Clarissa's Kopitiam

From sticky tables to silver spoons. Jom makan.

  • Mister Nata

    Verdict

    5/5: Lives on in my mind

    • Would seek it out: Yes
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): Pastel de Nata (that’s the only thing on their menu!)
    • Decor: Small walkway with only enough space for two customers to either quickly munch their pastries on tiles as plates, or to takeaway.
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: The pastries are on food warming pads that serve the dual purpose of keeping the pastries warm and marketing these delicious treats to the world through scent!

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Apple & pear pastel de nata

    Price

    • Final bill: £3 for one pastry

    Date

    • March 2026

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Maki & Ramen, 1 Leith Street (St James Quarter shopping centre)

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: Yes, for an early lunch
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): Steak Tataki Ramen
    • Decor: Modern Japanese
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: There’s another brunch located just 2 minutes walk away on 37 Leith Street. This branch opens earlier at 11am (vs 12pm).

    Dish(es) savoured

    • BLACK GARLIC TONKOTSU: Our tonkotsu with a twist – 8 hour broth infused with black garlic oil creating an even more intense flavour for a decadent experience.

    Price

    • Final bill: £16 for one ramen only, including 10.0% service charge

    Date

    • January 2026

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Sàigòn Mémoire

    Verdict

    2/5: Wouldn’t bother

    • Would seek it out: No
    • Would go back: No
    • Standout dish(es): N/a
    • Decor: Vietnamese-themed decor and wallpaper with paper lanterns on the ceiling
    • Service: Good, with enthusiastic staff
    • Other thoughts: Much too oily and overpriced. Roti King next door is tastier and cheaper.

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Curry Crispy Duck

    Price

    • Final bill: £22 per pax for one main only, including 12.5% service charge

    Date

    • October 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Lannan Bakery & Pantry

    Verdict

    5/5: Lives on in my mind

    • Would seek it out: Yes
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): Pastries, especially their cinnamon croissants
    • Decor: Modern cafe vibes
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: Fantastic bakery but not worth the 1.5 hours average waiting time. Recommended to try your luck at c.2pm on a weekday with bad weather.

    Baked good(s) savoured

    • £3.50 Canelé de Bordeaux: Traditional canelé with whey, brown butter, and cognac
    • £6.00 Bostock: Croissant loaf with almond frangipane and seasonal jam
    • £5.50 Custard Slice: Creme fraiche custard and blackcurrant icing with spelt puff pastry
    • £4.00 Cinnamon Bun

    Date

    • October 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Project Canelé

    Verdict

    3/5: Good enough

    • Would seek it out: No
    • Would go back: Yes, only if asked
    • Standout dish(es): Canelé
    • Decor: Modern cafe vibes
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: The canelé’s crust tasted burnt, and the chouquette was dry rather than fluffy

    Baked good(s) savoured

    • £3.25 Canelé: Caramelised crust, soft custardy interior. Flavoured with vanilla and hint of rum.
    • £3.95 Chouquette (x5): Five pieces of light choux pastry bites topped with crunchy pearl sugar

    Date

    • October 2025

    Clarissa Ching

    , ,

  • Sotto Enoteca & Trattoria

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: Yes
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): N/a
    • Decor: Modern trattoria with terracotta exterior
    • Service: Charming and attentive, knows their stuff
    • Other thoughts: Their set menu changes every month, and is available 12-2pm every Wed to Sat.

    Dish(es) savoured

    Set lunch £18/£22/£26

    • Antipasti: Gamboncello di Maiale e Mele: Ham Hock Salad, Compressed Apples, Mustard Dressing
    • Antipasti: Zuppa di Ceci: Chickpea Soup, Cavolo Nero, Garlic and Herb Crostini
    • Main: Spaghetti alla Carbonara: Guanciale, Pecorino, Egg Yolks
    • Dolce: Torta Del Giorno
    • Dolce: Gelato Pistachio

    Others

    • Focaccia, Trapanese Pesto

    Price

    • Final bill: £30 per pax including 12.5% service charge

    Date

    • October 2025

    Clarissa Ching

    , , ,

  • Captain’s Darling

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: Yes
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): Sirloin roast beef
    • Decor: Dark modern gastropub
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: Perfectly cooked sirloin roast beef with a hint of smokiness

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Haggis croquettes, smoked Dunlop cheese, pickle, brown sauce
    • Sunday roast: Dry aged sirloin roast beef served with roasted carrots, broccoli, beef-fat roasted potatoes (oil-roasted with hispi steak), Yorkshire puddings & gravy

    Price

    • Final bill: £36 excluding service charge

    Date

    • September 2025

    Clarissa Ching

    , ,

  • Six by Nico, Hanover Street

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: No
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): N/a
    • Decor: Dark and grand
    • Service: Friendly and accommodating but slow. We didn’t expect lunch to take 3 hours on a Monday afternoon!
    • Other thoughts: Interesting concept; well made dishes using everyday ingredients.

    Dish(es) savoured

    Six course tasting menu £45

    Theme: SPACE

    • Amuse bouche: Cucumber and basil sphere
    • Zero Gravity Oyster: Smoked Salmon, Granny Smith Apple, Kohlrabi, Oyster Emulsion
    • Last Harvest: Clay Baked Potato, 63°C Egg, Roast Chicken Crumb, Cacio e Pepe Espuma
    • Biopack 3-06: Smoked Ham Hough & Chicken Terrine – 12 x Garnishes
    • Black Hole (came with noise cancelling headphones and an eye mask): Fregola Sarda, Cuttlefish, Burnt Lemon, Bisque, Pork Fat Crumb
    • Solar Flare: Flat Iron, Ox Parcel, Saffron & Orange, Black Garlic, Squash
    • Goodbye Earth: Baked Vanilla Custard – Orange Marmalade – Grand Marnier

    Drink(s) sipped

    Wine pairing £30

    • Violino Spumante, Cabert (Friuli, Italy)
    • Murets de Mez, Les Marmandais! (South-West, France)
    • Saxa Passerina, L’Avventura (Lazio, Italy)
    • Aglianico VDT 2024 – HelioLatry (Lazio, Italy)
    • Grains de Plasisir, Les Marmandais (South-West, France)

    Price

    • Final bill: £137 for 2 tasting menus, 1 wine pairing, service charge and charity donation

    Date

    • September 2025

    Clarissa Ching

    , ,

  • Maki & Ramen, 1 Leith Street (St James Quarter shopping centre)

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: Yes, for an early lunch
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): Steak Tataki Ramen
    • Decor: Modern Japanese
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: There’s another brunch located just 2 minutes walk away on 37 Leith Street. This branch opens earlier at 11am (vs 12pm).

    Dish(es) savoured

    • SEAFOOD HELL: Our signature hell broth topped with grilled salmon, prawns and squid!
    • STEAK TATAKI: Creamy, hearty curry based broth paired with tataki steak – cooked rare. Topped with a marinated half ramen egg.

    Price

    • Final bill: £37 for 2 pax (1 ramen each only) including 10.0% service charge

    Date

    • September 2025

    Clarissa Ching

    , , ,

  • Bread Meats Bread, North Bridge

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: No
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): We preferred their BMB Brunch Burger, although the Wolf Burger is their signature dish. It had a better overall texture and crunch.
    • Decor: Rustic, industrial burger joint
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: Good burgers, but they would be much more satisfying with a thicker, less spread-out patty.

    Dish(es) savoured

    Lunch Menu – A burger or a sandwich with small chips and a soft drink £13.95

    • BMB BRUNCH BURGER: Smashed ultra-thin 4oz dry-aged beef burger, American cheese, fried egg, hash brown & gochujang mayo
    • WOLF BURGER (+£2.00): Smashed ultra-thin 4oz dry-aged beef burger topped with American cheese, crispy bacon rashers and loaded with pulled pork in smoky BBQ sauce, crispy fried onions & gochujang mayo

    Drink(s) sipped

    • Tea
    • Latte

    Price

    • Final bill: £33 for 2 pax including 10.0% service charge

    Date

    • September 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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