Staying Fresh
Emma Perry’s creativity and love of adventure has helped shape the menu at No.1, a bustling café in the heart of the Tweed Valley.
Watching the world go by from the café bench
It’s early morning on Innerleithen High Street and Emma Perry is enjoying a coffee in the late autumn sunshine. The doors to No.1 aren’t yet open, but Emma’s already in welcome mode, smiling and waving at locals who pass the café she and partner Craig opened in the town eight years ago.
No.1 is no hidden gem – it already holds legendary status across the Tweed Valley and beyond. “Craig and myself never expected to be quite as popular as we have been,” says Emma. But popular they most certainly are. With an ever-growing customer base of locals and visitors, this intimate café is a celebrated destination for hungry outdoor types.
Speak to any mountain biker fresh off the hills around Innerleithen and it’s likely they’ve had a ride fuelled by Emma and the team. But No.1’s reputation for creative flavours and fine coffee extends well beyond the biking community: “We get a lot of walking groups and runners. Motorbikers. People touring or coming for the history. We get to do the tourist guide thing and tell them all about Traquair and the witches and the yew trees,” Emma laughs.
Emma and her right-hand lady in the kitchen, Hope
The people walking through the door may be diverse, but the stream of customers remains constant, calling on Emma to be super-efficient in her compact kitchen. “Nobody can wait very long for food as they want to get back out on the trails again,” she says.
The need to turn food around more quickly was one of the drivers behind their “nerve-wracking” decision to go 100% vegetarian last year. No meat meant less cooking time and more time for Emma and the kitchen team to focus on their trademark colourful, nutritious and freshly prepared food.
“It’s exciting because you are essentially living by your principles. And that feels good for us.”
The striking menu change also aligned more closely with Emma and Craig’s own values. (Craig is a long-term vegetarian; Emma waivers slightly!) Like many in the food and drink industry, lockdown gave the couple time to really think about their business, hit the reset button and begin to shape things a little differently. It’s fair to say they haven’t looked back. “It’s exciting because you are essentially living by your principles. And that feels good for us.”
Meat-free favourites on the No.1 menu board
So, bacon rolls are a thing of the past and customer favourites including hearty bean burritos and halloumi wraps have seamlessly taken up residence on the No.1 menu. According to Emma, the feedback has been unbelievable. “We were obviously quite scared,” she confesses, “but people are trying things they’ve never tried before. They’re big portions and they’re full of healthy stuff so they go out feeling well fed.”
And because of Innerleithen’s vibrant (and expanding) café scene, Emma doesn’t feel bad about turning away customers on the hunt for a more traditional breakfast roll. With The Trailhead, Nashy’s, Loulabelles, Caddon View and Traquair Arms all in walking distance, it’s easy to direct them elsewhere. Sounds like a win-win for everyone in this foodie town.
Craig catches up with customers front-of-house
The food and drink offer at this busy, bustling café is, without doubt, a major draw. But it’s not the only reason people keep coming back. They’re here because they feel welcome and they feel known. “It’s not just about grabbing a drink,” Emma explains, “it’s about catching up”. At a time of great uncertainty for many, every community needs more of this.
What No.1 has achieved over the years is something rather special. Emma and Craig’s love of the outdoors, and of adventure, is woven into the very fabric of their café. They haven’t been afraid to take risks – and it has paid off. Don’t expect them to sit back on their laurels, though. “I’m kind of looking forward to the next change. I love change!” smiles Emma.
Watch this space.
Further info
With a prominent spot on Innerleithen High Street, No.1 Peebles Road is in walking and cycling distance of some of Scotland’s finest mountain biking trails and hiking routes. It serves freshly prepared breakfast and lunches, homemade cakes and coffee. The menu is 100% vegetarian.
Images: Rich Rowe, Lindsay Quayle