A pretty place with a canal view for some coffee and snacks. The outdoor seating is adorable and I would definitely recommend this place for a quick chat over a coffee.
Great food, reasonably prized wines, comfy couches and armchairs and fantastic music. What more could you ask for? This lovely venue is a perfect spot for brunch... but also a great place for drinks and dinner, or for a date. Love it!
I’d been to Akva for drinks, for Scran Salon, and for a Mornings Reinvented workshop, but I’d not eaten there, so when my friend Colin suggested lunch in that neighbourhood it seemed like the time had come. It traded rather ignominiously as Cargo for a number of years and is a big barn of the place. The Akva team, who are part of the Swedish Boda-Sofi’s-Victoria-Hemma-Pearce’s chain, have done really well to make it feel so homely, warm and welcoming.
We thought we'd try this place for drinks as we hadn't been in since it was still running as 'Cargo'. The first thing you notice is that the stuffy tired feel of the previous bar has now been transformed into a much lighter feeling space.
Bar staff were friendly and accommodating and gave off a similar feel to those down at sister bars hemma and Victoria.
I loved the little relaxed touches that they had added, like the bookshelves full of Swedish books and flowers and clipboard menus at each table
Regular Edinburgh Foody readers will know, from endless repetition of this fact, that I’m Swedish. I was weaned on salty licorice* and cinnamon buns. I grew up on crisp bread, herring and cured salmon. Smoked reindeer heart is something I have eaten without finding it at all weird. I think meatloaf should be made from pike or moose. I like a bit of lingonberry jam with my black pudding. I think cider should taste like pop. I know the frog song** (at least the first verse). But as you know, I live in Edinburgh, and have done so longer than I lived in Sweden, so the Swedish thing isn’t all that important. I don’t miss Kalles Kaviar*** one bit.
Great place for coffee, drinks or food. A sister restaurant to Hemma and all the other Swedish bars in Edinburgh, this one just opened couple weeks ago. The fact that it's opened until 12am but it's not a typical kind of bar is very appealing to me. I came here for couple drinks with friends after dinner somewhere else but then I saw the food coming out of the kitchen and it looked amazing! I'll be definitely coming back here to try their food so will update you on that adventure later ;) And btw, they have a huge beer garden so come here when it's sunny and enjoy the peace and quiet it offers! They have a quirky bench in front of the main entrance which is pretty cool as well!
The food was really good. The waitress eas very nice! Kitchen had only 15 mins left to order and she made sure we could place the order and get our dinner out on time. Amazing!
AKVA is a very pretty little restaurant/bar/cafe just off the canal and I’ve visited a few times for different reasons. The staff are friendly enough but the clientele can be a little snobbish which can be offputting but there’s nothing the staff can do about that! The drinks and food are a bit pricier than you might pay elsewhere but they aren’t extortionate.
Lovely cosy place. Clearly marked vegan options include sweet potato salad, kedgeree and spicy bean burger.
Very comfortable place. Pleasant staff. Good value. Fully accessible toilets. Table service.
fantastic food. fantastic eclectic mix of furnishing. great service. great vibe. check it out
Only been there for take away cakes but it seems such a specious and comfortable cafe/ bar. I wish I lived in Edinburgh!
The food was good, i liked the service, the atmosphere. It's child friendly. Loved it. Definitely a place to try in Edinburgh
Familiar bar next to the cannal, full of families during the day. Staff are so nice and helpful. Well decorated and confortable, is not scottish style but I love It.
Brilliant.. Food is excellent.. Beer is beautiful and the vibe is coooool
The atmosphere and their menu collection is amazing .. it is a Sweden cuisine, and I highly recommend their aubergine & couscous salad
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