Although found on Edinburgh’s Frederick Street, Greenwoods has a surprisingly European history. The first site for Greenwoods opened its doors on the Singel canal in Amsterdam back in 1988 and made a name for itself as a destination for brunch, lunch and tea. The restaurant went on to open a second Amsterdam location in 2012, before hopping across to the UK and opening a third location in Edinburgh in 2020 (overseen by Scottish native Jen Nelson, who previously managed both Amsterdam locations).
The Edinburgh branch of Greenwoods looks much like its predecessors, boasting a pillarbox red frontage and cosy, rustic interiors. Guests can snuggle up on wooden bench seating that is dotted with scatter cushions, while nosier folk can grab a stool and sit at the countertops by the window which looks out to the street, settling in for an afternoon of people watching.
Greenwoods’ menu is an all-day selection of breakfast and lunch dishes, with the restaurant priding itself on sourcing ingredients local to Edinburgh where possible, as well as making much of its menu fresh on site. Fans of the Amsterdam original need not worry though, as there are some nods to the restaurant’s heritage on the menu, including a pudding of classic Dutch appeltaart (apple pie) served with whipped cream.
Elsewhere on the menu, you can find a classic Scottish fry up, a stack of savoury pancakes topped with bacon, sausage and eggs or chia seed pudding for those looking for something a little healthier. At lunchtime, you can enjoy hefty sandwiches such as a cajun melt or a BBQ kimchi ciabatta, while The Sir Angus burger sees a beef patty topped with cheddar, homemade red onion jam, homemade tomato chutney, pickles and mixed leaves.
You can also enjoy a traditional cream tea at Greenwoods, while the drinks list ranges from coffee and fresh juices to wines, beers and brunch cocktails.