Roots

Stirling’s so small that when new businesses pop up, it’s really not too difficult to spot or hear about them. Roots opened in May and being a Veggie café, it’s been on my Unilocaldar for a while because there isn’t anything similar nearby.
Situated in the Stirling arcade, there’s what looks like a shop operating as the café with a chalkboard menu outside. (The Yoga Tree is next door and also new. I think they are connected!) I’d heard they had lots of freshly made cakes (some Vegan friendly, too!) in the café and was disappointed that the cake shelf inside was looking rather poorly stocked!
The seats and tables are situated outside in the centre of the arcade. The menu is basic but there are some nice options. You can choose from a sandwhich, salad or wrap. Being a hummus fiend, I choose the roasted vegetables and hummus wrap which was fresh and great value at £3.95. It came with some nice kettle style crisps and chunky coleslaw. I’m not the biggest ‘slaw fan but I loved this chunky, light on mayonnaise style! I also had a chai tea latte which was nice, not any sickly sweet syrup. Just tea with frothy cinnamony milk. (M&S chai, I noticed on the shelf inside! One of my favourites!)
All in all, Roots offered a cheap, tasty lunch which I enjoyed. And service was fast and friendly! But I felt like much of Root’s personality was lost to the Stirling Arcade. The signs on all the shops and cafes of the arcade are identical in their gold lettering against a brown backdrop. Which I guess is just procedure. That’s perfect for the cocktail bar/​restaurant adjacent but Roots is just calling out for a quirky sign! I’d love to see Roots develop their menu options (with other veggie options like halloumi!) and I’m looking forward to see their personality grow over time to see if they make that corner of the arcade their own!