Sacred Grounds, Fore Street

Located at Fore Street, in the charming McCoys Arcade, Sacred Grounds is a vegan café that promises to transport you into a mini plant-based paradise. The small and unassuming café oozes with warm vibes and positivity, perfectly blending natural elements to give you an experience of dining outside even on a colder January day.

Right from the start, the staff greeted myself and my friend with warm smiles. Our server was particularly courteous, took time to understand our preferences and came up with good recommendations. The attention to detail such as providing blankets for guests and turning on the over head heater for us was particularly welcomed. This service went a long way in keeping us comfortable in an outdoor setting, although there are a few tables inside for those who prefer to be warmer.

We quickly ordered brunch with myself selecting the avocado on sourdough toast and rosemary and cinnamon latte. Although sourdough toast served with ripe and creamy avocados might sound like a simple dish, but it holds a rustic charm of its own. However, the highlight of the meal was my friends order of their homemade vegan 'poached egg' on sourdough toast, that left us both pleasantly surprised. The waitress even gave my friend the recipe to take away and try and recreate himself as he was so inspired by it. In all honesty, the sourdough for both of our meals came out slightly too thick, making it somewhat difficult to cut and eat. This is one aspect of their breakfast which could do with improvement as we both found it hard to cut into and enjoy.

Moving on to the drinks as they deserve special mention. My rosemary and cinnamon latte was delightful and beautifully presented, whilst my friend's cappuccino was also delightful. The flavour was well-balanced and paired excellently with the meal. Both drinks were served with oat milk, which made them creamy and gave an added depth of flavour, although there were other dairy alternatives on offer too. I'd definitely recommend trying the rosemary and cinnamon latte if you are passing by.

Unfortunately Sacred Grounds does not have it's own bathroom and therefore the shared toilets in McCoys Arcade aren't quite up to scratch with the rest of the experience, however this is a minimal problem. The prices seem slightly on the higher side for cafe dining although the service and ambiance make up for this, we both agreed we'd expect to pay slightly less for what we received.

In summary, Sacred Grounds does have its pros and cons. Their specialty drinks are the highlights of the menu and the ambiance is second to none. Although there is some scope of improvement in the food department, this café serves as an overall delightful getaway for a lazy brunch or a midweek meet up with friends. Plus, it’s also a haven for vegan lovers looking for experimental recipes. All in all, Sacred Grounds café, with its warmth and comfort, lives up to its name by giving a sense of serenity that stays with you long after you leave the place, largely due to the service provided.