KUBA Café – a fusion of flavour and culture at Edinburgh Printmakers

The cafe looks out onto a courtyard and garden

Nestled within the bright, contemporary space of Edinburgh Printmakers in Fountainbridge, KUBA Café is more than just a place to eat—it's a celebration of culture, creativity, and community.

Open since late March, this new culinary gem is the brainchild of award-winning chef and Great British Menu contestant Babatunde Abifarin, who brings together the vibrant soul of Pan-African cuisine with the hearty comfort of Scottish fare.

As you step through the gallery shop into the café, you're greeted by a wall of glass that floods the space with natural light and offers a tranquil view of the courtyard and community garden. The setting is serene, spacious, and fully accessible—ideal for wheelchairs, prams, and anyone seeking a peaceful city retreat.

Babatunde Abifarin

On our visit, despite a brisk summer breeze, the café radiates warmth, both in atmosphere and hospitality.

Our host, Sarah, dressed in a striking zebra-print dress, welcomes us with genuine enthusiasm. The menu is a feast for the senses, with dishes as bold and colourful as the abstract art on the walls.

We sample the Lamb Harissa Chapati and the KUBA Platter, both featuring the standout homemade merguez sausage—spicy, flavourful, and deeply satisfying. The platter is a vibrant mosaic of flavours: burnt orange coloured, smoky muhammara, rich Agoyin beans in caramelized pepper sauce, beetroot hummus, avocado, and feta. The freshly made chapati is golden, flaky, and utterly addictive.

To drink, we try the Supermalt Original and Ikoyi Chapman’s Original—a deep red, citrusy soda affectionately dubbed “an African Irn-Bru.” It pairs beautifully with the spice-forward dishes.

Dessert is a showstopper: a towering slice of Jaffa cake with moist sponge, intense orange gel and glossy chocolate ganache, made feather-light thanks to the Polish pastry chef’s hack of whipping egg whites separately.

KUBA’s all-day menu is as inclusive as it is inventive. From pistachio pancakes and Shakshuka to spicy merguez subs and beetroot carpaccio, there’s something for every palate, including vegan and gluten-free options. The café also plans to host special events and private dining experiences, further cementing its role as a cultural hub.

As chef Abifarin puts it, “Cooking, much like printmaking, is a creative art form.” And at KUBA, that artistry is evident in every plate. Whether you visit for coffee, a full breakfast, or a leisurely lunch, KUBA offers a warm, joyful space where food, art, and community come together.

KUBA Café at Edinburgh Printmakers - Castle Mills, 1 Dundee Street, Edinburgh, EH3 9FP - 0131 557 2479 (ext. 240)

Tuesday–Sunday, 10am – 6pm