Scone Spy: Our cake expert checks out Cafe Twenty Eight in Coatbridge

Do you ever find the best things in life are those that take you by surprise?

In my experience, it’s when you stop looking for things that they show up. And that very thing happens to me when I stumble upon Cafe Twenty Eight.

I’m wandering down a street of red sandstone terraced houses on a sunny morning when I realise one of them has been transformed into a cosy little cafe and, of course, as scone spies do, I decide to pop in and see if they have any home-baked goods to sample.

This cute little eaterie, decked out in wood and tartan, has a limited number of tables and I’m lucky that someone has just left, freeing up a booth at the back. I slide in and browse the menu. Breakfast has never seemed so appealing…there’s waffles, eggs, French toast…it all sounds delicious.

Today, my sweet tooth is craving something tasty, so I opt for the house waffles with golden syrup and a nice hot coffee on the side.

When it arrives, I am blown away. The portion size is huge…but they’re so delicious and fluffy I manage every last bite. It’s a struggle not to lick the plate!

I do wonder if I’ve filled myself up too much for the main event but, when the beautiful scone is plonked down in front of me, I decide to give it my best shot.

Our Scone Spy's latest reviews:

Scone Spy: Our chief taster visits Turriff’s delightful Symposium cafe
January 21, 2023
Scone Spy: Our chief taster visits Bibi’s Cafe in St Andrews
January 14, 2023
Scone Spy: Our cafe critic checks out Gordon’s Tearoom in Braemar
January 7, 2023

Accompanied with a trio of little pots filled with butter, cream and jam, this fruit-filled number has my mouth watering. Cutting into the scone, it has the perfect consistency…firm exterior and nice and soft and crumbly inside. I decide to mix it up, smothering one half in butter and jam, and the other cream and jam – and boy, oh boy, what a combination! Every bite is like a step into scone heaven.

It comes as no surprise when I learn the owner of the cafe has worked in restaurants at some of the most iconic hotels in the country, including The Ritz and The Dorchester, before setting up his own foodie venture. It looks like London’s loss has been Scotland’s gain.

And, with that, I bid a fond farewell and head back on my merry way. Finding a hidden gem is never a bad start to the day!