Review: 71 Steps, a bagel bakery on Rodney Street

71 Steps is a spin-off from the Bearded Baker, and it’s seventy-one steps away from the mothership bakery. The new sit-down-and-eat bagel specialist cafe is open during office hours, has excellent coffee, and is blessed with a range of bakery goodies.

The cafe opened this week, and therefore, this review is based on a single visit and evaluates the local business when the staff have the least practice, still figuring out operations and techniques.

71 Steps’ food and drink

I was surprised by the coffee. I was keen to visit 71 Steps for the food, and had high expectations for the food, but the coffee came first and impressed me.

I had sneaked a look at the menu while queuing and scanned the options for open or closed bagels, but when I got my seat and was then introduced to a twin choice of daily specials. The “beggel” or egg bagel won me over and I’m glad I did. That closed bagel, with an egg fried in the hole, arrived with a small side of tasty salad.

As I eat, eat and eat, I also went for a delicious pistachio brownie, but I swear the slices looked even larger in the display case!

It’s my decision to call 71 Steps a ‘bagel cafe’, I don’t think they do, but it does seem to be their speciality. The other special was a waffle, and when (not ‘if’) I go back, I’ll try something else.

If the food quality remains this high then I’ll be happy!

71 Steps’ service and vibe

It’s lovely walking into 71 Steps; it’s new, clean and friendly. It might get a little crowded by the door, in a wee holding pen by the counter, and from where you can see the baked goodies, but that’s a good problem to have.

Wait to be seated, and then expect a menu to arrive with a jug of tap water. That’s already a difference from popping into a takeaway bakery, right? 71 Steps, ironically, is a chance to get off your feet and relax.

I’ll start with my negative. 71 Steps is a few minutes around the corner from work. I had an hour for lunch and struggled to get there, eat, and get back to work during my break.

I don’t think any part of my 71 Steps experience felt slow; I ate quickly (it’s a bad habit), yet time seemed to vanish. The cafe will get quicker as it tweaks its ways of working. For example, I’d have no objection to sitting at a table with a menu already on it or even ordering at the counter while waiting to be given a table to sit at. I think ordering the beggel was the slowest possible option.

The rest is all good! The staff are experienced (I recognised faces), friendly and competent. I asked questions and got answers. I wanted to pay when my food arrived, and that was no problem. There was no wrestling with the card machine.

The seats and padded benches are comfortable and not too close together. There are toilets down the corner. You can see into the kitchen; there’s no reason to wince and regret looking.

The service is great, and the vibe is good. I didn’t visit while there was a large pram or pushchair, which might challenge the space.

Things to do near Rodney Street

We don’t usually mention ‘rival’ establishments in this section, but the Beared Baker is just up the road at 4 Rodney Street. That’s rival in baked goods, but it has surrounded bagels of 71 Steps and is the parent brand. If you’re looking for a coffee on your way to work in the morning, then go to the Bearded Baker.

Rodney Sreet is just down from the popular Broughton Street, connecting to Leith Walk and York Place. You’re a short walk from the St James Quarter, the Omni Centre and attractions like Fayre Play.

I’m not sure how often trips to the Edinburgh Playhouse will overlap with 71 Steps, but it’s doable. If you want to do a pre-theatre meet-up away from the usual venues the crowds might pick for an afternoon show, then 71 Steps would be a candidate.

Overall

71 Steps is a welcome addition to Canonmills and Rodney Street. The local choice is excellent, but the Bearded Baker team knows that and has put the effort in to ensure this new bagel specialist is a contender.

The combination of a lovingly refurbished venue, experienced staff, local knowledge and good food is just the ticket.

I’ll be back.