Mimi’s Bakehouse
63 Shore, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6RA
mimisbakehouse.com
+44-131-555-5908
This incredibly successful chain of tearooms/cafés/cake shops is, today, an excellent example of how one family can pool talents, ideas, a love of baking, energy, and a strong business sense to create an award-winning brand that Edinburgh residents just love and tourists are excited to discover. “Mimi” is Michelle Phillips, the mum of the family who descends from a long line of professional bakers and cooks and always wanted her own café or tearoom; Dad is a trained chef and used to run a restaurant; and daughters and a son-in-law are all involved. The family opened its first tearoom in 2010 in Leith, the busy port district of Edinburgh, and since then, Mimi’s has opened five more outlets and concessions in different parts of Edinburgh, including inside the City Art Centre, on The Royal Mile, and at nearby Lauriston Castle. This vast Edwardian house stands close to the sea just north of Edinburgh and is a perfect spot to offer visitors an irresistible cake or two and a welcome pot of tea, brewed with teas sourced from Erica at eteaket.
In 2020, the company had just moved the baking kitchen into a new unit when COVID-19 struck, and the team had to rethink how they worked. Resourceful as ever, Mimi’s family quickly realised that during the pandemic, people needed little treats, birthday cakes, special occasion cakes, scones with jam and clotted cream, and some good tea to enjoy at home to help them through the months of isolation and loneliness. A home delivery service was swiftly established, members of staff all became delivery drivers, and the online orders came streaming in. Once the COVID-19 scare was over, the stores quickly got back to their normal busy lives, welcoming all types of people into the comfortable, relaxed, fun atmosphere. The décor throughout the tearooms is basic black and white with generous splashes of pink, blue, vanilla, and turquoise. Everything is spotless, the young staff are all really helpful and friendly, and the menu offers an awe-inspiring array of delicious goodies—award-winning scones, yummy tray bakes, cupcakes in bright playful colours, four different types of brownies, carrot cake, chocolate fudge brownie cake, red velvet cake, sticky toffee cake, and much more. Afternoon tea includes sandwiches and other small savouries, sweet or cheese scones, and a choice of stunning cakes. There really is something for everyone here, and it is very easy to give into temptation.
