Aberdeen is earning a reputation for its vibrant café culture. While you can go to the classic Starbucks or Costa, there's a myriad of independent options that are worth a visit. From cosy corners to modern coffee houses, Aberdonians are pretty spoiled for choice. However, a brand new spot just opened up in one of my favourite parts of the city and it is completely different to anything I have experienced before.
A New Addition to Rosemount
Just recently, I was alerted to the Slo Living Studio that recently welcomed customers for the first time just over a week ago. As a local of the Granite City for over a decade now, I have always been on the hunt for new places. Located in the highly sought-after Rosemount, this trendy new hotspot has been designed to invite visitors to slow down and take a bit of a breather. With an eclectic menu that includes the viral Black Sesame Latte, I knew I had to give it a try.
Fortunately, it's only a 10 minute walk from my own flat, which is why I decided to make my way on Sunday, May 31. Considering it had only been open for a few days, I was not surprised to see that there was already a small queue in front of me, with more coming in behind.
Intimate and Charming Interior
Living up to its slow living inspiration, it is very much a cosy little nook, with very limited seating that included a small window bar, alongside two armchairs in the middle of the studio. However, I think this does add to its overall charm, not to mention you can take your coffee to-go to one of the local parks. The first thing I noticed was that the interior design was absolutely beautiful. We're talking handmade arts, crafts and homewares. All made by the owner herself and also up for sale while you are there, it offers a really personal touch that you don't really find anywhere else.
Visitors will find the walls lined with quaint little pieces they can purchase at the till. As for me, I loved the mix of retro aesthetics and scandi-style furniture, with the visually striking artwork also catching the eye as soon as you walk in.
Affordable and Creative Menu
As for the menu itself, there is a selection of cold brews, hot drinks and delicious looking cakes. Not to mention that they are super affordable, costing between £3 and £5. This is a bargain in my book, especially considering how outlandish some of the botanical lattes sounded. We're talking names like 'Aberdeen Fog' and 'Ceremonial Matcha', alongside on-trend ideas like 'Pistachio Cream'. As for me, I did swither on what to choose, with so many creative options to try, but, as the trend-follower I had to go with the Black Sesame Latte.
After managing to nab one of the last spots at the window bar, I sat with my book and drink happily intending on having a quiet little moment to myself. I had absolutely no clue what to expect from my beverage choice but this changed on the first sip.
The Viral Black Sesame Latte
It had a beautifully warm, nutty taste that had a slight hint of sweetness to it, making it go down surprisingly fast. As someone who likes her coffees to be quite sweet, this was a pleasant surprise to me and I can see why it's the cafe's icon at the moment. While you wait for your coffee to be brewed, you can browse around all the little arts and crafts on offer, providing a spot of shopping at the same time. If you are able to get a wee seat inside, like I managed to do, it's surprising how the homely interior doesn't feel like a café at all.
The cosier nature of the studio offered an intimate vibe that allowed me to just sit back and relax without a care in the world, with its location being conveniently located away from the noisy humdrum of the city. As I sat there with my book, drinking my little latte (which is caffeine free, by the way), I felt quite relaxed.
Perfect Location for Relaxation
Another great thing about the location is that, if you get your coffee to-go, it is situated a short walk away from one of my favourite outdoor spots, Victoria Park, which has a beautiful water fountain. Just grab something to eat and drink on a hot summer day and head on over to sit outside in the sunshine.
Overall, I'd say that the Slo Living Studio is an absolutely welcome addition to the Aberdeen café scene. Its intimate setting, alongside its creative homeware items and caffeine-free menu, all of which are made entirely by the owner, make it something of the perfect spot for some relaxation. As someone who enjoys her little solo ventures to somewhere she can get some peace and quiet, this was definitely the place to do just that. With more menu items that caught my eye, such as the upcoming Sticky Date Latte, I know for a fact I will be making another visit sometime soon.
Aberdonian's who are keen to check out the new Slo Living Studio will find it located on 144 Rosemount Place, where it is open from 10am to 4pm from Monday to Saturday. You can also keep up to date with the latest information by following the café on Instagram.
