The super cool and 'relaxed' cafe and deli that's opened in leafy Edinburgh locale
This is an exciting addition to the neighbourhood
The last time you were inside 43 Argyle Place, you were probably doing sun salutations, or maybe just lying flat on the floor in corpse pose.
That’s because this prime corner spot, with its view down to the Meadows, was the much loved Meadowlark Yoga for 12 years.
However, it’s now been taken over by something equally appealing - cafe, deli and wine bar, Starter Culture, which has an original branch at 1052 Pollockshaws Road in Glasgow.
Among other things, beyond that freshly black painted exterior, you’ll now find Wild Hearth pastries and Company Bakery goodies, Machina coffee, well-upholstered toasties, in-store tasting events, shelves full of vino, and scoops from the excellent Stirling-based Milk & Honey ice-cream - we can vouch for their crème brûlée flavour.
We asked the owner, Rachna Dheer, a few questions about the newest branch of her business.
Tell us more about Starter Culture
I’m the founder and owner, and, after starting my career as a chef/owner of Babu Bombay Street Kitchen in Glasgow, I developed close relationships with small producers and makers, like micro-producers of chutneys, cheese, charcuterie and more, which shaped Starter Culture’s ethos of thoughtful sourcing, generosity and accessibility.
After launching as a pop-up in 2018 to strong local interest, in 2020, I transformed an old jewellers on Pollokshaws Road into a full retail cheese, deli and wine shop just before the pandemic hit. When Covid-19 arrived, the business quickly adapted to deliveries and community support. That helped it grow into the cosy wine bar-by-night, neighbourhood staple it is today. Since opening the original shop in Shawlands, I’ve built a reputation not just for sharp curation but for creating warm, inclusive neighbourhood spaces that support local suppliers, champion low-intervention wines and prioritise sustainability over scale.
I’m also known for mentoring young hospitality talent and for building teams rooted in care, curiosity and craft. Those values can now underpin the Edinburgh opening.
Why Edinburgh and why Marchmont?
Edinburgh felt like a natural next step for us as it’s a city that truly values craft, hospitality and thoughtful food culture. Marchmont in particular has such a strong neighbourhood feel: local, independent, creative, and community-led. We wanted to open somewhere that felt lived-in rather than transactional and that was a place people could return to several times a week, not just on special occasions.
What do you offer at the Edinburgh branch and how does it compare to Glasgow?
We’ve brought the core of Starter Culture, which includes beautifully curated wines, artisan cheeses, seasonal small plates and exceptional coffee. However, Edinburgh allowed us to refine the concept even further. The space leans more towards an all-day café-bar experience, with oysters, elegant boards, and a stronger focus on relaxed dining alongside retail. It’s recognisably Starter Culture, but softer, slower and more neighbourhood-driven.
Is there anything at the new shop that’s really hard to get anywhere else?
Yes indeed, our rotating wine list features interesting growers and we are introducing fondue as an unusual dining experience. Our fondue is made with a blend of high-quality Alpine-style cheeses, which are melted with white wine and aromatics, and served bubbling at the table. It comes with crusty sourdough, as well as seasonal accompaniments like pickles and charcuterie, so it’s designed for sharing, lingering and relaxed, sociable dining.
What are your favourite products that are currently in stock?
Right now, we’re loving our Vacherin Fribourgeois cheese that’s served in our grilled cheese sandwiches, as well as a beautiful Vicoletto orange wine that’s been flying off the shelves, Scottish oysters that we source direct from the oyster farmers in Cape Wrath and our artisan cheese and charcuterie boards have become instant favourites too.
Do you think it’ll attract a different sort of customer to your west coast branch?
Yes - while Glasgow attracts destination shoppers and wine lovers, Marchmont has a strong local community of professionals, families and students who want somewhere relaxed but high quality. We’re already seeing people treat us as their regular spot, whether that’s for coffee in the morning, wine in the evening, or everything in between.
How have your opening weeks gone and what has the feedback been like?
It exceeded expectations. We’ve been busy from morning through evening, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive - especially around the warmth of the space, the quality of the food and wine, and the fact that there’s nothing quite like it in the area. A lot of people told us they’d been waiting for something like this locally.
What are your bestsellers so far?
Our cheese and charcuterie boards, Scottish oysters, natural wines served by the glass, and flat white coffees have been the standouts. Retail-wise, our house Torres crisps, Perello Gordal olives and curated wine bottles are moving quickly too.
What have you done to the venue’s interior?
The unit was previously a yoga space, and it was quite closed-off and functional. We’ve completely reimagined it by opening it up with soft lighting, stone surfaces and a calm, European café-bar feel. The aim was to make it feel timeless, welcoming and quietly luxurious rather than trend-driven.
Will you be opening any others like this in the future?
We’re focused on getting Edinburgh exactly right first, but yes, thoughtful expansion is very much part of the long-term vision. We’re interested in neighbourhood-led locations rather than chains, and in creating places people genuinely feel attached to.
For more information, follow Starter Culture on Instagram @startercultureedinburgh or see www.wearestarterculture.com
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