News | Posted 7 February 2024
Free food at Social Bite is more than a meal
In Edinburgh, sit-in suppers at our Rose Street coffee shop have restarted and restaurant meals have a new home at The Bon Vivant. But the experience goes beyond hot food.
Why offer meals in a restaurant environment?
Social Bite aims to challenge the status quo to break the cycle of homelessness. Free food has always been a cornerstone of that goal. But it’s also important to consider the experience of eating: not just what you eat, but where food is consumed, how it’s served and who you dine with. We strongly believe everyone should have equal opportunities to access hot, quality food in a welcoming environment.
Not everyone loves a restaurant setting for their dinner. But the chance to dine in a restaurant or sit at a table and eat with your friends is something we should all be able to do. For people experiencing homelessness, this isn’t always possible.
That’s why we offer sit-in suppers once a week in our coffee shops in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen. We also offer a restaurant experience, once a month in Edinburgh at The Bon Vivant. As well as eating together, these meals are an opportunity to gather, catch up and access support.
What’s it like to dine with Social Bite at The Bon Vivant?
Tucked away on Thistle Street, The Bon Vivant is a cosy spot with wood paneling, artwork, low lighting and a relaxed atmosphere. At the first meal of the year, the new location for Social Bite’s ‘dine with dignity’ meals proved popular with former attendees of the service at Vesta.
Over the course of a couple of hours, a steady stream of people arrived for one of two sittings. Some came alone, some in pairs. A number of folk had arranged to meet their friends, with a few groups across bigger tables.
All received a warm welcome from familiar faces, volunteers Liz and Sandra. They greeted attendees, showed them to a seat, filled water glasses and got the banter started. The Bon Vivant’s team explained the menu, answered any questions and took orders.
“The boys in the kitchen had a great time coming up with the menu,” one server from The Bon Vivant said. “They’re working on getting the classics just right.”
And from the get-go it seemed that the chefs had indeed hit the mark.
Guests have a choice of dishes including a starter, main and dessert, plus tea or coffee. On the first menu of the year there was a choice of cauliflower soup or beetroot salad, followed by fish and chips, beef stew and mash, or mushroom risotto. A bowl of ice cream rounded things off nicely.
What did guests think?
“The cauliflower soup was awesome,” said the first guests as they left after their three-course lunch.
“I used to get the burger at Vesta,” a regular commented. “I really liked having the stew instead.”
“The sauces were great – on the beetroot salad and with the fish and chips. I thoroughly enjoyed everything,” another said.
One gentleman said he was sorry, but he just couldn’t give the service ten out of ten. “It would have to be a billion out of ten!”
Social Bite is able to provide free food thanks to donations from generous supporters.
You can find out more about how food provision works below, or please consider making a donation.
How does dining at The Bon Vivant work?
After the success of dining at Vesta, we wanted to make sure that we could continue to offer restaurant meals. Suppers at The Bon Vivant on Thistle Street are 2-4pm on the last Tuesday of the month.
Anyone who living in a situation of homelessness, food insecure or on a low income is welcome to attend. All you need to do is put your name down the week before (Monday-Friday) at the Social Bite coffee shop on Rose Street.
How do sit-in suppers work at Social Bite coffee shops?
After a short hiatus, sit-in suppers are back at the Social Bite coffee shop on Rose Street in Edinburgh. All you have to do is turn up.
Free sit-in meals are available to people who are experiencing homelessness, food insecurity or poverty – no questions asked. These sit-in services are held once a week in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen. You can find more details and opening times on our website.
When else is free food available?
Social Bite coffee shops in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen offer a takeaway service for breakfast and afternoon meals every day that they’re open. More details and opening times can be found on the pages about our shops.