REVIEW : Hula Juice Bar and Cafe, Edinburgh

It’s January and as you all know that means most of us think about climbing on the healthy eating / exercise band wagon. January also brings with it Dry-January and Veganuary.

IT CAN BE VEGANUARY ALL YEAR

I am not a vegan nor a vegetarian, but I do believe in eating more vegetables and cutting back on meat consumption. The debate on whats best for our planet and our bodies - going vegan or eating better organic meats, rages on. I can see the positives and negatives from both points of view but I love meat; luckily I am able to eat the best meat I can afford which is organic and locally produced.

However, give me a large rainbow plate of vegetables and I am equally happy.

I was delighted when Hula got in touch and asked me to come in and review their Vegan/Vegetarian menu, in January of course.

LOCATIONS

Hula have opened up a new cafe at Fountainbridge as well as maintaining their very popular site in the Grassmarket. The Fountainbridge is larger with a lot more space for those wonderful Hawaiian vibes and decor to whisk you away on a multi-coloured food dream for an hour or so.

Hula are a juice bar and cafe. They serve up breakfast, brunch, lunch and everything inbetween; they cater for vegans, vegetarians, gluten freebies, carnivores and everyone inbetween. Whatever your diet, whatever you food options, Hula will endeavour to cater to your needs.

Hula Juice bar and cafe Edinburgh

JUICES

They also make fresh hand squeezed juices - apple (pictured here), orange and carrot as well as super healthy Mixed and Green juices like GINGER JACK - ginger, carrot, apple, orange or OSCAR ginger, parsley, apple, lemon, lime. But you’ll also find Fruit Smoothies, Milkshake Smoothies, Organic Hula Boosters with Wheatgrass and Omega 3.

Regular drinks feature on the menu too - teas, coffees, hot chocolates, cinnamon lattes (as pictured above), waters and cold drinks. The only difficulty is deciding what to drink and then figuring out in your diary when you can come back.

Now onto the menu. It all reads amazing and as your eyes dart back and forth over the menu, your mouth does start to water and your head starts to spin. The choices are vast and my suggestion is to chat to your server as they will be able to steer you in the right direction.

I was so up for Peanut Butter, Apple, Honey and Pumpkin Seed served on thick granary toast but I had this the last time at Hula and knew that I really should try something else. I so wanted it though as I knew it was delicious.

My eyes then fluttered over to the Falafel Wrap with hummus, sweet chilli, sesame slaw, cucumber, mixed peppers and red onions. All the flavours I love …. but alas I settled on the Avocado Toast (£9.60 including the feta topping). Smashed avo with sundried tomato pesto, lime and their special Hula mix of chia seeds, sea salt, sesame seeds and chilli flakes on sourdough toast and I included feta too. (smoked salmon, poached eggs, bacon or kimchi are optional toppings).

You can’t go wrong with avo on toast but this genuinely was delicious avo on toast. There was a slight heat and sweetness from the pesto and hula mix. The avo was seasoned well and just smashed; not a creamy smooth paste you sometimes get served. The toast remained crunchy and the feta provided the pops of creamy tartness. All in all a very filling, scrumptious lunch.

My dining partner Elly went full vegan and opted for the Rainbow Lunch Bowl (£7.95). I am heading back to Hula soon for this, as it was immense!

Not only a rainbow treat for the eyes but a texture sensation for the mouth. The rice was well cooked and soft, the wafer thin crackers were light, delicate and super crunchy, the vegetable curry was warming and almost katsu curry like, whilst the 5 vegetables brought freshness to the dish. Ribbons of carrot, strips of red and green peppers, radish discs and edamame beans adorned the top of the bowl like a proud crown!

We thoroughly enjoyed our lunch here. The atmosphere is lovely - its friendly, warm and relaxing but it is busy and to sit in around lunchtime I suggest you arrive early around 12/1230pm.

The staff here are great, very knowledgeable and happy to help with suggestions and to guide you through the menu or offer alternative choices dependent on your tastes.

We left stuffed, but a very happy satisfied stuffed. The stuffed you get when you’ve had an amazing plate of food and you want to tell everyone you meet where you’ve just been for lunch.

Hula Juice Bar and Cafe comes very very highly recommended so much so in fact that Veganuary or not, I’m going to give it a TartanSpoon.

Hula Juice Bar and Cafe, 94A Fountainbridge, Edinburgh EH3 9QA Tel: 0131 629 1441 www.hulajuicebar.co.uk

My Spoon Award : TartanSpoon 10/10