I visited Melrose again in October with The Blond and once again we were delighted with our daily ration of coffee, scones and other delights at AfJ. Despite the restrictions then imposed, Johnnie and his smashing team (Amy, Imogen, Will et al) ran this little...but classy cafe with passion and efficiency, keeping us all safe.
Space is at a premium in AfJ at the best of times, so it was a challenge to maintain a reasonable and safe layout but this was achieved brilliantly by the team. Sometimes it was necessary to wait outside for a table, but the resulting delights and friendly welcome were worth the wait. In my last review (January 2020) I raved about the scones - I’m happy to report that they are as splendid as ever. Another treat was the pasteis de nata (Portuguese custard tarts) executed to an impressive standard.
Johnnie’s second AfJ at Earlston had not quite opened at the time of our stay in October but we look forward to visiting it on our next trip to Melrose.
In summary, I can recommend AfJ in Melrose for its outstanding coffee, delicious sweet treats and novel lunch dishes. You will be welcomed and well looked after by a charming and helpful team.More