That’s a long title for a review, but there are various ways to encounter Seb’s Urban Jungle, and I want to be precise about my experience. Also, new menu klaxon!
I’ve been to the Leith Walk location a half-dozen times and loved it. Yes, food, yes, plants – two of my favourite things – but I really go there to eat while surrounded by plants and, here’s the biggie, such friendly staff!
I’ve had paninis and other hot foods, baking and coffee. It’s a good lunch rather than an evening feast, and I imagine I could pop in for coffee and a cake to go, but I never have.
I’ve also bought plants, from a small cactus to larger plants, around the £20 and £30 region. It’s especially pleasing to know you can ask staff questions about plant care or the same on social media and get help.
I’ve not tried ordering anything from the website, and I might; I’ve just not had the opportunity yet.
I’ve been to the original Seb’s Urban Jungle on Easter Road but was barely aware there was a big room out the back and didn’t make it that far. Instead, I lurked in the small front area with friendly plants and ordered a coffee to go. My hunch is that the staff are as friendly, the food range a touch reduced, but plant knowledge is just as good.
I’ve also encountered the team at Moonwake Beer pop-up events, and bought plants and pots and been pleased.
Urban Jungle Brunch Room’s food
Seb and the team launched a new menu on Friday, the 13th. Unlucky for some? Perhaps, but not me.
I went for the vegan variant of the bird of paradise (fake chicken and cheese), which was satisfyingly filling!
I’m surprised at how large the menu has become, it’s over two pages, and I’m not sure how big the kitchen in the Brunch Room is. You’ve a breakfast range (toasted sourdough with stuff), a toasted ciabatta selection, and a lunch section for salads, soup, and soup with more sourdough.
There are also plant-based options for vegans or flexiterians like myself.
Food is in the £6 to £8 range, with cakes or bakes at about £3.
There’s also a good range of drinks, such as a dirty chai latte, herbal teas, iced coffees, and even bubble tea. You can oat, soy, coconut, almond or even cow your milk.
Urban Jungle Brunch Room’s plants
This isn’t a garden centre, but I’ve always found something I wanted. I’m just a new plant parent and not a very good one. I’ve been leaning on local suppliers, grateful for their help, and the Brunch Room is about as far as I’d dare walk with a plant strapped to my back or dangling from a tired arm.
I like plant shopping from Seb’s because I know I can ask questions, get cake while I’m there, and it’s not a squeeze. These plants have plenty of room.
If I had two words to describe the range, I’d go with “house plants”.
If I had only one word, I’d pick “Healthy”. Despite best intentions and careful selection, sometimes suppliers get dodgy plants, and sometimes you end up with one. It’s happened to me before, and it’ll happen again, but it’s not yet happened to me with a plant from the Brunch Room.
I am optimistic, Kickstarter and logistics gods allowing, that I’ll be adding a new plant carrying unit to my living room and will need a large(ish) plant for that. I’ve earmarked Seb’s Urban Jungle website for that purchase because of the help I’ve had from the Brunch Room and over Instagram.
Urban Jungle Brunch Room’s vibe
I love it!
As is my way, I sit there on my tod, and generally not for long, but it’s an impactfully relaxed experience.
Outside is chaos. It’s trams. It’s Leith Walk. It’s shouting shopping and crowds. Inside, it’s lovely, even when it’s busy, because the tables aren’t too close together.
The window bench, where solos like me often but don’t always end up, is a welcome people-watching spot.
I wouldn’t eat here if I had to rush, but I’ve no complaints about the time between order and food arriving. I’ve absolutely nothing but praise for the attentiveness of the staff. There’s never any shortage of people working here, but with a cafe bit, a plant bit and a walk-in bit, you can imagine they’re busy!
Overall
There’s no shortage of places to go on Leith Walk, but I’d suggest you give the Urban Jungle Brunch Room a strong consideration. If you’re near the bottom of the Walk, given that consideration, an upgrade.
I’d pick the Brunch Room as an ideal place to meet a friend. I should have asked whether it’s possible to reserve tables, I bet you can’t, but I also suspect you can turn up, ask for a table for two or more and provided you don’t take the Micky, leave something marking your spot and then go check out the plants while you wait for people to turn up.
Overall, it’s not just the delightful combination of plants and plant-based food here; it’s the staff. It’s the smiles. It’s the vibe of the Brunch room that keeps me coming back.