those pretzels were at the German christmas market? These are so much better!
If you cannot be bothered to walk up to Bruntsfield (though you should, this is foodie heaven), Falko have a stall every saturday morning at the farmer’s market on castle terrace. Go!

Great coffee, great cakes BUT sadly the service leaves a bit to be desired. As this is a takeaway as well selling cakes/​bread and coffee the staff seem to get a little overwhelmed at times.
You can find yourself sat for 20 minutes before being acknowledged and even if you are there’s no guarantee you’ll get a menu. BUT, when you are served and you do get your coffee and come on now your cake as well you will be happy.
Classic treats such as apple strudel that don’t hold back on portion on flavour. Really worth a visit if you find it on a quiet day.

Echtes Graubrot, kein typisch englisches Weissbrot. Ja, das stimmt alles. Die Kuchen sind auch sehr lecker.
Ich kann jedem, der etwas Heimweh nach «gutem» Brot hat, nur empfehlen, sich hier mal einen Laib zu gönnen.
Für ein Café find ich es persönlich etwas zu ungemütlich hier. Dafür gibt es gerade in dieser Gegend viel zu viele nette Lädchen. Dafür musste ein Sternchen fallen.
Den zweiten Stern Abzug gibt es für das super unhöfliche Personal. Ja, es ist oft voll und natürlich sind viele Studenten da (wohnen ja viele deutsch-​sprachige in der Gegend), aber ich muss mich trotzdem nicht so veralbern lassen, dass es mir peinlich ist, noch mal wieder zu kommen. Sprüche: «Lieber auf deutsch als mit deinem englisch» kann man sich echt sparen!
Trotz super unhöflichem Verhalten meiner Meinung nach noch eine echt gute Bewertung.

Der Tipp für alle Exil-​Deutschen, Österreicher und Schweizer
Riechen, schmecken, schauenund ausruhen.
Im Urlaub immer zu Falko und Robert